Tag Archives: specialevents

Jon Solomon's 24-Hour Holiday Radio Returns To WPRB On 12/24!

Mark your calendars, set the clocks: Jon Solomon’s 21st Annual 34-Hour Holiday Radio Show is almost here! The marathon begins on Wednesday, December 24 at 6:00 PM ET and ends Thursday, December 25 at 6:00 PM ET.

If the Pope can forgive John Lennon, then maybe 30 years from now they’ll forgive us for the following bold statement: it’s not Christmas without Jon’s annual holiday marathon. Seriously! From the absurd and bizarre to the beautiful and almost-kinda-holy, Jon’s show traverses the terrain of holiday music. No two marathons are alike, and perhaps that’s why listeners both near and far flock to the radio and/or webstream. So says the New York Times:

Mr. Solomon has been the host of “Jon Solomon’s Annual 24-Hour Holiday Radio Show” at WPRB-FM, the Princeton University station, since 1988, when he was 15. Besides “Kung Fu Christmas,” listeners who tune in from 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 25 are bound to hear everything from a version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” that makes sense only to fans of the 1980s-era Cleveland Browns to a car-horn-honk rendition of “Frosty the Snowman” to a funky, hard-to-find cut by Blondie and Fab Five Freddie called “Yuletide Throwdown.”

Between on-air bantering and chatting with callers, Mr. Solomon said he played roughly 360 songs — most of them new or freshly unearthed — during each year’s marathon; requests account for as many as a third of them.

Jon wants you to know that if you would like to submit music for airplay or make some requests, by all means get in touch.

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Tomorrow 11/14: Diplo! Free Pizza! WPRB!

We’ve already told you about the awesomeness that is tomorrow night’s concert with Diplo, Abe Vigoda, Blaqstarr, Telepathe, and Boy 8 Bit, but we forgot to mention that (A) it’s Diplo’s birthday, and (B) there will be free pizza.

From R5 Productions:

This is going to be real life fun, get really crazy, watch weird people dance in pizza costumes and Elmo suits while you get drunk and stupid for DIPLO’s BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE STARLIGHT BALLROOM. We told you about how he is buying everyone pizza for the party (for real – we are ordering tons of pizza from 10 area pizza shops). Now here is the next surprise addition:

For those who purchase advance tickets (including those who purchased them already) you will get a special invite to a FREE AFTER PARTY that’s taking place later that evening. The event is limited to ONLY THOSE WHO PURCHASED ADVANCE TICKETS. None of this “can my friend get in nonsense. YOU HAVE TO BUY A TICKET TO GET IN.

Check it, so for just $10 you get admission to the DIPLO show on Friday at The Starlight with special guests Abe Vigoda, Blaqstarr, Telepathe, Boy 8 Bit, you get lots of pizza, if you are 21+ you can drink lots (and if your not – well you can see Diplo for the first time in Philly cause he has only played 21+ events!) and then you get into the free after party.

In 2008 nothing costs $10 these days – check out the prices to our other shows below. This is all because Diplo wants to really just make it a big crazy fun night and doesn’t care about “getting paid”. We honestly think that’s the best (seriously – so many artists are total money hungry crazy people) and want to make sure this really does go off.

You can get the advance tickets online or at Deep Sleep (53 N 3rd Street) or of course online atr5productions.com

In the meantime, let us know you’re coming! RSVP on Facebook or drop us a line on Twitter! Don’t forget to stop by the WPRB booth and say hi!

WPRB Presents "Christmas On Mars" Screenings!

WPRB and Sherman Arts are proud to present screenings of CHRISTMAS ON MARS, a film by Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips. It features ADAM GOLDBERG, WAYNE COYNE, ELIJAH WOOD, FRED ARMISEN (of SNL) and other MEMBERS OF FLAMING LIPS. It also features music from FLAMING LIPS.

We have two screenings!

MONDAY NOVEMBER 10th
At National Mechanics (22 S. 3rd St)
Doors 9:30 PM, Screening at 12 Midnight
FREE!!!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13TH
At the Marvelous (208 S. 40th St)
Screenings at 8PM, 10PM
All ages, $5.00 (Buy Tickets)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub-5zlJPnjM&hl=en&fs=1]

Psychedelic rock band the Flaming Lips present Christmas on Mars: A Fantastical Film Freakout Featuring the Flaming Lips, a glorious science fiction film that marks the directorial debut of the Lips’ visionary frontman Wayne Coyne. Seven years in the making, Christmas on Mars features original music by the Flaming Lips (“The greatest U.S. band today” – The Guardian), with acting performances by all band members, and many others from their Oklahoma City-based team. Comedian Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live) and actor Adam Goldberg (Dazed and Confused, Two Days in Paris) also appear, as do Isaac Brock of band Modest Mouse, and performer Steve Burns of the band Steve Burns and the Struggle (who had also appeared in children’s television show Blue’s Clues). Bradley Beesley and George Salisbury co-directed the movie with Mr. Coyne.

It’s Christmastime, and the colonization of Mars is underway. However, when an oxygen generator and a gravity control pod malfunction, Major Syrtis (the Lips’ Steven Drozd) and his team (including the Lips’ Michael Ivins) fear the worst. Syrtis also hallucinates about the birth of a baby, and many other strange things. Meanwhile, a compassionate alien superbeing (Coyne) arrives, inspiring and helping the isolated astronauts.

» RSVP on Facebook, or drop us a line by Twitter to let us know you’re coming!

WPRB Presents Diplo On 11/14!

WPRB & R5 Productions are psyched to bring you an evening with Philadelphia’s own DIPLO, along with BLAQSTARR, ABE VIGODA (the band), TELEPATHE, and BOY 8 BIT on Friday November 14th at the Starlight Ballroom (460 North 9th Street) in Philadelphia! This is an all-ages show and starts at 8PM!

You probably know Diplo already from his work with M.I.A., but he’s an amazing DJ in his own right and runs the Mad Decent label. But long before he became a Pitchfork favorite, he was throwing down at the Hollertronix parties. This is Diplo’s first legit all-ages show, so be sure to check it out!

The show is rounded out with performances from Blaqstarr (Mad Decent’s newest addition to the roster), Abe Vigoda (who we were psyched about way back when), Telepathe (they just made a record with the TV On the Radio guys), and Boy 8 Bit (who does some awesome dubstep stuff).

Stay tuned to WPRB — we’ll be giving away tickets to this super fun show!

In the meantime, let us know you’re coming! RSVP on Facebook or drop us a line on Twitter! Don’t forget to stop by the WPRB booth and say hi!

WPRB’s "$103.30 Pyramid": Never Before Has Dick Clark Been So Disappointed In Us

As part of the “closing ceremonies” for the 2008 WPRB Membership Drive, we decided to host our own half-assed version of the late, great television game show $25,000 Pyramid, dubbed the $103.30 Pyramid for obvious reasons. (I should point out that no one actually won money, and it was a [cheap] ploy for donations. -m.)

Random Acts of Music’s Ian Auzenne hosted, with Cody (Development Director) and Sam (PNP Department) playing against Maria T (Her Jazz/Pop Recon) and Julia Factorial (x Clean Yr Room x).

If there’s something one shouldn’t do during a game show, we managed to do it within the span of 20 minutes. Give the wrong contestant the answers? Yup, did that. Play the wrong sound effect? Oh yeah. Use Neil Diamond as game show inspiration? Sadly, yes. Gain a contestant at the last minute? Bingo.

Despite the blunders, the participants had a blast, and we hope you either enjoyed it or were very, very confused by what was happening. Does this have a future on WPRB? Let us know in the comments!

[audio http://www.wprb.com/cms/blagga/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2008/10/10-08_WPRB_1033_Pyramid.mp3]

(Original air date: 10/8/08)

WPRB Membership Drive Closing Ceremonies Starts Now!

This is it: the end of our annual Membership Drive! Don’t touch that dial, because we’ve got some amazing stuff planned for the finale! As you can see, the WPRB webcam is up and running.

If that doesn’t work, click here!

WPRB Welcomes Jonathan Richman On Sunday 10/12!

WPRB & R5 Productions are downright honored to present an evening with the legendary, god-like JONATHAN RICHMAN (OF THE MODERN LOVERS) this Sunday, October 12th, in the sanctuary space at the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia). This show is a seated, ALL-AGES show and starts at 8PM!

Shhh — do you hear that sound? It’s the sound of WPRB’s brain collectively melting. We can’t believe Jonathan Richman is coming to Philly, and we get to bring this show to you.

“Jonathan Richman has been writing songs, making records and performing live for most of his life, winning fans and making friends around the world with his guileless honesty and playfully catchy compositions. He’s revered by countless fellow artists, and has built a remarkably loyal international audience through his tireless touring. His deceptively straightforward songs embody timeless qualities of humanity, optimism, emotional insight and a boundless sense of humor, untainted by cynicism or transient notions of hipness.”

That’s what his official bio says, and well, we can’t argue with it. At all.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Will we see you there? Let us know in the comments!

T Minus 31 Hours: Membership Drive 2008 Begins!

WPRB has been buzzing with activity non-stop the past few days; the excitement is palpable. We are so looking forward to this year’s membership drive. Here are some quick updates about special programming during the drive! We’ll posting breaking news and more to the blog, so stay tuned.

Wednesday 10/1, 7:00 PM
Jon Solomon’s show kicks things off with special live guests Matador Record’s Jennifer O’Connor (who will be playing for your pledge!), Oxford Collapse (Sub Pop), Home Blitz (Gulcher), and Brown Recluse Sings.

Wednesday 10/1, Midnight
DJ Altitude Sickness brings forth the Tupperware Jams! Expect to hear mashups new and old, sample-based mayhem, junk truck (remix), and some dirty projections. Check out the video from last year’s drive special!

Friday 10/3, 5:00 PM
WPRB’s Top Ten Countdown airs one hour earlier than regularly scheduled.

Friday 10/3, 7:00 PM
Pop Recon returns with an all new episode! Tune in to hear interviews with Stereolab (4AD) and Philly legends the Dead Milkmen.

Saturday 10/4, 1:30 PM
WPRB Sports presents a broadcast of the Princeton Tigers football Ivy League season opener against Columbia.

Monday 10/6, 7:00 PM
Art and Julia of X Clean Yr Room X welcome special in-studio guests Kurt Vile (Gulcher) and The War on Drugs (Secretly Canadian).

Wednesday 10/8, 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
On an extended Membership Drive edition of Classical Discoveries, Marvin Rosen welcomes composers Daniel Dorff, Paul Lansky, Robert Moran, Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Moravec and Raymond Wojcik plus performers Elem Eley (baritone) and Timothy Smith (Assistant Conductor of Rutgers Collegium Musicum).

Wednesday 10/8, 7:00 PM – infinity
WPRB’s membership drive wraps up with a special secret surprise program. You won’t want to miss this (or any of our amazing programs)!

Wed 9/24, 5PM: Rhythm of the One Honors Jerry Wexler

WPRB’s Rhythm of the One program returns to the airwaves every Wednesday at 5PM. This week, DJ Matt pays tribute to the late Jerry Wexler.

Jerry Wexler was one of the forces behind the sound and the success of Atlantic Records as well as the driver behind the success of the Memphis horns sound of Stax. Additionally, Wexler was an integral force in shaping the careers of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, and Bob Dylan, among many others. Jerry Wexler made a mixtape before his death of the songs he was most proud of from his career. We’ll play all of those songs as well as some of our personal favorites from his vast discography.

Mark Your Calendars: The 2008 WPRB Membership Drive Returns This October!

“WPRB Forest” illustration by John Cei Douglas

WPRB 103.3 FM, the 14,000-watt community-supported, independent radio station located in Princeton, NJ – hey, that’s us! – is holding its second annual Membership Drive. The drive begins on October 1st, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and runs until October 8th, 2008. The 2008 Membership Drive will feature special programming including live in-studio performances, extended DJ sets, exclusive membership premiums – not to mention a few surprises!

After the cut, more details about this year’s membership drive.

digg_url = ‘http://blog.wprb.com/2008/09/mark-your-calendars-2008-wprb.html’; digg_skin = ‘compact’;Founded in 1940, WPRB is the nation’s oldest college FM station and broadcasts to the greater New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware area, as well as millions more online through its website, WPRB.com. In 2007, WPRB’s trustees and its undergraduate student board of directors decided to shift to a member-supported operating model for the future, thereby allowing WPRB to maintain greater flexibility and control over its programming.

While WPRB is located on Princeton University’s campus, the station does not receive funding from the school. Donations pledged during this drive will support station operations – equipment maintenance, transmitter fees, merchandise, music purchases and more. Last year’s inaugural drive raised over $40,000 for WPRB’s operating budget, and demonstrated the commitment of WPRB’s listeners support for unique and varied independent radio programming.

“We came into last year’s drive with absolutely no idea how well or how poorly we would do, so it was really very exciting and encouraging when we started to see the sort of enthusiastic response that we got from people as the week went on,” said Ye “Cody” Wang, WPRB’s 2008 Development Director. “Now we’ve got a great foundation of success to build on, and we know that our listeners are 100% committed to not only keeping WPRB on the air, but also to improving and evolving our programming and presence.”

This year’s drive programming kicks off on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. with DJ Jon Solomon and special live musical guests Oxford Collapse (Sub Pop Records), Jennifer O’Connor (Matador Records), Home Blitz (Gulcher) and Brown Recluse Sings (Tequila Sunrise).

WPRB’s Membership Drive will also feature:

- Friday 10/3, 7:00 p.m.: Pop Recon will feature exclusive interviews with 4AD recording artists Stereolab and Philadelphia’s Dead Milkmen (Updated 9/22).

- Monday 10/6, 7:00 p.m.: x Clean Yr Room x welcomes Secretly Canadian recording artists The War On Drugs and Gulcher recording artist Kurt Vile.

- Wednesday 10/8, 6:00 a.m.: Classical Discoveries with Marvin Rosen features extended programming and special in-studio guests.

- Wednesday 10/8, 9:00 p.m.: A special live “Grand Finale” event! Stay tuned, and be surprised!

In addition to the special drive programming, WPRB will be giving away a brand new 2008 Toyota Yaris to one lucky listener this October, courtesy of FreeYrRadio.com. The FreeYrRadio campaign, which supports independent radio stations across the country, selected WPRB as a participating station this year, and hosted a special free benefit concert for WPRB this past summer that featured Secret Machines and DJ Dave P.

WPRB operators will be standing by at (609) 258-1033 to take pledges at all hours of the broadcasting day (usually 6AM-2AM ET). Additionally, pledges can be made online with all major credit cards by logging onto:

http://pledge.wprb.com/

Exclusive membership premiums are available to pledging listeners, and can be seen online at pledge.wprb.com. This year’s premium items were designed exclusively for the drive by illustrator John Cei Douglas and DJ Maria T (host of WPRB’s “Her Jazz” and “Pop Recon”).

In addition, WPRB plans to “reissue” its classic “Headphones” design, and special premium gifts – from CD’s and LP’s to signed records, box sets, DVD’s, limited edition artwork and more – will be available to listeners who pledge with a credit card at specified hours; these gifts range in value from $5 to $200 in retail value.

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