Two NYC Events This Week. OK, Three Events

by: phillip anderson

Tue May 29, 2007 at 15:05:15 PM EDT

First up: I'll be part of a discussion tomorrow night (May 30) with our own NYBri about running a netroots campaign. Or something. The discussion will be moderated by Jeffrey Feldman and will take place at the Tank.

FROM BLOG TO BALLOT BOX: Framing the Netroots Campaign

Since Howard Dean first put out the call for all Americans to consider running for office, a number of bloggers have launched campaigns. Only now, in the wake of the tremendous gains of the 2006 election cycle, do we have a chance to learn from those members of the netroots who orchestrated the challenging move from blog to ballot box.

Joining in a conversation on these and other questions, Brian Keeler will share his experience running in the tight race for State Senate in New York's 41st district. Keeler began his political activism as writer and founding member of two online organizations, Political Cortex and ePluribus Media, the largest citizen investigative journalism organization on the Internet. It was from these prominent points on the netroots that he mounted an innovative campaign to unseat a long-time incumbent in New York's Hudson River Valley. Joining Keeler will be Phillip Anderson, a blogger, filmmaker and activist and an integral part of the Keeler campaign's communications team.

In a discussion moderated by author and blogger Jeffrey Feldman (Framing the Debate, Ig Publishing 2007), Keeler and Anderson will discuss the experience and challenges of running a campaign--telling stories and recounting first-hand the dynamics of stepping up to run for office.

Starts at 7.

Next up: Thursday on a very special Drinking Liberally... It's DL's 4th B-day! Join us at the original DL at Rudy's in Hell's Kitchen.

Political change is brewing all across the country...and the brewmasters are not the Presidential hopefuls - they are the grassroot, volunteer leaders of Drinking Liberally*, the national network of progressive social clubs that
turns 4-years-old at the end of this month. Whether you find politics naturally intoxicating, or just looking to share a few ideas while you share a pitcher, *Drinking Liberally* has become your home for "promoting democracy one pint at a time."

Founded in the spring of 2003, shortly after the launch of the Iraq War and during the darkest days for liberal Americans, *Drinking Liberally* began as a free, informal, inclusive, weekly opportunity to raise questions and ideas while raising a pint with like-minded, left-leaning libation-lifters.  Now, in 200 cities and towns, conservative strongholds and liberal oases across the country, *Drinking Liberally* is raising the spirits and pride of local liberals, as they raise hell to create a better America.

More on the flip...

The journey from local dive bar to national prominence has included other ways of "living liberally": the *Laughing Liberally* national comedy tour (which featured Congressman Rangel last December at Town Hall); *Eating
Liberally* meals, providing grass-fed grub and grassroot gab; *Reading Liberally*, which has hosted the national book tours of, among others, *
DailyKos* blogger Markos Moulitsas and SEIU President Andy Stern; *Screening Liberally*, with viewings of independent documentaries, group outings to films such as *An Inconvenient Truth*, and national house parties for works including *Iraq For Sale*;  and *Blogging Liberally* discussions of democracy in the information age.  All of these programs are part of *Living
Liberally*, the umbrella organization to create social communities around progressive politics.

...

The *4**th** Anniversary Party *will take place on* Thursday, May 31**st*, beginning at 7:30pm, at *Rudy's, 627 9**th** Ave* at 44th St - where the
original chapter continues to meet every Thursday, with cheap beer, free hot dogs and lively conversation. Now, the occasional member of Congress stops by as well.

I'll be there.

Lastly, we have DFNYC's 3rd Annual Democracy for NYC Spring Bash with Rep. John Hall

Please join Democracy for NYC for our third annual Spring Bash fundraiser - "A Celebration of People-Powered Politics." Our special guest speakers are Congressman and musical legend John Hall and Democracy for America Chairman Jim Dean, along with a performance of a comedian from "Laughing Liberally."

Where: "Link", 120 East 15th Street (at Irving Place) in Manhattan.

When: Wednesday evening, May 30, 2007 from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM.

Contribution levels range from $50.00 to $2,500.00 - all proceeds of the event will go to benefit Democracy for NYC.

There will be a cash bar available all evening and complimentary passed hors d'ouevres will be served from 6:45 PM - 8:00 PM.

RSVP to Miriam at events-at-dfnyc.org (replace -at- with @) to join us and get more Progressive candidates elected over the next two years and beyond.

But, you'd rather come see me prattle on about god know what, wouldn't ya?

If not, check out the DFNYC bash. They do good work.