Sigourney Weaver, Gladys Knight, Isabella Rossellini lead 2011 Smart Talk Series

Wed, 10/20/2010
desmoinesregister.com 2011 Series

Since 2004, female artists, actors, journalists and philanthropists have come to Des Moines to discuss their lives in the Smart Talk Connected Conversations Series.

The 2011 lineup kicks off Feb. 1 with actress Sigourney Weaver and closes with seven-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight on May 16.

It’s the first year that Knight, Weaver and author Jeannette Walls will participate. And there is a chance that “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer Gladys Knight may offer an impromptu performance.

“I’m hoping she’s belting out something a capella,” Smart Talk CEO Bob Benia said.

All events start at 7:30 p.m. and take place at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Tickets cost $99-$329 for all five talks and are available through the Civic Center Ticket Office and civiccenter.org. Past Smart Talk members can renew and order tickets through Nov. 5. New orders begin Nov. 12.

Here’s the full lineup:

Sigourney Weaver Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011 — The Academy Award-nominated “Aliens” actress will speak about her experiences and the power of women in Hollywood. Jeannette Walls Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 — The best-selling author of “The Glass Castle” will share lessons learned growing up in a desert and then a West Virginia mining town, plus her role as a gossip columnist at MSNBC. Ann Compton Wednesday, March 9, 2011 — Compton will discuss her roles as a ABC White House correspondant and a mother, plus behind-the-scenes anecdotes from her time spent with six U.S. presidents. Isabella Rossellini Monday, Apr. 4, 2011 — Filmmaker and former Lancome cover girl Isabella Rossellini will discuss aging gracefully and give insight into her family life. Gladys Knight Monday, May 16, 2011 — The seven-time Grammy winner will offer a glimpse into her life and speak about how music has influenced her as a mother, great-grandmother and businesswoman.

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Since 2004, female artists, actors, journalists and philanthropists have come to Des Moines to discuss their lives in the Smart Talk Connected Conversations Series.

The 2011 lineup kicks off Feb. 1 with actress Sigourney Weaver and closes with seven-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight on May 16.

It’s the first year that Knight, Weaver and author Jeannette Walls will participate. And there is a chance that “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer Gladys Knight may offer an impromptu performance.

“I’m hoping she’s belting out something a capella,” Smart Talk CEO Bob Benia said.

All events start at 7:30 p.m. and take place at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Tickets cost $99-$329 for all five talks and are available through the Civic Center Ticket Office and civiccenter.org. Past Smart Talk members can renew and order tickets through Nov. 5. New orders begin Nov. 12.

Here’s the full lineup:

Sigourney Weaver Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011 — The Academy Award-nominated “Aliens” actress will speak about her experiences and the power of women in Hollywood. Jeannette Walls Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 — The best-selling author of “The Glass Castle” will share lessons learned growing up in a desert and then a West Virginia mining town, plus her role as a gossip columnist at MSNBC. Ann Compton Wednesday, March 9, 2011 — Compton will discuss her roles as a ABC White House correspondant and a mother, plus behind-the-scenes anecdotes from her time spent with six U.S. presidents. Isabella Rossellini Monday, Apr. 4, 2011 — Filmmaker and former Lancome cover girl Isabella Rossellini will discuss aging gracefully and give insight into her family life. Gladys Knight Monday, May 16, 2011 — The seven-time Grammy winner will offer a glimpse into her life and speak about how music has influenced her as a mother, great-grandmother and businesswoman.

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