Last chance to grab free Raising the Bar tickets
University of Auckland academics are speaking all over Auckland in pubs and bars for one night only on Tuesday, August
28.
Most of the 20 talks have sold out, but seats still remain for a small number of lectures in local pubs. All talks are
free but registrations are essential.
Kirsten Zemke, a senior lecturer in ethnomusicology, will explore Bounce, a genre of queer hip hop music originating from the black
gay community of New Orleans, which has been copied and sampled by pop artists such as Drake, Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus,
has carved a space for marginalised voices and beats to be heard, and gave ‘twerking’ to the world.
And one for the gaming community - Ivan Mouraviev will demonstrate how music enlivens the artistry and athleticism of eSports events and tournaments such as Dota 2 and
League of Legends.
Other top academics with seats remaining are Eva Hakansson, the motorbike-riding mechanical engineer who uses high speed racing to open people’s eyes and minds to sustainable
technology; Nicholas Rowe, Associate Professor in Dance Studies who will explore the junction of cross-cultural arts project and political
trouble in hot spots across the Middle East, Asia and Africa; and Rochelle Constantine, whose fascinating talk about Auckland’s Big Blue Backyard and the Big Things That Live There will open people’s eyes
to the biodiversity in our own Hauraki Gulf.
Finally, scientist Cather Simpson will explain how the endlessly-fascinating lasers at the Photon Lab were once thought to be rather useless, possibly
indulgent pieces of academic kit. A few years on those lasers (and clever researchers) have given rise to two
award-winning companies: Engender Technologies and Orbis Diagnostics.
Tickets remain for:Cather SimpsonLasers, Milk and SpermScienceMezze Bar 6.30pmNicholas RoweDancing on a wire: stories from the fieldCreative ArtsSnickle Lane 8pmKirsten ZemkeBootys, Beats and Beyoncé: Race and Queerness in Bounce MusicArtsLittle Easy 8pmIvan MouravievThe Soundtrack of Gods: Music and eSports GrandeurCreative ArtsOakroom 8pmEva HakanssonSaving the planet - at 400 km/h!EngineeringBirdcage 8pm
The Auckland Raising the Bar event is part of a worldwide initiative to bring knowledge to a city’s nightlife. The
concept originated in New York and is spreading worldwide as more cities embrace the opportunity to hear fascinating
topics from professors in a friendly, laid back atmosphere.
Each bar will host two talks, one beginning at 6.30pm and another at 8pm.
Visit http://www.rtbevent.com/auckland to register.
Ends