Enjoy TEDx Winnipeg activities at UM on May 29

On May 29, the Desautels Concert Hall at UM will transform into a vibrant hub of innovation, inspiration, and bold conversation as part of TEDx Winnipeg.

Tickets are almost sold out, but don’t fret, if you don’t get tickets there is much to do on the fringe of the festival—and all free of charge.

Come check out the marketplace, interactive display booths, food trucks, and Billy the Bison having fun with the herd over the lunch break (which runs noon until 1:30 p.m.). Take part in this exciting community event.

More than just talks—an interactive experience 

TEDx Winnipeg at UM is about engagement and exploration. On May 29, the Desautels Concert Hall will be transformed into a hub of creativity and conversation: 

• Makers’ Market – Browse innovative booths and hands-on displays 
• Food Trucks – Grab a bite and network with fellow big thinkers 
• Interactive Exhibits – Experience disruptive research, creative projects, and immersive storytelling through booths set up in the Desautels lobby 

The power of ideas—live on stage 

Each year, TEDx Winnipeg curates a lineup of dynamic speakers who push boundaries, challenge perspectives, and share compelling ideas worth spreading. 

This year’s topics range from the power of burlesque to reimagining the designed world—with several speakers having deep UM connections, including researchers and alumni. 

Featured Speakers and performers

Victoria Sparks plays the marimba in the new Desautels Concert Hall.

Renowned percussionist Victoria Sparks will give a special performance. Sparks is an instructor in the Desautels Faculty of Music known for her work as a soloist, orchestral musician, and chamber performer. She regularly performs with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and serves as Principal Timpani/Percussion with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. In 2023, she launched the ReSound Series, a collaborative initiative to support new music in Winnipeg and she is a founding member of the Canadian Percussion Network.

Faculty of Education Professor Robert Mizzi, Canada Research Chair in Queer, Community, and Diversity Education, and former guest on What’s the Big Idea? podcast, will share insights from his groundbreaking work on deep inclusion and what it means for our world. 

Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management Professor Cheryl Glazebrook, an expert in movement and neurodiversity, will inspire you with her talk on how dance can connect us to ourselves and others in ways you may have never imagined. 

How can staff attend?  

We know TEDx Winnipeg is a daytime event, here’s some ways you can enjoy it: 

• Split a Ticket – Share a ticket with a colleague! One person attends the morning sessions, the other attends in the afternoon. Just coordinate and use the same ticket at the door. Be sure to book any time away through the appropriate channels. 
• Book Time Off – If you want the full-day experience, be sure to book any time away through the appropriate channels.  
• Drop in Over Lunch or Breaks – Not able to commit to a full day? No problem! The TEDx experience isn’t just about the talks. There are interactive exhibits, a makers’ market, and food trucks outside for lunch—so you can explore, connect, and get inspired whenever you have time. 

UM Today Staff