Ella Al-Shamahi [photo credit: Distinguished Speaker Series]
Alongside fieldwork, Al-Shamahi applies humor as a communication tool. “As a stand-up, Ella uses comedy as a coping strategy, but also to communicate science,” event materials note. Attendees will enjoy a one-hour talk followed by a 30-minute moderated Q&A. Parking is $15 in the auditorium’s underground garage, with 2,500 additional spaces nearby.
Series cofounder Kathy Swan Winterhalder highlights the value of live dialogue: “When somebody comes live, you get to hear it. You get to decide.” The series, founded in 1996, has hosted President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush and President Joe Biden and draws over 7,000 guests monthly across four Southern California venues.
Al-Shamahi’s credits include her book “The Handshake: A Gripping History,” named a Times Book of the Year in 2021; the BBC’s “Neanderthals: Meet Your Ancestors”; and a TED Talk on her Socotra expedition viewed over two million times.
The Distinguished Speaker Series will run on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. For more information, call 626-449-7360 or visit https://www.speakersla.com/speakers/ella-al-shamahi/. Ticket prices: $270 to $660 for full series package.
