Autumn Labbe-Renault's blog

On tomorrow's episode (March 20, 2020),we'll hear from Superintendent John Bowes of the Davis Joint Unified School District at 12:05, for some updates and resources for families moving forward.

At 12:20, we'll chat with community organizer Kate Mellon-Anibaba, founder of the incredibly active Covid-19 Yolo Community Response Group on Facebook.  Tune in to find out how community members across Yolo County are mustering to meet a wide variety of community needs.

Confirmed guests for Tuesday March 24 include Elizabeth Gray of the Yolo County Library, and Davis Poet Laureate James Lee Jobe. Next Friday, we'll hear from Yolo County District 2 Supervisor Don Saylor.

In between interviews, I'll share what resources I can on the air, but you'll find them after every show, along with a recording of the episode, on the show's page.

Thanks for tuning in. Stay safe & well.

Davis citizens are a mobile bunch, and this means we sometimes have to say good-bye. We offer a fond farewell to DJ AA and Vincent with “Empire Radio,” who have moved on to the Bay Area. Ted and Josh of “The Recollection” are on hiatus at present but rumor has it they plan to return in January. Congratulations to Ted, who welcomed his first son this summer.

The good news here is that change is good, as it opens up new room and opportunities. We have quite a few new shows on KDRT, as well as some old favorites in new spaces. Check the list below to see what's airing on your community radio station, and to see the whole schedule, visit kdrt.org.

KDRT and Davis Media Access are in the final week of our annual fund raising, and donations are very slow this year. We're taking it live to the Farmers' Market this Wednesday and hoping the community will show KDRT some love!

In partnership with the Davis Farmers' Market and its Wednesday-night Picnic in the Park, KDRT 95.7 FM will broadcast live at the market from 4-8 p.m. this Wednesday, June 27. The broadcast booth will be located at the top of the concrete steps adjoining the picnic area.

Wednesday night will feature live remote broadcasts of the following programs:
-"Insect News Network" - explore the field of cultural entomology with Emmet Brady from 4-5 p.m.
-"Empire Radio" - chat about films & movies with DJ AA
-"The Grapevine" - Rod Moseanko provides a mix of Motown, blues, soul and R&B
-"Electric Compost Heap" - DJ Doug Deep takes listeners on a wild tour through many genres of music

Wednesday's event will highlight some of the many public affairs and music programs KDRT provides, and we hope it will be just the first of such broadcasts.

Davis Media Access (DMA) will present a live, election-night program on Tuesday, June 5. The show begins at 8 p.m. on DCTV Channel 15 on Comcast Davis, and will also air on AT&T’s U-verse on Menu 99 and be simulcast on KDRT-LP, 95.7 FM in Davis. Listen Now or Watch the LIVE STREAM: http://168.150.194.39/DMA Mac users will need Windows Media® Components for QuickTime, by Flip4Mac™ http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=9442 Calls are welcome beginning at 8:30 p.m. and the number to call is (530) 757-2419.

I'm subbing for Doug Deep tonight on Electric Compost Heap. This week's heap has yielded up some earworms and yep, you get to listen to the tunes that have been stuck in my head this week. Happens a lot, that.

I'll be playing Kaiser Chiefs, The Clash, Arcade Fire, David Bowie, Indigo Girls, XTC, The Knitters, Girlyman, The English Beat, X, Casey Neill, k.d. lang, Rita Hosking, and Michael Franti & Spearhead.

I'm not the Eclectic Dinosaur's daughter for naught. ;)

8-9 p.m. Enjoy!

And finally, our closing band On the Backlot is Hardwater. Hardwater's practically family, at this point. They played at benefits during our Save KDRT campaign, and closed out the show at DMA's 20th anniversary party in 2008. They've been incredible boosters of KDRT and DMA, and we're grateful they're coming back to play for the Backlot crowd. Hardwater's a fixture around town, playing at many community events. We thank them for their generous spirits.

Hardwater mixes original music with covers from Grateful Dead to Dave Matthews Band, playing a melange of folk rock, blues, jazz, reggae and Cajun, with some North English, Irish and Canadian folk tunes blended in. Bob Lindley plays violin/baritone violin/electric mandolin; John Swann provides vocals and plays acoustic guitar. Eve West Bessier handles vocals/Word/percussion, with Rob Gonzales on bass and Johnny Flores on drums and hand percussion. They'll play during the 9-10:00 hour, wrapping up what is sure to be a stellar evening...On the Backlot.

You can find more info here, and here's a clip to get you started

I will not embarass Mr. Marque Cass by relating the story of how we became friends over his concussion. Instead, I'll say that Marque--youth media advocate, UC Davis student, poet, Davis Media Access volunteer and so on--is better known these days as front man and lyricist for Tha Dirt Feelin, and that Tha DF is heating up things all over town.

Marque is joined by Colin Borges on guitars and flute; Colin also produces the band’s work. Evan Daly plays guitar and composes;  Ali Sakkal plays saxophone and percussion; and Kevin Martinez plays drums, percussion. To a man, they're all students, grad students and educators, and in fact met through school here in Davis about two years ago. The music started as random jam sessions and turned into shows at bars, restaurants, farmers' markets and large festivals.

Tha Dirt Feelin’s music is a positive and upbeat blend of soulful singing, thoughtful raps and musical accompaniment that always has a solid dance beat, but ranges from acoustic to jazz to funk and rock in style. Music clips and more information available at http://thadf.com, and here's one to get you started. They'll be playing in the 8:00 hour ... On the Backlot ... and I want to thank them for joining us.  Enjoy!

With a backing band, Belle Francisco plays what she describes as acoustic/progressive folk rock. She says, “My songs are an exploration of justice, human bonding, truth seeking, love and loss all in support of soul transformation.” Belle has been playing the area a lot this past year, including shows in Folsom and most recently, the Davis Vibrations Music Festival. You can find Belle on Facebook or ReverbNation, and here’s a clip of some music: We thank Belle & friends for contributing their time and talent to the Backlot! Their play time falls in the 7-8 hour ... On the Backlot.