National Geographic Live Announces Fall 2015 Season Lineup

National Geographic Live announces its 2015 fall season lineup of events at National Geographic’s downtown Washington, D.C., headquarters. Hear explorers’ thrilling reports from the field, be inspired by National Geographic photographers, go on assignment with a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and experience the excitement of Telluride Mountainfilm, all without leaving Washington. The fall schedule features 11 fascinating events that reflect National Geographic’s belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world, including presentations by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario and renowned climber Jimmy Chin. Tickets go on sale Aug. 10 and may be purchased online at natgeolive.org/dc, via telephone at (202) 857-7700 or in person at the National Geographic Museum ticket desk between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

“We look forward to providing Washingtonians with another season of illuminating programming that offers inspiration and entertainment to audiences of all ages. They will have the opportunity to see, hear and, in some cases, even taste the experiences our incredible explorers and storytellers have to share,” said Andy van Duym, National Geographic’s vice president for National Geographic Live.

The fall season kicks off on Sept. 16 with “Pope Francis and the New Vatican,” a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the August 2015 National Geographic magazine cover story and corresponding book, with National Geographic magazine Editor in Chief Susan Goldberg, writer Robert Draper, photographer Dave Yoder and special guest Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl. The season closes on Jan. 16 with the first ever National Geographic Photo Fest, where the audience will have the opportunity to meet and be inspired by renowned National Geographic photographers on the heels of the annual invitation-only National Geographic Photography Seminar.

The Nat Geo Live fall schedule also includes two student matinees featuring modified versions of the evening presentations geared toward students. Nat Geo Live’s student matinees are supported by education sponsor Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions. On Nov. 4, photographer and National Geographic Fellow Joel Sartore will present to students about Photo Ark, his ongoing quest to document biodiversity by photographing the world’s most endangered species before they disappear. A Photo Ark exhibition will be on display in the National Geographic Museum beginning Nov. 5. The fall student matinee schedule wraps up on Dec. 8 with photojournalist Ami Vitale and “Rhinos, Rickshaws & Revolutions.” Nat Geo Live’s student matinees are open to school groups for $10 per student, which includes admission to the National Geographic Museum. For tickets or more information on the student matinees, call (202) 857-7281.

All events take place in National Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium. Free parking is available in the National Geographic underground garage for programs that begin after 6 p.m. For the full fall schedule, visit http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/washingtondc/dc-fall-2015-events/.
 
SEPTEMBER 2015

POPE FRANCIS AND THE NEW VATICAN
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/09/16/pope-francis-and-vatican-dc/)

SEPT. 16, 7:30 PM

A week before the first papal visit to the United States since 2008, join National Geographic magazine Editor in Chief Susan Goldberg for a behind-the-scenes look at the August 2015 cover story of National Geographic magazine, “Will the Pope Change the Vatican?” National Geographic was given special access to the pope and permission to document his daily life inside the Vatican for the story. Goldberg will moderate a conversation about this remarkable man with writer Robert Draper, photographer Dave Yoder and special guest Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl. A sale and signing of Draper and Yoder’s recently published book, POPE FRANCIS AND THE NEW VATICAN, will follow. The event is sponsored by The PNC Foundation.

 
OCTOBER 2015

WHEN TOUGH MEETS TECH: EXPLORATION’S NEW FRONTIER
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/10/15/when-tough-meets-tech-dc/)

OCT. 15, 7:30 PM

National Geographic explorer Mike Libecki is on a quest to conquer the world’s last unclimbed peaks. Follow Libecki as he tackles mud and mayhem on the massive Poumaka Tower in French Polynesia, encounters fear and friendship on the Bamiyan slopes of Afghanistan and dodges polar bears while exploring Greenland’s icy waters, all backed by the technology that helps his teams summit and bring the stories back to us. The event is sponsored by Dell.

THE DEFENDERS: INSIDE THE WILDLIFE TRADE
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/10/22/defenders-inside-wildlife-trade-dc/)

OCT. 22, 7:30 PM

Get an insider’s look at National Geographic’s new Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which was established to expose elephant poaching and combat the illegal wildlife trafficking that’s driving many animals to extinction. The unit’s director, investigative reporter and National Geographic Fellow Bryan Christy, will take the stage to share how the SIU is going undercover to report surprising stories that are making a difference around the globe.
 
 
NOVEMBER 2015

BUILDING THE PHOTO ARK
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/11/04/building-photo-ark-dc/)

NOV. 4, 7:30 PM

Photographer and National Geographic Fellow Joel Sartore is on a mission to capture portraits of the world’s most endangered species before they disappear. With ingenuity, wit and a serious Midwestern work ethic, Sartore has created the Photo Ark project, the largest archive of its kind, with 5,000 images and counting. Hear about his comical mishaps, endearing encounters and personal stories to document a world worth saving. A Photo Ark exhibition will be on display in the National Geographic Museum beginning Nov. 5.

IT’S WHAT I DO: A PHOTOGRAPHER’S LIFE OF LOVE AND WAR
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/11/11/its-what-i-do-dc/)

NOV. 11, 7:30 PM

Go on assignment with Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario to the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. Addario has survived death threats and two kidnappings to bring back powerful images from hotspots such as Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan for National Geographic magazine and The New York Times. She’ll share the heart-pounding reality of working in war zones and explain what keeps her going back to places to which most of us would never venture.

TELLURIDE MOUNTAINFILM
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/11/12/telluride-mountainfilm-dc-1/)

NOV. 12-14, 7 PM

Over three unique evenings, enjoy a rich selection of films moderated by Telluride Mountainfilm’s director David Holbrooke and the unveiling of National Geographic’s 2016 Adventurer of the Year nominees. Since 1979, this festival held high in the Rockies has been one of the major events in the adventure film circuit, immersing audiences in issues that matter, cultures worth exploring, environments worth preserving, adventures worth pursuing and conversations worth sustaining.

PRISTINE SEAS
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/11/19/pristine-seas-dc/)

NOV. 19, 7:30 PM

National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Enric Sala reports on his journey to save the last untouched places in our oceans. Through National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project, Sala and his team work tirelessly to inspire the creation of vast marine protected areas, from tropical paradises like the Seychelles to the Pitcairn Islands. Book sale and signing of PRISTINE SEAS: Journeys to the Ocean’s Last Wild Places will follow. Attendees can also visit the Pristine Seas exhibition in the M Street lobby of the National Geographic Museum to learn more about National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project.
 
 
DECEMBER 2015

THE MAKING OF MERU
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/12/01/making-meru-dc/)

DEC. 1, 7:30 PM

Join renowned climber Jimmy Chin and filmmaker Chai Vasarhelyi for a behind-the-scenes look at the award-winning film “Meru.” This thrilling feature documentary follows Chin and fellow climbers Conrad Anker and Renan Ozturk’s quest for the summit of Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru in Northern India. Chin and Vasarhelyi share the thrills — and challenges — the climbers faced, including a serious head injury to Ozturk and a terrifying avalanche slide for Chin. Through film clips, never-before-seen images and gripping firsthand accounts, Chin and Vasarhelyi deliver an exciting tale of adventure and inspiration.

THE SCIENCE OF TASTE
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/12/03/science-taste-dc/)

DEC. 3, 7:30 PM

Savor a deliciously surprising and delightful evening celebrating the story “The Science of Taste” featured in the December 2015 issue of National Geographic magazine. Awaken your senses and mind with innovative food and drink pairings during this unique event. Also, learn the science and art behind what tastes good, what tastes bad and why we even taste at all.

RHINOS, RICKSHAWS & REVOLUTIONS: MY SEARCH FOR TRUTH
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/speakers/2015/12/08/rhinos-rickshaws-revolutions-dc/)

DEC. 8, 7:30 PM

Experience our world through the eyes of award-winning photographer Ami Vitale, whose career has brought her face-to-face not just with violence and conflict, but also with surreal beauty and the enduring power of the human spirit. Her work has taken her to more than 90 countries. She’s lived in mud huts and war zones, contracted malaria and donned a panda suit — all in keeping with her philosophy of “living the story.” Vitale will share her personal odyssey through the images and adventures that have made her a celebrated global photojournalist.
 
 
JANUARY 2016

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTO FEST
(http://events.nationalgeographic.com/special-events/2016/01/16/photo-fest-dc/)

JAN. 16, 9 AM-6 PM

Enjoy a day of inspiration and exclusive access to National Geographic magazine photographers and editors. In the morning, see powerful presentations from the world’s best photographers. Then, choose your own adventure: Go on a Your Shot photo walk; have your portfolio reviewed; or experience live photo shoots and get tips for taking pictures of your own family and pets. Celebrate the day’s close with a not-to-be-missed party.
 
 
About National Geographic Live

National Geographic Live is the live events division of the National Geographic Society, a global nonprofit membership organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world. Drawing from a broad roster of talent including renowned photographers, scientists, authors, filmmakers and adventurers, National Geographic Live’s critically acclaimed programs have connected with audiences worldwide for over a century. Currently, National Geographic Live events are held in 32 cities around the world, including New York, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney. In each of these cities, speakers share behind-the-scenes stories from the front lines of exploration on stage alongside stunning imagery and gripping footage. In 2014, National Geographic Live events were attended by over 150,000 people. For more information, visit natgeolive.org.