FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Livermore Valley Arts
Contact: Andrew Kracht (925) 583-2314
A Powerful Story of Hope & the Resilience of the Human Spirit,
Starting Out the New Rae Dorough Speaker Series Season
Livermore, CA – (August 20, 2026) – Kicking off the fourth year of the exciting partnership where Bankhead Presents the Rae Dorough Speaker Series, Livermore Valley Arts is thrilled to share a powerful speaker for the Tri-Valley this September. A not-to-be-missed conversation and Q&A opportunity, Explorer Albert Lin, Ph.D., will be Exploring Human Frontiers, opening the 2026—2027 RDSS season by engaging, enlightening, and inspiring the Tri-Valley on Thursday, September 10. National Geographic Explorer Dr. Albert Lin has explored the farthest reaches of the Earth, yet his most profound journeys have come from within, as he has turned to a mix of ancient wisdom, modern science, and the magic of neuroplasticity to heal from traumatic injuries. This powerful speaker performance will take place at the beautiful Bankhead Theater in Downtown Livermore.
Dr. Albert Lin is a modern-day high-tech explorer, blurring the boundaries between human and machine, while redefining how we explore our own humanity. After years of research at the University of San Diego and serving as the host of numerous National Geographic TV series, in 2016, Albert lost his leg below the knee as a result of a dune buggy rollover accident in the California Dunes. His journey back into his body was long and arduous, but through the use of innovative prosthetics and therapy that included mirrors and guided hallucinogens, Albert emerged whole with a newfound appreciation for life and the human spirit.
His exploratory journey began in Mongolia’s Valley of the Khans, where he launched a pioneering initiative to harness technology to search for Genghis Khan’s tomb. As a research technologist, the tools Albert designed and deployed have marked a major shift in how we explore. Since Mongolia, Albert and his teams have used lidar (laser mapping) to uncover entire ancient cities concealed beneath the remote jungle canopies and deserts. His expeditions have been brought to a global audience in adventure-driven factual TV series, including “Lost Treasures of the Maya,” “Buried Secrets of the Bible,” and “Lost Cities with Albert Lin,” streaming series, and stage shows.
Covering everything from science, engineering, and lost cities to curiosity, health, and wellness, Bankhead Presents the Rae Dorough Speaker Series is proud to be bringing such a fascinating speaker to the Tri-Valley on September 10. Great for middle school ages and up, audiences will not want to miss this chance to hear from Dr. Lin as he shares his insights from exploring the farthest reaches of the Earth, and his most profound journeys much closer to home. This powerful story of hope and the resilience of the human spirit is sponsored in part by Jean King. Tickets for shows in the 2026—2027 Bankhead Presents season are available online, by calling 925-373-6800, or at the box office windows. For a complete list of events, visit LivermoreArts.org.
The speaker series honors the late Rae Dorough, a respected Livermore resident and strong supporter of cultural events. Members of her family and friends were the initiating sponsors in 2008. The series features provocative, entertaining, and enlightening presentations on a wide variety of topics. Past speakers have included engineers, scientists, fiction and non-fiction writers and historians, entrepreneurs, comedians and entertainers, diplomats, astronauts, journalists, and even a former Secretary of Defense. Individual and corporate supporters help sponsor specific presentations.
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Livermore Valley Arts is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit offering wide-ranging programs that provide access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. The Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center are home to eight resident performing arts companies, over 40 studio artists, and cultural arts instructors. LivermoreArts.org
Show: Explorer Albert Lin, Ph.D.: Exploring Human Frontiers
Date/Time: Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 7:30pm
Tickets: $25—$75 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20% Dates, times, and ticket prices for other events available at www.LivermoreArts.org
