New season of speaker series at Uptown!

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center’s 2018/2019 season of seven intriguing and engaging speakers includes timely topics including local and national political perspectives, inspiring individuals and a repeat of last season’s most memorable audience experience. Uptown! Speakers Series occurs on third Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on select months.

Kicking off the season is “Leadership in America,” Sept. 18. Michael DiBerardinis, Managing Director of the City of Philadelphia, will speak about the role big cities play in protecting the values of justice, equity and opportunity established in American life during the last century, and how that role will continue – and change – in future years.

On Oct. 16, Lisa Hamp presents “Virginia Tech: A Survivor’s Perspective on Trauma and Recovery.” Lisa was a junior at Virginia Tech, and was present during the 2007 shooting. She shares her firsthand testimony of that tragic day, her recovery journey afterwards and discusses the impacts of trauma, the aftermath of mass violence, and how we can better prepare for future threats.

Political analyst and commentator Matt Kerbel will be on hand Nov. 20 to offer his perspectives on “Trump at Mid-term.” The mid-term election is a moment of truth for the Trump administration, with control of Congress and numerous state governments on the line. Matt returns to Uptown! to make sense of the results and discuss how they will shape politics for the remainder of the decade.

Into 2019, on Jan. 15, Christianna Hannum presents “Good Night Ladies: The Life story of Nancy Penn Smith Hannum,” a screening of her award-winning short film and discussion about her grandmother’s unique life story. A Chester County Icon and Master of the Hounds,

Nancy Hannum was also one of the founders of the land conservation movement in Chester County.

On Feb. 19, 2019, “From Radical Homemaker to Radical Entrepreneur,” is a presentation by author, speaker, business owner, blogger and farmer, Shannon Hayes. She offers a thoughtful and impassioned view on what it

means to live well. Combining domesticity, love of community and entrepreneurial fire, she’s fueled a world worth living in and hearing about.

West Chester resident, singer, actor and director, Julie May, and her friends share a celebration of her creative life and performance, including songs from 25-plus years of performances in the greater Delaware Valley. On March 19, 2019, she asks, “Who am I Now that I’m Not Who I Was?” and encourages audiences

of all ages. Anyone can be a star! It’s never too late to start.

April 16, 2019 brings the return of last year’s sensational speakers, Dean Rodney Smolla and Honorable Judge Juan Sanchez with “The Chester County Bar Association presents SCOTUS in Action.” In this new edition of one of the highlights of the 2018 season, Dean Smolla and Judge Sanchez will dramatize a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court in a current, controversial

and complex case. Like last year, the audience will be sworn in and counted on to contribute to the discussion.

Tickets for each event are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Purchase tickets at http://UptownWestChester.org at the box office or call 610.356. ARTS(2787). Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is conveniently located near parking, shopping and restaurants at 226 North High Street, West Chester.