East Boston’s popular music and performing arts non-profit will host the fourth annual Zumix Radio Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Zumix’s free community block party will kickoff at 1 p.m. on Orleans Street from Sumner to Everett Streets with an afternoon of music, art and food to help celebrate Zumix Radio’s third-year anniversary on the airwaves.
The Zumix Radio Block Party will feature live music on two stages, multi-media art installations, and small business vendors. Musical performances on alternating stages will span genres and feature Zumix youth ensembles and local bands. Pupusas, beer, and other snacks will also be for sale. The event is free, with the option to purchase a VIP package.
Live acts include Nephrok Allstars, Keytar Bear, Angel NRG and Friends, B.S.O.D. and Lil’ Phunk Phenomenon.
“If you’ve ever been to the Zumix Radio Block Party, you’ll know it’s one of Zumix’s most lively events of the year,” said Zumix Director Madeleine Steczynski. “While we’re here to celebrate the birth of our radio station on the airwaves, we’re also here to celebrate the talent of our youth, the warmth of our community, and see the summer out with a bang. With six performances to get you in the groove, tasty bites, a specialty beer/wine/and cider garden, local artisan vendors, face painting, games, a raffle, and more. This is an afternoon not to be missed.”
The Zumix Radio Block Party will cap off what has been an event-filled summer for Zumix, including its annual Summer Concert Series in Piers Park.
Zumix Radio is a community radio station broadcasting the voices and culture of Boston’s youth through music, stories, and bilingual conversation. After streaming online for the past 10 years, Zumix Radio began broadcasting as a low power FM station 24 hours daily in 2016.
Currently 25 youth and 20 adults produce and host weekly shows featuring a variety of programming including talk radio and music.
“Since launching the FM station three years ago, our radio shows are able to reach more folks,” said Steczynski. “As more people become aware of Zumix, the more positive effect we can have on the community. We’re thrilled to have twenty professional DJs supporting us for this special event – it’s an opportunity for our youth to meet real DJs and for music and radio supporters to spread the word about Zumix’s important work both through youth radio and our other programs.”
In 2015 Zumix was granted one of two construction permits by the Federal Communications Corporation (FCC) for a Low Power FM radio station.
The station, which is shared with Winthrop Art Association, broadcasts on 94.9 FM. Its signal reaches a radius of approximately 3.5 miles from a transmission site atop East Boston High School. In addition to its new broadcast station, Zumix Radio continues to stream online at http://www.Zumix.org.
Zumix Radio is a youth and community station that serves Zumix’s mission of empowering youth to make strong positive change in their lives, their communities, and the world. Zumix radio produces and host weekly shows featuring a variety of music styles and topics such as teen life, local news, and labor rights.
Zumix Radio began in 2005 and initially broadcast on 1630 AM. When Zumix moved to the Firehouse at 260 Sumner Street in 2010 the radio station was only available online. With the new broadcast station Zumix Radio has been reaching a broader and more diverse group of listeners.
Zumix’s LPFM license is the result of a ten-year effort by media justice advocates to win passage of the Local Community Radio Act that mandates the FCC to issue new non-commercial FM radio licenses to community groups across the country. The Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by former President Obama in January 2011. Since fall 2013 there have been 1,506 LPFM licenses granted across the country. Only two LPFM frequencies were available in Boston, and Zumix was chosen for one three years ago.