Today is March 21st
Documenting the Political Partying Circuit
From the early hours of the morning until late in the evening, politicians are partying. Sunlight's PARTY TIME can help you find out who is partying, where and when.

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Partytime • POSTED - 07.10.09 BY nancy

HuffPo denied chance to see Crowley sing

Intrepid Huffington Post reporter Arthur Delaney has been kicked out of yet another fundraiser–this time one benefiting Rep. Joe Crowley’s (D-NY) leadership PAC. Crowley was set to sing at the soiree located at the lobbying headquarters of the Recording Industry Association of America.

Before he was shown the door–after he was “outed” by attendees bearing blackberries who looked up Delaney’s experience earlier this week attempting to attend a fundraiser for Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)–Delaney had a chat with several lobbyists:

Several lobbyists introduced themselves, including Lou Constantino of the Managed Funds Association, a hedge funds lobby that has spent $750,000 in lobbying so far this year as part of the industry’s efforts to avert regulation. Patrick Collins said he was there just because he likes Crowley. Law firm Holland & Knight sent at least one intern.

Crowley is known for his rock starish aspirations. You can check him out here on Youtube doing Pink Cadillac:

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Partytime • POSTED - 02.25.09 BY nancy

More parties outside DC

Jumping off from USA Today reporter Fredreka Schouten’s reporting last week on fundraising at ritzy locales, here are some more upcoming fundraising parties that are taking place way outside the beltway.

Rep. Joe Crowley of New York has two different weekends listed for his “I Love NYC” weekend fundraiser, May 1-3 and June 12-14. California Rep. Loretta Sanchez also has an NYC weekend in the works, March 13, 15.

California Rep. Ellen Tauscher is charging $2,500 for PACs and $1,000 for individuals to attend a weekend retreat at the Inn at Perry Cabin on Maryland’s Eastern shore.

Rep. Jim DeMint from South Carolina is hosting a “family weekend and golf outing” at the Fazio Harbor Course at Wild Dunes. There will be lots of golf, of course, but also plenty of food and an awards ceremony to boot. This event is a fundraiser for a joint committee–the proceeds are split according to complicated rules between DeMint’s Senate 2010 campaign and his leadership PAC, the Senate Conservatives Fund PAC.

For sports lovers, specifically Arizona sports lovers, Rep. Ed Pastor has his 17th annual “All Sports Weekend” March 20-22. This includes two days of golf, a Phoenix Suns basketball game, Spring Training and all meals. But–your $3,000 doesn’t cover your hotel and airfare. That’s extra.  And, if you read the fine print, you also find that “Due to ticket limitation and rising costs on some events, we may not be able to accommodate guests.” Hmm.

If quail hunting is your style, North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler is going on one March 13-14 at the Wynfield Plantation in Albany, Georgia. Says the invite, “We will be hunting off jeep with a guide and dogs. This is my favorite event of the season and I do hope that you will join me.”

(Thanks to Sunlight Foundation intern Tim Wiseman for ferreting these out).

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PARTYFINDER™ Hints

Beneficiary: congressional candidate, lawmaker, or entity which collects funds raised at party

Host: person who is hosting party-often, but not always, a registered federal lobbyist

Venue Name: where the party is

Entertainment Type: type of gathering, such as "breakfast," "ski trip," "bowling"

Other Lawmakers Mentioned: lawmakers mentioned on invitation who are used as a draw for the event

Sunlight's Party Time is a project to track parties for members of Congress or congressional candidates that happen all year round in Washington, D.C. and beyond. (read more)

We also post information we receive about parties where members of Congress are expected to participate—such as convention or inaugural parties.

Since we don't hear about all the parties, you can also tell us if you know where the party is and we don't.