"A Beautiful World" Returns on March 27

Mar 13, 2014

MPR's "A Beautiful World" is back with another live event scheduled for Thursday, March 27.

Hosted by best-selling author and This American Life contributor Heather McElhatton, the show focuses on storytellers and newsmakers exploring and finding solutions in today's complicated world. Guests Ann Bancroft, one of the world's preeminent polar explorers, and Rudy Maxa, travel expert and host of the radio show Rudy Maxa's World, will discuss how exploration helps to create a healthier world. Singer-songwriter John Mark Nelson will provide music.

What: "A Beautiful World" with Heather McElhatton and guests Ann Bancroft, Rudy Maxa and John Mark Nelson

When: Thursday, March 27, 2014, Doors at 7 p.m., Program at 7:30 p.m.

Where: UBS Forum, MPR Headquarters, 480 Cedar Street, St. Paul

Tickets: $12 MPR members, $15 general public. Available at mpr.org/tickets. (Each ticket includes two drink tickets.)

About Ann Bancroft
Ann Bancroft is one of the world's preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls around the world to unleash the power of their dreams. Through her various roles as an explorer, educator, sought-after speaker and philanthropist, Ann believes that by sharing stories related to her dreams of outdoor adventure, she can help inspire a global audience to pursue their individual dreams.

About Rudy Maxa
Rudy Maxa is an award-winning writer with National Geographic Traveler and a former Washington Post investigative reporter and columnist whose writing was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Today, he hosts America's most widely syndicated radio travel show, Rudy Maxa's World, which broadcasts live every weekend.

About John Mark Nelson
John Mark Nelson is a 19 year old songwriter from Minneapolis. Raised in a musical home, playing instruments and writing songs was more of a second language than another pastime. He was one of The Current's top viewed in-studios in 2012, thanks to the success of his early single "Reminisce".

About Heather McElhatton
Heather McElhatton began reporting for MPR over two decades ago, covering arts, culture, current events, economics, breaking news, science, tech and travel. Her stories and commentaries have been heard nationally and internationally on MPR, PRI, NPR and the BBC on Sound Money, Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Savvy Traveler and This American Life, Talking Volumes and Stage Sessions. She's appeared on television for several national talk shows and news shows, including the television broadcast of This American Life. McElhatton has published four best-selling books with HarperCollins, and she does book reviews for several news outlets including the Star Tribune, the BBC and the Huffington Post.