Save the Date

March Orientation: DMA offers a free orientation to its programs and services each month. This next general orientation will take place March 15th from 6:30-8 p.m. at our media center, 1623 Fifth Street in Davis. Topics covered will include an overview of DMA’s services; information about internships, and training and volunteer opportunities available through DMA.  If you've been thinking of getting involved with DMA, this is your first step.  A reservation is appreciated and helps us contact you should we have to reschedule, but drop-ins are welcome.

Picnic Day: KDRT volunteers will once again march in the annual Picnic Day Parade held at UC Davis. This year’s event, themed “Growing Together,” takes place April 22, 2017.  We had a great time last year and will go even bigger this year with our own float.

Film Premiere: We are so pleased to announce the premiere of the long-awaited film, “Closing the Palms Playhouse: The End of Era in Davis” will take place on Sunday, June 4, 2017. The event will be part of Davis’ Centennial Celebration, and also be a benefit for DMA! Filmmaker Alvin Remmers has utilized equipment and services through DMA for many years as he’s worked on his opus, which chronicles the closing of the original Palms Playhouse in South Davis. The film features interviews with and archival footage of many musicians, as well as those involved in the Davis art and music scene “back in the day.” We can’t wait!

KDRT at Armadillo

The wonderful KDRT crew has paired up with the equally wonderful Armadillo Music and Downtown Davis to bring live music and a live broadcast on 95.7 FM to the downtown during Second Friday Art About. Check kdrt.org, or like the KDRT page on Facebook or its Twitter feed to stay in the loop about upcoming Second Fridays.

Need more KDRT? Whether it’s jazz or jug band music, indie rock or Americana,  Bollywood music, or public affairs programming, KDRT has you covered. Grateful Dead, classical, reggae, or folk?  Explore hours of programming brought to you by nearly 40 local programmers.  KDRT helps highlight local musicians—often with frequent live performances in the KDRT studio--and so much more.  Tune into KDRT in Davis at 95.7 FM, or listen worldwide at kdrt.org.

Programming Highlights

DMA recorded the “Town Hall Forum with Congressman John Garamendi, D-CA” on Feb. 12, 2017, at the Veterans Memorial Theater in Davis. The standing-room only event featured a wide range of concerns from local citizens. The program is airing on DCTV, Channel 15 on Comcast Davis and Menu 99 on AT&T U-verse.

Also in mid-February, DMA Studio Manager Diane Dedoshka and Executive Director Autumn Labbé-Renault helped 11 non-profits create short, impactful public service announcements about their work. These short pieces are designed to be shared on wesbsites and social media, creating an easy way to help them communicate about their mission and impact. They also air frequently on DCTV.

With the passage of Proposition 64, the "California Marijuana Legalization Initiative," last November, there’s a real need to plan for the changes this will bring to businesses, local government, law enforcement, and venues. DMA offers up two pieces to help in understanding these changes. The first "Davis Hunts Sweet Spot for its Budding Marijuana Law," an episode of  “Davisville,” on KDRT, features host and producer Bill Buchanan interviewing Davis City Manager Dirk Brazil, and Chief Innovation Officer Diane Parro, discussing how the City begins to implement a cannabis policy.

Secondly, on March 7, DMA will record the Davis Chamber of Commerce luncheon panel "Canabis and its Place in the Davis Business Comunity". Moderated by Mayor Robb Davis, the panel features Ash Feeney, City of Davis; David Delaini, Davis Police Department; John Young, Yolo County Agriculture, Weights & Measures; Heidi D ’Agostino, Yolo County Marijuana Task Force; April Meneghetti, Yolo County Environmental Health; Keith Pitts, Marrone Bio Innovations, and Lorne Silverstein, Integrate Cal. We’ll make the video available on DCTV and online once edited.

A Note From the Director

It’s been a month filled with collaborative meetings, from strategic planning sessions with the Arts Alliance Davis, to meetings of the City’s Broadband Advisory Task Force. This work has me thinking about larger community processes, stakeholders, and long-term impact, and the roles that Davis Media Access (DMA) might play.

The arts meetings brought together regular Alliance participants—artists, galleries, museums, and arts organizations—with stakeholders representing schools, the city, and the university, as well as a cross-section of musicians, neighborhood organizers, parents, and fundraisers. The process came together under the leadership of City Arts & Culture Manager Rachel Hartsough, and it will inform her work in months to come as she writes grants that could fund larger-scale community art efforts.

The strategic planning has been a process of identifying community arts assets and gaps, and visioning forward to 2027. What might the arts landscape in Davis look like in 10 years? The ideas that resonated, for me, focused on neighborhood art projects and engagement, a la the work of the Davis Manor Neighborhood Council, and developing public art projects that center on conflict resolution.

DMA's Work Rooted in Free Expression

Regardless of how one feels about the outcome of the election, it’s clear we’re a nation deeply divided. At such a time, Davis Media Access (DMA) reaffirms its commitment to providing platforms for the diverse voices in our community and beyond. Our work is rooted in protecting and promoting access to media tools and training, and to ensuring that all people have options for expressing themselves freely. In many ways, every day, we help boost the signal of what’s happening in our community.

My early career included stints as a newspaper reporter and editor. I loved going to cover lectures, protests, and other events that opened my eyes to new information. It was my job to ask hard questions and look for more than one viewpoint or source. Newsrooms were very different places back then, and news outlets were owned by many hundreds of corporations. Since I’ve been working in non-commercial community media—20 years this month—commercial media in this country has endured consolidation and a loosening of restrictions on media cross-ownership, to the point where 90 percent of major media are owned by just six corporations. I’ve written reams about these issues, and about the dangers of watering down and homogenizing the Fourth Estate. In lieu of actual news, we’ve become a nation of news-feed junkies reinforcing our own stereotypes via the echo chamber that is social media.

Boost the Signal - Fall Fundraiser

While there are many reasons to support KDRT and Davis Media Access, our mission to amplify community voices is vital at this time. We've talked to listeners, we've tallied survey results, and we know some of you can't hear us very well! We have a plan, and now we’re asking you to Signal Your Support.

KDRT’s very first Fall Fundraiser aims to raise $5,200 for a new antenna to Boost the Signal across Davis. Jeff Shaw, who serves both as DMA’s production manager and KDT’s general manager, explains. "Our antenna was hastily installed in 2008 when we had to change frequencies, and it’s less than ideal –we've found our signal reach is not ideal for many listeners in Davis. We want to improve our signal so everyone in Davis can hear KDRT 95.7 FM clearly."

To donate, visit here. The fundraiser kicks off Nov. 28, but early-bird donations are welcome, too, of course! Please help us increase our reach across Davis: Boost the Signal! Don't miss the selection of thank-you gifts available on the donation page.

KDRT’s programmers and volunteer Management Team invite you to tune in for some special fundraiser programming starting at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 28, and running through Dec. 5. We hope to celebrate our success at DMA’s Holiday Open House on Dec. 5. Thank you!

You’re Invited! Holiday Open House Dec. 5

Our DMA community celebrates the winter holidays in many ways, pulling from many traditions. However you celebrate, we hope you’ll join us on Monday, Dec. 5 between 6-8:30 p.m for our Annual Holiday Open House. If you’ve been before, you know it’s a jam-packed celebration of everything DMA, with abundant food and drink, and lots of fun folk. If you haven’t been, it’s a great time to learn more about DMA’s work, and meet some of the vibrant people who participate here. All are welcome; no RSVP necessary. Please drop by any time during the evening!

Fragrance Policy

Did you know? Allergies to fragrance or multiple chemical sensitivities can be classified as disabilities under ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act. There are a number of people within the DMA community for whom artificial fragrance is not just unappealing, but constitutes a health hazard. This includes perfume and cologne, scented soaps, heavily scented deodorants, etc. Please help us make DMA a fragrance-free zone, and leave the fragranced products behind when you participate here. Thank you!

Save the Date - General Orientation Jan. 18

Curious about KDRT, DCTV or DJUSD Channel 17, and want to learn how Davis Media Access can help you? Plan to attend one of our General Orientations! We take a break from orientations in December, but return Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Any potential volunteers should attend one of these, held monthly. They last about an hour and include the history of Davis Media Access, a tour of the facilities, and information on how to get involved. Anybody is welcome to attend an Orientation, but to use the facility for your own productions you have to live, go to school, or volunteer at an organization in Davis, California. Davis Media Access does not charge for the use of our equipment and facilities and attending a General Orientation is the first step for getting involved. Register now.