Spring Break
WUSC puts on fall fundraising blitz
University's non-profit student radio station hosts weekend events to raise awareness, money
Jonathan Coe
Issue date: 11/10/08 Section: The Mix
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The event kicked off the station's weekend-long 2008 Music Fest, designed to raise funds and spread awareness for the station. The night featured performances by various DJs, including some of WUSC's very own, who hosted an estimated 500 guests, many wearing their favorite wigs as recommened, from 10 p.m. to the wee hours of the morning.
By 9:30 p.m. or so, crowds were already streaming into The Whig's modest quarters. It would be an insult to call The Whig a hole-in-the-wall, but its underground location below the mighty ABC-Columbia building fits it as an alternative niche in the downtown scene.
Once past the door, The Whig has the seating of an actual restaurant (which features $1 Pap's Blue Ribbon/$2 burgers on Mondays, and $2.50 tequila/$0.50 tacos on Tuesdays), and the bar's subdued lighting and skeletal decorations give it a unique carnal feel that's rare in Columbia (think Goatfeathers).
One patron said The Whig's VIP room was converted from an old vault when it was used as a bank, and it maintains the thick, metal door today. In the 20 minutes leading up to showtime, The Whig flirted with capacity and everyone began enjoying the electric vinyl of DJ Adam Shlon, WUSC's own DJ Jamie Nowell and DJ Kev Kev among others.
According to the assistant in WUSC's Public Affairs Alejandro Florez, the fundraising goal for the weekend was $4500. Since WUSC is commercial-free, the station has to work hard for funding.
Florez says the hardest part of his job is underwriting, an exchange of business-sponsored funding for a modest on-air "thank you."
"We're the only independent music station in Columbia," said Florez, "and since there's no advertising, the donations essentially pay for having no commercials."
Marcy Bozek of WUSC Public Affairs said money mainly goes toward equipment, including CD players, air-conditioning, an update remote broadcast system and an FCC-mandated Emergency Alert System (EAS) unit that would make their current unit obsolete. Donated funds do not go toward paying the staff, something WUSC wants to make clear to students and its listeners.
Thursday's event at The Whig was just one of WUSC's many steps to raise money. Every six months or so, the station features a band on the weekend, and all proceeds go towards WUSC's ever-increasing non-profit efforts.
WUSC's 2008 Music Fest continued Friday on Greene Street with free food provided by Tio's and an evening show at New Brookland which featured The Balkans, Blastoids, Carnivores and Deadbeats. The weekend's festivites were rounded out with an Americana show at Art Bar featuring Columbia locals Sons of Young and Devils in Disguise as well as regional acts such as Roland Jones Orchestra and White Rhino.
Those who missed this weekend's events will be glad to know that the Spring will hold more fantastic WUSC fundraising events.
Also, if you're too busy to bustle across the bridge to New Brookland, WUSC also began its on-air "Playing Favorites" series this week. All week through Thursday WUSC DJs will play continuous two-hour blocks of their favorite artists. In all probability 90.5 FM is playing some college radio-recommended artists at this very moment, and will be doing so from 10 a.m. to midnight each day. "Playing Favorites" will feature the likes of Beck, Neutral Milk Hotel, Jeff Tweedy and Florez's personal favorite selection, Justice. The Music Fest is also featuring on-air interviews and live performances from artists including Diane Cluck and Medicine Veteran.
Those who want to pledge donations to WUSC can call in to the station at (803) 576-WUSC. You can also check out the "Playing Favorites" program schedule and DJ blogs about the events on wusc.sc.edu. To check out The Whig's specials and events, visit thewhig.org, or 1200 Main St.
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