DCDL

Join us this Thursday, June 4, 6:30–9, at the Woman’s National Democratic Club* in Dupont Circle (1526 New Hampshire Ave NW). This will be the first of a series of venues we’d like to take a closer look at for our future home.

We’ve had a few suggestions, and we’ll take a look at some of those in upcoming weeks. Some of the things we look for in potential new venues:

• Metro accessible, preferably Red Line.
• A separate space we can use for speaker nights.
• One or two entrees under $10.
• Wifi and draft beer are certainly pluses.

Thanks again for you suggestions thus far, and we look forward to your future suggestions, and of course seeing you this Thursday at the WNDC.

Spread the word about Drinking Liberally! If you enjoy our events, tell your friends and get them to subscribe to our announcement list or join our Facebook group:

http://livingliberally.org/chapter/email_signup/5688
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2786925020

* No idea why “woman” is singular in the name, but it is.

With the closing of Timberlake’s, we’re taking the week off and lining up some locations to try out over the next few weeks. Let us know if you have suggestions or want to help with the search.

After more than 30 years, Mr. Timberlake is retiring and selling the place, which will close at the end of the month. That means that after more than 4 years, DC Drinking Liberally has to find a new home. Join us as we say goodbye to a Dupont Circle institution and to Dan, the king of waiters: Thursday, May 21, 6:30‒9pm, Timberlake’s, 1726 Connecticut Ave NW (Dupont Circle Metro).

We’re having a little trouble finding a good new location, so we’ll probably be nomadic for a few weeks and try out some possibilities. Watch for details on future meetings. If you have any suggestions of locations or want to help with the search, let us know in the comments or e-mail dcthu@drinkingliberally.org. I’m sure locations will be a big discussion topic this week, so come and put in your two cents.

Do you have questions about what’s going on in DC’s local government? Voting rights? Same-sex marriage? Homelessness? The relationship between the city council and the mayor?

If so, you’re in luck, because this week in place of our usual get-together we’re joining with our friends from DC for Democracy to host an informal discussion with Vincent Gray, chair of DC’s city council. It’ll be Thursday, May 14, 8:30-10pm, in the Langston Room at Busboys and Poets, 14th & V Streets NW (U St Metro). NOTE SPECIAL LOCATION AND TIME.

It’s a little later than usual, and at a different place, but I hope you can attend what should be an interesting evening. So that we have an idea of numbers, please RSVP on the Facebook event or e-mail keith@dcdl.org.

Next week, May 21, we’ll be back at Timberlake’s for our final night there, celebrating four years of Drinking Liberally in that spot.

As we enter the period of transition from Timberlake’s to an eventual new location, watch your e-mail even more closely than usual for details of future events. If you’re on Facebook, join our group. Spread the word about Drinking Liberally! If you enjoy our events, tell your friends and get them to subscribe to our announcement list.

I’m compiling a list of affordable (at least relative to some others) events surrounding the inauguration. Let me know of any others that sound interesting.

Wednesday, January 14

• DC for Democracy Meetup, 7–9pm, Harriet’s Family Restaurant (not Harry’s), 432 11th Street NW (Metro Center). Our friends at the local grassroots group DC4D will be taking a closer look at two issues they’re considering for their 2009 Progressive Agenda: marriage equality and the housing crisis. Special guests will be Michael Crawford, founder of the campaign DC for Marriage, and Eric Sheptock, leader of Until We’re Home (formerly the Committee to Save Franklin Shelter).

Thursday, January 15

• DC Drinking Liberally Says “Goodbye, George!”, 6:30–9pm, Timberlake’s (back room), 1726 Connecticut Ave NW (Dupont Circle). Our usual Thursday get-together has special significance because it’s the last time we’ll be meeting during George W. Bush’s presidency. Join us and get the Bush out of your system so you’re ready to say “Hello, Barack!” next week.

Friday, January 16

• The People’s Inaugural Premier, 8pm–1am, Historical Society of DC, 801 K St NW. Various grassroots groups are sponsoring three nights of events. The first is “Celebrating a New Generation of Grassroots Activists”. Music by Doug E. Fresh, Kurtis Blow, DJ Kool Herc, DJ Harvey Nunez, Joe L. Da Vessel and Melodic, and Lin Que. $75.
• Inaugural Tree Hugger Happy Hour, 5pm, The Reef, 2446 18th St NW. The environmental happy hour moves from its usual third Thursday this month. For those who can get away early, the rooftop deck is where the party will begin (they have heat lamps and it is covered) until it fills up and then spill out onto the 2nd floor.

Saturday, January 17

• The People’s Inaugural Ball, 8pm–mid, Historical Society of DC, 801 K St NW. Various grassroots groups are sponsoring three nights of events. The second is the ball. Entertainment by Lotus, WMD, and the Obama Girls of Comedy; emceed by Scott Blakeman. $125.
• Cool Inaugural Ball, 8pm–mid, Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15th St NW (Columbia Heights). Celebrate as Cool Capital Challenge and the Washington DC Chapter of the Sierra Club join forces to help stop the climate crisis right here in the nation’s capital. Rock out with us as we groove to Northeast Corridor, the band that helped put this president into office with their “Sing for Obama: Karaoke We Can Believe In” Fundraisers. And with an extra donation you can take a turn as lead singer of the band! $75.

Sunday, January 18

• The People’s Inaugural LGBT Gayla, 8pm–2am, Historical Society of DC, 801 K St NW. Various grassroots groups are sponsoring three nights of events. The third is “Honoring AFL-CIO’s Pride at Work and Congressman Barney Frank”. Music by the Annie Minogue Band, DJ Gavin Holland of Nouveau Riche, Joe L. Da Vessel and Melodic, and Shi-Queeta-Lee. $100.
• Blue Catapult Pre-Inaugural Shenanigans, 8:30pm–closing, Stars Bistro and Bar (formerly Mimi’s American Bistro), 2120 P St NW (Dupont Circle). LAUGH at political comic Lee Camp. LOOK at the spectacle of modern belly dancing. LISTEN to the music from DC DJs John Bowen, Campbell Tyler and more. And help Blue Catapult keep Congress blue. $20 until January 15, $25 thereafter.
• Red Goes Blue Inaugural Bash, 10pm–1am, Old Ebbitt Grill, 75 15th St NW. Hosted by Young Lawyers for Obama. Featuring two great live bands (Jackie Greene; Grace Potter and the Nocturnals), open bar, and appetizers. $100.

Monday, January 19

• Netroots Nation “Yes We Can” Party, Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington (Clarendon). An evening of celebrating, carousing, eating and drinking with the progressive community, with live music by Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band! Or make your own music by joining us in the Wired for Change Guitar Hero Lounge. Co-hosted by AmericaBlog, Blue Commonwealth, Congress Matters, Crooks & Liars, Democratic GAIN, Firedoglake, Fivethirtyeight.com, Frameshop, The Great Schelp, Jack & Jill Politics, Living Liberally, myDD, New Organizing Institute, and Not Larry Sabato. $90 includes live music, hors d’oeuvres, and four drink tickets.

Tuesday, January 20

• DC for Obama’s Inauguration Night Celebration, 9pm–4am, Station 9, 1438 U St NW. Join DC for Obama in celebration of our 44th President-elect Barack Obama! We are hosting a special party to honor our volunteers for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the campaign! This celebration is especially for everyone who has worked hard for months, but may not have the money or stamina for DC’s formal Inauguration Balls. Out of town volunteers, staff or excited Obama supporters are extremely welcomed and we’d love to have you join us in our celebration of the grassroots movement for Obama. $30.
• The Art of Change, 8pm, Warehouse Theatre, 1021 7th St NW. Hosted by Artomatic and Playa del Fuego. Occupying three separate venues on the 1000 block of 7th St NW, the Art of Change will feature visual and performing arts, multiple dance floors, fire dancing and live music. DJs from across the mid-Atlantic region will be spinning an eclectic mix of musical styles on two dance floors, and in The Art of Change Galleries, displaying artworks created for this celebration. The Variety Stage will showcase performances all night long, including live music, comedy, belly dancing and spoken word poetry. And outside, attendees will enjoy fire-dance performances while dancing to up-and-coming DJs in the heated White Tent. $50.
• 51st State Ball, Wilson Building. Word is that Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, will be playing and tickets can be purchased in person, cash only, for $51 at the Lincoln Theater.

Thursday, January 22

• Mike Lux at DC Drinking Liberally, 6:30–9pm, Timberlake’s (back room), 1726 Connecticut Ave NW (Dupont Circle). Our guest speaker next week will be Mike Lux, progressive liaison for the Obama transition team. Mark your calendars. Details to come.

Besides the primary for elected officials, the other election happening tomorrow (on the same ballots) is that for most members of the DC Democratic State Committee (DSC, the local branch of the Democratic Party), including DC’s representatives on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) — who will be superdelegates in 2012.

The DCDSC consists of about 80 members, and 48 of them are being elected tomorrow:

• 1 female DNC member
• 1 male DNC member
• 1 female alternate DNC member
• 1 male alternate DNC member
• 6 female at-large DSC members
• 6 male at-large DSC members
• 2 female DSC members from each of the 8 wards
• 2 male DSC members from each of the 8 wards

Since you won’t be voting for the ward-level members for wards other than your own, you’ll only see 20 of the positions on the ballot. Voting for the DNC positions is normal, and for the DSC positions you’ll vote for up to 6 from each at-large list and up to 2 from each ward-level list.

Most DSC and DNC candidates are affiliated with a slate, which is indicated next to their names on the ballot. Confusingly, but not surprisingly, this year every slate name includes the name “Obama”. The largest slate, and the only only that’s running a candidate for every slot, is the bizarrely named Obama4UnityBeatsMcCain. It’s a mix of incumbents and challengers and includes a lot of people I know from grassroots groups. It’s been endorsed by DC for Democracy, DC for Obama, and City Paper’s Loose Lips (though he didn’t endorse the DNC candidates).

The other citywide slates are called Obama for DC (note: not endorsed by DC for Obama) and Obama for Change. There are also ward-specific slates named Ward 3 Dems for Obama & Change and Obama’s Ward One Democrats. DCist has a pretty good writeup.

Hopelessly confused? My advice is just to look for the “4″ and vote Obama4UnityBeatsMcCain. If a critical mass of them gets elected, then maybe there’s some hope of making the local party functional.

Tuesday, September 9, is primary day here DC. If you’re a Democrat, Republican, or State Green Party member who’s been registered to vote in DC for at least 30 days, be sure to get to the polls. See the Board of Elections and Ethics site for information.

If you live in Ward 2, 4, 7, or 8, there’s an election for ward-level council member this year. In other wards, you’ll be voting only for citywide elected officials. I’ve listed the Democratic candidates below (incumbents are marked with asterisks, websites are linked when I could find them):

• Delegate to US House of Representatives
  • Eleanor Holmes Norton*
• At-Large Council Member
  • Kwame R. Brown*
• Ward 2 Council Member
  • Jack Evans*
  • Cary Silverman
• Ward 4 Council Member
  • Muriel Bowser*
  • Baruti Jahi
  • Malik Mendenhall-Johnson
  • Paul E. Montague
• Ward 7 Council Member
  • Yvette Alexander*
  • John Campbell
  • Villareal Johnson
  • Robin Hammond Marlin
• Ward 8 Council Member
  • Marion Barry*
  • Braxton-Jones
  • Howard Brown
  • Sandra “S.S.” Seegars
  • Charles E. Wilson
• US Senator (Shadow)
  • Philip E. Pannell
  • Paul Strauss*
• US Representative (Shadow)
  • Michael J. Panetta*

DC Democrats will also be electing members of the local party organization, the DC Democratic State Committee. I’ll have a separate post about that.

The word from the national Drinking Liberally folks is that there’ve been some problems with the e-mail announcement lists and unfortunately in changing list software the modifications for the last month or so have been lost.

That means that if you subscribed to or unsubscribed from the DCDL announcement list within the last month, you may need to do it again.

Apologies for the inconvenience, and I hope we manage to get the word to the lost new subscribers.

Join your friends at DCDL, FireDogLake.com, TheSeminal.com, and DC For Democracy in welcoming our special guest David Sirota on Wednesday, June 4:

1. 6:30-7:30 See David discuss his new book: “The Uprising: An Unauthorized Tour of the Populist Revolt Scaring Wall Street and Washington”at Borders, 1801 K Street NW.
2. 8:00-9:00 (Happy Hour starting at 7:00) Party with David at Porter’s, Porter’s Dining Saloon
   1207 19th Street, NW.

Facebook invitations: (1.) and (2.).

More on David Sirota here.