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Rapper Carl Perino [shown in feature photo], who happens to be a Jackson middle school principal, debuted his latest social justice piece Thursday night at the Paramount Theatre on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

The first to grab the mic during the TEDxNavesink Open Rehearsal, Perino rhythmically addressed women’s rights:

“Where are all the marchers on the Ides of March…we can’t all succeed if half are held back…women earn half of all medical degrees but a male doctor makes more than half times more than she…I guess I’m mansplaining, just who am I to speak of this category, I’m not taking history and making it herstory, see there is no mystery, I think that it is our story,” he rapped.

Having won a spot back on Jan 20 to participate in the Fifth Annual TEDXNavesink Conference, being held for the first time in Asbury Park, it was time for the coaches to help Perino polish his piece before the May 20 event.

Using a Voice-like critique, the five coaches included TEDxNavesink Founder Brian Smiga,  Brian Leddin, Mary Rawlinson, Brian Thompson and MK Harby [at right].

“Why should we have to go to New York to see great ideas,” Smiga [above right] said of launching TEDxNavesink. “We want to discover the best local speakers and ideas, the best from New York metro and the best from the world and bring them here on a theme.”

The behind the scenes sneak peek event included talks by Master Craftsman Eric Burdge, who also won a spot on Jan. 20 for the upcoming main event, Monmouth University’s Ken Womack on the ‘Tingle Factor’ behind Sir George Martin and the Beatles and Salon Concrete’s Christine Zilinski delivered ‘Hair I Am’ addressing the personal relationship an individual has with their hair. 

As the four [at right] delivered their talks, the close to 100 membered audience used their cell phones to text a 1-3 rating based on whether a speaker was stage ready, almost there or needed more work. The audience was also given a chance to ask questions and make verbal critiques.

“This isn’t lectures,” Smiga [at right] said. “This should be entertaining, this is idea theater. If I had to boil it down to one thing, it is that a speaker brings an idea worth spreading to you and expands your understanding of that idea.”

Being held at the Paramount Theatre, this year’s event asks the question what does identity mean to you. The answer will unfold from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 20 when over 30 speakers share their perspectives at the Fifth Annual TEDxNavesink conference.

Previously held in Red Bank and Long Branch, TEDxNavesink moves to Asbury Park through a collaboration with boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette.

For tickets, visit www.tedxnaveshink.com. Enter code REHEARSE17 for a discounted rate.

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