To celebrate its newest and best digs in 62 years of broadcasting, WTJU 91.1 FM, the University of Virginia’s public radio station, plans to break a Guinness Book of Records title held since 2012 by a radio station in England.
WTJU 91.1 FM will tackle the challenge on Saturday, March 23, 12-2 p.m., by having more than 60 DJs simultaneously presenting one radio show.
“This gives us a chance to air the voices of scores of volunteers who make WTJU possible,” said General Manager Nathan Moore. “And what better way to celebrate our move into 2244 Ivy Road?”
“Everyone is invited to our community open house party on March 30, 12-3 p.m.,” said Moore. “We’ll have studio tours, free food with fancy sodas, free t-shirts to first 200 show-ups, and producers ready to record anyone who wants to offer a few words.”
WTJU is moving into extensively renovated space that formerly housed the video rental store Sneak Reviews. This new location will feature a live performance space on the ground floor with broadcast studios and offices on the second floor.
This will be the first freestanding space that WTJU has had. “For the first time, we’ll have great visibility, terrific parking, and state-of-the-art digital studios,” said Moore. WTJU began in the basement of Old Cabell Hall in 1957. It was next housed in Humphries dorm and Peabody Hall. It will be vacating its second-floor location within the Lambeth Residences student housing complex to move to 2244 Ivy Road. WTJU will occupy about 2,600 square feet in the new two-story location – 300 square feet more than in Lambeth.
“We’ll be extending the community spirit of our on-air broadcasting to in-person music and community experiences,” said Moore. “Taken as a whole, this move represents WTJU moving into its next era as a dynamic media service at the intersection of the university and surrounding community.”
A move of this magnitude – involving HVAC, electrical, telecommunications, and audio equipment upgrades – requires substantial funding, and several parts of UVA have kicked in money. But there is a gap that must be covered via fundraising, said Moore. WTJU is seeking donations and holding fundraising events throughout the spring. Find out more at WTJU.net.
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