Our local historic theatre hosted its first TEDx event. TED (Technology Entertainment and Design) is a global set of conferences formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading." Since June 2006, the talks have been offered for free viewing online through TED.com. TEDx is a program that enables schools, businesses, libraries or just groups of friends to enjoy a TED-like experience with TEDx events they independently organize, design and host.I was unable to attend the event but understand it was a great success. In a review I read today, a guy said the event "represented the best twenty bucks I can remember spending." He described a few of the presentations including this:
One of the hosts named Rives performed a hilarious routine with an iPad depicting his 'talking hand' talking and singing with him in a modern version of Windsor McCay's 'Gertie the Dinosaur'.I learned that Gertie the Dinosaur was a 1914 animated short film. It was not the first animated film, but is was the first important animated cartoon and the first cartoon to feature a character with an appealing personality. Gertie the Dinosaur was originally created to be used in Windsor McCay's vaudeville performances.
In the performance, McCay would stand on stage in front of a projection screen, dressed in a tuxedo and wielding a whip. He would call Gertie, who appeared from behind some rocks. He then instructed her to perform various tricks, similar to a circus act. He would appear to toss a prop apple to her -- McCay palmed the apple while Gertie caught an animated copy of it. Gertie was also seen to swallow a large rock, play with a Mastodon, and drink an entire lake dry. At one point, McCay would scold Gertie for misbehaving, at which she would begin to cry. For the finale, McCay disappeared behind the screen just as a cartoon version of him climbed onto Gertie's head and rode off.
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