By CHIRP
The Chicago Independent Radio Project will celebrate the one year anniversary of CHIRPradio.org throughout the month of January in recognition of the online radio station’s first 365 days on the air.
CHIRP Radio plays a wide array of independent, eclectic, and under-appreciated music from diverse genres, and is staffed by live DJs 21 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The station launched online on January 17, 2010, live from studios in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago.
CHIRP also is celebrating the passage of the Local Community Radio Act, was signed into law on January 4, 2011 by President Obama. Over the past three years, CHIRP worked with an array of national partners to pass the measure, which eventually will allow the organization to apply for a low-power FM broadcast license.
2010 has been a banner year for the Chicago Independent Radio Project, and the organization’s achievements are numerous:
* On January 17, 2010, CHIRPradio.org launched online, and immediately attracted listeners from Chicago as well as from around the world. Throughout the first year, listenership continued to grow, with thousands of people tuning in each month.
* More than 150 people volunteered with CHIRP Radio in its first year, putting in hundreds of hours per month not only on air but in marketing, fundraising, news reporting, technical development, music library management and other capacities. Since January 1, 2010, CHIRP volunteers contributed more than 7,200 volunteer hours to the organization.
* CHIRP received financial support at many different giving levels from listeners and supporters in Chicago and around the country. More than five hundred individuals made donations to CHIRP, and the organization also received significant support from foundations. The Crossroads Fund continued to support CHIRP with a $5,000 grant, as did the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Driehaus Foundation, which awarded CHIRP a two-year grant of $20,000 ($10,000 per year).
* CHIRP and other media justice organizations around the United States successfully lobbied for the passage of the Local Community Radio Act to expand the availability of Low Power FM radio licenses, particularly in cities. President Barack Obama signed the bill on January 4, 2010. CHIRP will closely monitor the FCC’s rulemaking in the hopes of applying for a license in the future.
Party On, CHIRP
CHIRP’s celebrations include a variety of events for all interests:
* On Friday, January 14, Beauty Bar hosts a CHIRP Dance Party with DJ sets by Mad Decent artist Depressed Buttons (featuring former members of The Faint) and CHIRP DJ Dustin Drase. The party starts at 10pm and is $5. Beauty Bar is located at 1444 W. Chicago. This event is 21 & over.
* Monday, January 17 is the official one-year anniversary date of the launch of CHIRPradio.org, and will be celebrated with the monthly CHIRP benefit show at The Whistler with a live set from Rambos, plus another special surprise live set. It starts at 9:30 p.m. and is free. A portion of the bar proceeds benefits CHIRP. The Whister is located at 2421 N Milwaukee. This event is 21 & over.
* Thursday, January 20 is CHIRP’s One-Year Anniversary Party at the Empty Bottle with music from Campfires (Mexican Summer Records), Black Math (Permanent Records) and Cool Memories. The show starts at 9pm and tickets are $8. The Empty Bottle is located at 1035 N. Western. This event is 21 & over. Ticket sales benefit CHIRP.
* Wednesday, January 26, CHIRP’s popular reading series The First Time happens at Schubas, with “First Car” as the theme. Special guests include Robbie Fulks, Josh Caterer (Smoking Popes), Susan Messing (Annoyance Theatre), Erin Shea, James Van Osdol, Matt Spiegel and Jim DeRogatis. Guests will write original pieces on the theme featuring a musical reference. Immediately following the CHIRP House band – Steve Frisbie, Liam Davis and Gerald Dowd – will play their song. It all starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10. All proceeds benefit CHIRP. Schubas is located at 3159 N. Southport. This event is 21 & over.
* Thursday, January 27, The Hideout hosts a CHIRP anniversary month wrap-up party and benefit, with special guests TBA. The Hideout is located at 1354 W Wabansia. This event is 21 & over.
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For more information on CHIRP, visit chicagoindieradio.org and chirpradio.org.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on January 5, 2011