Hello Jasmine Place Community!
I am the program director at a civic engagement non-profit here in Denver called Warm Cookies of the Revolution, and I'd like to invite your RNO (Regional Neighborhood Organization) to a public election event our group is putting together for the evening of March 21st at the McNichols Civic Center Building, 6pm-8pm.
In case you weren't familiar with Warm Cookies: briefly, we create and host events at the McNichols Civic Center Building in Downtown Denver, the Denver Art Museum, the Colorado History Museum, and other places to engage everyday people around politics, the economy, the environment, and social change using---as best we can describe it!---award-winning comedy, theater, and irreverent show and tell.
(and yes, we always have milk and cookies at our events!)
These very short videos tell that story better than I can probably relate here:
https://vimeo.com/105698122
https://vimeo.com/110842043
https://vimeo.com/89055348
In the coming year, our programming will focus exclusively on the "city" part of civics, which we're calling "Own This City: A User's Guide." Our purpose will be to 1) explain to Denverites what is they own as citizens (the parks! the fire department! the library!), 2) how the stuff they own actually works, and 3) what ways they can get involved with the stuff they own to help make them work.
We felt as though the spring municipal elections present a wonderful opportunity for our members to hear from the persons running for office directly, and find out how that thing we all own in Denver---city government---will work for us in the years to come. To this end, we are planning a unique event at the McNichols Civic Center Building on Thursday, March 21st, from 6pm to 8pm, another edition of an ongoing series we call "Bring Your Government," where we mix comedy, LEGOs, and exchanges on our ideal form of government.
Denver Elections will be on hand to talk about how and where and when to vote, and the very best comedic talent Denver has to offer---Janae Burris, Nathan Lund, and Adam Cayton Holland will be there to make us laugh about election season (and whatever else might cross their minds). Attendees---that's you and your comrades at the RNO, if you choose to join us--- will have the opportunity throughout the evening to approach candidates and talk to them, and challenge them, one-on-one, about their campaigns and their ideas for Denver today and in the future.
We like to think this is a pretty unique take on candidate forums---but don't just take our word for it:
Current councilman for District 6 told us that the 2015 event was "an outside the box, productive context to connect with and hear from my own Council District and across the city," and that it was "a great break from knocking doors!"
Former candidate Ean Tafoya says our 2015 was "one of the best election events of the year. What could be better then stepping out from behind the mic and actually building our city with residents?"
And At-Large Councilwoman Debbie Ortega says it was "The best election event ever. Educational, engaging, and a lot of fun. I give it five stars."
I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about Warm Cookies or the event. Feel free to hit me up at my email or phone, anytime.
Best,
--
Chris Getzan
Program Director & Minister of Beards
Warm Cookies of the Revolution/The World's First Civic Health Club
Denver CO
720.891.1219
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