The public access radio station, KVMR 89.5 FM, has been a mainstay in Nevada County for over 45 years, but the lesser-known KVMRx at 105.7 FM is looking to make a mark in the world of broadcasting and is working to bring attention as an alternative to lovers of their parent public broadcasting station. Broadcasters of KMVRx are working to reach listeners, by breaking out of the studio and onto the dance floor. To that end, KVMRx A’GoGo — A DJ Dance Night takes place Friday, August 16 from 8:00 p.m. to midnight at Miners Foundry. It’s a not to be missed opportunity to meet the people behind the turntables while dancing the night away.
Spearheaded by DJ Amelia Arellanes with support from Program Director Jai Hanes, the dance party was a hit among listeners and other community members. DJ Arellenes said they have been holding the dance parties all summer long and it is open to all, “It’s all ages so we really welcome young people as well, but it’s music for everyone.”
“KVMRx has been doing DJ night outreaches. We’ve been wanting to do monthly, consistent dance parties,” DJ Arellenes explained. “KVMRx is the other radio station. We are different from KVMR. We are smaller and just basically an alternative to KVMR’s music and all of our music, in general, is alternative.”
While the station gears itself to the younger demographic, when it comes to dancing, the crowd is really all ages. “We say that we cater to younger people but honestly, it’s more like people my parents’ age who are dancing because people my age don’t necessarily like to dance,” the 20-year-old said. Dancing, of course, is not required and many who attend simply enjoy watching and listening.
This month’s dance party features DJs Arellanes, John Axel, The Moore Brothers, and Troy and each DJ brings their own flair to the turntables and mixers. From the ‘60s to ‘80s post-punk to Reggae, there is a wide variety of tunes focused on getting people out of their seats and on their feet.
Arellanes has been a DJ for about 18 months. She signed up for the KVMRx DJ training class and has been working on the air ever since, now broadcasting each Saturday from 2 — 4 p.m. She features a new theme each week with formats ranging from a specific record label to a specific genre to local artists to world artists — you have to tune in to hear what she has in store.
Other KMVRx DJs will bring their own sound to the mixer, making for a wide variety of music for those who love to listen as well as for those who love to dance, Arellanes said, “The DJ dance night is kind of like KVMRx in a nutshell because every DJ brings their own style and their own taste in music, but it all very danceable.”
Admission is a very reasonable eight dollars and a portion of the cost goes directly to KVMRx which helps fund the nonprofit.
KVMRx Program Director Jai Hanes said the station had been holding dance parties here and there but wanted to have a consistent way to reach out. “It’s really about the community and part of our outreach. We want to see the youth come out and come out to see our youth broadcasters as well and Miners Foundry was all in, so we decided to do a summer series,” said Hanes. The dance parties have been well received, but cooler weather will hopefully bring more people to the Foundry.
Hanes said KVMRx is the offspring of the more established parent KVMR and really a gift to the community, “We are the bad kid. We play the fun stuff. Our lineup is so wide, it keeps it very interesting. People say if they get a little tired of KMVR, they’ll turn it to the ‘X’ and have the options in a small town, to listen to radio on the FM dial that is embedded in the community, like KVMR, and is in touch with the community is something. We have a great lineup and great DJs and we are just getting started.”
DJ Arellenes encourages anyone who is interested in becoming a broadcaster to take the class and get on the air, “I love it so much. Because we are a smaller station, we need more broadcasters so there’s a lot more flexibility with your schedule and it’s much more eclectic. It’s a very cool community. Every single broadcaster on KVMRx is a genuinely nice person and so helpful.”
KVMRx is a hyper-local signal on 105.7 in Grass Valley and Nevada City or you can listen anywhere at kvmrx.org.
Give a listen to KVMRx at 105.7 or at KVMRx.org and then get to the Miners Foundry for a night of camaraderie and dance.
Look for their upcoming inaugural festival, “XFEST,” coming to Miners Foundry October 10 with multiple bands, food and other vendors as well as the KVMRx DJss performing. For more information, go to kvmrx.org.
