Autumn Labbe-Renault's blog

Aquarius retrospective on 'Speakeasy'

A look back at Aquarius on next 'Speakeasy'

Michael Diamond is the guest on the Jan. 6 edition of "Speakeasy," a local talk show that airs Wednesdays at 10 a.m. on KDRT-LP, 95.7 FM in Davis. The show is also streamed live and archived at http://kdrt.org.

Diamond was one of the original owners of Aquarius, a downtown business that closed last month after several owners and more than 20 years in business. Diamond recently shared some of his thoughts in an article featured in The Enterprise. During the radio interview, he'll have a chance to get a little more in depth as to what Aquarius meant to him, personally, as well as to our downtown.

Hosted by Autumn Labbe-Renault, Speakeasy features profiles of people doing positive work in Davis and beyond.

Davis Voice featured on Speakeasy

The Davis Voice topic of next "Speakeasy'
Kemble Pope is the guest on the Dec. 9 edition of "Speakeasy," a local talk show that airs Wednesdays at 10 a.m. on KDRT-LP, 95.7 FM in Davis. The show is also streamed live and archived at http://kdrt.org.

Pope, editor of The Davis Voice blog, discusses the relatively new community blog, its focus and how community members can get involved.

Hosted by Autumn Labbe-Renault, Speakeasy features profiles of people doing positive work in Davis and beyond.

Amy Goodman event a success!

On Nov. 20, noted journalist Amy Goodman shared with a capacity crowd at UC Davis her unique perspective gleaned from 13 years hosting “Democracy Now!”, as well as selections from her new book Breaking the Sound Barrier (Haymarket Books, 2009). I’ve long admired her work, so it was a thrill to meet her and to hear her resounding support for our community’s independent media outlets. I also enjoyed meeting Denis Moyihan, who's worked with Amy for years on the show and column, and edited this most recent book.

Goodman appeared the same night as students were occupying Dutton Hall on campus. She called one of the students up to the podium to share her story, and what a moment it was for the young woman named Sarah. Goodman also called independent, local media outlets such as Davis Media Access and KDVS “oases in a sea of corporate media monotony.” Much was made that night of Davis, a small city with two radio stations, PEG access television, a community network, daily community and campus newspapers, and the “best in the nation” Davis Wiki. Goodman noted that Davis is nationally recognized for its work in media activism. It was a proud moment for me.

Save-a-Gallon Contest topic of next "Speakeasy'

Christal Waters and Tim Starback of Davis Bicycles! are the guests on the Nov. 4 edition of "Speakeasy," a local talk show that airs Wednesdays at 10 a.m. on KDRT-LP, 95.7 FM in Davis. The show is also streamed live and archived at http://kdrt.org. The segment will repeat Nov. 11.

Waters and Starback will discuss Davis Bicycles!' many projects, but especially their school-related initiatives, including the citywide bike-to-school contest know as "Save-a-Gallon."

Some days this radio thing just makes you smile

I left the studio after taping Speakeasy today with a huge grin on my face. Turning the tables on Koren Motekaitis (host of "How She Really Does It" on KDRT, Fridays 10 am-noon) by putting her in the interviewee's seat was a hoot. Then I took a little trip down memory lane by playing a portion of an interview with the inimitable Jeff Shaw (DJ Shaw-zam) that we did last year. Spent some time reflecting on KDRT's past & future--this radio station turns 5 on Sept 24!

Capped it all with a little Grateful Dead, which was for Rod, btw.

A good day--how could it not be?

Interviewing the Eclectic Dinosaur

Four years ago, on Aug. 9, a Brooklyn-born retired steelworker named Lee Renault, a.k.a. The Eclectic Dinosaur, launched a music show on KDRT and has been going strong ever since. Why "The Eclectic Dinosaur?" It's all about the music--a very odd and diverse collection spanning probably seven decades, and full of hidden gems and musical trivia. So, it's eclectic, for sure. And much of it's old, so I think that makes Lee the dinosaur. ;)