I was going to write about this in my previous post, but it deserves a post all its own.

I'm sure I've extolled the virtues of KFAI before, but I have to do it again.  KFAI is a local independent radio station in the Twin Cities.  It is not affiliated with Minnesota Public or National Public Radio at all (which I couldn't function without).    Like MPR, KFAI depends on membership, so I want to encourage everyone to listen to KFAI - online even - and support them. 

I became a member of KFAI maybe a year and a half ago.  I called in and pledged on Sunday during one of my favorite shows, Women Folk (which follows another great show, Urban Folk).  A couple weeks later I got a hand written thank-you note from the host of the show.  It was very nice,  sincere, and written on Wonder Woman stationery. 

Most of the shows on KFAI are produced locally (very few syndicated shows), and the hosts often say that it is like a different radio station each hour.  It caters to different cultural and immigrant communities in the Twin Cities.  Some of those shows include Somali Voices, Hmong Wameng, Bonjour Minnesota, Khmers in Minnesota, Eritrean Community Radio, and more. 

I like to listen in the middle of the day.  Every weekday from noon to one is Democracy Now followed by a different world music show each day (Latin, world, African, Caribbean, etc.) 

My favorite shows are:
Louisiana Rhythms, Corazon Latino, Global Beat, African Rhythms, Radio Antilles, House Party, Sugar Shop, New Scandinavian Cultural Hour, Radio Rumpus Room, Crap from the Past, Sabados Alegres, Century Spring, and Fubar Omniverse.

Other shows of note are Fresh Fruit (a GLBT show), Wave Project (public access), RSE Radio (hip-hop), Strictly Butter (techno), and a few spoken-word programs.

Take a look at KFAI's weekly programming grid.  Listen to KFAI at 90.3 in Minneapolis, 106.7 in St. Paul, or online.  Pledge to KFAI.  It is a voice for so many underrepresented communities and voices in the Twin Cities.

Ok.  Go listen now. 

Simple pleasure - a tapestry of voices
Peace