The Political Party celebrates its first anniversary with a party and politics at the Englert

The Political Party is celebrating its first anniversary with a combination party and gubernatorial candidate forum at the Englert Theatre on Friday night. The group, which describes itself as “a collaborative effort of progressives that blends art and politics,” will be recording its monthly podcast at the event.

“Originally, the Political Party was planned as an event series to engage younger folks,” said Misty Rebik, one of the founders of the group. “To encourage them to get out to vote, and have their voices heard in the political process,”

That event series evolved into a podcast, Political Party Live!

“We do a live recording in a different venue every month,” Rebik said. “We usually have several guests on to talk about ways that they’re engaging politically in their communities.”

“It’s really about changing the tone of politics, from being a dirty word to being about what each individual can do to make a difference in our communities. And really listening to the voices that are left out of politics, engaging with younger folks, people of color, immigrant activists.”

Rebik said they also want to make politics fun.

“We’re opening the show with break dancing and music,” she said. The first 150 attendees will also get a free beer (ID required).

Along with other guests, seven gubernatorial candidates — Nate Boulton, Cathy Glasson, Fred Hubbell, Andy McGuire, Jon Neiderbach, John Norris and Ross Wilburn — will participate in the podcast.

In addition to being a co-host of the podcast, Rebik is also a deputy campaign manager for Cathy Glasson, but said that won’t make a difference to how the candidates are treated.

“We feature all kinds of different folks who have been engaging across the state to change politics as usual on the podcast,” Rebik explained. “Political Party Live! is really dedicated to being a progressive voice in politics.”