|
 |
Headline Speakers
|
|
Third
annual St. Louis Speakers Series offers audience intellectual
entertainment.
In
a world of round-the-clock news coverage, instant analysis and
second-guessing, there is a precious place where the truth actually
can be discovered—direct from the individuals who create or cover
the news.
One evening a month, from September through April, a world-class
personality steps onto the stage at Powell Symphony Hall to share
his or her story as part of the St. Louis Speakers Series. Speakers
share their views on the events behind the headlines and pivotal
moments in U.S. and world history, Pulitzer Prize winning literary
works, investigative reporting, and other great achievements.
The lecture is followed by an in-depth question and answer period
where subscribers are invited to ask the speaker questions.
Now entering its third season, the annual seven-lecture St. Louis
Speaker Series has attracted such world leaders as Mikhail Gorbachev
and F.W. deKlerk and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
General Colin Powell. Other distinguished guests have included
journalists George Will and Cokie Roberts, former Presidential
Advisor George Stephanopoulos, author Tom Wolfe, Pulitzer prize
winning author/historian David McCullough, and environmental activist
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., just to name a few.
“It’s amazing to hear people of this stature tell you inside stories
you’d never get from the newspapers or TV,” says subscriber Stuart
Hartzell, president of Montclair Travel in St. Louis, which specializes
in travel on the Concorde and the QEII. “I almost felt like I
had met Gorbachev when the Soviet Union ended, and deKlerk at
the changeover in South Africa.”
This year’s Series promises to be one of the best ever. The 2000-2001
line-up includes political journalist Mark Shields from
PBS’ Shields and Gigot on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
(Sept. 27), former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
(Oct. 26), opera diva Beverly Sills (Dec. 7), Pulitzer
Prize winning author of Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt
(Feb. 8), CBS 60 Minutes’ Mike Wallace (March 8),
former New York Governor Mario Cuomo (March 29), and miracle
survivor of the deadliest day in Mt. Everest history, Beck
Weathers (April 22).
Presented by Maryville University and sponsored by radio station
KMOX, Commerce Bank and the St. Louis RCGA, the Series has not
only attracted large audiences, but also is garnering the interest
of the nation’s most sought-after speakers.
“Word has spread about the Series,” notes Bill Conrow, founder
of the St. Louis Speakers Series. “We now have agents calling
us from all over the country. Our speakers seem to particularly
enjoy our St. Louis audience and, especially, the opportunity
to answer individuals’ questions.”
Longtime subscriber Diana Cunningham and her husband George, a
computer executive, travel to Chicago and New York regularly to
enjoy ballet and opera. But she says other cities don’t offer
anything to compete with the intellectual stimulation of the St.
Louis Speakers Series. “This is a tremendous asset to St. Louis,
having speakers of such high caliber,” she adds.
Conrow adds that they look for an interesting mix of distinguished
authors, journalists, world leaders, senior statesmen and noteworthy
personalities.
“I have found that the speakers, who I thought I would not enjoy
as much, are the ones I have actually enjoyed the most,” says
Dr. Richard Brand of the Washington University School of Medicine.
“What a nice surprise. I see why it is sold as a series.”
Even area journalists, who see newsmakers on a regular basis,
have been impressed by the Series. KMOX Morning Meeting host Charles
Brennan notes that the Series is “one of the best things that
has ever happened to St. Louis.” St. Louis television producer
Patrick Murphy adds, “What a pleasure it is—in an age of soundbites,
news clips and virtual realities—to experience great speakers
and their thoughts in person and unedited.”
Charter subscriber Barbara Pierce, president of Millennium Communications,
Inc., believes timing has been another critical factor in the
Series’ success. “Amazingly, George Stephanapoulos was in town
the day the Senate impeachment hearing began and Gorbachev was
here when the Soviet Union was in crisis,” Pierce says. “I can’t
wait to hear Mark Shields’ predictions on the outcome of the 2000
Presidential race as it comes down to the wire.”
Lecture tickets are sold by series subscription only. Series subscriptions
can be ordered by calling 314/286-4470, or online at www.speakerseries.com.
RCGA members receive a 25 percent discount off the subscription
prices and tickets may be ordered by calling Colin Stahlhut, 314/444-1145.
|
|
|
|
|
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
