(Note: Title changed in hopes of alerting more BooPersons to this opportunity. Same diary.)

I just received an email from the organizers of Democracy Fest 2005 and wondered if y’all were aware that this is coming up – June 17-19 (Fri, Sat, and Sun) at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, the capitol of Texas.

What is DemFest? From their flyer, ” . . . a gathering of progressives from all over the country who will meet . . . to hear nationally known speakers, receive grassroots training, and enjoy an evening of entertainment with stellar musical and political guests.”

Here are some of the people who will be there:

Saturday night speakers include Gov. Howard Dean, Jim Hightower, and Molly Ivins.

Workshops include:

* Progressive/Alternative Media: Taking on the corporate media machine at both national and local levels. Panel will include Jerome Armstrong (mydd.com), Markos Moulitsas Zuniga (dailykos.com), Dr. Federico Subervi, scholar and media consultant who directs the Latinos and Media Project, and Cody Garrett, managing editor of La Prensa.

Got your attention yet?

There’s more . . .

* Framing for Democracy: Dr. Jeffrey Feldman, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Frameshop, on ways we can use language more effectively to convey our positions and vision to voters.

How about

* The DeLay Factor: Former Dean Dozen candidate and DeLay challenger Richard Morrison will be joined by author Lou DuBose (The Hammer) and Chris Bell, the former Democratic U.S. congressman for the pre-redistricting Texas District 25 who filed ethics charges against DeLay, and who is considering a run for governor.

and

* Veterans of Texas Political Wars: Jim Hightower, Molly Ivins, and Glen Maxey will be joined by others, as requested by our young supporters who want to hear the voices of experience.

(For non-Texans who don’t know who Glen Maxey is, see Capitol Chronicle: A Profile in Courage and Lines in the Sand.)

There will also be workshops on Balancing Activism with the Rest of Life: (You know what we mean), Campaign Training 101,  Campaign Training 201, Civic Action Network, Electoral Reform and IRV,  Engaging Communities through Civic Environmentalism, House Parties, Political Scavenger Hunt,  Religion, Democracy, and the Common Good,  Students for Democracy,  Turning Red States Blue,  Websites and Blogs, and What It Means to Be a Progressive.

More details about these workshops at the Democracy Fest program page.

Why am I telling you this now? Because, to quote from the email, “If you haven’t yet paid for your registration, please do so as soon as possible. Until you pay, you are not ensured a spot, and we are rapidly approaching capacity. All registrations must be paid for in advance–there will be no payments taken at the door.”

And from the website, “So far, over 600 people have already registered! While more than 75% of the registrants are from Texas, we have people coming from 25 states and 3 foreign countries. Keep in mind–space is limited.” For more information and to register, click here.

Democracy Fest is co-sponsored by Democracy for Texas (our DFA) and My Vote Is My Voice. Tickets are $55, and that includes all kinds of stuff besides the workshops, like two meals, a CD from the workshops, and a t-shirt (of course).

So – y’all come. If you’re from out of town, give me a shout. Love to meet you.

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