No joke: KOTOfm Street Dance is April Fool's Day

29 Mar No joke: KOTOfm Street Dance is April Fool's Day

[click “Play” for Susan’s chat with jumpin’ jan]

KOTO’s history is the history of Telluride from the days of cowboys and hippies to the present era of relative financial stability. (We said “relative.”)

In the wild and wooly days of the 1970s, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had a small niche in its restrictive regulations that allowed a private nonprofit to build and operate a 10-watt FM radio station. Into that niche jumped a odd assortment of locals. An application was filed. Time, money and space were provided by dozens of folks. Town Council came up with $10,000 over two years for equipment. The FCC said “Do it.” KOTO was legally broadcasting on October 3, 1975. Since then, our radio station has been entirely supported by the greater Telluride community, in an elite club that includes only  six other stations nationwide. No advertising. No underwriting.

No joke. On April 1, April Fool’s Day, KOTOfm community radio invites everyone to “celebrate the season and show us your pink” at its FREE end-of-season Pink Flamingo Street Dance. Cross-dressing Ralph Dinosaur and his Fabulous Volcanoes is the headliner. The opening act is an emerging local band, The Great Funktier. The event, which takes place from 3 – 8 p.m. on Main Street, includes a costume contest, prizes and more.

“This is the second year in a row KOTO has invited a local band to kick off the Street Dance,” explained music director Suzanne Cheavens. “It’s a coveted slot, opening for ‘Ralph Dinosaur’ and a real tip of the hat to the vibrant music scene we have right here in Telluride. ‘The Great Funktier’ is a great group with gifted players who’ve become real tight in the relatively short time they’ve been playing together. They have a smooth, funky vibe and killer originals. I dig ’em.”

“There is nothing in the world like a Telluride party,” said KOTO’s special event coordinator jumpin’ jan (zink), quoting Ralph from his original “Telluride Stomp.”

To learn more about whatup with KOTO and the Street Dance, click the “play” button and listen to jumpin’s interview.