Learn about our lineup for 

2015-2016!

Michael Pollan is a journalist and one of the most influential figures in the food world. For over 25 years he has been informing us about the places where nature and culture intersect: on our plates, in our farms and gardens, and the evolution of food in our diets. He has been called one of the top 10 “new thought leaders.”

Dr. Michio Kaku is a theoretical physicist, renowned futurist and popularizer of science. During high school, he famously built an atom smasher in his parent’s garage. Dr. Kaku can be seen regularly on television, explaining natural phenomena to non-scientists. He has the ability to make complex scientific ideas not only understandable but fascinating.

Jane Pauley is a television anchor and journalist. In 2004, Pauley wrote movingly and publically acknowledged her struggle with bipolar disorder. Last year she published Your Life Calling: Reimagining the Rest of Your Life, stories of people reinventing their lives and careers in middle age to do work they love. While better known for her tenure on NBC’s Today Show and Dateline NBC, Pauley is now a contributor on CBS News Sunday Morning.

Wesley Clark is a retired four star General and one-time candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. With a keen insight into modern warfare and issues presented around the globe, General Clark’s knowledge on foreign affairs and military engagements will give us a glimpse into the challenges facing our world today.

Malcolm Gladwell is a master storyteller in a genre he created: illuminating the secret patterns behind every day phenomena, such as how ideas spread (The Tipping Point), the roots of success (Outliers), and his latest, David and Goliath, on the advantages of disadvantages. He is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, a staff writer for The New Yorker, and was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people.

Gabby Giffords is a former Congresswoman and her husband, Mark Kelly is a Navy captain and NASA astronaut. Mark and his identical twin brother Scott will have just completed NASA’s study of the effects of a year in space, with Scott on the international space shuttle while Mark remained on Earth. Mark and Gabby’s individual stories are captivating: Mark facing danger as a Navy pilot and in space, Gabby on presumably safer ground, in Congress. As individuals, they show how optimism, an adventurous spirit, and a call to service can help change the world; as a couple, they are a national example of the healing power of shared love and courage

Happy Holidays,

As we approach our third speaker of the season, everyone at the Sacramento Speakers Series would like to wish you a fun and safe holiday with your family and friends. Being together during the is what makes us a community. Here's what you can talk about with your family this holiday-
our upcoming engagement with 

 Yo-Yo Ma

 

As always, we are selling pro-rated packages for the remaining season. The package includes Yo-Yo Ma, Anderson Cooper, Diana Nyad, and David Brooks. The price starts at $140 for all four events. 

Call 916-388-1100 for your seats or browse online here.  

Alice Waters - September 23, 2014

I wanted to share behind the scene photos of the stage presentation. Our sponsor Nugget Markets did an impressive job creating gardens in recycled pallets. Nugget Markets did a great job in the lobby decorating their sponsor table with information for our patrons. Take a look! 

 Kate Stille of Nugget Markets introduced Alice Waters

Another sponsor, Classique Catering, created organic produce centerpieces as well as the food in our VIP sponsor reception area. It came out beautifully. We had a happy Alice Waters!

The Sacramento Speakers Series Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

Managing Principal Mitchell Ostwald recently sat down with Kitty O'Neal at KFBK to discuss the upcoming season. If you haven't heard it in Sacramento yet, listen to the interview here: Mitchell Ostwald with Kitty O'Neal

Ina Garten is coming to Sacramento

Tickets are now on sale for Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa. We anticipate a sell out season so join us for our final engagement for an evening of food and fun! Also, keep an eye out for our upcoming commercial on the Food Network channel. Click here to purchase tickets. 

Don't miss out on your chance to grab all the Ina cookbooks you are missing in your collection. Ina Garten will be pre-signing her best selling cookbooks for our patrons to purchase from bookseller sponsor, Barnes and Noble.

Ina will present in a relaxed setting similar to a fireside chat. She will be answering questions submitted by our patrons. If you have a question for Ina send it to info@sacramentospeakers.com or Facebook message us. If we get it ahead of time it is more likely to be asked! Like us on Facebook for upcoming events, news on our speakers, and giveaways from sponsors.

BIG NAMES ARE COMING

and we hope you are too.

Our thrilling 2014-2015 lineup is in place!

In a fitting tribute to our 10^th year, Sacramento Speakers Series announces that BIG NAMES are coming to Sacramento.   

The new season reflects the expressed interests of you, our patrons.  This year’s lineup includes fascinating and influential speakers on a wide range of topical issues: food and health; the intersection of domestic politics and national security; the transformative power of music; an inside glimpse into the perpetual 24/7 news cycle; an athlete’s passion to compete and dream; and a humorous look at the serious topics of our time.

The season kicks off on September 23, 2014 with one of the most influential figures in the food world, culinary pioneer Alice Waters.  Her Berkeley restaurant, Chez Panisse, and her Edible Schoolyard program for teachers and kids embody her philosophy that good cooking must be based on locally produced and sustainable ingredients.  Welcoming her to the Farm-to-Fork capital will be a treat indeed. 

Next, on October 28, 2014 former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, a trusted advisor to eight US presidents over the past four and a half decades, will take us behind the scenes of White House politics and its relationship to national security.  The recent publication of his book DUTY: Memoirs of a Secretary at War has once again stirred the national debate on the role of government and the need for a cohesive national strategy.      

On December 9, 2014, we will present something very special: celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma will do more than play for us: he will speak to us!  Mr. Ma is noted for exploring musical forms within and outside the Western classical tradition, and continually searches for new ways to communicate with an audience.  We will be treated to an evening very few have experienced, one that promises to be fresh and memorable.   

To start the New Year, on January 20, 2015, television journalist, author and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper will be with us. On his nightly show Anderson Cooper 360, he goes beyond the headlines, keeping politicians and policy-makers honest with his in-depth reporting and investigations.   Well-traveled and always on the scene of the ever changing  hotbeds of world events, this will be a fascinating and informative evening. 

On March 3, 2015 we welcome long distance swimmer Diana Nyad.  Back in the ‘70s, Ms. Nyad was the greatest long-distance swimmer in the world, setting world records for circling Manhattan Island and crossing the 102 miles between the Bahamas and Florida. Last year, at the age of 64, she finally fulfilled her life-long dream of swimming from Cuba to Florida.  Her message to never give up, that you’re never too old to chase your dreams and on the importance of teamwork is an inspiration to both young and old. 

The season will end on April 7, 2015, with political and cultural commentator David Brooks.  A New York Times columnist and a regular analyst on PBS’ NewsHour and NPR’s All Things Considered, Mr. Brooks has a gift for bringing audiences face-to-face with the spirit of our times with humor, insight and quiet passion.  His books and social commentary resonate for its thoughtfulness and understanding and will provide a satisfying and fitting end to the season.

Because of the fine quality of these speakers and your support, we expect the series to sell out—without increasing your ticket prices.  Now is the time to renew or subscribe to the Series!

Read more on our 2014/15 speakers here.