Humanist Association of Manitoba

Charles Darwin Celebration 2009

What an evening. Great topics, great music, great cake, and great people. A few pics for you...

First, Barrie Webster opened up with a quick overview of Darwin's life up until age 50 or so, then gave us an in depth description of what led to, and what Darwin put in, Descent of Man.

Barrie was followed by Jeff (HAM president) and Neil (HAM vice president) tuning us up with some fun tunes, including the theme from Sesame Street.

As often happens at musical events, an audience member loses control and shows us more than anybody expected.

Next, Doctor Heather McDonell regaled us with descriptions of some of the more unusal sexual practices and physical expressions evolution has come up with in various species. Videos included. Lesson learned: you can be glad you are not a female hyena or certain kind of duck.

And then it was cake time. I was reminded of a point in Barrie's talk that one fitness driver in evolution could be in getting to the food first. No worry – there was plenty for everybody. It is likely some of us left less fit than we arrived (yum).

I was expecting a different title for this one. Last year, the cake maker labelled it 'Charles & Darwin'.

And that's all until next Darwin day in 2010.