TCTV and TMVOA host “Papa Grows Funk” August 1

29 Jul TCTV and TMVOA host “Papa Grows Funk” August 1

[click “Play” to hear Susan’s conversation with Cole Early]

TCTV and the Telluride Mountain Village Owner’s Association present “Papa Grows Funk,” a free concert on the Telluride/Mountain Village Sunset Stage, Saturday, August 1, 2009, 6 – 9 p.m. The event is part of “Public Access Television Awareness Month, ” recognizing 20+ years of TCTV12’s contribution to the community.

Created in 1986, TCTV12’s mission was and is to celebrate Telluride’s culture by capturing its vitality, connecting citizens to on another, and educating through the medium of television.

TCTV12 is a treasure trove of local history, producing about 180 hours of new programming per year, filming lectures, theatre, political debates, music, dance, drama, all the annual events of a vast array of local non-profits, including summer festivals and kids’ activities.

TCTV is dedicated to the development of young people in the region and features a student news program among its youth initiatives.

TCTV became one of the smallest public access TV station in the country thanks to the efforts of Dean Rolley 23 years ago.  Overnight Dean became the town’s technical guru, pointing his camera at over 100 events a year. All that filming left little time for the nuts and bolts of administering a nonprofit, not to mention development work. Today, executive director Cole Early runs TCTV’s operations and plans its development with his board, but Dean recently left after a long, successful run to pursue other passions. In his place is Sean Deland, formerly of PLUM-TV, the station’s new technical director. Sean is also in the local band “Back of the Bus.”

Papa Grows Funk, like the Neville Brothers and The Meters, is an all-star New Orleans boogie outfit, with great appeal to the 20- and 30-somethings in town  – and those who are 20- or 30-something in their hearts.

In the Big Easy, PGF’s memorable Maple Leaf shows are held in as high regard as the chow at Galatoire’s.  All the requisite ingredients for an ear-tickling musical gumbo are on the table: steaming Hammond, chinky guitar, wailing sax, and a rhythm section heavy enough to keep tail-feathers shaking. Following the New Orleans music tradition, PGF keeps its music tight and its beats syncopated, but greases the skids with loose, jazzy improvisation.

Papa Grows Funk performs without a safety net. There are no  no rehearsals, no playlists. The only constant: the free and easy spirit of the Crescent City.

 TCTV-12 is also hosting a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind items donated by generous locals and businesses. Donations to the station are gladly accepted.