Nikola Tesla would be proud of his invention if he could see what radio station KCSB is doing right now. Yes comrades, our beloved student-operated 91.9 FM KCSB is having a party. Not just any party, but KCSB’s annual fund drive. Basically, it is your opportunity to come out and donate some money to your radio station in order for KCSB to continue on doing all the ill things it has been doing for the last 44 years.

“What sorts of things?” you may ask. Aside from its outstanding lineup of underground music that caters to every last taste, KCSB also has radio shows, which discuss a variety of ideas over the airways. “We are unique in our range of music and opportunity for bands who might not have a home anywhere else,” Development Coordinator Ted Coe said. KCSB Sports is quite impressive as well. When the UCSB men’s soccer team made it to the championship match last year, KCSB Sports was one of the only ways the UCSB faithful who could not be at the Home Depot Center could listen to the game live. By the way, that game was a record in KCSB listener ratings. Most importantly for all you potential Howard Sterns or Carson Dalys (stop laughing) out there, KCSB provides a launch pad for a career in radio, and the training is free. You can build experience before going out into the vast oceans of the radio market.

Lets talk about the benefits of the fund drive kick-off party. The doors of the Contemporary Arts Forum downtown will open Friday. There will be drinks, music and film. This is just the party, which is a chance to come out and see what KCSB is all about. They will have their DJs spinning live at the Forum. As well, the hip-hop inspired film “Stereomongrel,” will be playing in cooperation with the Contemporary Arts Forum. Singer/songwriters Tom Brosseau and Angela Correa will be performing their unique brand of fusion music. A definite highlight will be Oxnard’s own Epsilon Project, a group of hip-hop artists who have opened up for Hieroglyphics and Tha Alkaholiks. Rounding out the night will be Funk Union Local 805, whose infectious songs should bring the Paseo Nuevo’s roof down on the Contemporary Arts Forum.

Monday after the party the true fund drive begins. Pledge-takers will be taking calls and donations for the station. The more you pledge, the more you get. The minimum donation for students is $25 for students and $50 dollars for everyone else. That meager amount could get you any number of gifts – from CDs, T-shirts, a bike and other goodies. KCSB is looking for funding to maintain the station, as well as maintain what Coe calls, “The message of keeping independent voices on the air.”