Live Tweeting Your Event

Below is an article I wrote that was published on the Blue State Digital blog this week.

Attend a conference these days and you’re likely to find a bigger conversation about the keynote speaker online than in the lobby.

And I’m not just talking about SXSW or a techie expo. In the past five years, there’s been an explosion in real-time coverage of all sorts of events via Facebook, blogs, and, most important, Twitter. Last fall, for example, the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly inspired nearly 6,000 tweets, covering everything from official announcements to follow-up discussions.

But quality online discourse via social media isn’t an automatic phenomenon. It will require some planning and legwork, of course, but here are some tips to help you pull off a great Twitter presence at your next event.

Click here for my five tips.

Odds & Ends

It's been a really busy week. We cast the upcoming reading of Street Lights and are gearing up for rehearsals, which start on May 11th. Here are a few odds & ends for a rainy Friday evening.

If you're looking for a show this weekend, check out the closing weekend of Prospect Theater Company's Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge, by Peter Mills. It's a new country/bluegrass musical that tells the story of The Playboy of the Western World. Prospect's productions are top-notch and this was no exception. We saw it earlier this month and really enjoyed it.

I'm on The Board of Directors of The Deconstructive Theatre Project, a company founded by my good friend & roommate Adam J. Thompson. Last year we co-directed a trendy benefit performance of the French-Canadian play Lilies for the company and we're planning another fundraiser this year.

Adam is developing a new project about the "changing American scientific and cultural landscape during the development of the atomic bomb." Should be pretty cool. Check out their April Newsletter for all the latest and join them on Facebook.

From my friend Mark:

Salon Ziba is proud to announce a very special event on Thursday, May 7th to support support the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporate Team for Team In Training. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program is the nation's largest and most successful endurance training program, preparing athletes of every level to run or walk a 26.2 mile marathon or 13.1 mile half-marathon; cycle a 100 mile century bike ride; or participate in a triathlon, while raising funds for blood cancer research. The night of the event will include exclusive hair and spa treatments will be available at a discounted rate and 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

See their flyer for details.

Maria Derr LGBT Gala Fundraiser in NYC Tonight!

Tonight my friend Maria Passannante-Derr, candidate for NYC Council District 3, is having an LGBT Gala Fundraiser at midtown's Ritz. If you're looking for something to do tonight, between 7-9pm, come by and see us. All the details below.

Forget Sarah Palin!

Elect a Strong, Progressive,
Qualified Woman,
to New York City Council

Please Join Us for An LGBT Gala Fundraiser

In Support of Maria Passannante-Derr
Democratic Candidate for City Council

Democratic Candidate for NYC Council-3rd District: Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Hell's Kitchen/Clinton, Hudson Square, Flatiron and Murray Hill

Wednesday, March 25, 2009
7:00-9:00 PM
The Ritz Club and Lounge
369 West 46th Street

Suggested Contribution: $25.00 +

RSVP: E-mail Roz Wagonheim or call 917.741.4179

Maria Passannante-Derr, is running for NYC Council in the September 15, 2009 Democratic primary. Maria has the education, experience and commitment to the district where she was born and raised and is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage and other critical LGBT initiatives - including supporting organizations like The Ali Forney Center, which provides support to homeless gay youth. She is also a member of a coalition of businesses and residents to reverse the further erosion of LGBT nightlife that had thrived for so long in New York City. Maria comes from a politically liberal, active family. Her Uncle, the Honorable William Passannante, represented Greenwich Village and Chelsea in the New York State Assembly for 36 years, and in 1971, is credited with sponsoring our Nation's first Statewide Gay Rights Bill.

Please go to Maria's website, MariaForCouncil09.com and read more about her. Maria's LGBT supporters and hosts for this event are: Michael Liguori, M.D., David Colbert, M.D., Daniel J. DiBenedetto, Esq., Andrew Martin, Esq., Robson Zanetti, Keith Copley, Kelly Dunkle, Molly Bennett Aitkin, Anthony Perrotta, Tommy Greco, Ryan J. Davis, Amy Martin, Gregory Socha, and long-time gay rights activist, Allen Roskoff (see his February 6, 2009 article in The Blade endorsing Maria). (List in formation.) She also blogged about her history with gay rights at Queerty. Please send Maria's bio to your friends and become a supporter on Facebook.

ENDORSED BY THE MCMANUS DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION