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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane Record Expo to benefit KYRS through sales of vinyl records

Shahrokh Nikfar prepares material for his show “The Persian Hour” on KYRS Radio, March 17, 2007, in Spokane, Wash. The program airs on Saturday at noon. (Brian Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

Organizers of a first Spokane Record Expo hope to make it an annual fundraising event and celebration of the vinyl record format.

The show Saturday will benefit KYRS-FM, a volunteer-powered, noncommercial, independent radio station housed in the Community Building.

“This is a Spokane record show,” said JJ Wandler, organizer of the event and owner of Garageland, a vinyl record shop and pub at 230 W. Riverside Ave.

Wandler has enlisted 18 record collectors or stores to offer collections for sale. They will be coming from Missoula, Portland, Tri-Cities and Seattle.

“We basically have 18 tables full of vinyl records from vendors,” Wandler said.

The vendors are kicking in $40 per table, and a $2 cover charge will be collected at the door from shoppers, all of which will benefit KYRS.

“I would love it to happen every year,” Wandler said.

Vinyl has found a lasting niche in recorded music that goes beyond collectible albums. New recordings are being published in vinyl as one of the options for purchasers.

“There are lots of kids into it now days,” he said. Vinyl records are enjoyed not only for the music, but also the cover art, liner notes and lyrics.

Vendors also may bring cassette tapes, CDs and music memorabilia. Shoppers can bring records to trade or sell.

“This will be a crate-diggers heaven,” according to a promotional ad.

The event is sponsored by Garageland and Corporat Graphic Design. For more information, go to the Spokane Record Expo Facebook page.

KYRS is a low-powered broadcaster found on 88.1 and 92.3 FM. It also streams live at kyrs.org/ and offers a mix of programming.