"Free Forum" - a new five-part WMFO series -begins tonight with a host of speakers, a unique format, and lecture topics which put a new spin on the many nuances of radio. "We're going to open the [radio station] doors to students," said senior Mike Dupuy, Director of WMFO. He hopes the format - an in-studio lecture series that will be broadcast over the airwaves - will be a hit.
Dupuy thinks the lecture series will provide an insider's look at the radio industry. "People will get a chance to look at the disc jockey outside of his or her normal context, in a setting unlike the normal radio circumstance," Dupuy said.
The lecture topics run the gamut, and the speakers are an eclectic bunch. Martin Voelker will focus on alternative news radio - a facet distinct from the NPR-esque news coverage familiar to many. "He tries to explore different types of news that you don't normally hear on the radio or TV - seemingly objective news," Dupuy said.
Jazz lovers will appreciate Hank Faunce's words of wisdom. "[Faunce] knows a lot about New Orleans jazz," Dupuy said, hoping that the talk will evoke conversation.
"He's probably going to stir up some controversy when he alludes to Charlie Parker as the cause of the death of jazz," Dupuy said.
Senior Levi Novey's talk will rest on his experiences as a liaison between the music industry and WMFO. "He's going to talk about the music industry in a cynical light," Dupuy said.
Ex-college professor Tim Leanse will use his course, Radio Art, as the crutch of his speech. "The talk will basically be a synopsis of his class," Dupuy said.
Shying away from his forte in fish sales, Steve Howard, a fish vendor by trade, will concentrate on the idea of radio form. "He's going to talk about the philosophy of free form - what it means to be a free form DJ and a free form radio station," Dupuy said.
The series will air every night this week from 7 to 8 p.m., and -if interest persists - will be offered each semester.
