Beginning June 5, in conjunction with biennial 01SJ: A Global Festival of Art on the Edge, and continuing through December, the Series will consist of monthly public lectures designed to provoke thought, discussion and imagination about the city of the future and to bring important outside perspectives to local and regional efforts on civic planning, culture, art and design. The lectures are free. Each lecture will be followed by a reception to continue conversation among audience members.

The Great Cities Speakers Series is also intended to engage residents as well as business and civic leaders who will be directly impacted by the evolution of the Envision San Jose General Plan 2040—the key planning document that will guide San Jose’s growth, character, and service ambitions over the next 10-30 years.

The Great Cities Speakers Series schedule is as follows (subject to change):

“City Planet," Stewart Brand, co-chairman and co-founder of The Long Now Foundation, 6-7 p.m., Thursday, June 5, San Jose City Hall Council Chambers, 200 E. Santa Clara Street

“When Cities Tango: The Art of Glocal Public Space Design,” William Moorish, professor of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban and environmental planning at the University of Virginia, 4 p.m., Sunday, June 8, San Jose City Hall Council Chambers, 200 E. Santa Clara Street

“Great Ideas for Building Livable Communities,” Dan Burden, director of Walkable Communities, 6-7 p.m., Monday, July 14, San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo De San Antonio

“The New Majority-Minority City,” Dr. Glenna Matthews, author of “Silicon Valley Women and the California Dream,” 6-7 p.m., Monday, August 18, San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo De San Antonio

“The Distinctive City,” Dr. Ann Markusen, professor of Urban Planning and Policy Development and director of the Project on Regional and Industrial Economics at Rutgers University. 6-7 p.m., Monday, September 15, San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo De San Antonio

“The Next Generation City,” Carol Coletta, president and CEO, CEOs for Cities and host, Smart City Radio, 6-7 p.m., Thursday, October 9, venue TBD

“The Power of Zero: The Mayan Key to Vibrant Communities,” Luis Valdez; playwright, film maker, educator; 6-7 p.m., Monday, November 3, San Jose Repertory Theater, 6-7 p.m.

“The Reframing of the Everyday: Artists and Public Space,” Anne Pasternak, president and creative director, Creative Time, 6-7 p.m., Monday, December 1, San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo De San Antonio

A reception will follow each lecture 7-8 p.m.

For more information, or reservations, please visit www.commonwealthclub.org.

To receive notice of program changes or additions, please go to www.1stACT.org.