MEDIA ADVISORY: Ocean Inspiration and WRI Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau

May 18 event at Sea Grill is a tribute to Captain Cousteau and our fragile ocean world

Explorers, filmmakers, scientists, dancers, artists, musicians, and ocean advocates will come together for this once in a lifetime event: Ocean Inspiration. The event, hosted by Celine Cousteau, granddaughter of Jacques, will be held on Wednesday, May 18, at the Sea Grill in New York City.

When asked why she created this event, Celine Cousteau explained, “The best tribute that I can give my grandfather is to unite the people who have drawn inspiration from him, those who have an abiding respect for our oceans and are exemplary ocean advocates.”

The Ocean Inspiration reception, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will be emceed by NBC’s Amy Robach, Saturday anchor for the TODAY show. Experts from the World Resources Institute will present information about the Reefs at Risk initiative. Four individuals will be honored with Ocean Advocacy Awards, and the winners of the Captain Cousteau “100 Second Tribute” videos will be recognized. Additionally, Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, will preview a clip from his new film “My Father the Captain” for the first time in the United States.

Rounding out the event will be silent and live auctions, including a one-of-a-kind dress by Sophie Theallet worn by Jessica Alba, and an original piece choreographed and performed by Derek Stratton of Pilobolus dance company, with music by Henri ‘Scars’ Struck.

A portion of the proceeds benefit the World Resources Institute’s Reefs at Risk project. Sponsors of the event include: La Prairie, Contiki, Code Blue Foundation and NOAA-NMSF.

Ocean Inspiration is open to the media and the public. Visit: http://www.oceaninspiration.net to purchase tickets. (Note: the fee is waived for credentialed media)

WHAT:
Ocean Inspiration event celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Jacques Yves-Cousteau

WHO:
Celine Cousteau, other members of the Cousteau family, explorers, filmmakers, scientists, dancers, artists, musicians, and more

WHEN:
Wednesday, May 18, 2011

TIME:
Starting at 6:30pm

WHERE:
The Sea Grill, Rockefeller Plaza, 19 West 49th Street, New York City

RSVP:
http://www.wri.org/oceaninspiration

For more information or to set-up interviews, please contact: Lauren Cole, lcole@wri.org, (202) 729-7736