WTJU celebrates 60 years of broadcasting!

By WTJU

“WTJU is my sonic life raft.” — WTJU listener, January 2017

For 60 years, WTJU has been a sonic life raft for UVA, the Charlottesville community, and beyond. That longevity is a remarkable achievement itself. Back in 1957, WTJU signed on with volunteer curated music to enrich our community, and we have maintained a non-commercial format of eclectic music ever since.

Even more amazing are the tremendous achievements of generations of hosts and listeners who built this station, nurtured it, sustained it, contributed their passion and skills and hearts to it. People who made it great.

People like you.

Donate at WTJU.net/donate to keep WTJU’s sonic life raft afloat for years to come!

Please join us as we celebrate WTJU’s 60th anniversary this spring! We’re hosting a bevy of anniversary events, including:

60th ANNIVERSARY ON-AIR CELEBRATION!

From June 3-11, WTJU will celebrate its six decades as a sonic life raft for our community with nine days of special on-air shows.

We’re opening our studios to WTJU alums to host shows during the first two weekends in June, and across all genres, we’ll dive back to the music of the last 60 years. Throughout the entire on-air celebration, we’ll show what an amazing role WTJU has played in the cultural life of our community lo these many years.

Download and print the 60th anniversary program schedule.

Check out the full list and descriptions of 60th anniversary programs!

WTJU Alumni Weekends!

The weekends of June 2-4 and June 9-11, we’re opening our doors to WTJU alumni who’d like to host an hour of radio! Fill out this survey if you want to host an hour.

Alumni celebrations will also include:

Saturday (6/3): WTJU Soiree: drinks and substantial hors d’oeuvres for Alums & Supporters
Fridays (6/2 & 6/9): 1-3pm reception & tours at WTJU; 8-9pm live in-studio band at Open Grounds, on the UVA corner by the Medical Center.

EVENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE:

BIRTHDAY BASH!

SATURDAY, APRIL 1st, 12:00-4:00pm. Live broadcast and party from the quad just outside WTJU’s studios. Stop by for some vinyl spinning, free pizza and birthday cake, lawn games, and celebration of this amazing radio station!

We’re also hoping to unveil a very special WTJU surprise! Directions to the station. FREE!

The celebration continues that evening from 8:00-9:00pm with a live concert performance by DC-based folk rock band Handsome Hound. Be part of the studio audience on the 2nd floor of WTJU’s building (Lambeth Commons at UVA). FREE!

FIRST FRIDAYS GALLERY OPENING

FRIDAY, APRIL 7th, 5:30-7:30pm. You’ve seen WTJU’s t-shirts over the years, yes? Maybe even worn a few of them? Throughout the month of April, as part of our 60th anniversary celebration, WTJU is displaying 50 WTJU t-shirts in the CitySpace, 100 5th Street NE — 2nd floor of the Market Street Parking Garage building looking out over the Downtown Mall. Join us for a First Fridays reception on April 7th to celebrate this anniversary milestone! FREE!

WTJU EVENTS AT THE 2017 TOM TOM FESTIVAL

TUESDAY, APRIL 11th, 7:00-8:00pm, join WTJU at The Paramount Theater for a screening of a short film about our 60th anniversary, followed by a panel discussion with Nathan Moore (WTJU General Manager), Nick Rubin (WTJU Rock Director), Kyle Chattleton (WTJU Classical Director), Chase Browning (WXTJ Co-Director), and Rus Perry (Host of WTJU’s Jazz at 100). FREE!

BONUS: Just before the screening — also on Tuesday, April 11th — from 6:00-7:00pm at The Paramount, WTJU General Manager will lead a community workshop titled “Crafting a Great On-Air Interview.” When it comes to your podcast, broadcast, or other media production, how can you make your interviews sharper? How can you get your guests beyond their talking points? How can you draw out guests who don’t say much? Come find out! $5 ticket benefits WTJU.

WTJU ROCK MARATHON

MONDAY, APRIL 10th – SUNDAY, APRIL 16th. WTJU’s Rock Marathon is back, and it’s celebrating 60 years of this amazing radio station!

For this year’s Rock Marathon, our cracked squad of volunteer DJs has conspired to inspire with another bounty of killer shows. We’ll cover the waterfront of all that rocks.

Check out the full schedule and donate a the Rock Marathon page!