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TEDxAsburyPark Open Mic returns next month on the historic Paramount Theatre stage, located at 1200 Ocean Ave.

Now in its sixth year, the open call invites anyone with a good idea worth spreading to share their stories, via a five-minute talk, slideshow, rant, comedy routine, song, dance, experience, or performance art.

This year’s theme will center around Passion, organizers said:

Passion drives ideas, people, and communities to action. Passion makes leaders. Passion combined with knowledge creates new ideas worth spreading. Passion can lead both to creation and destruction, to inspiration, suffering, grit, compassion, and extraordinary service.

“Passion takes many forms, and Asbury Park has always been a place where people come from far and wide to exhibit their passion for life,” said Madison Marquette President Gary Mottola, who gave his first TEDx talk in 2016. “Asbury Park has no shortage of passion, so we’re the natural venue for a world-class conference on passionate ideas, stories, and art. TEDxAsburyPark will weave together the stories and ideas of local, national, and global artists and thought leaders.”

Participants will present a shortened TED-style talk in front of a live audience in hopes of being selected as a speaker at the main event TEDxAsburyPark 2018: Passion, taking place May 19.  

Last year, a number of talented performers were discovered through open mic sessions, said organizers, who worked to help those chosen polish their presentation ahead of the main event

TEDxAsburyPark is a daylong showcase of nonfictional entertainment theater that brings together an array of local artists and speakers together with those from across the nation and around the globe.

The local program is designed in the spirit of TED Talks and Conference mission of spotlighting ideas worth spreading. The nonprofit began 30 years ago in California.

The Open Mic event is free, open to public, and features a cash bar. On stage audience seating will be given on a  first come basis. Doors open at 6:30pm, with the program beginning at 7:00pm. To attend, register via eventbrite.com page.

To apply to speak, volunteer, sponsor, and for more information, visit TEDxAsburyPark.com.

[Feature Photo and video courtesy of TEDxAsburyPark]

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