Another year, another fundraising drive for Saskatoon’s only community radio station, CFCR 90.5 FM.
Still, for some reason, giving money to CFCR doesn’t really feel like making a donation. I guess it isn’t that mysterious — they put on great concerts for their annual fundraising drive in addition to giving away a multitude of prizes, depending on the amount you pledge. Not only that, but for the price of a membership and a small donation, Saskatoon has a platform for the authentic and original music of this country and beyond.
“We have both local bands and touring bands that play as part of our FM-Phasis festival — just another way to get people to almost accidentally donate. By that I mean, they get a show out of it and CFCR, to varying degrees, gets money from those shows,” said Jay Allen, the station’s new program director.
This year’s festival has included performances by Cuff the Duke, The Deep Dark Woods, Little Miss Higgins and Two Hours Traffic.
Oct. 1, Final Fantasy and Timber Timbre will take the stage at Amigos Cantina. Elliot Brood and the Wooden Sky will cap off the festival on Oct. 2.
“I’m really excited for Elliot Brood. The Deep Dark Woods and Little Miss Higgins show was amazing. The Deep Dark Woods get better every time I see them. Plus, Final Fantasy should be quite good,” said Allen.
“But I’m really looking forward to the band opening for Final Fantasy: Timber Timbre. I really like their new record and I’m really interested to see them live. But apparently Final Fantasy might have swine flu. We don’t know, but hopefully he’ll make it here.”
If you go down to the CFCR station right now, you will encounter boxes of CDs, shirts, magnets and an array of gift certificates to choose from. Depending on the amount donated, a variety of prizes and draws are available. If a donation is paid before Oct. 4, the donor will be entered into the early bird draw for all sorts of other prizes. The incentives really take the charity out of charity drive — but not the fun out of fundraiser.
“Campus and community radio represents an outlet for musicians, special-interest groups and multi-cultural groups. It’s an outlet that wouldn’t otherwise exist.”
-Jay Allen
CFCR program director
“We are a non-profit organization, so we are reliant on membership,” said Allen. “For a student it’s $10 a year. With the membership, if you go into certain local businesses you get a discount. You have to be a member to get 90 per cent of the stuff we give away and that is a big incentive. We give away expensive show tickets all the time, so we sell a lot of memberships there. Plus, we have monthly draws for our members. As far as FM-Phasis goes, it is separate from memberships. I mean you don’t have to be a member to donate to CFCR. It is two separate funds.”
Though FM-Phasis only happens once a year, donations and new memberships are accepted throughout the year.
CFCR continues to help promote shows during the year and local businesses can receive discounts on advertising in exchange for promoting CFCR.
In addition to playing all kinds of underground and independent music, CFCR helps establish a focal point for the multi-cultural side of Saskatoon.
“Campus and community radio represents an outlet for musicians, special-interest groups and multi-cultural groups. It’s an outlet that wouldn’t otherwise exist. It really is vital, and an alternative from commercial radio,” said Allen.
Only a year after moving into a beautiful new location, Allen is excited about the future of CFCR.
“Across the board it is a positive step; everything from natural light to the increase in space that we have. We are able to grow into this space, whereas the old space was physically limiting.”
If you haven’t seen the fantastic new building, right now is a good time to go. Take a stroll down to 267 3rd Ave. (it’s on the second floor) and donate for some great prizes to keep CFCR radio strong and vital in our community.