2013GATOStage

Great American Think-Off

Think-Off Saturday June 13th @ 7pm

The Center is bustling with activity this week as we prepare for the 23rd annual Great American Think-Off.  The Great Debate will take place on Saturday, June 13th at 7:00pm at the James Mann Center for the Performing Arts at the New York Mills Schools, with a reception immediately following at the Cultural Center. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets are available at the Cultural Center in New York Mills, at the P.S. I Love You boutique in Perham, by calling the Center at 218-385-3339, or online at Brown Paper Tickets (click here).

nkennedyWe will kick off the weekend with a concert at the Cultural Center on Friday, June 12th at 7:30pm, featuring Norman Kennedy, Scottish balladeer and storyteller. Norman returns to the Center as part of a short tour of Minnesota before heading back to Scotland to play in a festival there. Norman’s keen storytelling skills and powerful voice make for an evening to remember. Call the Center to reserve tickets at $12, or pay $15 at the door. Click here for more information about Mr. Kennedy.

Think-OffThe four finalists will be heading to New York Mills in just a few days, and are preparing for a return to the stage, with all four debaters repeat finalists to the Think-Off. This resulting ‘Battle of Champions’ promises to be a especially entertaining live debate, culminating with a resolution to this year’s question, “Does Technology Free Us or Trap Us?”, decided by audience vote. Arguing that Technology Traps Us will be Marsh Muirhead (Bemidji, MN) and Paul Terry (St. Paul, MN), and arguing that Technology Frees Us will be David Eckel (Clayton, NC) and David Lapakko (Minneapolis, MN). Click here to learn more about the finalists.

On Saturday at 11:45 a.m., the finalists will take a ride behind a tractor down Centennial Drive in a sort of mini parade, preceding hundreds of motorcycles that will roar through town as a part of New York Mills’ 14th annual Ronald McDonald House Ride.  If you’re near New York Mills on Saturday morning, stop by to give the finalists a wave, and to see (and hear!) the motorcycles pass through town.  Then, visit the Cultural Center to check out our 23rd annual Regional Art Show in the gallery, featuring the work of more than 25 regional artists, and peruse our unique Gallery Gift Store, where you can purchase hand-made artwork from nearly 100 local/regional artists, plus locally made foods, Scandinavian treats, and iittala Finnish glass.

Finally, join us at the NYM School for the 23rd Annual Great American Think-Off, beginning at 7:00pm on Saturday night (doors open at 6:00pm). Immediately following the debate and naming of 2015’s America’s Greatest Thinker, the finalists and audience members are all invited to a reception at the Cultural Center, to enjoy good food, drinks, conversation…and continue the debate!