KGNU Radio Week: May 18–24

KGNU Radio Week is back!

From May 18 to May 24, join us for a weeklong celebration of community-driven media and its impact across the Front Range. Expect an exciting lineup of live events, remote broadcasts, special on-air programming, and the debut of our Days of Action campaign—inviting you to take meaningful steps in support of community media.

This annual tradition was officially recognized by the Boulder City Council, which proclaimed the week of May 22 as KGNU Radio Week in honor of the station’s 47-year legacy. The proclamation highlights KGNU’s vital role in amplifying underrepresented voices and providing trusted, culturally rich programming that serves the entire community.

Events

A full week of collaborative events with partner organizations in Boulder and Denver, showcasing KGNU’s commitment to diversity, creativity, and community connection.

Wednesday, May 21 | 3:30–7:30 PM
Live Broadcast from the Boulder Farmers Market
A vibrant afternoon of music, shopping, and community featuring live performances by Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore, Patrick Dethlefs, Sarah Banker, and Alexa Wildish. We’ll be on air from 3:30 – 6:00 PM, and at the market until 7:30 PM. Stop by and say hello!

Thursday, May 22 | 9:30 AM–11:30 AM
Cake & Coffee at KGNU Studios (4700 Walnut St., Boulder)
Celebrate KGNU’s 47th birthday with OZO coffee, birthday cake, and behind-the-scenes tours of the station.

Thursday, May 22 | 6:30–10 PM
KGNU Birthday Bash at the Velvet Elk Lounge (Boulder)
Dance the night away with great music and community as we toast to 47 years of independent radio. All ages.

Friday, May 23 | 6-9 pm
Happy Hour and Open House at Denver Studios
Join us for a rooftop happy hour at our Denver studios including food from Joy’s Kitchen, beverages, and tunes provided by KGNU DJs. 2101 Arapahoe, Denver.

Saturday, May 24 | 12–6 PM
Live Broadcast from Boulder Creek Festival
Join us for a full afternoon of music with TerraSonic (Joel Davis), Reggae Bloodlines (Donovan Makha), and African Roots (DJ BLED)—broadcasting live from one of Boulder’s most beloved festivals.

Special Programming

Tune in throughout the week for special programs that highlight a rich diversity of voices and topics through our news and public affairs programming and an eclectic mix of music.

Wednesday, May 21

Morning Sound Alternative, 9:30am – noon
Uncle Jeff returns to the morning show to share his current favorite music.
Special Live Broadcast from Boulder Farmers Market, 3:30pm – 6:00pm
KGNU’s Music Director Indra Raj provides the soundtrack for an afternoon at the market, featuring several short live performances by favorite local musicians throughout the afternoon.
Afternoon Sound Alternative, noon – 3pm
KGNU DJ Steve Whitehead presents a series of sets dedicated to the various show collectives featured throughout KGNU’s eclectic music programming.
Alternative Radio, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
David Barsamian features activist, educator, and organizer Claudia De La Cruz, who shares her bold vision for systemic change, grounded in justice and collective power. Tune in as she imagines a new world beyond capitalism, part of her national “Fighting the Billionaire Coup” tour.
Seolta Gael, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Rodger Hara speaks with local Celtic musician Wolf Loescher about his recent new music and more.
Musica Mundi, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Sanford Baran takes us around the world of music, featuring mostly new global releases.

Thursday, May 22

Resistance Calendar during the Morning Magazine, 8am – 8:30am
A weekly segment featuring local protests and activism in the Front Range.
Radio Nibbles, 8:25am – 8:30am
Where can you find something incredible to taste in Boulder?
Almost every Thursday for the past 30-plus years, John Lehndorff has shared his local taste finds on Radio Nibbles. As a special Radio Week treat, John will reveal the list of the best Boulder County foods, beverages and restaurants he shares with friends and visitors.
Radio Bookclub, 9:00am – 9:30am
Best-selling horror author Stephen Graham Jones speaks about his new book The Buffalo Hunter Hunter. This Native American revenge story takes us back more than a century, where a vampire seeks vengeance on the Blackfeet reservation. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience at the Boulder Public Library. Hosted by Maeve Conran
Morning Sound Alternative, 9:30am – Noon
A special morning of music hosted by Sam Fuqua, including our annual replay of KGNU’s first ever broadcast at 10am!
Afternoon Sound Alternative, Noon – 3:00pm
Jessica Numbers celebrates KGNU’s birthday with an eclectic mix of birthday-themed songs plus a KGNU astrological chart reading by fellow DJ Alex Lauria.

Friday, May 23

Connections, 8:30am – 9:30am
Host Kathy Partridge welcomes political philosopher Elizabeth Minnich, author of “The Evil of Banality: On the Life and Death Importance of Thinking”
Dusty Grooves, 9:00pm – 11:00pm
The Sandman takes us on a sonic time machine to KGNU’s birth year featuring tracks released in 1978.
Saturday, May 24
Honky Tonk Heroes, 6:00am – 9:00am
Greg Schultz puts together sets featuring picks from the Honky Tonk Personalities series, including selections from everyone in the current crew!

Check back for regular programming updates.

Days of Action

Each day during Radio Week, take one simple step to support independent media and amplify community voices. Here’s how you can get involved.

Monday, May 19 — Tune In & Shout Out
What have you heard on KGNU that changed the way you see the world? Share your story with friends, post it on social media, and tag us!
Instagram: @kgnu
Facebook: @kgnuradio

Tuesday, May 20 — Build Community
We grow through you. Know someone who would love KGNU? Tell three friends about the station and invite them to tune in.

Wednesday, May 21 — Live Local with KGNU
Connect with your community through KGNU’s hyper-local news, music, and event coverage. Celebrate the stories, artists, and issues that make our region unique. Join us, tune in, and spread the word about our special live broadcast from the Boulder Farmers Market (3:30–7:30pm) featuring short performances by a variety of local musicians.

Thursday, May 22 — Celebrate with Us
Join us for our KGNU Birthday Bash at the Velvet Elk Lounge as we celebrate 47 years of independent, community-powered radio in Boulder and beyond!

Friday, May 23 — Turn Up the Power of Community Radio
KGNU runs on people power! Volunteer with us—sign up for our next orientation or invite a friend to join. Support our mission—become a SOLR (Sustainer of Local Radio) member, increase your monthly gift, or make a one-time donation. However you plug in, you’re part of what keeps community radio strong.
Volunteer Orientation Info and Sign Up
Give to KGNU

Past Events

Sunday, May 18

Pasa La Voz, 4pm – 5pm
Rossana Longo speaks with speakers from the Collaborative Journalism Summit, including Jeff Belzil with International Women’s Media Foundation, Vanessa María Graber with Free Press panelist on Collective Action to Protest for Free Press, and Claudia Amaro with Planeta Venus who presented on the importance of true community engagement with communities.
Eclipse, 7pm – 10pm
A celebration of the longest running radio hip-hop show in Colorado, featuring many past and present Eclipse DJs. The phone lines will be open for listener requests and opportunities to share your love for Eclipse over the airwaves.

Monday, May 19

Morning Sound Alternative, 9:30am – noon
Join Ginger Perry for a morning of music featuring Songs about Radio.
Monday, May 19 | 12–3 PM
Afternoon Sound Alternative Live Broadcast from Wax Trax
Featuring DJ Iris Berkeley spinning vinyl and local grooves live from Wax Trax’s Broadway Bazaar in Denver.
Rocky Mtn Community Radio Regional RoundUp, 3:30pm – 4:00pm
Republicans in Congress want to use public lands for housing development, but a new study suggests that’s not a viable solution to the housing crisis. We’ll also hear about a water conservation program in Western Colorado and a horse rescue group working to save animals from auction and protect them from kill buyers. Then, we hear about a Navajo community in southeastern Utah that recently got running water… for the first time. With Maeve Conran.
La Lucha Sigue, 6:00pm – 6:30pm
This show covers the assassination of a second Peruvian journalist in 2025, the killing of 13 goldmine workers, and President Boluarte’s approval dropping to 2%. Meanwhile, Venezuela plans regional and parliamentary elections, including the disputed Essequibo region, as U.S. military activity increases nearby. The Pan-American Health Organization warns climate change is expanding disease risk zones.
A Classic Monday, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Enjoy an interview by KGNU’s Sanford Baran with two members of Boulder’s Takács Quartet and pianist Marc Andre Hamelin, discussing their new album Dvořák & Price: Piano Quintets, released March 28.

Tuesday, May 20

How on Earth, 8:30am – 9:00am
Arvind Panjabi, Senior Research Scientist at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, speaks about bird conservation efforts across our region and what they tell us about the health of our ecosystems.
Morning Sound Alternative, 9:30am – noon
DJ Carebear features artists from ongoing KGNU’s Presents calendar – a list of local music concerts with the KGNU seal of approval. To celebrate the ticket giveaways we offer our listeners throughout the year, this show will be packed with 6+ ticket giveaways to upcoming shows.
Kabaret, 7pm – 8pm
KGNU’s weekly live and local music program welcomes Ingrid Avison onto the airwaves for a full hour of live music and conversation. Hosted by Will Two-Step.
Sound Lab, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Iris Berkeley presents the best music of 2025 through eclectic and diverse freeform radio.