Pennsyltucky Bluegrass & Ideas Fest

PENNSYLTUCKY
BLUEGRASS &
IDEAS
FEST 

I'm throwing the first annual Pennsylvania Bluegrass & Ideas Fest this Saturday, August 19, 2017 in Pittsburgh, PA to bring together progressives who want to go for the jugular - and who also like music and fun - to exchange ideas and strategize about winning the future. The event is the kickoff for my Pittsburgh-based organization, currently in formation, which will help find, train, and guide likable progressives candidates running for all levels of office who "pass the Pittsburgh test" (more information below). To offset the costs of this event and to help launch the organization, we are accepting donations at: paypal.me/pennsyltuckyideas
I'm sorry for the short notice. I’ve been planning this event for months, but health problems sidelined me for the last few weeks and I just got my energy back, but I’m pulling this off because we need it. I plan to deliver a speech at the event, and I promise it won't be boring. 
The Pennsylvania Bluegrass & Ideas Fest will run go from 5:00pm to 10:00pm at 730 Fairview Rd, Pittsburgh, PA. There will be great food, including a pigroast, an assortment of local beer, local whiskey, and other libations to keep the conversation and ideas flowing, as well as feats of strength because it's festivus, baby. In between live music sets by local bluegrass bands, there will be several discussions sessions to generate new ideas. 
Festivus: Airing of Grievances. A discussion among previously unheard from voices on the left about what actually matters to them, what inspired them to speak unpopular truths, and how they did so in a way that resonates with people. Featuring the wrestler the Progressive Liberal, and Stacy Kolitska, a local cafeteria worker who quit rather than lunch shame. Will conclude with an all-crowd airing of grievances.
Meet a Republican: The Art of Changing Minds. An exploration of why we can't talk to each other. Featuring a Trump voter explaining why Democrats are annoying: we will be polite, look for common ground, and discuss how we could reframe our message to win more people over. Followed by a demonstration of how to conduct a conversation that can change someone’s opinion and how not to, based on Difficult Conversations.  
New Rules: Likable Message and Messengers. Brainstorming session about what should guide us going forward. Featuring Joe Slade White, legendary political media guru and strategist, and member of Nixon’s enemies list. 
The first half of each panel will be on the record and posted online, the second half will be a free-flowing discussion off-the-record for maximum candor with audience participation and a strict no "bad ideas in brainstorming" rule to encourage contribution. The price guests pay for attending the event is participating in the panel discussions and shouting out ideas when the discussions open up at the end. We want your ideas, not your money (although we wouldn’t say no your money …).
Guests are encouraged to bring a folding chair or blanket as most seating will be on the ground. Space is limited by parking. It’s outdoors and rain or shine. No Democratic party hacks allowed; however, dogs are allowed. Tickets are free and available by request while they last. If you are interested in attending the festival, participating in a panel, or helping with logistics, please email pennsyltuckybluegrassideas@gmail.com and tell us a little bit about yourself, what gets you fired up (politically speaking), and a few of your most creative ideas for getting some wins on the board (bullet points and brevity are good). 
The Organization
The event is the kickoff for a Pittsburgh-based organization I am in the process of founding. I dream big, so I'd like the organization to eventually offer:

• A political bootcamp for new candidates so they don't have to stumble during the real deal. Putting them through mock interviews, media training, dressing for tv, teach general campaign no nos. 
• A new "Contract with America" progressives can rally behind (because people like lists of 10, and because it might piss off Newt if I steal his baby)
• A "Pittsburgh Test" candidate assessment service – I f Pittsburghers think the candidate is unlikable, pretentious, or wimpy, that candidate probably won’t gain traction throughout Appalachia, the Rust Belt, and the Midwest...and we need to stop running losers. We will provide a brutally honest assessment of a candidate from Pittsburgh's realest, and be the mean person who will say “don't run that loser" because someone has to.
• A Frank Lutz-style word warfare lab to change the terms of debate and push back against Republican branding (calling the "estate tax" the "death tax" etc)
• Information and feedback to politicians, journalists and everyone on the tv who seem so hopelessly confused about what's going through our heads here in "flyover country." 
• A policy shop to offer state and local legislators alternatives to ALEC's awful legislation

I'm setting up the event and the organization on my own, independent of the democratic party or any other political organization. I'm doing this alone, in part because I don't really enjoy spending time with democratic party regulars, in part because I think their political instincts are dangerously bad. My goal is to bring new blood and new ideas into the political process by making it fun and encouraging new voices. 
I need money to offset the cost of this event, and I'd like to pay the volunteers who helping me put on the event. There are not many foundations or trusts designated to give money to political organizations like mine, so any financial support you can personally give would be most appreciated. I do not plan to take money from any source that makes me feel icky, and hope that small donations from many individuals can sustain us as we launch. 
It'll get better. We can do this. 
Thanks,
Meg Campbell
Chairwoman
Pennsyltucky Bluegrass & Ideas Fest