Double Trouble entertainment traded turntables for podiums, in hopes of uncovering the humor surrounding this 2016 election.
“Champagne Campaign: A Monumental Mock Debate” was held Saturday, Nov. 5. Those attending shuffled into the basement of the Landmark Inn of downtown Marquette and were given the opportunity to purchase mock ballots as a chance to offer up an opinion regarding the 2016 election.
Guests mingled while taking advantage of the live and silent auctions, appetizers, a cash bar and a photo booth that included patriotic props such as hats and masks of well-known political figures.
The mock presidential candidate characters were played by members of the Double Trouble DJ team: Jessie Schramm portrayed Donald Trump and Joey Black took the role of Hillary Clinton.
Patrick Callahan of WLIC- TV6 News, began the debate and moderated between the mock characters. Audience member Jesse Rosten of Marquette participated in the costume contest and dressed as “Rosie the Riveter,” who you may have seen on many “We Can Do It” posters during World War II.
Rosten commented on the importance of creating one avenue of equality and diversity within politics.
“I’m looking forward to the debate. I think [Schramm] who’s playing Trump is hilarious,” Rosten said.
Comedic skits were interwoven throughout the debate, keeping the audience rambunctious and laughing loudly throughout the political banter. The characters touched on a number of issues surrounding the current election cycle.
The debate questions referenced films and current events such as the “Titanic,” the World Series win and Batman. “Trump” continuously interrupted questions and responses while “Hillary” found various ways to mention her hard-working family and slip in voter diversity in the end of each of her responses.
To close out the night audience members casted their votes in the mock election that turned out to recognize “write in” candidates like “Batman” and “Nemo.”
Aside from the mock debate, those who attended the event were able to partake in a live auction that offered prizes such as sporting goods and artwork by local artists.
The mock debate was a chance to look at the election from a different perspective.
“Everyone was super respectful. We were kind of worried about that,” said Denise Elizondo of Double Trouble Entertainment. “It went really well. We had a bunch of people show up and [Schramm] and [Black] did great. I thought they were hilarious,” Elizondo said.
“Champagne Campaign” offered comedic relief to the tension that arose as election day approached.
“I think it draws attention to the fact that there is an election coming up. It reminds people to go vote,” Elizondo said.
Though this election cycle has prompted a great deal of controversy, the mock debate brought humor to a serious topic while raising money for a local business. Ticket sales and proceeds from the event went toward the Beacon House—a hospitality service for family members of hospital patients.
