Tractivists, do you like to watch?

For the next five weeks, we are the epicenter of U.S. politics! The whole world is watching. So it’s time for us to ACT, not to watch. Look for an email soon with ways to be active in this election cycle with Traction.

But on April 11th and 12th, it’s time to join your fellow Tractivists and WATCH…

ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION II
a theatrical sideshow to benefit Traction!

Some of the area’s best actors and directors* + live music + good people + good cause + democracy + food/drinks + you!

ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION II (Wrath of the SuperDelegates)
7pm on April 11th and 12th

at the Trotter Building
410 W. Geer St., across from Manbites Dog Theater
$10 suggested min. donation — tickets conveniently sold online

*featuring Tractivists from Z to A, like Zephyr Teachout, Nicole Quenelle, Jim Haverkamp, Jay O’Berski, Dana Marks and Adam Sampieri.It’s an amazing show and you know it’ll be a great party, so get your tix NOW!

More soon, fellow patriots, Lanya

P.S. To volunteer for this show (or anything else Traction), contact Cara by emailing use.me@getTraction.org.

Can’t decide whether to go out on Mardi Gras and laissez les bon temps rouler, or stay in and feed your inner political junkie with results from the Super Tuesday primaries?

Well, then, behold SUPER FAT TUESDAY: mardi gras bacchanalia and up-to-the-minute primary coverage all rolled into one! Yes, Traction’s at it again, stirring up a blend of the two best things to happen in February.*

How, you ask, is this possible? The plan goes like this:
Gather at the Fishmonger oyster bar, because nothing says N’awlins like oysters, cher. If oysters don’t do it for you, we’ll have other bayou faves like gumbo, plus beer, king cake, gen-u-ine Mardi Gras beads, a kickass Cajun soundtrack and a big screen TV for your red vs. blue exit-poll-viewing pleasure.

RSVPs appreciated: superfat@getTraction.org
(more…)

Buy your tickets now and skip the lines on Saturday. 

Get your tix here!

In solidarity with the striking writers, we’re showing a rerun / re-post. Here’s a blogpost from this time last year (with minor update tweaks).

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. And hey, for some good progressive Thanksgiving mojo, listen to Howard Zinn talking to Tavis Smiley about Thanksgiving (also a rerun): www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1524095
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Is it just me, or are there a lot of things to be thankful for these days?

Along with public education (such as it is), voting rights (such as they are), the endangered species act, the earned income tax credit, community health centers, NC’s excellent voter-verified paper ballot legislation, Plan B emergency contraception and Jon Stewart, you can add FESTIVUS to the list of things you’re thankful for. Oh, and the promise of a new direction for the country!

Yes, that’s right: it’s time for Traction’s [3rd] Annual Festivus for the Left of Us! holiday-ish fundraiser with silent auction. Food, drink, and feats of strength! Shopping, cool people and a great cause! Plus fabulous games, dancing, airings of grievances, feats of strength [now including mental strength — a new Festivus game show] [and the return of the Festivus Foto booth!]

[When: Sat, Dec 8th, starting at 7pm
Where: 108 Morris St. (a hot Greenfire Development property) in downtown Durham]
Write to festivus07@getTraction.org to volunteer, donate items, or RSVP.

But back to you…

What are YOU thankful for this year? Post it in the comments!

Traction’s annual holiday-ish party has become one of the Triangle’s best loved events.

Our Third Annual Festivus for the Left of Us will have all the traditions you love: Feats of Strength, Airing of Grievances and the Pole, plus our silent auction, the Festivus Foto booth and of course food, drink, music and a boatload of Tractivists – all for a mere $10 (suggested donation).

All in all, an incredible evening of fun and community, supporting an incredible organization!

Get your tickets online now! (Earlybird rates through Nov only.)

Sat, Dec 8th from 7pm
108 Morris St. in downtown Durham

(Muchas gracias to Greenfire Development for hosting Festivus 2007!)

Quickie report: Trick or Vote was a big success!

Today on The State of Things they’re talking about Trick or Vote! Tune in to North Carolina Public Radio - WUNC 91.5 to hear Lanya along with Jenn Frye from Democracy NC LIVE at noon, or the rebroadcast at 9pm, or listen to the archive later. We’re already getting lots of new visitors.

Welcome to our humble website! May we recommend three steps?
1) Read about Traction here (there’s more here, and press clips here).
2) Make a contribution to Traction. (There’s lots of work to do and it all takes resources!)
3) Join Traction’s mailing list. To be in the loop, email tractivist@getTraction.org
– Please let us know where you live (what city), how you heard about Traction, and your Presidential Zodiac. You know, who was in the White House when you were born?

Then mark your calendar for our upcoming events, including our 3rd annual Festivus for the Left of us holiday-ish party and fundraiser, coming up on December 8th!

Thanks for stopping by, and come back soon! Hasta pronto…

Politics. It’s like life.

We humans dig other humans. It’s hardwired. People like being around other people. How else would you explain baseball stadiums, or coffee shops, or Tupperware parties? This is what I love about Traction: the constant opportunity to get out and be around other good folks. I just can’t get enough of you people.

Traction throws a great party, and we’re throwing one for Halloween. [Cue the organ music…] Even better, we’ll get the party started by doing something fun AND effective together.

What: Trick or Vote
When: Wed, Oct 31st — 6pm
Where: Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub (427 W. Main St. in downtown Durham)
RSVP: trickorvote@getTraction.org

We’ll go out into the community to meet, greet and sweet-talk folks into going to the polls and voting in this year’s municipal election. That’s right, on Halloween you can have fascinating conversations while dressed as a [INSERT ONE: hanging chad, superhero, big ole pumpkin, your idea here].

Then it’s back to Bull McCabe’s for the raucous party. We’ve got prizes for best costumes and for the person who brings the biggest crew — I think we’re talking cash money…

Trick or Vote is gonna be a good time and effective too. Unlike a lot of us, I do politics for a living. What I’m about to tell you has been scientifically researched, vetted by folks with pocket protectors and taped-up glasses. It’s kid-tested and mother-approved. Here it is:

THE SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO CARE ABOUT AN ISSUE IS BY TALKING WITH THEM FACE TO FACE.

We like contact with real people. All of the slick mailers, fancy TV ads, and automated robo-calls don’t hold a candle to a good old fashioned tête-à-tête. Of course, you don’t need to be Dale Carnegie or have a social science PhD to know this.

Experience it for yourself next Wed. RSVP to trickorvote@getTraction.org and by the witching hour, you’ll have met some interesting folks, done something rewarding and maybe even scored a piece of candy or two. I hope to see you there.

Damon Circosta
Public Policy Nerd, soon to be Dad, Tractivist

*Trick or Vote comes from our friends at the Bus Project (like Traction but in Portland, OR).

Tractivists represent at NC Pride 2007!

As the old cheer goes… sort of… We’re here, some of us are queer, get used to it! (We’ll work on getting a bigger picture…)

Traction is throwing a salsa party!

Here’s the scoop…

What: Salsa Doble (hips and dip)
When: Sunday August 19

• 6pm salsa-making workshop
• 7pm dance lesson
• 8pm party

Where: the fabulous porch of Parker and Otis (formerly Fowler’s) in Durham
Who: Traction, El Pueblo, El Centro, SEEDS, Locopops and a porchload of your favorite Tractivists
Cost: $10 donation for the workshop or the dance party; get both for $17
Get your tickets here.

Since we’ll be both EATING and DANCING, we’re calling it Salsa Doble (hips and dip). And because it’s Traction, you know you’ll find spicy info about progressive issues — this time it’s immigration, farmworkers’ rights and local food — and ways to take action.
That’s right, local food. It would be WRONG to let peak tomato season pass without making some badass salsa. (Remember, friends don’t let friends buy El Paso.) So we’re throwing a salsa-making workshop. Spaces are limited…

Make a donation and get your tix here.

Hey, you know how you’ve been waiting for just the right occasion to volunteer for Traction? I think this is it. Write to salsa@getTraction.org to get in the mix…
Good food, good friends, good politics, and you’re supporting a great cause. Get your ticket now, and we’ll see you on the 19th!

It’s going to be a gorgeous Memorial Day weekend. Come on out on Monday and enjoy two local treasures: the Eno River and the Traction community…

What: Memorial Day shindig
When: Monday, 5/28 starting at 1pm
Where: West Point Park (site of the famous Festival for the Eno)
5101 N. Roxboro Rd. in Durham

We’ll swim, eat good food, play frisbee and badminton, maybe sing too. So bring a dish to share* and a musical instrument if you have one. And kids!!

And because it’s Memorial Day, we’ll have postcards to sign to send to our troops to thank them for their service, and ways for you to come back after the 3-day weekend and put your shoulder to the grindstone to bring our troops home. (Opposition to Iraq is at an all-time high. We are not alone.)

RSVPs and volunteers make our day. Write to shindig-at-getTraction-dot-org (Go
ahead, make our day.) Same if you need directions or a map.

*Careful about food that could go bad in the sun — we don’t want any bad picnic incidents… Avoid those dishes or bring your own cooler.

See you Monday!

– Lanya

P.S. Whatever you do, please remember the origin of this holiday.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day