We’re almost here. The 2008 Democratic National Convention is just around the corner, as thousands stream into Denver, filling up all those expensively priced hotels this weekend.

Although the preparation for this historical event in our city started months ago, getting the scoop on what is really taking place during the next week has been cloudy at best, as press releases begin trickle in.

There also seems to be confusion as to what is public and what is not, including the recently announced Manifest Hope gallery showing and related party at Andenken Gallery.

In an effort to keep things clear and help you all understand what is going on and when, and how you too can be a part of this party in our home town, most of what we plan to post here will be verbatim from press releases and other notifications.

One of the first and more popular news stories when it comes to music legends in their own time that have always led the political way is Rage Against the Machine, who are headlining Tent State University (an obvious play off of Kent State).

Here’s the story:

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, WITH THE IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR AND TENT STATE UNIVERSITY, HOST THE "TENT STATE MUSIC FESTIVAL TO END THE WAR"
DURING THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

ALSO SCHEDULED TO PERFORM: THE FLOBOTS, THE COUP, STATE RADIO, AND WAYNE KRAMER

Rage Against the Machine has joined forces with the Iraq Veterans Against the War and Tent State Universityto perform as part of the "Tent State Music Festival to End the War" on Wednesday, August 27 at the Denver Coliseum. They will join the Flobots, The Coup, State Radio, and Wayne Kramer. Doors open at 9:30 AM, show begins at 11:00 AM.

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Recreate ’68, Tent State, Mercury Café and other DNC Events

You may have seen the green and yellow flyers pasted up along 13th and 14th Streets, or other main thoroughfares through town, or just know of them through the grapevine. But either way, the Recreate ’68 crew is going large for the DNC with a full-schedule, starting this weekend. They’re also in cooperation with Tent State, the organization that will no doubt be getting a lot of people to come out to their events.

On Saturday, August 23, Planned Parenthood will confront the bloody sign-carrying anti-abortionists. That should be quite the lively event indeed. Bring the popcorn.

On Sunday it's time to stretch out and break out your head band (hear that Firefox girls?) for the FUNK the WAR Dance for Peace, which takes place from 2pm to 4:30pm at Union Station where all will be “funking the delegates on the 16th Street Mall.” Later that day Tent State starts their concert series at Cuernavaca Park (near Riverfront and 20th) from 5pm to 7:30pm.

The one event to watch is also going to be the Iraq Veterans Against the War March on Wednesday, August 27 starting at 3:30pm at Cuernavaca. Later that night Critical Mass "No War, No Warning" will take over the streets, literally. Let's hope they don't block bus routes like CM does in San Francisco, since that's the only real way you'll be able to get around town, unless of course, you're on your bike.

Thursday arrives with a March to Invesco Field for Omaba's speech, and from what I heard, the only way you'll be able to reach Invesco is to walk, so you might as well multi-task and join in.

Mercury Cafe is also hosting a number of events, including the Indy Media Center Party on Sunday from 5pm to 7pm. On Thursday at 6pm, they’ll host the film “Iran is Not the Problem,” and that night, "Heavy Metal Bagdad" at 7:30pm, followed by Louis Vuitton Night, Denver's Most Un-Democratic Anarchist Variety Show at 9:30pm.

View and download the master schedule PDF at www.recreate.org.

"Barack the Night Away" - Saturday, August 23 at 8:00 PM

Democratic National Convention 2008 Kick off Party for the People! Must be 21+ contribute to the Barack Obama campaign by visiting www.barackobama.com *free bottle service for the top 5 donations made to the Barack Obama campaign in august, must show valid proof of donation

Sutra
1109 Lincoln Street
Denver, co 80203

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44zx5#rsvp to RSVP.

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