This week I attended the world premiere of Ocean Voices as a guest of Oceana’s Ocean Council Vice Chair, Lea Haratani. The newly remodeled Academy of Science in SF was buzzing with activity and shining in spectacular fashion with science, science everywhere.

Ocean Voices is a combination of recorded sound, live music and images of the ocean. Many voices came together to express the vast, magical ocean….children from all over the nation, indigenous peoples and perhaps, a Cousteau or two….accompanied by live performances of violin, cello, guitar and keyboard. Ocean Voices was composed by sound artist Halsey Burgund and marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols, who joined forces for this amazing expression of love, science and art.

The premiere began a week of celebrations commemorating Jacques Costeau’s 100th birthday on June 11. Cousteau’s grandchildren, Fabien and Celine, represented him with dignified charm and humility, encouraging ocean advocacy.  J Nichols presented them each with a 100 year old clay marble, as a remembrance of our blue planet.

Tears were shed at this deeply moving performance and I noticed for hours afterward a warm sensation in my heart.

Sign the petition to stop offshore drilling and watch for more events, including World Oceans Day June, 8, 2010 at Oceana.org