Great American Think-Off Weekend in New York Mills June 11-12, 2021
Cultural Center Hosts 28th Annual Philosophical Debate
The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center invites all to New York Mills, MN for the 28th annual Great American Think-Off weekend June 11-12, 2021. The weekend kicks off on Friday June 11 with an NYM walking tour at 5pm, followed by a reception honoring finalists and artists from 6-8pm. The great debate is Saturday, June 12 @ 7pm, with a reception to follow.
The Great American Think-Off debate will be held at the New York Mills School Auditorium on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 7:00 p.m, with a reception immediately following at the Cultural Center. The auditorium allows ample space for audience members to spread out safely and enjoy the civil debate in comfort. This year’s moderator is Tami Vigesaa, a college sociology instructor and co-host of the Flyover Logic podcast from Fergus Falls, MN.
During this year’s debate, the four finalists each argue their side of the question, “Which is more important: to win or to play by the rules?” The debaters arguing that winning is more important are AJ Gil of Atlanta, GA and Angie Stehr of St. Paul, MN. Arguing that playing by the rules is more important are Bill Sutherland of Eden Prairie, MN and Daniel Tschida of Minneapolis, MN.
Tickets to attend the Think-Off debate are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, or $5 for students. All audience members get to vote in the contest to decide who makes the better argument and is ultimately named America’s Greatest Thinker for 2021.
The public is also invited to the Think-Off Kick-Off on Friday, June 11, 2021 at the Cultural Center. Beginning at 5pm, enjoy a walking tour of downtown New York Mills, hosted by Otter Tail County Historical Society ($6 cost per person). Immediately following, from 6-8pm, the Center will host a Reception honoring the Think-Off Finalists and the Regional Artists currently on display in the Gallery in “The Happiness Project” exhibit. During the reception, which is free to attend and open to all, enjoy the variety of regional art on display, live local music by local brother/sister duo Levi and Nora Rosenthal from 6-7pm, and artist talks beginning at 7pm. Refreshments provided and cash bar available.
The Cultural Center continues to follow guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC). Minnesotans who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to wear a mask. Fully vaccinated Minnesotans should follow CDC guidance. Masks are not required at the Think-Off, but will be available.
For more information, call the Cultural Center at (218) 385-3339, visit the Center’s website at www.kulcher.org, or buy tickets at thinkoff2021.bpt.me
About the Great American Think-Off:
Now in its 28th year, The Great American Think-Off is an exhibition of civil disagreement between powerful ideas being explored by everyday people. Designed to bring philosophy down from the ivory towers of academia and make it accessible for all, the contest has received national acclaim including coverage by C-SPAN, the New York Times, and The Today Show.
The Cultural Center, located in the rural farm and manufacturing town of New York Mills, Minnesota, sponsors this annual philosophy contest and encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to participate. The Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. Since our incorporation in 1990, we have been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world.
To get a better sense of the Think-Off, find details, historical information, and a list of the past 27 years of questions and winners on the event website: www.think-off.org.
