Hickenlooper touts public events during DNC
By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 31, 2008 at 12:54 p.m.
Updated July 31, 2008 at 4:04 p.m.
Photo by Daniel Chacon, The Rocky
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper addresses the media at a DNC Host Committee press conference.
Photo by Daniel Chacon, The Rocky
Members of the media attend a DNC Host Committee press conference.
You don't have to be a presidential nominee or a reporter from CNN to participate in the Democratic National Convention.
Mayor John Hickenlooper on Thursday launched a marketing campaign to promote a series of happenings tied to the DNC so that residents and visitors alike can experience the historic event.
Among the dignitaries — and celebrities — that the public will get a chance to see up close at various events are Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, actor and director Ben Affleck and Dick Gephardt, former U.S. representative and majority leader of the House.
"We are going set a table for a banquet that the whole country is going to be able to enjoy," Hickenlooper said.
"It's going to be a chance for everyone in this metropolitan area to participate in the greatest democracy on earth (and) allow us to have a seat at the table at a moment in history," he said.
All of the public offerings touted by Hickenlooper at a press conference downtown this afternoon have been announced individually in the past, but convention planners are hoping to stimulate more publicity with one comprehensive marketing campaign.
The events include:
Rocky Mountain Roundtable, a series of issue-oriented discussions with a colorful cast of panelists, from Affleck to former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
The 10 roundtable discussions, from Aug. 25 to 27, will be held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts complex.
Tickets range from $12 to $55. They will be available through the Denver Center for the Performing Arts web site — 2008rmr.org/tickets.asp — starting Aug. 11.
2008rmr.org
Unconventional Women, the first roundtable discussion, will include Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, which was announced today.
The symposium will be at the Buell Theatre from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 25.
"The goals of the event are to galvanize women to increase political action as candidates, supporters and mentor, to propel the women's movement beyond 2008 through a historic symposium on women's political advancement, and to inspire and motivate the next generation of women candidates and other public officials," said Gretchen McComb, president of the Women's Foundation of Colorado.
Unconventionalwomen.org
Dialog:City is a free art exhibition that involves 10 art installations in Denver neighborhoods.
Dialogcity.org
Cinemocracy Rocks! is a short film festival at Red Rocks Amphitheatre at 6 p.m. Aug. 25. People can submit their own short films.
Free tickets to the festival are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Secured-seating tickets can be purchased for $20.
Cinemocracy.org
American Presidential Experience is a 150,000-square-foot exhibit that celebrates presidential history.
Hickenlooper said he learned today that an original copy of the Declaration of Independence is among the items at the exhibit.
"I don't think you'll be able to touch it, but you'll be able to feel the vibe coming off of it," he said.
The exhibit, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 22-29, will be in Parking Lot D at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Presidentialexperience.com
Green Frontier Fest is a free outdoor sustainability celebration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at Sculpture Park.
In addition, on Aug. 24-28, there will be a "New Energy Station" at Sculpture Park showcasing new energy innovations through interactive and educational exhibits and other happenings.
Greenfrontierfest.com
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July 31, 2008
1:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
Alive writes:
<sarchasm>Wow. Sounds like fun. I can't wait. Hope I can sleep between now and then.</sarchasm>
July 31, 2008
1:19 p.m.
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CWW writes:
Whoopee. I'm so excited (yawn). Guess I'll rush into Denver for those fascinating activities---NOT.
July 31, 2008
1:40 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
Wow. Attendance to the fiasco just rose by 3. At the rate they're going, there might be enough people show up to hold a softball game.
July 31, 2008
2:01 p.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
I don't get the "Unconventional Women" thing either. Maybe activities that are more violent might appeal to the squatters that will show up.
July 31, 2008
2:20 p.m.
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Dick_Tater writes:
I hear one of the events is where they choose citizen off of the street and place him in the middle of the Pepsi center. Then let loose a politician and see how long it takes for the politician to bleed the citizen dry of all his money.
July 31, 2008
2:32 p.m.
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temurlan writes:
Don't knock Them. It took them 4 months to put that agenda together.
2008 Rocky Mountain Roundtable
First topic: Will Speakers Take Turns Clockwise or Counter Clockwise Around Table
A series of issue-oriented non-partisan discussions
First Topic: What are They Discussing Over at the Big Round Table?
Unconventional Women
Chairwoman: Froward69
July 31, 2008
4:57 p.m.
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Darwin writes:
I'll be a bum for a day, where do I get my movie and zoo tickets?
July 31, 2008
5:04 p.m.
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Bugeye writes:
I was disappointed the mayor did not mention the best time and place to see the riots. Any ideas on best place to see people rioting for peace? That I want to witness.
July 31, 2008
5:10 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
"I would pay $55 not to hear former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright bash our country."
sweet. can i give you my address to send the check to?
July 31, 2008
6:48 p.m.
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Mike846 writes:
Can you believe these people? They've labored months and months and this is the insipid, self-indulgent, self-centered stuff they come up with? As usual, Hizzoner Mayor Hick is shilling for his restaurant buddies. How about holding a forum on the financial impact of illegal aliens on hospitals, city services, welfare and schools? How about a symposium on how to avoid using union labor, like all but ONE of the hotels in town during the convention? Or a round-table on how to eliminate earmarks from legislation? Remember, Ms. Nancy from California said "it takes a woman to clean the House". So far, with the Dems in control, earmarks are at record levels, lobbyists on K Street continue to hold sway (they just have to pay different people) and the Democrats haven't passed a single piece of legislation worth mentioning. I guess they've been too busy investigating meaningless appointment choices, calling in the heads of oil companies to explain supply and demand to them, banning cigars from ANYWHERE in the Capitol and spending $50,000 on flowers. What a joke. Mike
July 31, 2008
7:21 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Meeting the politicians? Bring tomatoes, leave them in the cans...
July 31, 2008
8:54 p.m.
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ghoax writes:
How about this , a SUV parade and a smoke out, parked right on Auraria Parkway, keep the A/C on and engines revvin! Staged from Invesco, everyone drives a vehicle down there and parks . Everyone smokes even if you don't...start. It'll be loads of fun we'll have a CFL catapult, multi colored barbeque made from real wood burning CO2 makin smokers! And, we'll all leave on the AC and all the lights while we're out. Then, the oil drilling demonstration, right there in front of Pepsi Center...to top it off we'll have hot air balloons shaped like Pelosi, Obama, Reid, Boxer and the likes....fat and puffy and using lots of energy to keep afloat! Be sure to bring tons of styrofoam and plastic water bottles too, you can get some at the gas station while you're deflating your tires to drive to the event! Now that sounds like fun!
July 31, 2008
8:58 p.m.
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ghoax writes:
anyone feel like pitching in on an aerial banner that says, dems do something good for our country, resign! ?