(Grand Rapids, MI, November 4, 2009)

On Friday, November 6, WGVU Real Oldies 1480/850 AM will begin its first on-air membership campaign, in an effort to support the new format. WGVU AM switched from NPR news and talk in August, to become the only Public Broadcasting station in the country to play the oldies. With songs ranging from the 1950s to the early 1970s, Real Oldies is filling a void in the West Michigan market.

The on-air drive will run through Friday, November 13. Listeners can become inaugural members of the station by calling 866-677-9488 or online at realoldies1480.org. During the drive, members who contribute at the $150 level or above can choose to receive a pair of tickets to one of our first Real Oldies events – a dinner and dance at Thousand Oaks Country Club in Grand Rapids on December 3, featuring a performance by the Eschelons. The evening starts at 6 p.m. with appetizers, followed by a sit-down dinner, live music and dancing. Tickets are limited!

Members can also listen to Len O’Kelly and Bill Bailey for our CD of the Day. Available with a contribution of $80 or higher, these CDs have been hand-picked by our Real Oldies personalities, as their thank you to our first supporters.

If you’re a fan of Oldies the way they were meant to be heard, then support Real Oldies 1480/850 by calling 866-677-9488 or at realoldies1480.org.

(Grand Rapids, MI, October 28, 2009)

On Tuesday, November 3 at 7 p.m., WGVU continues the Independent Cinema series at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts with the film Between the Folds.

Between the Folds chronicles the stories of ten fine artists and intrepid theoretical scientists who have abandoned careers and scoffed at hard-earned graduate degrees - all to forge unconventional lives as modern-day paperfolders.

We’ll be joined by film participant Richard Alexander, who will share his experiences and display some of his finished pieces, as well as Grand Rapids resident Rodger Despres, who will discuss and display pieces of his paper folding masterpiece - a 45-foot long model train, made with only paper.

Between the Folds will air on WGVU TV as part of the PBS series Independent Lens on Tuesday, December 29 at 11 p.m.

This screening event is part of the ITVS Community Cinema program. Free screenings of Independent Lens films are held the first Tuesday of every month. For more on the Independent Cinema series, including upcoming dates and films, visit wgvu.org/cinema.

(Grand Rapids, MI, October 19, 2009)

On Friday, October 30 from 7:30 – 10 p.m., The Grand Rapids Public Museum will be filled with fine tastes as WGVU and D&W Fresh Market present West Michigan’s premier wine tasting event, Food, Wine & All That Jazz. Guests will choose from over 300 domestic wine and beer selections from throughout North America, as well as gourmet foods provided by D&W Fresh Market, enjoying these tastes against a backdrop of live jazz by Silver Knights.

Attendees may order wine and beer sampled at the event through D&W at a 20 – 40% discount. Orders must be turned in the night of the event, or within a week to any D&W store and they will be delivered to specified stores a few weeks later.

Tickets to the event are $50 per person in advance or $55 per person at the door, if available. This event often sells out, so those who wish to attend are encouraged to purchase their tickets before October 30! Attendees can also make a weekend of it with a special hotel package which includes a pair of tickets to the event, breakfast for two and parking - stay in a standard room for $249 or on the concierge level for $319 (plus tax). To purchase an event package, contact The JW Marriott at 616-242-1500.

Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. Tickets are non-refundable. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit wgvu.org or call 800-442-2771.

Food, Wine and All That Jazz is sponsored in part by Broadway Grand Rapids, Edward Jones, Ed Koehn Ford Lincoln – Mercury and West Michigan Piano.