Ticket price: £10 if booked online in advance or £12 on the door. This includes a meal from The Canteen.
We all want happiness, of course. And yet, after thousands of years of culture - of philosophy, of religion, of science - we still don't seem to have much idea how to get it. We know, in theory, that money doesn't buy happiness - but most of us still want more of the stuff, and it still seems to be the primary measure of national success. Why is that? Something similar can probably be said of many of the other pleasures and comforts that we strive for. So what really does make a human being happy? Can we all be happy, or does the happiness of some depend on the exploitation of others? How can we organise our lives and our society for optimal happiness?
On The Panel We Have
Chris Johnstone, a specialist in the psychology of personal power. He worked for nearly twenty years as an addictions specialist in the NHS before focusing on teaching, training and writing. Addressing both personal and planetary issues, he organizes the annual Bristol Happiness Lectures (check out Chris's talk on YouTube) and produces the free newsletter The Great Turning Times. He is author of Find Your Power – a toolkit for resilience and positive change (Permanent Publications, May 2010).
Jewels Wingfield, who has developed her unique and pioneering work for over 20 years. She is well known in the UK for her cutting edge and sometimes controversial work that addresses both the collective and individual consciousness of humanity. She is passionate about helping people connect personal inner freedom with outer environmental issues. Her work addresses important subjects such as how to cultivate authentic happiness and 'What it is to truly Love' and the relevance of this for healing our world.
Liz Zeidler of Modoto and the Bristol Happy City Initiative. With degrees in Philosophy and International Development, Liz likes to combine a thoughtful approach to the world with action to enable and inspire positive change in it. Happy City exists to spread happiness and create caring, connected communities where we can make the change we want to happen and where we shift our focus from bad news, fear and consumption to celebrating and spreading success.
One further panel is still to be confirmed.
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The Entertainment Is
The Blood Choir unplugged. This talented duo has triggered a lot of attention, with endorsements from Brett Sparks of The Handsome Family and Garth Hudson of The Band, and, with their full band, a number of opening slots for big name touring American groups - so you may not be able to catch them in such intimate surroundings for long!
Lucy and Lucy of Light Box, who will be delighting us with a couple of "mini workshops" (or should that be "playshops"). Light Box uses creative workshops to demonstrate simple techniques scientifically linked to improved mental well-being. Founded in 2009 by Bristol artist duo, Barfoot and Duggan, Light Box aims to familiarise people with their creative powers, so they might use them to achieve emotional resilience and fulfilment.
Food & Drink
The exact menu is dependent on locally available produce on the day, but it will be The Canteen's usual fayre - seasonal, local, sustainably sourced and delicious - with both meat and vegetarian options. A fully licensed bar is also available.
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Location
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Schedule
- 7.00pm to 7.30pm: Doors open.
- 7.30pm to 7.35pm: Live acoustic music from The Blood Choir.
- 7.35pm to 7.40pm: Interactive "playshop" with Light Box, the happiness project.
- 7.40pm to 8.20pm: Panel discussion with questions from the Chair.
- 8.20pm to 8.40pm: Break for food from The Canteen.
- 8.40pm to 8.45pm: Live acoustic music from The Blood Choir.
- 8.45pm to 8.50pm: Interactive "playshop" with Light Box, the happiness project.
- 8.50pm to 9.55pm: Panel discussion with audience involvement.
- 9.55pm to 10.00pm: Final track from The Blood Choir.
- 10.00pm on: Hang out in The Canteen downstairs if you wish.
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