Charlotte

We say it often enough, but we mean it like never before: there's never been a better time for Drinking Liberally!

You've waited years for this. Finally, Election Night is upon us--and it's likely that great things are in store. As the sun sets and the polls close Tuesday evening, you'll have done your part, so come join us.

We'll meet at Intermezzo Pizzeria and Cafe, on lower Central Avenue, less than a mile from Uptown. They're going all out for us. In addition to the usual excellent food and crystal-clear flat-screen TV action, they're introducing a newly enclosed, toasty-warm patio area, and, perhaps best of all, Intermezzo will offer a number of beer and wine specials--just because we're Drinking Liberally!

We take the election seriously, and, as we watch the results finally trickle in, we intend to have some serious fun. Be both tuned in and turned on! Come join us!

* Beer and wine specials!
* TV pundits and talking heads from Maddow to Blitzer, Olbermann to Toobin, Matthews to Brokaw, and all the rest!
* Our own Electoral College charts, graphs, and assorted props!
* Local and statewide stuff in real time!
* Stewart and Colbert at 10 o'clock!
* Star-spangled cupcakes!
* Great conversation and camaraderie!
* Smart insights on must-win states, the likelihood of a filibuster-proof Senate, and other political wonkiness!
* Tate with a laptop!
* Acceptance speeches broadcast live!
* Noisy revelry!

Whether you regularly enjoy Drinking Liberally or this is your first visit, we can't wait to see you for this historic event! This promises to be a night to remember!

What: Election Night Returns-Watch Party with Drinking Liberally
Where: Intermezzo Pizzeria and Cafe, 1427 East 10th Street, at Louise, where 10th and Kings turn into Central
When: Tuesday, November 4
Polls close locally: 7:30
The fun gets started: 7:30
Who: Absolutely EVERYONE!!!

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE BE SURE TO VOTE VOTE VOTE

Please swing by Dolce Vita to join Drinking Liberally as we watch Barack Obama's half-hour campaign commercial. His presentation starts at 8 o'clock; we'll be there a bit earlier to catch up with one another and share stories of the election season's home stretch.

It'll be a fun but mellow chance to listen to Obama's closing arguments and enjoy a respite from the nonstop motion, emotion, and commotion of the past several months. Finally, it's almost over.

What: Join us to watch Barack Obama's half-hour "American Stories"
Where: Dolce Vita, 3205 North Davidson Street, in NoDa
When: Tonight, Wednesday, October 29, at sometime before 8 o'clock
Who: You, your friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else who'd like to come along!
Plus: Glasses of wine are half-price tonight!

Also, stay tuned tomorrow for details of our Election Night blowout bash. As election returns roll in, the night promises to be a combination of Super Bowl Sunday, the Oscars, New Year's Eve, and the Fourth of July all rolled into one--and you can be sure we plan to celebrate in style!

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE BE SURE TO VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE DON'T PUT OFF YOUR CHANCE TO VOTE VOTE VOTE

VOTE VOTE VOTE TELL YOUR GRANDPA TO VOTE VOTE VOTE TELL YOUR NEIGHBORS TO VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE TELL YOUR BOSS TO VOTE VOTE TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO VOTE VOTE VOTE

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE VOTE VOTE EARLY VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE TELL YOUR MOM TO VOTE VOTE VOTE

VOTE!

At this point, you doubtlessly know which Presidential candidate you're voting for. In fact, if you're as jazzed up as we are--and we know you are--you're likely to have cast your ballot already. And if not, go do it right now. It's so easy and you'll feel great, because early voting is the cat's pajamas!

Still, the race isn't over yet. There's too much at stake. As the campaigns wind down and the rhetoric heats up, Obama has purchased time on most of the major television networks for his "Barack Obama: American Stories" (a.k.a., the "Barack Obama Political Message").

The half-hour address airs Wednesday, October 29, at 8 o'clock. With less than a week to go before Election Day, we'd love for you to take a break and join us to watch.

No boozy bingo, no craziness. Just a time to listen to Obama's "closing arguments," a chance to connect with friends new and old as we head into the final stretch, an opportunity to learn how you can help out if you'd like to and can make the time, and yet another reminder that this thing isn't over until the final votes are cast next Tuesday--so don't pull up short.

What: Join us to watch "Barack Obama: American Stories"
Where: Dolce Vita, 3205 North Davidson Street, in NoDa
When: Wednesday, October 29, at 8 o'clock
Who: You, your friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else who'd like to come along!
Plus: Every Wednesday glasses of wine are half-price at Dolce Vita!

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Usually we meet the first and third Wednesday of every month, but October 2008 is a quirky month in that it offers up five rather than the usual four Wednesdays, so we're sitting out tonight. In short, due to the vagaries of the calendar:

There will be no Drinking Liberally tonight.

We'll be back in action next week, though--and certainly the week following, when big things are expected to happen. In the meantime, we encourage you like never before to use every spare couple of hours you get between now and Election Day to get involved.

Yes: get involved!

* Contact the political party of your choice! They need you!

* Get in touch with the campaign headquarters of any candidate you admire! Inspire people who aren't as confident in the process as you are!

* Volunteer to be a poll watcher! Keep things on the up and up!

* And, of course, if you haven't already: vote! Tonight! Don't put it off! You have until 7 p.m.! Go here for early-voting sites and other info!

* Already voted? Excellent! Get involved and help others!

Volunteering is the best! No matter how you help out--or how much you help out--every act of getting people to the polls and making that experience as positive for them as possible is sure to strengthen our community, our city, our state, our nation, and our democracy. Plus, it'll leave you feeling extraordinarily good!

Not sure where to begin? Send us an email and we'll help you get started. Have questions in general? Don't hesitate to email us. We're brighter than we seem, but if we can't provide an answer, we'll direct you to someone who can.

Thanks!

Andy, Mark, Jeremy, Marcus, and Kendall

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

The last of this season's Presidential debates is on TV tonight. Have you considered Drinking Liberally?

There's no telling whether the event will be 90 minutes of can't-look-away TV or mostly a policy-rehash snoozer--probably the latter, but you never know. Maybe this final confrontation is the when McCain decides to shuck his kid gloves and come out swinging. Will Obama, who makes it all seem so effortless, despite the hard work, continue to win the day? Will the serene logic and imagination of his arguments carry him through till November 4th? Or will he stumble in the face of McCain's sputtering? One perceived slip-up and the media will pounce.

Argumentative fireworks, verbal fistfights, awkward asides, various jibes, gaffs, grumbles, and grimaces, strings of pointless barbs, off-camera throat-clearings, moments of absentmindedly wandering the stage, flinch-inducing addresses to "My friends": no matter who you're rooting for or what happens tonight at Hofstra, tonight's gathering--our first at Intermezzo--promises to be a blast, so swing by! In no time you'll find yourself happily immersed in a sane, singularly relaxing session of provocative political banter, current-events brouhaha, and a healthy dose of life affirming liberal carousing.

Plus, we'll have a stash of Mother Jones magazine's superlative Presidential-debate "Buzzwords and B.S." bingo scorecards, so you can play along. Hot diggity, right?!!

We can't wait to see you!

What: The Final Obama/McCain Tete-a-Tete Live from Long Island!
Where: Intermezzo Pizzeria, 1427 East 10th Street, at Louise, just outside Uptown where both Kings and 10th become Central
When: Wednesday, October 15
Pre-debate: 7:30
Debate: 9:00
Who: Liberal carousers, Progressive schmoozers, pop psychologists, professional psychologists, policy wonks, and anyone who's anxious that reality TV plays such an out-sized part in who might win this thing
Plus: Intermezzo has an outstanding selection of excellent wine, unusual bottled and draught beer, and, tonight, is offering $3 well drinks
Don't forget: The Mother Jones "Buzzwords and B.S." drinking game!

Yet another Presidential debate? Indeed! Time for Drinking Liberally!

This Wednesday--tomorrow night--we shake things up by skipping our regular Dolce Vita gathering. Instead, we'll meet at Intermezzo, on lower Central Avenue, less than a mile from Uptown--and easily the best little Serb-run pizza joint in the city--for a very special John McCain vs. Barack Obama: Round 3 debate-watch party!

We've commandeered the Intermezzo dining room and its two large flatscreens for ourselves--and unlike last week, the great sound and intimate space means you won't need to strain to hear what either Senators Obama or McCain, or moderator Bob Schieffer, is saying. Also, as we did a couple of weeks back, we'll have Mother Jones magazine's good ol' Presidential debate bingo scorecards on hand, so be ready!

Given Obama's steady gain in the polls, will McCain come out swinging? Tough to say. But with the McCain campaign floundering even in red-state strongholds such as North Dakota--not to mention soon-to-be-blue North Carolina--there's a strong possibility that this time around McCain will try raising a ruckus. One thing's certain: at the very least, McCain will voice the words "My friends" a couple dozen times. Will he top his debate record of 23 utterances? Come join us to find out!

The debate starts at 9 o'clock. Come by any time after 7:30 and kick back with an ice-cold beer, a delicious glass of wine, or a soothing cocktail. It'll be an ideal pre-debate setting to discuss the day's issues, share ideas, and talk with others as thrilled as you are about the prospects ahead.

Whether you stop by a lot or this is your first visit, you'll have a fantastic time--this promises to be our best debate-watch shindig yet!

What: The Final Barack Obama/John McCain Debate-Watch Thrillfest!
Where: Intermezzo Pizzeria, 1427 East 10th Street, at Louise, just outside Uptown where 10th turns into Central
When: Wednesday, October 15
We get started: 7:30
The debate begins: 9:00
Who: Folks not content to merely witness televised conversation, but eager to start one of their own!
Plus: More Mother Jones debate bingo!

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We can't wait to see you!

Kendall, Andy, Mark, Marcus and Jeremy

We sure are!

Join us at the Uptown Brixx Pizza to watch John McCain and Barack Obama navigate a "town hall"-style debate live from Nashville, moderated by the unflappable Tom Brokaw.

* $3 margaritas
* $2.50 Dos Equis amber
* Two-for-one pizzas and appetizers
* Free parking at the Seventh Street Station parking deck next door

Yowza!

Among much else, we'll be snickering at passages from the Palin/Biden debate transcript (we'll have a copy), marveling at North Carolina's newly gained status as Presidential swing state (crazy, right?), and informally tossing around strategies for changing our community and our nation for the better!

Drop by anytime after 7:30 to enjoy a soul-soothing margarita or an ice-cold glass of beer and to discuss absolutely anything that comes to mind with people eager to hear what you have to say and to share ideas of their own. We'll be percolating with the usual political banter, policy-oriented brouhaha, and current-events babble--and we can't wait to see you!

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What: John McCain and Barack Obama Live from Nashville
Where: Brixx Pizza, 225 E. Sixth Street, Uptown
When: TONIGHT, Tuesday, October 7
We start: 7:30
Debate begins: 9:00
Who: Anyone else who'd like to join the fun!
Plus: Drink specials include $2.50 Dos Equis amber and $3 margaritas
Also: Two-for-one deals on pizzas and appetizers

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P.S.: For free parking, don't forget to bring your Seventh Street parking ticket for validation inside Brixx.

It's time again already! Hot on the heels of last week's pop-cultural phenomenon, we get John McCain vs. Barack Obama: Round 2.

Yes, as McCain's electoral chances slip away it's inevitable that he'll try shaking things up. What tomorrow night's debate lacks in pre-event buzz it'll surely make up for in actual knock-down, drag-out, smack-and-jab pizzazz.

If you've considered viewing this one alone, we suggest Drinking Liberally!

We're taking over the entire left side of the room at Brixx Pizza, Uptown, on Sixth Street, where with a little arm-twisting they've agreed to cede control of their TVs, serve up two-for-one pizzas and appetizers, and offer $2.50 Dos Equis ambers and $3 margaritas.

There are several TVs and no bad seats, and you can be sure that the candidates' pontificating, pandering, ponderous asides, awkward attempts at humor, circumlocutions, outright evasions, flip-flops, nit-picks, garbles, gaffs, quips, qualms, equivocations, and, perhaps, barely contained attacks, will be broadcast at full volume.

The debate starts at 9 o'clock. Feel free to swing by any time after 7:30 to share ideas, discuss issues both great and small, and enjoy a soul-soothing margarita or an ice-cold glass of beer.

Join us!

What: A John McCain/Barack Obama Debate-Viewing Thrillfest!
Where: Brixx Pizza, 225 E. Sixth Street, Uptown
When: Tuesday, October 7
We get started: 7:30
The debate begins: 9:00
Who: Your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and anyone else who'd like to join the fun!
Plus: Drink specials include $2.50 Dos Equis amber and $3 margaritas
Also: Two-for-one deals on pizzas and appetizers

We can't wait to see you!

Kendall, Andy, Mark, Marcus and Jeremy

P.S. For free parking, don't forget to bring your 7th Street parking ticket for validation inside Brixx.

Thinking about Drinking Liberally?

Although we're taking tonight off, we'll be out in force for Thursday evening's Vice-Presidential debate!

Bring your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and anyone else who might want to join in the fun as Governor Sarah Palin faces off against Senator Joe Biden. It'll be a doozy. Better than huntin' a moose.

And, to add spice to the event, we'll have Mother Jones magazine's truly excellent Vice-Presidential debate bingo scorecards on hand. These are sure to go quick, so click here to print out some extras.

We can't wait to see you!

What: A Sarah Palin/Joe Biden Debate-Viewing Extravaganza
Where: Dolce Vita, at 3205 North Davidson Street, in NoDa
When: Thursday, October 2
We get started: 7 o'clock
The VP debate begins: 9 o'clock
Who: The largest debate-watching crowd in Nielsen history!
Plus: Drink specials! An extra Dolce Vita TV! Great seating!
Don't forget: The Mother Jones "buzzwords and b.s." drinking game!