The local enthusiasm that surrounds the 35 Conferette is in part an expression of our collective civic narcissism.  This results in both intense affection toward and blunt criticism of our little town, for we expect great things from our beloved.  This provides a rare, yet crucial opportunity to meaningfully reflect on our city.  We will seek to discover just what constitutes the soul of Denton and will attempt to justify why such discourse is needed among our citizenry.  Beyond direct application to Denton, we might find this discussion uncovering more universal questions that help us understand the relation between the good life and the good city.

Join us and our panel of Denton’s thoughtful as we gaze upon our own reflection for a while.  And because this is a Drink and Think event, you will be invited to be part of the conversation – after a drink, of course.

PANELISTS:

Mark Burroughs – Mayor of the City of Denton

Patrice Phelan Lyke, Ph.D. – Denton Planning and Zoning Commissioner, Chair of the Denton Neighborhood Alliance, and English Lecturer at the University of North Texas

Michael Seman – Urban Planning and Public Policy Ph.D. Student, 35 Conferette Panel Coordinator, and indie rocker (with Shiny Around the Edges)

Howard Draper – runs Bike Denton blog, local cycling and livability advocate, Denton Traffic Safety Commissioner

Eric Pulido – Midlake guitarist, Denton Historic Landmark Commissioner, lover of Denton

Brian Daskam – owner of Bookish Coffee Roasters, public intellectual

This special event will be part of this year’s 35 Conferette and will be held at Banter (just West of the Square) at 5pm on March 11.