21 People join Conversation Café following Fahrenheit 9/11

By Kat Gjovik, host at the Pegasus Coffee House, Bainbridge Island, WA

That night, every seat in the Bainbridge Island theater was filled in anticipation of Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9-11. All three showings sold out early in the afternoon. This film continues to break records daily at our little theater, and to create quite a bit of traffic congestion. During the film: laughter, groans, applause, jaws agape, and tears. After the film: 21 people gathered at a wonderful restaurant across the road from the theater. It was a success and I'm considering convening another post-movie CC, perhaps with "What the Bleep," which begins at the same theater on July 15.

Before the day of the film, I worked with TJ, the theater owner, who agreed to announce the CC prior to showing the film, and I also sent an announcement to my Pegasus CC listserv (about 100 people), as well as friends, neighbors, etc. The folks at Ruby’s were most generous, inviting us to use their private dining room. I asked prospective participants to show their gratitude to Ruby's by purchasing dessert or a snack or beverage.

At the film, as promised, TJ announced the Conversation Café prior to the movie. I sat near the back and scooted out as soon as the credits started running, while the audience was clapping, clapping, clapping.

After the film, at Ruby's we filled three tables: one with six, one with five, and one with ten people (the best configuration we could create given the space). Among the 21 people, there were seven Pegasus CC "regulars" who spread out among the three tables to co-host.

The Conversations were full of energy, and there was an interesting calm. People expressed feelings of outrage, agitation, frustration ... intensely, but calmly. Although I didn't hear many of the comments firsthand, the “regulars" conveyed to me that several people were impressed with the way the CC process invited and created the container for respectful conversation to take place on such controversial material. I got five e-mail addresses from people who want to be on our distribution list.

All-in-all, it was a great evening. I learned a lot and I will do it again. Interestingly, I wasn’t fully present during part of the conversation myself. Maybe because I was a bit out of my Thursday-evening-CC-at-Pegasus comfort zone: different space and configuration, a few new things to attend to, ordering and food service during conversation rather than prior to the start of the CC, etc. So I haven’t yet fully processed my own thoughts/feelings about the film. That might take a while.

For anyone convening a post-movie Conversation Café … enjoy!!!

Kat