Convention festivities kicked into high gear last night with speeches from Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Michelle Obama. But outside the walls of the Pepsi Center, different brands have set up shop for the week, and details are falling into place for Thursday's big finale. Here's a look at the convention's event-related news:
- The DNC’s gift bags for the press include multiple maps, giant water bottles, glucosamine-infused beverages, pens, breath mints, hand sanitizer, an emergency band radio, and plenty of advice on how to be “green” in Denver. [5280]
- CNN and chef Michael Romano of New York’s Union Square Cafe took over Denver watering hole “Brooklyn’s” for this year’s incarnation of the CNN Grill. Plenty of high-profile media figures have already been spotted grabbing a bite after the speeches. [CNN]
- Obama asked Jennifer Hudson to sing the national anthem at Invesco Field Thursday night, but the DNC remains tightlipped about the evening’s official schedule. [Radar]
- Local papers in Denver and the Twin Cities are throwing lots of money and coverage into the 2008 conventions. [WSJ]
- Trojan set up an inflatable condom pavilion near the convention center to hand out prophylactics to potentially frisky delegates. [NYP]
- Bruce Springsteen’s people say the boss won’t perform Thursday night at Invesco Field, but Bon Jovi is still expected to perform before Obama’s speech. [NYDN]
- Not all protestors seem politically motivated. One sign-toting pedestrian was caught on MSNBC imploring the Democratic Party to “bring back Crystal Pepsi.” [Gawker]
- Ben Affleck, Paul Rudd, Sarah Silverman, and Seth Meyers are all expected to participate in a charity poker tournament tonight in Denver to benefit the Paralyzed Veterans of America. [People]
