Author’s Readings

A crowd at our Open Mic night at Heine Bros.

MTR Open Mic: This took place at a Louisville Coffeeshop, Heine Brothers on the night of their regularly scheduled open mic. Authors and musicians played or read, in the midst of coffeeshop regulars and members. It was a packed house and helped to educate people about Mountaintop Removal and engage them in the work of the General Assembly.

Crescent Hill Baptist Church Reading: The contributing authors for the Missing Mountains book gathered for a reading at a local church in Louisville. Co-sponsored by Carmichael’s Bookstore, 100% of book sales and a silent auction benefited KFTC. This was one of the first big MTR events in Louisville and was a giant step in terms of awareness.

Concerts

The Last Waltz: This event started in Lexington and organized by a local band Tula. They worked to secure a location, do turnout, logistics and KFTC got to table and take a cut from the door. There was some good awareness building and these concerts (4 total over 2 years) have raised a good bit on money at the end of the year to set us over the top of our fundraising goals.

House Parties

Crepes of Wrath: This annual event happens in Letcher County as a way to get together, eat delicious crepes and write letters to newspapers and legislators about current issues. It is hosted by the Chapman- Cranes.

Summer Auerbach’s House Party: This was a gathering at Summer’s house with delicious food, a small program and a mix of friends, neighbors, KFTC members and allies. There was a big push at the party for people attending to join and recruit a new member.

Artcroft: This event was a mix of Kentucky authors and artists. Artcroft is a remote retreat center in rural Nicholas County. The event included locally grown, home-cooked food, good music from the band Public Outcry. This event recruited a lot of new members, was fun and raised money.

Issue-themed events

Ice cream maker from our Emergency Ice Cream Social

Poetry Slam: This was an event in Louisville in collaboration with Jobs With Justice with the goal of bringing awareness to the issue of Restoration of Voting Rights for Former Felons. There were prizes, a professional MC and DJ and a focus on turn-out. The event was a good mix of people who were already engaged in the work and people who didn’t know much about the Restoration issue.

Emergency Ice Cream Social: This was a variation of the Crepes of Wrath event at the Chapman-Cranes, but this time they made ice cream and it was an emergency because it was during a Special Legislative Session when Coal to Liquid subsidies were moving through quickly. Attendees wrote letters to the editor and contacted their legislators.

Outdoor Events

Harlan County BBQ

Harlan County BBQ: This has become an annual event with good local support and turnout. There is always good music, good bbq and fun. The BBQ is less about a particular issue, but more about building the chapter, introducing people to KFTC and getting to know people who are already involved.

Jefferson County Open House: For two years the Jefferson County chapter has planned this event with good leadership participation. There is always a good line-up of musicians, donated local food, allies who table, and games.

Pass the Hat

I Love Mountains Day: For our 2009 I Love Mountains Day at the state capitol we made a pitch from the stage at the rally. This turned out to be a good opportunity for people to invest in our work when they were already feeling motivated to act. For those who were actually walking around the crowd with baskets, they had a hard time making it through because so many people stopped them to donate money.