Beaucoup Blues: on July 21-23, 2005, after one postponement due to a
hurricane threat, Democrats for a Blue Louisiana was sponsored by a small dedicated group called Team Beaucoup Blues
who gathered once early Friday for a quick Team photo. At the same time,
Deborah Langhoff from LaRoots and Monisha Sujan from Democracy for America, who
combined their energy to produce the first grassroots advocacy summit in
Louisiana have a moment with the event's Keynote Speaker, Jim Dean.
Beaucoup Blues, Democrats for a Blue Louisiana, began with an evening
reception on Thursday July 21, 2005, from 7-9pm at the Bridge Lounge on lower
Magazine Street in New Orleans. Where preparations began for a planned
opportunity to meet other activists and Democracy for America's Jim Dean.
Preparations are almost complete for the Beaucoup Blues reception. David from
the Dean meet-ups and Jean from LaRoots join two of the Langhoffs at the
reception desk.
Attendees begin arriving. .
Union representatives are among the first.
Northshore supporters.
And they meet each other.
Lafayette is represented early as well by Stephen Handwerk.
The room fills.
.
Activist
Jeff Thomas and Nancy Ochsenschlager, who won
the longest name prize.
Russell Henderson and Damon Lombard
New Orleans is well represented.
Everyone is talking!
when Jim finally arrives and says hello
Jim delights the crowd. Beaucoup Blues organizers Monisha Sujan and Deborah
Langhoff are seen behind him.
Two of Dave Thomas's trio are rapt.
The crowd lingers, but the hour is late
Jim takes a few moments with those who may not be able to attend Friday's workshop.
Andrew, Megan, Monisha, Deborah and Erica are delighted with the successful
kick-off event.
Morning
Registration table, overseen by Sharon Simon, ready for early arrivals at the
Hilton Garden Inn.
Hazel Mahony, Erica Langhoff, and Jeremy Reese, representing the next generation
of political activist, arrive during the wee hours to
blow-up balloons, greet attendees, and help with anything else asked of them.
Hazel's Dad Kevin and his friend Jim put together sound and music along with
Steering Committee Member and ever-present, Alan Langhoff, who,
was always behind the camera..
African Americans in Louisiana Politics panel, moderated by Gabe Bordenave,
includes Don Cravins, Jacques Morial and Catherine Flowers..
Monisha introducing Jim Dean, Chair Democracy for America.
Heart of the Party, Why We are Democrats panel, moderated by Andrew Doss,
includes Stephen Handwerk, Mike Robichaux, Sibal Holt, and Willie Fontenot.
John St. Julien and Mike Stagg, two panelists from Taking It To the Streets talk with Moderator Damon Lombard about
last minute changes in the panels line-up. Mike and John, fresh from
a campaign victory bringing Fiber to every home in Lafayette, joined feminist
activist Melissa
Smith for a lively discussion led by Damon.
Media Panel was led by Sueng Hong and included Diane Newman from WSMB, Renee
Lapeyrolerie, Vicki Lancaster, and the Louisiana Democratic Party Acting
Executive Director, Andrew Koneschusky.
The workshop presented an exciting mix of networking opportunities between geographic locations and different
levels of political involvement and experience.
Team Beaucoup Blues
LaRoots.net is proud to have been a sponsor of the Beaucoup Blues event, along with
Democracy for America, Louisiana Democratic Party, IUPAT, Louisiana for Change,
Hilton Garden Inn, and Democracy for Louisiana.
