Bozeman’s annual Interchange Symposium (Interchange) will take place September 7th through 13th, 2016. Interchange is a humanities project. It introduces contrasting, sometimes polarizing, ideas into the same pot and gives them a stir. “We don’t necessarily need a solution when we’re finished,” remarks founder Tate Chamberlin, “though a good mind flush of new ideas and creativity can offer wisdom and perspective to our own process and development.” By doing so, Interchange creates a level platform for history, politics, religion, philosophy, criticism, ethics, self-consciousness, reason, creativity, human values and aspirations. Addressing multiple topics, provoking thoughtful dialogue and uniting people socially, Interchange harnesses the communion inherent in conversation to create strong communities empowered by similarities, rather than divided by differences.
An integral component of Interchange, Xchange is a moderated, talk show-style event that invites artists, activists, entrepreneurs and community members with differing perspectives to come together in thoughtful dialogue. The public is cordially invited to participate and be heard, fostering positive growth, communication and acceptance within the community. This year, Xchange dialogues will host: guns, vaccines, income inequality, the state of the world and city-to-county. Panelists for these discussions include: Greg Smith; Jeanne Brown; Jake Troyer; Sean Francis; Betty Stroock; Police Chief Steve Crawford; Logan Olson; Chris Forrest; Erika Krumbeck, N.D.; Karen Stanton, N.P.; April Buonamici; Rabbi Ed Stafman; Camilla Saberhagen; Matt Kelly; Jay Smith; Shadmani Amin; Yarrow Kraner; Don Loranger; Danielle Egnew; Mayor Carson Taylor; Commissioner Joe Skinner; Penelope Pierce; Randy Carpenter; Brian Popiel; and more to be announced.
The entire event is recorded and developed into podcasts – available at www.iaminterchange.com – to further broaden the reach of these important conversations and invigorate communities throughout the United States and the world.
Interchange will also involve a smattering of social events.
Following is this year’s Interchange lineup. Attendees must register in order to participate.
September 7th
Registration
4 PM
Xchange (Audio Recording): Income Inequality
6 – 7:30 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)
Bozeman Public Library, 626 East Main Street
Featuring: Greg Smith (poverty and religion), Jeanne Brown (social security), Jake Troyer (Department of Labor), Sean Francis (trans community) and more to be announced
Xchange: Guns
8 – 9:30 PM
Bozeman Public Library, 626 East Main Street
Featuring: Police Chief Steve Crawford, Logan Olson (Students for Concealed Carry on Campus), Chris Forrest (Tactic, concealed carry licensing), Betty Stroock (Gun Control) and more to be announced.
Food, Libations and Live Music from the Bent Bones
9:30 PM
September 8th
Xchange (Audio Recording): Vaccines
6 – 7:30 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)
Bozeman Public Library, 626 East Main Street
Featuring: Erika Krumbeck (N.D.), Karen Stanton (N.P.), April Buonamici (Christian Science), Matt Kelly (Health Department) and more to be announced
Xchange: State of the World
8 – 9:30 PM
Bozeman Public Library, 626 East Main Street
Featuring: Rabbi Ed Stafman, Camilla Saberhagen (infectious disease/pandemic), General Don Loranger (terrorism), Danielle Egnew (consciousness), Shadmani Amin (Muslim), Jay Smith (Christianity) and Yarrow Kraner (Connectivity)
Food, Libations and Music
9:30 PM
September 9th
Field Trip (Must have Full Conference Pass): TBD
4 – 10 PM
Participants will be taken on an evening surprise field trip and picnic filled with activities and performances.
September 10th
Interchange Summit (Must have Full Conference Pass)
10 AM – 4 PM
Blunderbuss, 5360 Love Lane
This “summer camp” is curated around artists, activists and entrepreneurs weaving in and out of the gray areas of activism and identity without fear of loosing support from a community that may disagree.
Boar’s Head Dinner
6 – 10 PM
Blunderbuss, 5360 Love Lane
September 11th
Kiki Garden Party (Must have Full Conference Pass)
10 AM – 12 PM
Bar IX Patio, 311 East Main Street
Hosted by the Nova Café and Bar IX, this Kentucky Derby-style garden party pays tribute to the symposium and features gospel music, mimosas and brunch to digest the weekend.
September 13th
Xchange (Audio Recording): City to County
7 – 8:30 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)
Red Tractor Pizza, 1007 East Main Street
Featuring: Mayor Carson Taylor, Commissioner Joe Skinner, Police Chief Steve Crawford, Brian Popiel, SWIMBIA, Penelope Pierce, GVLT, Randy Carpenter, stewardship.
