Civic Media Center's 15th anniversary celebration events

Civic Media Center's 15th anniversary celebration events
James Schmidt
October 2008

In October we celebrate 15 years of the Civic Media Center's information insurgency, grassroots political education, activist networking and community-building here in Gainesville.

Especially in this, an election year, let us remember that no matter who is in power and who they claim to represent, no matter what they say they'll do "for" the rest of us, power concedes nothing without a demand, and it is essential that we have our own autonomous people's institutions like the CMC in order to organize and fight--in fact, this is the only way real, fundamental social change happens: from the bottom up, by the actions of we the people, armed with knowledge, organizing and working together for our mutual well-being.

Let us also remember that every little victory counts. The mere fact of the CMC's existence, much less its survival for 15 years as a truly independent grassroots organization, is cause for celebration.

Sam Pacetti in Concert at the Thomas Center, Thursday October 16th, 8pm

The Civic Media Center will present a concert with renowned guitarist and singer/songwriter Sam Pacetti on Thursday evening October 16 at the Spanish Court of the historic Thomas Center in downtown Gainesville. The concert will be the kickoff of three days of events marking the CMC's fifteenth anniversary. Doors will open at 7:30 with the concert starting at 8pm. Refreshments will be available at intermission, beer and wine is BYOB due to new rules at the Thomas Center.

WHEN: Thurs., October 16th @ 8pm

WHERE:Thomas Ctr, 302 NE 6th Ave

COST: Advance tickets $12 (at WIld Iris Books); Door $15

Panel Discussion: "Local Media–Criticisms and Solutions," Friday October 17th, 7:30pm

This panel will feature CMC Board members Joe Courter (co-editor of the Gainesville Iguana progressive monthly) and Charles Willett (founding editor of the alternative media review journal Counterpoise), along with Deb Cupples, media activist and founder of the website BuckNakedPolitics, and Colin Whitworth, a veteran of daily newspapers and editor of Moon magazine 1990-2002 discussing the state of media in the Gainesville area, and how local people can overcome these limitations. Also participating will be representatives of the CMC's low power FM radio station, WGOT 94.7, and student journalists who recently founded a new campus based newspaper, The Fine Print.

WHEN: Friday, October 17, 7:30pm

WHERE: Civic Media Center, 1021 W. University Ave.

COST: Donations appreciated

CMC Birthday Bash: Party, Poetry Reading, and Concert, Saturday October 18th

We will celebrate the CMC's 15 years of education, agitation and progressive community building with an evening of events at the Center, beginning at 6pm.

15th Anniversary Party, 6-8pm: Join Media Center members, volunteers, former volunteers and coordinators to raise a toast to the CMC and hear testimonials from current and former CMC folks, swap stories, renew your membership, and have some birthday cake and other goodies.

The Word Is Spoken Presents "Political Spit!" Poetry Reading, 8-10pm: T.W.I.S. host and CMC Poetry Jam co-host David Maas presents an evening of local poets reading and performing politically-charged works in honor of the CMC.

Acoustic Music Show, 10pm-???: A night of refreshing, rabble-rousing, and inspiring acoustic sets by Lars Din, Little Pteradactyl (aka Chelsea Carnes of Dirty Fist) and Cassette.

WHEN:Saturday October 18th, 2008: Party 6pm, Poetry 8pm, Music 10pm

WHERE: Civic Media Center, 1021 W. University Ave.

COST: Donations (and membership renewals, and extra-special birthday presents) appreciated for Birthday Party; $5 @ door for Poetry Reading and/or Concert (come early for poetry, stick around for the tunes, all for one amazing low contribution!)