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Bring your lunch to the 16th Street Mall, and learn more about the Democratic National Convention, including a historical perspective and discussions on race, global issues and the not-so-simple act of voting.
Every Wednesday from July 9 through August 13, Metro State is hosting a lunch-hour lecture series on topics related to the DNC. The lectures are from noon to 1 p.m. at Skyline Park, on the 16th Street Mall at Arapahoe Street, in downtown Denver.
The series features Metro State professors and honored guests, and will conclude with a post-convention wrap-up lecture on September 10.
Click here for a PFD brochure. 
Each session will be held every Wednesday from Noon – 1 p.m.
July 9 - “Celebrate the 1908 Democratic National Convention—Then and Now”
A kick-off musical and theatrical presentation to celebrate Denver’s commitment to historic preservation and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1908 Democratic National Convention held in Denver. The Denver Municipal Band’s Brass Quintet will perform musical pieces originally composed for the 1908 DNC, such as “Democratic Fun,” the “Denver Auditorium March,” and presidential candidateWilliam Jennings Bryan’s theme song, “Pickles and Peppers.” Performers from Auraria Casa Mayan Heritage Inc. will reenact speeches heard at the 1908 DN C from Mayor Robert W. Speer and candidate Bryan. Political memorabilia, including reproductions of posters, campaign buttons and books from the 1908 convention will be on display.
Presenters:
Auraria Casa Mayan Heritage Inc., a nonprofit organization founded by descendents of Ramon and Carolina Gonzalez, operators of the legendary Casa Mayan Restaurant from 1924-1974, on what is now the historic Ninth Street Park.Gerald Endsley is conductor of the Denver Municipal Band and the Denver Municipal Band Brass Quintet. The band was founded in the 1860s and is the oldest professional concert band in the continental United States. Endsley is also director of the Metro State Concert/Community Band.
July 16 - “Images of Women at the 1908 Democratic National Convention”
A presentation of images of women from the 1908 DNC in Denver, including the first female delegates to participate in a national convention, based on historical research from the Rocky Mountain News. Discussion of the historic images will compare women’s roles in 1908 to women’s roles in 2008.
Presenter:
Laura McCall is professor of history at Metro State.
July 23 - “The Long Road to Freedom: The Issue of Race at the 2008 Democratic National Convention”
A panel discussion on the dynamics of African American freedom, beginning with Republican Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation; the celebration of Juneteenth as a reminder of the day in 1865 when news of emancipation finally reached the slaves in Galveston, Texas; ethnicity and race issues in 1908, including the exodus of African American voters from the party of Lincoln to the Democrats; and a contemporary discussion of how race issues factor into Barack Obama’s bid for the Presidency.
Presenters:
Jacqueline McLeod is an associate professor of history and African/African American studies at Metro State. Robert Hazan is chair and professor of political science at Metro State.
July 30 - “Mayor Speer’s Denver—An Historic Walking Tour”
An hour-long historic walking tour focusing on the 1908 Democratic National Convention, and Mayor Robert Speer and the City Beautiful Movement at the turn of the 20th Century. The tour will include the Denver City Auditorium, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and conclude on Larimer Square— the birthplace of that braggart gold camp, Denver City.
Presenter:
Kevin Rucker is a full-time visiting instructor of history at Metro State.
August 6 - “Coverage of Global Issues and the Group of Eight (G8) at the DNC”
A discussion of the major global issues that will be covered at the DNC subsequent to the Group of Eight (G8) Summit held July 7-9 in Japan. Topics will include environment and climate change; development and Africa; world economy; political issues, such as non-proliferation; the war in Iraq; and the global war against terror.
Presenter:
Robert Hazan is chair and professor of political science at Metro State.
August 13 - “The Not-So-Simple Act of Voting”
This panel discussion will offer perspectives on “the not-so-simple act of voting” through examination of the role of political parties and their leadership; the media; the American system of elections; political psychology and behavior, and ballot box choice.
Presenters:
Norman Provizer is professor of political science and director of the Golda Meir Center for Political Leadership at Metro State. Lance Denning is an assistant professor of political science at Metro State.
Sept. 10 • “Post-Convention Follow-up and Evaluation— What Comes Next?”
Metro State Political Science Professors Robert Hazan and Norman Provizer, along with President Stephen Jordan, will moderate a discussion evaluating the 2008 DNC and examine how the outcomes may influence the upcoming Republican National Convention. They will also explore Denver’s role in hosting the 2008 convention. Representatives from the DNC host committee might also be on hand to offer their unique perspectives.
Click here for more events in Skyline Park
For more information on programming or to find out how you
can hold your event here, contact John Kerns via email or call 303.571.8224.
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