February is Black History Month, and with that in mind, WMPG will be broadcasting special shows with featured guest artists and additional on-air content throughout February.
This is supplementing our usual programming with the specific focus of highlighting the art, lived experiences, and perspectives of the Black community.
Some of our programming highlights for the month of February which will focus on the Black experience and music by Black artists include:
- Monday Morning Theatre Cruise (Show Tunes) – The Night Train’s Monday morning show will be spotlighting songs from the soundtracks of Broadway musicals and feature films that feature Black actors, actresses and singers. It all happens on Feb 14, Feb 21and Feb 28.
- Land of the Lost with DJ NY Mike – highlighting black and brown artists from ’50s on. Feb 3 Thu 4pm
- The Alternate Route Tuesday 3-5pm all month- highlighting black and brown artists all month with DJ – Hope
- Left of the Dial – Wednesday Feb 2nd 8:30-10pm Afro-Punk: Black pioneers of classic punk, ska and alternative by DJ Shaxx
- The Maine Gospel Train – Sunday Feb 6 8:30-10am – various Black Historical Contributors/Contributions to History including poetry, spoken words with DJ – Sister Milka
- Music of Words – Monday Feb 7, 8.30pm – DJ James will be playing a diverse selection of jazz, rock, spoken word, hip-hop, soul.
- Juke, Jive & Jazz – Wed, Feb 9.1.30pm – a celebration of Black History Month in honor of black Americans, and their ongoing struggle for equality and social justice..Their movement was always aided and sustained by spirituals and jazz music.. And
that uplifting power of music. - The Blues Highway Show – Feb 9, Feb 16 and Feb 23. (hosted by WMPG’s Blues Director, Mike Halmo) and The Night Train Show’s New Blues Cruise (hosted by Bill Audette & Rockin’ Rick). Spotlighting the many Black artists who have performed on the stage of The North Atlantic Blues Festival, an annual event held in Rockland, Maine, since 1994.
- Something for the Weekend – Feb 11th – Black Queer Artists to Know – musicians who identity as both black and queer. DJ – Annella
- In The Pocket, Thursday at 7pm each week. Flo interviews creative Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and talks about their work.
- Ruby’s Juke Joint – Friday Night Blues, Soul and R&B with host DJ – Ruby. 5pm
- Lagniappe – February 28th DJ Eydie’s Lagniappe. 1.3opm
In addition to these shows and specials, WMPG will be airing soundbites throughout programming about the lives and work of prominent Black historical figures with the hope of highlighting their contributions to the advancement of racial equity, gender rights, the development of popular culture, and more.
Text: Caroline J Davis