For a full schedule of KLBP’s Grand Opening Activities visit klbp.org/grandopening
(PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR USE) (GRAND OPENING ASSETS)
Long Beach, Calif — Launching an FM radio station from the ground up is something few people will ever get to experience in their lifetime. Armed with an FCC non-commercial radio permit and a group of veteran radio advisors at their side, a handful of community organizers built a powerful network of volunteers who helped give birth to Long Beach’s new public radio station, 99.1 KLBP.
“There are so many terrific stories from our volunteers who have been waiting for us to open the doors to our studio. We decided to present those stories to our listeners in their own voices,” says Danny Lemos, Interim General Manager.
On February 28th at 5p.m., you’ll have the opportunity to hear these stories packaged into a two-hour long special titled.
“The road to launch was filled with a constant need to adapt and learn new skill sets,” says Ashley Aguirre, President of Long Beach Public Media, the nonprofit group who operates the station. “We had everything from people figuring out how to install a broadcast antenna to chopping the wood used to build our live studio room—oftentimes from scratch and with limited resources.”
The volunteer-run and operated radio station nestled beneath Shannon’s on Pine will officially open its doors with a public weekend long celebration taking place February 28th & 29th.
A ribbon cutting ceremony on February 28th at 11:00am will kick off the festivities. Several city officials and community leaders are expected to attend. Following the ceremony, the studio will remain open until 8:00p.m. for public tours. The tours will resume on Saturday, Feb. 29th from 1:00-8:00p.m.
“The station is a space for anyone interested in podcasting and radio, from novice to expert level. We are education focused and hope that the public will discover that KLBP is their radio station” adds Lemos.
Members of the public are encouraged to stop in to record station identification scripts, obtain information about upcoming workshops, training, and more during the aforementioned hours.
KLBP will round out the celebration with a party at Shannon’s At The Top featuring performances by Khmer-rock band Dengue Fever, rising rap heavyweight Seafood Sam, shoegaze darlings Highlands, and multi-instrumental composer Ellen Warkentine.
This celebration is made possible by Shannon’s on Pine and a grant from the Port of Long Beach.
For more information and to RSVP visit klbp.org/grandopening.
Schedule of Activities
Friday, Feb. 28
- 11:00am-1:00pm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
- 1:00pm – 8:00pm Open House: Studio Tours
Saturday, Feb. 29
- 1:00pm-8:00pm Open House: Studio Tours
- 6:00pm-10:00pm Party featuring Dengue Fever, Seafood Sam, Highlands Ellen Warkentine plus KLBP DJs Hitchcock Brunette + &SOUL
About KLBP
KLBP-LP is a newly licensed low-power FM station broadcasting at 99.1 FM. As a public radio station with an emphasis on local music, storytelling and public affairs, residents throughout Long Beach, San Pedro, and Wilmington can tune in to hear their neighbors, friends, and local personalities. An online stream is also available at klbp.org and the TuneIn radio app. KLBP, is a community service of Long Beach Public Media. For more information visit klbp.org. Follow KLBP! Instagram Facebook Twitter
About Long Beach Public Media
Long Beach Community Television & Media Corporation, dba Long Beach Public Media, is a 501(c)(3) working to advance public media through education, technical assistance and access to production facilities. The organization was awarded a permit from the FCC to broadcast at 99.1 FM and successfully launched the station in December of 2018.
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