Mystic Aquarium

Why stay home to watch “Bones?” You can join real DNA detective Spencer Wells on an epic journey of discovery that spans the globe at the Garde Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. March 11, revealing an incredible tapestry of human diversity along the way.

As director of National Geographic’s Genographic Project, and a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, Spencer Wells has an extraordinary goal – using DNA from participants around the world to document and create the first-ever map of human migration, showing how humans came to populate the planet after leaving the cradle of Africa some 60,000 years ago, a journey about which little has been known until now.

Wells has been a guest on The Daily Show and TODAY, and has also been a presenter at a renowned TED Conference.

One lucky guest could find his or her own place in the migration mystery with a special DNA kit signed by Wells that will be raffled off at the event.

This event is part of the of the second season of the “Faces of Our Planet” series, created by Sea Research Foundation, National Geographic Society and the Garde Arts Center in 2010 to reveal the mysteries and discoveries of the world’s human, animal and geographic faces. The five-part series consists of film, live performance and multimedia presentations – all at the nationally-recognized Garde Arts Center at 325 State St., New London.

Wells will be available for a meet and greet with guests at the conclusion of the event.

WHAT: Multimedia presentation by Spencer Wells, considered the “father of anthropological genetics.” The event is part of the “Faces of Our Planet” event series, created by Sea Research Foundation, National Geographic Live and the Garde Arts Center.

WHEN: Friday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London, CT 06320

TICKETS: Adults $18, seniors (65+) $15, student/child $10, all aquarium members $10, group rate of $12/each for 10+ people, 15% discount for 3+ events

The final “Faces of Our Planet” event is a vicarious dive into flooded caves with Kenny Broad on March 26.

“Faces of Our Planet” tickets are available at the Garde Arts Center Box Office at 325 State St., New London, Conn., in person or by phone at (860) 444-7373, ext. 1. Single tickets are available at the Garde Arts Center Box Office and online at www.gardearts.org. Special pricing is available for students, groups, Mystic Aquarium members, and purchases of three or more events.

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.
Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Learning are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit 501(c)3organization. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.

About Garde Arts Center
Founded in 1985, the Garde Arts Center was created to save and transform the historic Garde theatre into a non-profit regional center for the performing arts and education in the heart of downtown New London, serving greater Southeastern Connecticut, a region rich in geographic, economic, ethnic and cultural diversity. The Garde owns and operates the recently restored 1,450-seat Garde Theatre, a historic movie/vaudeville house built in 1926 and the intimate 130-seat Oasis Room.

About National Geographic Live
National Geographic Live is the live events division of the National Geographic Society, featuring live concerts, films, and dynamic presentations by today's leading explorers, scientists, filmmakers, and photographers covering a wide range of topics including: exploration and adventure; wildlife and habitat conservation; natural phenomena; and relevant issues such as climate change. Proceeds from speaker series ticket sales help fund future National Geographic initiatives in field research, exploration, and education. For more information visit www.nglive.org.

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