Martin Luther King Jr. III

World Wellness Weekend

Robert Kennedy Jr. and Martin Luther King III to headline

Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon

June 18-19, 2005 (Father’s Day Weekend)

World Wellness Weekend is a very special weekend featuring speakers, lectures, classes, exhibits, booths, and entertainment dedicated to educating the public to the many various health and wellness ideas, methods and products. This is not limited to our "medical" health. This also includes "wellness" on all levels of our lives, including the environment and social justice. It is on this note that we are excited to present our two keynote speakers on this very special Father’s Day Weekend 2005, Robert Kennedy Jr. and Martin Luther King III-two extraordinary sons of two legendary fathers. This expanding concept of world wellness is in keeping with the complex and interconnected world in which we live. This will be the second year of the event, having begun quite successfully in 2004 with keynote speaker Deepak Chopra, over 90 exhibitors and booths, 64 classes, and 16 main stage speakers and entertainers, with over 2500 people attending over the weekend.

Our keynote speaker on Sat. June 18 will be Robert Kennedy Jr..

Mr. Kennedy’s reputation as a resolute defender of the environment stems from a litany of successful legal actions as Senior Attorney for The Natural Resources Defense Council, Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeep and President of Waterkeeper Alliance. He is credited with leading the fight to protect New York City’s water supply. Mr. Kennedy was named one of Time Magazine’s "Heroes of The Planet". His published books include "Crimes Against Nature"(2004), The Riverkeepers (1997), and Frank A Johnson Jr., A Biography (1977). His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street journal, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Outside Magazine, The Village Voice, and many more. As well, he is an avid white water paddler and licensed master falconer. He has organized and led several expeditions in Canada and Latin America, including first descents on three little known rivers in Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Martin Luther King III, the elder son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has taken the torch lit by his father and continued the quest for equality and justice for all people. Since early adulthood, he has motivated audiences around the world with his poignant messages of hope and responsibility. His vision of a positive future built upon the principles taught by his father has touched thousands all over the world and moved them to focus on a better and more equal tomorrow. His keynote address on Sunday June 19 will be, "The Dream Deferred, " an examination of the goals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in today's society. On November 1, 1997, Mr. King was unanimously voted the fourth President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the organization that his father co-founded in 1957. A long-standing member of the Board of Directors, Mr. King has devoted much of his adulthood to the continuance of his father's mission of non-violent conflict resolution through the many programs of the SCLC. He began his current service as President on January 15, 1998, the date of his father's birth.

The event will be held at Southern Oregon University’s Raider Stadium and McNeal Pavilion. The main stage will be placed in front of the SOU Football Stadium Grand Stand. New in 2005, the booths will be set up on the track around the oval of the field and the main McNeal Pavillion Gymnasium will be used for featured speakers and movement classes. A special "Healthy Food Court" will be on-site. Kids under 12 are admitted free with an adult. There will be four classrooms used in the attached McNeal Pavilion for lectures on all types of health and wellness subjects. The hours of the event will be 9:30am-7:30pm, with Robert Kennedy Jr. speaking at 6:00pm on Sat. June 18 and Martin Luther King III speaking at 5pm on Sun. June 19. There will be other speakers throughout the day as well as light entertainment.

Tickets for World Wellness Weekend include a special weekend pass, good for both days of World Wellness Weekend, for only $45. A special "Premier Pass", ensuring front of house seating for keynote and featured speakers is available for $75. Tickets are available at The Music Coop in Ashland, The Music Shop in Grants Pass and Bad Ass Coffee in Medford (cash only). Tickets can purchased by credit card by calling 1-800-595-4TIX or on our website, www.worldwellness.org. These prices are only available until May 20.

Individual day general admission tickets are $25 in advance.

For more information on exhibitor booths, sponsorships or tickets, contact

Beach Avenue Productions 541-552-1782 or e-mail -nikki@beachavenue.org