FSB 23.10.09 CKCU Funding Drive Launches this Friday!

Support the Special Blend and your favourite independent station by pledging donations online, by phone or in person. If you can't give now, help spread the word!

Here are 5 reasons why you should donate to CKCU:

• Operations. CKCU is listener-run on annual donations, both monetary and the invaluable donation of time by myriad volunteers (yours truly included). Last year's donations are helping us improve broadcast technology in order to bring you the best programming possible.

• News. We are the only station in Ottawa that brings you top quality news programming through the BBC World Service.

• Personal. Each program is volunteer-run with a real person, not a computer, in studio. This is LIVE radio.

• Local and Global. The Friday Special Blend is one of many programmes mandated to support local emerging artists, keeping YOU connected to YOUR community. See my earlier post about how vibrant Ottawa culture really is. The station also hosts a vast collection of ethnic programmes that help migrants and visitors stay connected to their linguistic and cultural communities, while allowing others an opportunity to learn about those communities. CKCU is streamed live on the internet and we have Special Blend listeners from as far away as Glens Falls, NY and Sarasota, Fl.

• Free speech. CKCU hosts are willing to present alternative views and foster discussions you can't get from other stations. This is not sanitized, water-cooler radio.

To Donate:

• Complete the secure online donation form
• Call (613) 520-2898.
• Drop off your donation in person on Carleton University's campus
• If you would like to donate specifically to the Special Blend, please write "Special Blend" on the memo line of your cheque, or let the volunteer know your intentions when you call.

My Story: Seeking community? CKCU!

It was August 2008. I came home from overseas graduate studies burned out and unsure of my future. The one thing I was certain about was my dedication and desire to resume community involvement. Lucky for me, my co-host, Susan, was looking for a way to breathe some new insights into her show. Bang! A fabulous partnership was born. In my year at CKCU I have met and been inspired by countless artists. Our 8 weekly interview slots are booked solid week after week, truly a testament to the depth and breadth of Ottawa's arts scene. I have watched Ottawa's amazing culture scene grow, and even have been moved to participate in the growth by acting, publishing poetry, and attending the most awesome events, like Capital Slam. Volunteering at CKCU was an anchor in unsteady waters.

"From my own experience as a listener, I have often looked forward to my favourite programs and have fond memories of setting aside time to listen, laugh and engage. I grew up listening (and dancing) to CKCU programmes such as the Latin Train, Caribbean Rhythms and Barrio Latino with my mom and the Vinyl Cafe on CBC on Saturday mornings with my dad."

-Vanessa Davies, Co-Producer, Co-Host, Friday Special Blend

Now, I consider myself lucky to be among a great slate of volunteers and staff who bring you quality radio. I wake up joyfully every Friday morning at 6:00 a.m., long before the sun, pick up my co-host and Bridgehead coffee, and jump into the studio excitedly. The two hours fly by and I feel refreshed and reenergized before I start a Friday at the office. I love volunteering with CKCU and am so lucky to be able to give back the community that has done so much to support me and other countless artists.

Support the station that supports your community: Donate Now!

FSB Playlist 16.10.09

Metric - grow up and blow away - Live in Ottawa at the Civic Centre, 8pm 19 OCT 2009
joanna chapman smith - hit the dreams, moment of green
leahy - B-Minor
Prozzak - When I think of you, tricky
Prufrock - Average Day (live @ capital slam 2009, Capital Slam Finalist 2009)
Josie Frank - It must be nice (Live @capital slam 2009, Capital Slam Finalist 2009)
Ember Swift - include my food
8:15-9:00 - DJ Lowpass. For his playlist, check out http://www.lowpass.net/

ByWords 2009 John Newlove Poetry Award at the Ottawa Writer's Festival

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 8:30-10.pm

WHERE: St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts and Humanities, 314 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, ON

INCLUDES: Launch of Rob Friday's One Man Parade and Music by Call Me Katie

Sponsored by ByWords

Photo Credit: C.J.Sweet

Writing_Spaces

WHERE I WRITE.ORG is an intriguing site of famous authors photographed in their workspaces. I found it useful in connecting with my own workspace preferences and needs. Also, from looking at the photos I noticed different approaches to writing: working in an overstimulating workspace versus working in a clear, open concept space; routine comforts, like reclining on a couch, versus a more industrial approach to getting writing done at a desk; being surrounded by books as a reminder of greatness versus sparse but brightly painted walls; pets for company versus being alone. I enjoyed reflecting on them to determine new strategies that keep me motivated and focused as well as the beautiful composition of the photos.

FSB 16.10.09

I am consistently flabbergasted when people whine that there is nothing going on in Ottawa. I am at the opposite end: I feel overwhelmed by the quantity and quality of the independent programming in Ottawa that I find it hard to keep up. These next two weekends are no exception.

Here is the run-down for this week's show, if that's any indication that you need to plan and prioritize in order to take full advantage of Ottawa's arts scene(s).

At 7:30 we will hear from Club SAW about their upcoming Masquerade fundraiser for their JumpSTART mentorship program taking place next Friday, October 23.

Rusty Priske of the Capital Poetry Collective joins us at 7:45 to chat about Capital Slam's 5th Anniversary Party and Slam, taking place at 7:15 on Saturday, October 17 at Mercury Lounge.

The second hour of the Friday Special Blend features DJ Lowpass, a local DJ I recently discovered and whose mixes I thoroughly enjoy. He will be showing us some of his latest creations and chatting about the process from 8:15-9:00 a.m.

Looking forward to Friday's show! Hope you can join us!

Don't forget: Funding Drive launches next Friday. Support your local independent radio station by pre-pledging. Check out www.ckcufm.com for details.

Playlist FSB 9.10.09

• 1.) Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir - 10000 Dollars- Go back home- The Boig
• 
  2.) Interview Lori Lansens, Author, The Wife's Tale
• 
  3.) Joanna Chapman Smith -Contraries- Urbanity

4.) Interview: Dr. Jill Taylor and Liza Garneau

5.) Malajube - Labyrinthes- There are maybe ten or twelve

6.) BBC News, Barb GrayArts Report

7.) Interview: Cameron Anstee & Ben Ladouceur, Apartment 9 Press

8.) Tom Savage Trio - The Country Line-Leaving in a Hurry, The Country Line

9.) Interview: Warren Arcan Performance Artist

10.) Tom Savage Trio - The Country Line- Old Rock N' Rollers

11.) Interview: Elaina Martin, Producer -- Cornucopia, Natural Disaster

Check out Cornucopia, Westboro Village's Free Fall Festival this Saturday, October 10 on Richmond Rd.

Don't forget: CKCU Funding Drive Launches on October 23 - Support your favourite morning show!

FSB 9.10.09

What kind of coffee do you drink in the morning?

Tomorrow, my Friday Special Blend starts off with an interview with Lori Lansens about her recent book, The Wife's Tale.

At 7:30 we explore art in unconventional places and chat about public/private art with Dr. Jill Taylor and artist Liza Garneau.

Cameron Anstee and Ben Ladouceur join us after the arts report at 8:15 to spice up the world of independent publishers in Ottawa with their new press, Apt. 9 Press.

Westboro Village's Cornucopia and Natural Disaster performance artists rounds out our show.

Catch us live every Friday morning from 7-9 on CKCU 93.1 FM. GMT-5 or online at http://www.ckcufm.com/.

REMINDER: The Friday Special Blend needs YOU - CKCU Funding Drive launches on October 23 - pledge YOUR support for your favourite independent station. Visit http://www.ckcufm.com/ to find out how.

FSB Playlist 2OCT09

Luscious Jackson - let yourself get down
Capital Grass and the No Men - Straight Edge and Time is Money
Misteur Valaire - Et si c'était un veau

Interview with Capital Grass and the No Men (@Cajun Attic 3OCT)

Capital Grass and the No Men - Last Burning Candle
Danielle Grégoire - Hope

Interview with Danielle Grégoire

Arts Report by Barb Gray

Interview with Jesse Stewart and Natasha Royka , events @ Remic Rapids 3 OCT
Jam Nation: Way Down - First Time
Ego Trip's the Big - Holy War, Divine Force
Danielle Gregoire - Soundtrack, Bryan Adams (CD Release party 3OCT @ Mercury Lounge 7pm

Interview with Lainie Towell about Never Trust a Wolf in Groom's Clothing
Richard Underhill - Meet me in the Market

Have a great weekend, see you next Friday!