You may have noticed the fancy new graphic gracing our sidebar. Asheville Liberals, Progressives, Democrats and other variations of the politics of the majority are now gathering weekly under the banner of Drinking Liberally. Drinking Liberally is "an informal, inclusive Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.
Bars are democratic spaces - you talk to strangers, you share booths, you feel the bond of common ground. Bring democratic discourse to your local democratic space - build Democracy one drink at a time.
Drinking Liberally "began in New York City in May, 2003, when it felt as though the politicians, press and public were giving conservative cons a free pass. We began as one-part support group and one-part strategy session, playing with slogans and ideas we thought Democrats needed to be saying.And when we came up with a particularly good slogan, we made buttons.
Occasionally, we bring in group questions, or talking points to back up the buttons. Sometimes our group list shares articles and forwards. But mostly, we keep it non-programmatic and free-flowing and create a space where people learn about each other's ideas, activities and enlarge a circle of progressive friends."
The Asheville Chapter of Drinking Liberally is hosted at Jack of the Wood, 95 Patton Avenue every Thursday night from 7pm - 10pm. Your hosts, local bloggers Gordon Smith [Scrutiny Hooligans] and Felicity Green [The Hangover Journals], started the group this month along with Jay Joslin [Bird on the Moon]. It's a casual place to spend time with interesting people who do interesting things and who want to help create a broader progressive community here in Asheville. Also, please feel free to liberally pimp Drinking Liberally on your own site!Everyone's welcome. Every Thursday. See you there.
5 comments:
if the weather holds up, i might sneak over there for a pint or two...
I've been a Lurking BlogAshevillian thus far, and while I can't make it to Jack of the Wood tonight (going to see the gay elf at Asheville Community Theatre), I'm hoping to make it to bowling and to the next Drinking Liberally. Cheers!
How was the inaugural Asheville DL, Screwy?
It was our second Drinking Liberally, and our numbers doubled! We're situated at the long table at the front of the bar, lovely wee decorative logos of the style in this post prominently displayed. Felicity, Syntax, Jay, and I were the blogging contingent, and two guys - Joel and Jeff were drawn into the group.
Conversation ranged from the anti-semitic nonsensery of Iran's leader to unpacking what in Allah's name Jews for Jesus are thinking.
Animated, freewheeling, impassioned - it was a great night.
Next week Drinking Liberally will ask its participants to choose sides in the War on Christmas. It's going to be blood spattered Santas and nativity wreckage.
The week after that is, of course, Drinking Liberally and BlogAsheville joining together for Bowling Thunder.
When will we see you, EM?
I'll be in Hot Lanta this Thursday, but I will attend the DL/Bowling Thunder par-tay, probably with E-spouse and possibly a few of my other strays in tow.
Wish I could participate in the nativity wreckage. Could I direct you to my neighbor's house?
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