University of Lethbridge based community radio station CKXU 88.3 F.M. is having a lot of fun this week bringing power to the tower during their annual fundraising campaign FUNDrive, March 20-27.
In addition to special on air giveaways and pledges from on-air personalities, CKXU is hosting or participating in several special events taking place all over Lethbridge this week.
This year’s goal is $20,000 which will go towards the second stage of a matching grant to increase the station’s transmission power
They are reaching out into the community for several extra FUNdrive events beginning March 20 with a Gala Friends with Benefits event at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery for businesses who are part of CKXU Friends card promotion. The Friends Card is a promotion CKXU does every year for which local business offer discounts and specials to members.
The card is one of several items of swag given away as volunteers take to the air and man the phones asking for pledges.
“This year we have seven different events, which is the most we’ve ever committed ourselves to, which is already a lot,” said CKXU Station manager Aaron Trozzo.
“The idea is to reach out to the many under-represented groups which CKXU can represent,” he continued adding community outreach is part of the station’s mandate and helps foster its own sense of community.
“So this year we thought it would be a good idea to lump our community outreach into one single giant event,” he said.
CKXU is also at the Owl Acoustic Lounge’s afternoon family jam on March 21 (1:30-4:30 p.m.) and host a free party at the University of Lethbridge at the Zoo in the University of Lethbridge Student’s Union Building featuring Calgary based Latin Fusion band the Uno Band plus local rapper Pzeudo and the Acoustic Rhymers. There is no cover to attend, though a five dollar donation is suggested. It begins at 8 p.m.
March 21 is a busy day as CKXU members are also taking part in CMARD’s ( Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism & Discrimination) Pangaea Diversity Cafe: International Day to eliminate Racism and Discrimination at City Hall from 2-4 p.m.
CKXU also features their annual Cupcake Carnival on March 22 at CASA from 1-5 p.m.
“ It’s generally an all ages event and a celebration of cupcakes. It will feature professional bakers and non professionals and we’ll have the new police chief , Rob Davies there as an honourary judge and Lethbridge Public Library CEO Tony Vanden Heuvel,” he said.
“ We’re helping promote those events,” he said.
“We’re proud to be part of the community. The best part of what we do is make it fun. We really love to enable the community to give back,” he continued.
Trozzo is optimistic about reaching the $20,000 goal.
“It’s a lofty goal, but last year we had a goal of $13,000 and reached it. If we make $20,000, we can get the biggest tower we’ve ever seen,” he continued.
“We’re interested in being part of the community so we’re thankful for the support, he said.
“ But it isn’t just about the money,” he said adding FUNdrive is supposed to be about the fun and creating community.
“Our volunteer base all take part on the air or taking part in the events. People who might not see each other all come together,” he said.
“ We get this beautiful bond. It’s the social glue of our volunteer base,” he continued.
The CKXU FUNdrive party is at the Slice, March 27 , where several prominent local musicians including Nathan Kunkel (Cosmic Charley), Steve Martin (Junkyard Choir, Jolene Draper), Jon Martin (New Weather Machine), Taylor Ackerman (Treeline, Shaela Miller Threesome ), Chris Lipinski ( Lustre Creame), Jane Edmundson (Endangered Ape), Benjamin Maine, Matthew Redenburg (Internet Love) and more, have volunteered to put their own stamps on four early albums by the artist Prince including Prince’s self titled 1979 album, Purple Rain,Sign O’ the Times, Dirty Mind and 1999.
“ It started as a conversation about Prince covers so we put out a call for musicians who wanted to play Prince covers. We’re really excited about it. Bring your entourages and dress up as Prince,” he said.
Tickets cost $15 at Blueprint and the Slice.
CKXU pledge phone lines (403-329-2400) will be open from March 20 at 9 a.m - March 27 at 6 p.m.
For further information about the CKXU Radio Society and “CKXU Presents: FUNdrive 2015 Power to the Tower,” please visit fundrive.ckxu.com, www.ckxu.com .
