We're seeking new members for our 2025 Board of Directors, as well as our founding Associate Board for young professionals 35 and under. Details and application at each of the links above.
The CHIRP Blog
Erin Van Ness writesWhat can $10 do?
You guys are smart. You know how a fundraising campaign works.
We let you know how much we have left to raise in our fall fundraiser ($8305). We remind you of all the cool things we do at CHIRP (Getting you through your workday with great independent music! Throwing a couple of cool record fairs every year! Giving you tons of chances to win tickets to the best shows in Chicago!). And we let you know about the challenges we face (a July flood that did $15,000 worth of damage to our facilities! Ever-growing streaming fees that cost us almost as much as rent!).
So you know we’re here today to ask you to throw some cash our way. But we know times are still challenging. That’s why we’re just asking for TEN BUCKS! I bet you have $10 right now! And you know you’re just going to spend it on some Starbuck’s or a few drinks at the bar or a fast food lunch that you shouldn’t have anyway. But if everyone reading this message were to take that ten bucks and give it to CHIRP at http://chirpradio.org/donatenow, we’d hit our $10,000 campaign goal today!
We love you so much, CHIRP fans. Don’t make us beg. Go to http://chirpradio.org/donatenow and show your support today. We act all casual about it, but we really, really appreciate it. You guys make this whole thing possible. We might even say you rock. OK, we’ll say it — You rock.
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Ray Charles Edition
This is quite the day for birthdays. John Coltrane and Bruce Springsteen were both born today. But they can’t trump Ray Charles — Trane and The Boss may be geniuses, but only Brother Ray was nicknamed The Genius. If anyone could be said to have invented soul music, it is Ray Charles, who found a way to bring the power of gospel music into a pop context in a way no one had before. Of course, it helps when you have such a powerful, character filled voice. Moreover, Charles freely moved from genre to genre, stitching together American music forms in a wholly original and important way. So let’s salute The Genius by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle, and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesIntroducing Off Book, a new Chicago Theater Review Show from ChicagoNow’s The Fourth Walsh!
Chicago Theatre Off Book is the new voice of community collaboration, and CHIRP Radio’s newest podcast. Every week, Off Book will feature some of Chicago’s leaders in performing arts entertainment. From the small storefronts to the big warhorses, Off Book will focus on what’s happening across Chicago’s theatrical landscape.
With reviews, interviews and one-minute audio-plays, Off Book will showcase the local talents driving Chicago’s dynamic theatre world. Hosted by Actor Joshua Volkers and Reviewer Katy Walsh from The Fourth Walsh, Off Book is where Chicago meets to discuss innovation!
Featured in this week’s Off Book…
Review Round-up from The Fourth Walsh:
“For The Boys” – Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire
“Corazon de Manzana” – Mortar Theatre at DCA Theatre
“A Walk in the Woods” – TimeLine Theatre at Theatre Wit
Special Guests:
Kris Vire, TimeOut Chicago
Bob Bullen, Chicago Theatre Addict and Chicago Like A Local
Got A Minute?
“The Regular American Conversations in Recent American History Minute” – Episode 1 (written by Brett Neveu)
If listening to the show as a drinking game, the shot word of the day is “REVIEW.”
CLICK TO LISTEN:
(Original Audio Source)
The Fourth Walsh on Chicago Now: Reviewing theatre…with a little bite!
Erin Van Ness writesCHIRP’s Fall Campaign Kicks off Today!
Well folks, it’s here, whether you are ready or not. Fall is in the air. Time for bands to get their vans fueled up for this year’s epic tour. Time to finish up those citrus beers and make room in your fridge for the welcoming taste of Oktoberfest. Dig that beloved hoodie from under your bed and heck, make some chili while you’re at it.
Here at CHIRP, fall also is the time of year where we hold our semi-annual membership drive and reach out to our amazing and loyal listeners for support. You know the ones we’re talking about. You, who proudly wears your CHIRP button on your backpack and has a CHIRP sticker on your car. You, who uses the CHIRP iPhone app to listen on the train and at work. You, who has asked your local coffee shop to play CHIRP Radio through the speakers. And you, who simply enjoys the station and encourages your friends to check it out.
Yep, we are talking to you. And we want to thank you for being so darn loyal and invite you to help us celebrate the community effort that makes CHIRP something special. Let the world know that you have helped make CHIRP the coolest radio station in Chicago! Just visit http://chirpradio.org/donatenow and become a member today.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesThis Week with CHIRP Radio (Week of Sept. 19)
Monday Sept. 19th
It’s CHIRP Night at the Whistler with Secret Colours and Mines! CHIRP DJs spin between sets and raffle tickets will be sold throughout the night. A percentage of the bar sales benefits CHIRP Radio.
The Whistler / 2421 N. Milwaukee / 9:30pm – 2:00am / No Cover / 21+
Saturday Sept. 24th
CHIRP is psyched to take part in the 15th Hideout Block Party, featuring Andrew Bird, Mavis Staples, Big Freedia, Jon Langford & The Burlington Welsh Male Chorus, Booker T. Jones, The Eternals, White Mystery, Kids These Days, Dosh, Opera-Matic, and Chances Dances!
The Hideout / 1354 W. Wabansia / 12:00pm – 10:00pm / All Ages
Saturday Sept. 24th
CHIRP Radio Presents the last Summer Sessions on the Square Concert for 2011 with In Tall Buildings, The Arts of Life Band & Fandanguero!
The Logan Square Monument / 5:30pm – 8:30pm / $5 Donation requested / All Ages