DemocracyFest blogs

DemocracyFest 2008 Location and Date Announced!

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:19:20 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2008

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ellen Garneau
DemocracyFest Incorporated
802-483-4330

The 5th Annual DemocracyFest will be held August 16th and 17th, 2008 in Dulles, VA, just outside Washington, DC. The location and date was announced today by DemocracyFest Incorporated; the event's producer.

DemocracyFest is a weekend-long political festival, filled with educational trainings and inspiring speakers and entertainers. The event's motto is "Education by Day, Celebration by Night".

Past annual DemocracyFests have been held in Massachusetts, Texas, California, and New Hampshire. Past trainings have been organized by Democracy For America, Latinos For America and Root Camp. Speakers have included Gov. Howard Dean (free and open to the public), Molly Ivans, Jim Hightower, Al Franken and Sen. John Edwards. This year's event promises to be another exciting, informative and fun filled weekend!

Holiday Inn Washington Dulles will be the location for the Saturday through Sunday event, where politically minded, progressive activists will be meeting this year for networking, education and enjoyment. Training classes, by Democracy for America, will be held during the daytime while speakers and entertainment will be in the evening hours and throughout the days.

For tickets and more information go to www.DemocracyFest.net.

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6th Annual DemocracyFest ~ 2009!

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:01:41 -0400

A huge thank you to all that made the 5th Annual DemocracyFest so great again this year. With your attendance, with participation locally in Virginia and from around the country, you have continued the tradition. To all of the sponsors, speakers, trainers, entertainers, volunteers, and attendees! Thank you!

Click Here to see Gov. Dean's speech at the 5th Annual DemocracyFest on C-SPAN.

We have already started planning to reconvene next summer for the 6th Annual DemocracyFest and will let you know the location and date as soon as possible. (The poll taken at this year's event for current proposals of Burlington VT and Chicago IL came out 50/50!) Your input and suggestions are always welcome! Email us at info@democracyfest.net

The core of DemocracyFest is community. Many of us were first called to action by Howard Dean's run for president in 2004. DemocracyFest carries forth the grassroots spirit of that campaign, and each year we have been delighted to welcome new people who similarly want to take our country back.

It would be great if DemocracyFest could be organized with no money, but the reality is that it takes at least $20,000 to put on an event like this, and quite a bit of that money is needed for deposits on the venue long before we start selling tickets. Also, we always want to be as inclusive as possible and therefor keep the cost of attending as low as possible. Our ticket price averages about 1/4 the cost of attending other political festivals, which means we rely on help from people like you to make that happen. Please make a contribution to help our efforts:

Click Here To Make A Contribution

While we can't list every connection, idea and project that was discussed at, or will grow out of, this year's DemocracyFest, we do want to point out that four great candidates for their state's Legislature attended this year: John MacMurray from California, Ellen Garneau from Vermont, Marcia Moody from New Hamphire, and David Stevenson from Connecticut. These are regular grassroots activists who have put their lives on hold to serve their community and we hope you will support their campaigns.

A special thank you to this year's sponsors: Democracy for Virginia, Democracy for America, Brain Arcade Design Studio, Latinos For America, Virginia Democratic Women's Caucus , IG Publishing, Living Liberally, National Women's Political Caucus , and Dulles Area Democrats

Thank you to the speakers, trainers, and entertainers who donated their time and talents: Gov. Howard Dean, Jeffrey Feldman, Rep. Leslie Byrne, Jim Dean, Rep. Marcia Moody, Charlie Grapski, Matt Blizek, Nathan Gonzalez, Subway Serenade, Bobby Kendes, Ellen Garneau, Jen Sorensen, Scott Goldstein, Bryan Hageny, Dorrie Clark, Maya Enista, Bernadette Vadurro, Linda Brooks, and Jeffrey Richardson

Thank you to Susan Rowe who not only suggested we have a silent auction at this year's event, but then organized the whole thing and raised about $800! Also, congratulations to Sarah John who won the Treasure Hunt this year! The prize is a free ticket to next year's DemocracyFest...and speaking of next year's DemocracyFest...

Please help us start planning for next year by making a contribution to DemocracyFest today:

Click Here To Make A Contribution

We are currently seeking sponsors for the 6th Annual DemocracyFest. If your organization or business is interested, please contact us at info@democracyfest.net

The DemocracyFest Team

David, Ellen, Jessica, Laurie and Quintus

www.DemocracyFest.net

Volunteer Pre-registration

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:46:29 -0400

If you would like to volunteer at next year's DemocracyFest, please contact us at info@democracyfest.net

June 4, 2007

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:43:43 -0400

Press Contact Update - Please use 978-317-5305. If you left a message at 802-353-6467, please call at the new number.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2007

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Falker
DemocracyFest Incorporated
802-353-6467

An extensive list of progressive speakers, trainings and entertainment will be at the 4th Annual DemocracyFest, which is coming to the Wayfarer Inn in Bedford, NH on June 9-10. The event is almost sold out for weekend tickets so attendees are encouraged to get their tickets today!

DemocracyFest Incorporated, the producers of the event, have confirmed that Sen. John Edwards and Sen. Mike Gravel will be speaking, as will DNC Chair Gov. Howard Dean. Gov. Dean’s speech Sunday evening will be free and open to the public. Other speakers and trainers include Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, Bev Harris, William McNary, Mark Crispin Miller, Jim Dean, Jeff Feldman, Sec. of State William Gardner, Asst. Sec. of State Anthony Stevens, Charlie Grapski, Jean Sara Rohe, Carlos and Melida Arredondo, Paul Tworney, Manchester Asst. Clerk Carol Johnson, Doris “Granny D” Haddock, Danville Moderator Wally Fires, Arshad Hasan DFA Training Academy, Aldon Hynes, Mary Stanley, Diane M. Serley and Matt Dunne. There will be several panels including Jeffry Taylor, David Lindorff, Quintus Jett, Deborah Langhoff, Rev. Jerald Abbott, Frederick Clarkson, NH State Rep. Jeff Fontas, NH State Rep. Andrew Edwards and ePluribus Media researchers GreyHawk and Luapt.

Entertainment will be provided by Cecilia St. King, Rebecca Padula, Subway Serenade, Rick and Bill of the band Coldspring, Zo Tobi, Marshall Stern and Nancy Howland Walker.

Films will include “We’re Counting the Votes and You Can Too,” “Hacking Democracy,” “My War, My Story,” “Big Easy to Big Empty,” and “Bought & Sold.” This year will also include the play “Six Nights in the Black Belt.”

“DemocracyFest is an opportunity to network with people who share political values and learn how to make a difference while having fun,” says one annual attendee. The festival has previously been held in Massachusetts, Texas and California.

The presenting sponsor of this year’s event is Democracy For New Hampshire. Other sponsors include Democracy For America, Latinos For America, Camp Wellstone, Brain Arcade Design Studio, Democrats.com, Human Rights Campaign, NH for Health Care, IG Publishing, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, ForeAmerica.com, David A. Stevenson Realtor, Free Press, Democracy for Vermont, Vermont Impeachment Movement, National Women’s Political Caucus, Turn Maine Blue, Grassroots Retreats and Disabled Americans for Democracy.

For more information about the event and to buy tickets go to www.DemocracyFest.net

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Ned Lamont's Success

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 19:25:03 -0500

During the 2006 Connecticut Senatorial campaign, I had the pleasure of shaking Ned Lamont's hand on 9 occasions - from his first visit to my Norwalk DFA chapter, to his rally in New Haven three days before the election.

4th Annual DemocracyFest, Last Day!

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:23:07 -0500

Howard Dean, FREE, 7:30 PM!

We hope you'll join us in Bedford, NH tonight!
Limited Space - First Come, First Served!

Plan to arrive early! While you're here, you might like to see the other the speakers, trainings, entertainers, and workshops. We probably have a ticket option that will work for you! Take a look!

Sunday Tickets:

Order Your Tickets Today!

Sponsorships

Can't make it? We can still use our support! Consider becoming a sponsor to keep the tradition alive!