Independent Media Center Announces Grand Opening, Inaugural Radio Free Urbana Broadcast
November 9, 2005
Urbana - The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center (IMC) has planned a grand opening for the weekend of November 11 through 13 at the group's new facilities in the downtown Urbana Post Office. The grand opening will include Radio Free Urbana's inaugural broadcast and a wireless internet access demonstration at Urbana Free Library.
Last May, the IMC purchased the Post Office building, a move made possible by support from the group’s capital campaign contributors. The historic location boasts a 5000 square-foot space behind the post office lobby (postal services will continue at the building). The rest of the first floor, unused for many years, has now been converted into a performance space, media production facilities, a library and reading room, and meeting space. Organizers at the IMC are currently considering adding a cafe, bookstore, food store, or restaurant, and encourage the public to participate in the ongoing decision-making process.
This weekend's grand opening will feature a number of events, including a "Radio Station Barnraising," and more:
- A tour of the building on Friday, November 11, beginning at 1pm.
- On Saturday, November 12, a 5-band live show (rock genre), lasting from 7pm to midnight. All ages are welcome at this smoke-free, alcohol-free event (there is a $5 requested donation).
- Hundreds of visitors are expected to converge for hands-on workshops to be held throughout the weekend and covering low power radio, community wireless, and organization building. Sessions will run from 10am Friday to 7pm Sunday. Opening remarks are set for Friday at 7pm.
- Author and University of Illinois Professor Robert McChesney is offering a book signing as an IMC fundraiser on Saturday, beginning at 6pm.
See the whole schedule and registration information at: http://www.prometheusradio.org/urbana/.
The weekend will focus on the radio station's construction but will also feature a wireless internet demonstration from CU Wireless Network. During the demonstration, the Urbana Free Library will be installed with wireless internet access both indoors and out. As part of the radio station barnraising, the City of Urbana and volunteers from CUWireless Network (CUWiN) are demonstrating the installation of a wireless access node on the library’s rooftop. Visitors can attend the node installation Friday at 3pm, at the library. The weekend’s radio barnraising activities will culminate with a live broadcast (Sunday, November 13, at 5pm) on the CU Wireless Network.
Individuals wishing to participate in the grand opening festivities should show up at the downtown post office building in Urbana. IMC representatives/volunteers will be working all day Friday the 11th, Saturday the 12th, and Sunday the 13th. There is a registration fee for the weekend ($45-125, sliding scale), but it can be waived or reduced for those who are unable to pay. Meals will be provided for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. People of all experience levels (from engineer to nowhere near) are encouraged to come help out, and everyone will be asked to contribute to the efforts.
For more information about the IMC Grand Opening/Radio Station Barnraising, visit these websites:
WRFU: http://www.wrfu.net/
Prometheus Radio Project (the national radio group working with the IMC): www.prometheusradio.org
CU Wireless Network: http://www.cuwireless.net/
Independent Media Center: http://www.ucimc.org/
The IMC's new facility is also home to:
Cherry Alley Artists - hosts workshops and figure drawing sessions & houses a dozen art studios. Come to Cherry Alley Art Party this Friday at 9pm!
OJC Technologies - a software & website development company (http://www.ojctech.com/)
CU Wireless Network - developing free, community wireless mesh network software used internationally (http://www.cuwireless.net/)
Books to Prisoners - responding to prisoner requests for books (http://www.books2prisoners.org/)
Public i - a monthly free newspaper of the IMC (publici.ucimc.org)
OutZone - a youth group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.
Life Strategies Institute - empowering youth in the criminal justice system.
A Doula practice