The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center is now prepared to take you to Mars and beyond, all thanks to their role as an official National Geographic Live venue. Eventually, it will be a truly live, and in-person opportunity, but in early 2021 — due to the ongoing pandemic — it will be a virtual live affair for those taking part.
The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor has become an official National Geographic Live venue. The National Geographic Live speaker series delivers behind-the-scenes stories, stunning imagery, and gripping footage from world-renowned photographers, scientists, authors, filmmakers, conservationists, and adventurers.
Mike Nadolski, Executive Director of The Mendel Center, says, “As an official National Geographic Live venue, we are excited to bring adventure to southwestern Michigan,” and adds, “The quality of their speakers is unparalleled. The visuals are beyond incredible. And the content is highly educational for audiences of all ages.”
While Nat Geo Live speakers are normally brought to venues in person, live virtual events will be offered in early 2021 due to COVID-19. The Mendel Center is presenting a trio of these presentations beginning in January.
Nadolksi says, “Participants can register for one, two, or all three events,” and notes, “With a price point starting at $15 per session, these make terrific holiday gifts for families and adventure lovers of all ages.”
Nat Geo Live virtual events offered through The Mendel Center include:
Life on Other Worlds
Tuesday, January 19th at 7pm
How close are we to discovering life on other planets? NASA’s Perseverance rover is due to land on Mars in 2021 to search for signs of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples for possible return to Earth. Jupiter’s moon Europa is home to a vast subsurface ocean—a body of water that could sustain primitive forms of life on this alien world nearly 600 million miles from our planet. Join planetary scientist and astrobiologist Kevin Peter Hand and NASA engineer Kobie Boykins for the latest intriguing updates on this vast frontier of exploration.
Scientific Exposure
Tuesday, February 9th at 7pm
Natural history photographers working with National Geographic have often emerged from scientific backgrounds, enabling them to reveal wildlife and our natural world in surprising ways. Molecular biologist-turned-photographer Prasenjeet Yadav combines his experience in research with his photography skills to highlight natural history and science stories in Asia. And Anand Varma has developed innovative techniques to create stunning images of creatures whose details are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Join these National Geographic explorers and photographers for stories and conversation on the intriguing intersection of science and photography.
Feats of Filmmaking
Tuesday, March 16th at 7pm
Meet two filmmakers renowned for capturing extreme feats of adventure in some of the world’s most remote and inhospitable environments. Based out of British Columbia, Bryan Smith brings stories of adventure to the screen from the South Pacific’s deepest canyons to the frozen waters of Niagara Falls. Keith Ladzinski takes on the seemingly impossible—including chasing tornadoes, hanging from massive natural arches, and swimming with alligators—to document the endeavors of the world’s most elite adventurers.
A flexible registration pricing range of $15 – $25 per event allows participants to support the series as they are able while making these presentations accessible and affordable. Online passes are available for purchase at http://www.TheMendelCenter.com or by calling the box office at 269-927-8700, option 1, Mondays through Thursdays from 2 to 6 pm. At this time walk-in box office hours are not available in the interest of the health and safety of patrons and staff.
The National Geographic Live virtual event series is supported by The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Gast Young People’s Performance Endowment.
The Mendel Center raised the curtain on its first Mainstage season performance in the fall of 1992. Since that time, it has presented Mainstage season performances to more than half a million patrons in the 1,559-seat Mendel Center Mainstage Theatre. Newly renovated Grand Upton Hall, first opened in 1979, is a 13,700-square-foot venue serving the community as the host site for meetings, banquets, trade shows, weddings, and other celebrations. The 229-seat Hanson Theatre is home to the Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Departments as well as a variety of Mendel Center and community events.
