WHAT: 10th ANNUAL CHIRP RECORD FAIR & OTHER DELIGHTS
WHEN: April 14 & 15, 2012, 10am – 5pm
WHERE: Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Union, 1340 W. Washington in Chicago
The Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP) presents the 10th Annual Record Fair & Other Delights on April 14 -15, 2012 at The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union (1340 West Washington Boulevard). Mark your calendar for the only record fair in Chicago proper as CHIRP returns to the West Loop for the fourth consecutive year, celebrating a very special birthday!
Over 80 tables of vinyl, CDs, posters, ‘zines, artwork, crafts and other delights will be on hand, offering something for casual and serious collectors of every genre of music imaginable. . Dealers come from all over the country and range from genre specialists with rare records to generalists with something for everyone’s tastes. In addition to vinyl; 8-tracks, cassettes, DVDs and other forms of media will be available. While experienced vinyl enthusiasts are always the first in line when doors open, the Fair continues to welcome more and more novice vinyl collectors every year. This year, in honor of the 10th anniversary, CHIRP staffers will put together a special “Guide to the Record Fair” for new vinyl shoppers, offering the best tips on how to shop for and collect vinyl.
Over the last decade, the Record Fair has welcomed hundreds of dealers and thousands of shoppers, generated thousands of dollars to help support community radio, and grown to become a must-see event for serious music fans from around the Midwest, making the Record Fair a unique experience unparalleled elsewhere. “The popularity of this event shows there is clearly still a need for a full-on vinyl fair,” says Mary Nisi, Record Fair Director. “This is the biggest fair in the Midwest and we hope that it will be even bigger at our 20th fair!”
More than just a fun event or a charitable fundraiser, the CHIRP Record Fair is a community meeting space for music fans from Chicago and the surrounding area. In addition to shopping for music and other delights, attendees can learn about CHIRP, listen to special guest DJs, play games, and partake in offerings from food and beer vendors. This year, there will be a variety of “Other Delights” including a children’s area, photo booth, pop quiz trivia hosted by Jake Austen of Rocktober and Chic-a-go-go, live rock and roll caricatures from Plastic Crimewave and DJ sets from Numero Group and Plastic Crimewave. Plus, special surprises too!
“We love the record fair because it brings together such a great, diverse group of passionate music fans from across the region,” says Shawn Campbell, President of the Chicago Independent Radio Project. “It’s like a gathering of CHIRP listeners and potential listeners all in one place!”
CHIRP Radio is Chicago’s source for great local, independent, and under-appreciated music and culture. Called Chicago’s “best overall radio station” in the Chicago Reader’s 2011 Best of Chicago issue, the station is live and local 365 days a year at CHIRPradio.org. CHIRP is a volunteer-driven, listener-supported effort and the Record Fair is now the organization’s largest annual event. Proceeds from the Record Fair support the station’s operational costs such as rent and streaming fees.
The CHIRP Record Fair & Other Delights runs Saturday, April 14th and Sunday, April 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $7, or $5 with an ad or flyer. A special $25 pre-admission session from 8:00-10:00 a.m. on Saturday allows collectors early access to the dealers and offers unlimited access all weekend long. Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Union is located at 1340 W. Washington in Chicago. Free parking is available. Visit http://www.CHIRPrecordfair.com for more information.