The Folk Brothers for Oct. 6, 2021: Songs of Irish emigration

Today's show starts with a set of songs inspired by 19th and 20th century Irish emigration. First off is Tim O'Brien's tune, "The Crossing," followed by another lament about leaving for Amerikay: Karine Polwart and Dave Milligans' new rendition of "Craigie Hill." Starting in the late 1800's, Irish laborers flooded the United Kingdom, as addressed by the next two songs: Josh O'Keefe's version of "McAlpine's  Fusiliers," and Christy Moore's cover of Jimmy McCarthy's song "Missing You."

Also on today's show: new music from Martha Scanlan, Aoife O'Donovan, Dirk Powell, Tre Burt, Vincent Cross, and Frank Richard.

Davisville, Oct. 4, 2021: Enterprise Editor Seb Oñate

My guest today is Seb Oñate, the editor of the Davis Enterprise. Our subjects include the appeal of hyper-local community journalism, a "rough couple of years," popular types of stories among Enterprise readers (crime and local government), nostalgia for newsprint as paid print circulation fades but online readership grows, engaging the town's college students, and working in “a town as engaged as Davis.”

Davis Garden Show, Sept. 30, 2021 -- Winter flowers and bulbs

Things to plant in October, November ...

  • Leafy greens -- lettuce, kale, NOT basil -- continue to plant all winter.
  • Brassicas (where we eat the buds or heads) get planted earlier than  leafy greens (where we trim the leaves but the plant continues to grow).
  • Bulbs -- plant most bulbs now, some later. "Full sun" in winter can be under a deciduous tree, which shades that spot in the summer. PERFECT for many bulbs.
  • Winter flowers -- cheery annual flowers to plant now.
  • Perennials with winter blooms -- plant anytime, they last for years!  -- Camellias, Euryops, Gazania, Hellebore, Hardenbergia, etcetera.

Celtic Songlines, Sept. 28, 2021

The term "Celtic" is thrown around a bit to describe a mostly traditional form of music. That said, musicians have always experimented and pushed the boundaries of music. This week on Celtic Songlines we explore music under the banner of a more recent label: Neo-traditional Celtic. Featured on the program is music from Goitse, Socks in the Frying Pan, Cúig, Kasír, Caitlín & Ciarán, Athrú, Brian Finnegan, Salt House and Annwn.

Put another candle on the cake -- KDRT turns 17 today

This week marks the start of fall, the return of students to UC Davis, and the 17th birthday of KDRT. Our launch party was held on a warm Friday evening, Sept. 24, 2004, on the Davis Media Access backlot. It featured live music, hay bales for seats, speeches, cake, camaraderie, and excitement about having our own community radio station!

The event drew families, students, public figures, neighbors, artists, local business owners, and the many volunteers who had been working since 2000 to get this station on the air. Davis Enterprise columnist Bob Dunning was the evening's emcee, and Mayor Ruth Asmundson flipped the on switch to officially launch our broadcast.

Seventeen years later, we are proud to offer Davis locally produced radio that draws on the help and huge commitment of our 34 volunteer programmers, many of whom have been with us for a decade or more. We treasure this local resource, and look forward to the day when we can again come together with the community to celebrate in person. Until then, stay tuned to 95.7 FM, "where the grassroots grow," and stream our wide variety of shows at kdrt.org.