Clearview Community Radio to host live music

After a one-month closure the Bank Café has reopened with a new vibe.

The café is the new home of Clearview Community Radio.

Owner Natalie Seltzer has partnered with Sandra and Steve Green, who are operating the community radio station out of the café, while also making coffee and acting as support staff.

The radio station is already broadcasting online and the Greens are in the process of applying to Industry Canada and the CRTC – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission – for a developmental licence that would allow them to broadcast on radio with a low wattage.

“We have to stay local, promote local and have local content,” said Sandra.

In order to create local content they are hosting live performances by local musicians at the café beginning Saturday, Nov. 8 with singer-songwriter Ian Duffy, a Glencairn resident, at 7 p.m. and later jazz singer Sharon Beeler will perform with accompanist David Chun.

The performances will be recorded and played on air.

The Greens both have a background in broadcast community television but Steve has always loved radio.

The radio station won’t be a money-maker, it’s all about community, said Sandra.

“There is no want or need for this but we think there is because community is so important,” she said.

They left their jobs to go on a cycling trip with their teenage son the summer before last and it was during the trip that the idea of starting the radio station developed into a solid plan.

The family lives in Brentwood but thought Creemore would be a good community in which to launch the radio project. Sandra said they dreamed of having a storefront location.

Eventually they plan to branch out to the rest of Clearview Township.

The radio station would not be competing with commercial radio as it will not sell advertising.

“It needs to make money to sustain itself,” said Sandra.

She said they are exploring revenue options such as grants, memberships and in-kind partnerships.

They have received status as a non-profit and they are committed to local content, focusing on talk radio and opinion.

They are also hosting a monthly community potluck at 5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, beginning on Nov. 19.

Musicians interested in performing at the café are asked to contact the Greens through the website, clearviewcommunityradio.org.