:Vocalo.org

I'm all about three local events happening this week:

• We're holding our first Make Your Radio workshops here at Vocalo on September 18 and 19: For two nights running, folks will be coming here to learn the basics of recording, editing and uploading audio for Vocalo.org ... and we'll be spinning some of the results today!
• All five members of the Federal Communications Commission are coming to town for a hearing on September 20. The FCC has been considering some new rules about media ownership recently-- like, how many radio and TV stations should one company be allowed to own in one town?-- and all five commissioners will be in town on Thursday to hear input from the public. If you're interested in making your radio-- or your own music, or getting local news-- this is a big deal. Why? Vocalo's Robin Amer has been talking to folks who plan to testify, and we'll let them do the explaining.
• Chicago's own gypsy-punk marching band, Mucca Pazza, is doing a four-night stand at the Hideout this week, with different guests every night, including local non-profits (like Vocalo contributors Young Chicago Authors) and great local and national musicians, including punk-rock legend Exene Cervenka. Mucca Pazza band-leader Mark Messing joins us as a guest-host for an hour today! He'll spin some of his band's tunes, some by the folks they'll be playing with, and we'll talk about the band and the local do-gooders that Mucca Pazza calls "the people in our neighborhood."