‘Seafood Tango’. Full show

Let me show you a short video, with lots of music and few clothes. Plus, you’ll learn about contaminants in food. The Internet is about to explode!

Last May I performed my last show at the SETAC Europe 27th annual meeting. It was a cabaret about contaminants in seafood from Europe. More precisely, it was about flame retardants, which are used to prevent fires and reach the sea and sea life. And, as karma goes, they end up in the consumers’ stomach.

But don’t let me tell you about it. See it with your own eyes in this 10-minute video that SETAC Europe shared with me so that I can share with you. I’ve even added subtitles.

‘Seafood Tango’, a cabaret act about seafood safety

Ladies and gentelmen, this year’s SETAC meeting will bring the 4^th edition of their science slam session. And I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Preparations for the video [photo©: Manuel García]

SETAC Europe 27th annual meeting is taking place in Brussels next May. If you have read my blog in the last two years, you already know that my favourite session of the SETAC congress is the science slam. If you are new to my humble site, this session allows scientists to present their research in original and unexpected entertaining ways.

I’ve always been of the opinion that science slam is like sex; it’s great to watch, but it feels so much better to participate! That’s why, once more, I’m submitting a video presentation of my new show in order to be selected for this year’s session.

This cabaret-style number is a seafood take on Cell Block Tango from the musical Chicago. It was premiered at the ECsafeSEAFOOD Final Conference three weeks ago, also in Brussels. Now I’m going to share it with a bigger audience —because I didn’t learn to do my make-up for just one day, girl!

The good thing is this time I’m not singing that much. You’re welcome.

This was 2016 in the blog

A new year has come along with new year’s resolutions such as reading blogs. Therefore, we start 2017 revisiting 2016. This way, if you’re new to the blog, you can learn what it is about. Conversely, if you’re a faithful reader, you can re-read the most popular posts.

The most popular posts of 2016 in pictures

These are the posts published in 2016 with more hits (posting month in brackets):

1. Correct these mistakes for Christmas (December)
2. 1st SETAC science slam across the pond (August)
3. Chemists conspiracy: all drinks are the same alcohol (February)
4. Science slam: Enjoy learning science (June)
5. Posters at scientific congresses (May)

Interestingly enough, the last post published was the most successful. Either people care a lot about mistakes for Christmas or I’ve been writing rubbish for twelve months.

Additionally, the two most visited articles of all times were:

• ‘Hairspray’ muscial lesson plan – 1/4 (July 2013)
• I speak Polish. What’s your superpower? (August, 2014)

The most popular posts of the year and of all times were mainly about science and language, respectively. It seems that readers want what’s in the title of the blog. It’d be weird if you came here to read mostly about books and birthdays.

Let’s hope we keep on the right track this year.

1st SETAC science slam across the pond

It’s been almost two months since my post about the science slam in SETAC Nantes (video of the whole show included—check it out!). If you got any ideas from that, you should know that it’s happening again soon in Orlando.

It has now been three years of successful science slams for SETAC Europe. In exactly three months SETAC North America is going to hold their first edition at the other side of the pond. The good news is that an extended deadline means you can apply to the session until next Friday! At first it was last Monday.

Of course, to apply you should be a researcher who’s willing to work some extra hours in August and provide a fine product before a ridiculously close deadline now. Same old, same old.

You’ll find very detailed and useful information on the official website. You can also watch this video for lighter information. Yes, it’s me… singing… I should stop doing this.

Science slam: Enjoy learning science

A year ago I introduced some of you to the science slam world through my application. It’s about time to tell you about the consequences of that.

One of the slammers in Nantes last month [frame from the video]

In April 2015, I performed in a special session of a scientific congress. The aim of that session was to present our work in a way that it was attractive, entertaining and easy to understand. Science for the people if you like. It was also a contest. And I won it. Indeed, my Disney musical about pesticides in salmon was a great success in spite of my singing skills. I guess that my moves, the unexpected on-stage costume change and the cheeky jokes made up for that.

Since that day, strangers approach me in every congress to remind me that to them I’m a showman and all my scientific achievements will never mean a thing next to that. I must say it doesn’t bother me as long as I can make a living out of it.

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) seems to be trying to help with that. Last December they published an interview to me and the winner of the first edition in SETAC Globe. And they offered us to host this year’s science slam in Nantes. Needless to say, we accepted.

It is frustrating to answer ‘no’ every time someone asks if there’s a recording of my musical. But this year my co-host, Michele De Rosa, filmed the whole show, except the battery died during the last slammer’s presentation. However, they reconstructed the end with footage from Erica Brockmeier, who was making a documentary on the show. This is why now you can enjoy it yourselves. You’re welcome.

Pesticides in salmon – the musical

Grilled salmon [photo©:
woodleywonderworks]

I’ll soon write about what happens in congresses where scientists share the results of their research. Today, however, I’ll tell you what hardly ever happens.

The 25^th SETAC Europe congress is held this week in Barcelona. This is going to be the second year with a science slam session. And that’s quite uncommon in congresses—sadly enough.

But what’s a ‘science slam’? It’s a sort of show, usually a contest, in which scientists tell their findings in an entertaining and intelligible way. Anything from stand-up comedy or magic to plays, dancing or singing. Bring it on. In fact, if we’re to attract interest into science, we should take our register down a level and get rid of formalities.

That’s why, and since I can’t remember the last time I organised a show, I decided to apply as a contestant. And I went wild. This year, SETAC congress delegates are going to enjoy—or not—a Disney musical about aquaculture using pesticides against parasites on salmon and they’re going to know whether it is safe or not to eat them (meaning salmon, not parasites).

This is the application video—with subtitles if you need them. Wish me luck.