San Francisco’s First Ever “Drive in Presidential Debate Watch Party”
Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com
Thursday, October 22: 6pm – 8pm (PST)
San Francisco’s First Ever “Drive in Presidential Debate Watch Party”
Presented by Manny’s in collaboration with Fort Mason Flix
18 October 2020 – San Francisco, CA: In a first-of-its-kind special event, Manny’s (www.welcometomannys.com)is producing a 100-car drive in Presidential Debate watch party, Thursday, October 22 (6pm – 8pm PST) at Fort Mason (2 Marina Boulevard. San Francisco). Tickets are $35-$55 per vehicle and available only in advance by online order at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mannys-drive-in-presidential-debate-watch-party-tickets-125430103817?aff= . In order to ensure all patrons have an enjoyable experience, attendees are asked to arrive early. Any late arrivals, 20 minutes after the showing has begun, will not be permitted into the event. Tickets are non-refundable or exchangeable.
“We’re not going to let the pandemic stop us from finding creative ways to safely bring together the community to participate in civic life.” said Manny Yekutiel, 31, who founded and runs the eponymous Mission District community engagement space and café dubbed “the New Hampshire of California” (KCBS Radio) for its hosting of myriad political events including hosting 17 Democratic presidential candidates. “I’m excited to be able to host the next Presidential debate in this novel way. San Francisco stays informed no matter what!”
Thursday’s “Drive In Debate” is believed to be the first ever such happening in San Francisco and the latest COVID-19 era happening produced by FORT MASON FLIX, a pop-up drive-in theater showing hit movies six days a week, from family favorites and cult classics to blockbusters and arthouse cinema. For Thursday’s event, all tickets are general admission and there is no assigned parking. Staff will do their best to accommodate all vehicles. For sightline reasons, taller vehicles such as SUVs will be parked towards the rear of the venue so as not to block the views of smaller cars. Hatchback viewing will be allowed on a first-come-first-served basis but placed in spots that will not block other vehicle’s viewing. Mandatory mask wearing will be enforced if people leave their vehicles to use restrooms or socially distant onsite concessions.
Since opening its doors on Election Night 2018, Manny’s has become an epicenter of community involvement, dialogue and civic engagement having served over 50,000 people, staged over 500 events, donated space to more than 150 area nonprofits and charities, and hosted 17 presidential candidates in his first year alone. Also, in addition to receiving much media and public attention, Manny’s was recognized for his above-and-beyond achievements by the California State Senate as “Small Business of the Year.”
Manny’s is a people powered, community focused meeting and learning place in the heart of San Francisco that combines a restaurant, political bookshop, and civic events space. Manny’s goal: to create a central and affordable place to become a better informed and more involved citizen. Manny’s offers its events space to nonprofits, activists and civic organizations to spread their message and do their work as well as hosting its own civic and arts related programming. Manny’s kitchen is run by the non-profit, Farming Hope, which hires formerly homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals and trains them in the food skills needed to work in the restaurant industry.