WORT FM

09/25/2025

Today, we are kicking off our TICKET GIVEAWAYS for two local plays with upcoming performances at Bartell Community Theatre: “An Ideal Husband” & “Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Fantasy. Really.” Giveaways for “An Ideal Husband” begin today, and we will start giving out Dracula tickets in 2-3 weeks. Tune in to WORT 89.9FM to get free tickets!🎟

Here is some information about the two plays:

An Ideal Husband
Playing at the Bartell from 9/27 - 10/11.
8 pairs of tickets to give away live on air.
To buy tickets: https://bartelltheatre.org/2025/an-ideal-husband-2/
Madison Theatre Guild presents a delightfully modern spin on Oscar Wilde’s comedy “An Ideal Husband” playing at The Bartell Theatre September 26th through October 11th.

During Senator Robert Chiltern’s campaign fundraising party — as wine, donation checks and razor sharp wit abound — a malicious blackmailer threatens him with scandal and disgrace. Fear not, by curtain call, idle pl***oy Arthur Goring manages quite heroically to save Chiltern’s reputation and marriage. Prepare to laugh and be reminded that while no one is ideal, (most) everyone is worthy of love and forgiveness.

Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Fantasy. Really.
Playing at The Bartell 10/16 - 11/1.
7 pairs of tickets to give away live on air.
To buy tickets: https://bartelltheatre.org/2025/dracula-a-feminist-revenge-fantasy-really/
Madison Public Theatre invites you to their Halloween production of “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really” opening October 16th and running through November 1st at the Bartell Theatre.

Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s vampire classic doesn’t parody Victorian repression so much as she wrests it out of the hands of the men and gifts it back to the women. Bouncing between horror and humor, Kate Hamill’s adaptation is a thrilling play that questions who the true monsters are. Fierce, feminist, frightening!

09/24/2025

The start of the Fall Pledge Drive is October 3rd and runs through the 12th, and we have plenty of shifts that still need to be filled! Right now, we're hoping to find early birds and night owls to help fill in some of the bigger gaps.

Remember, anyone can sign up to answer phones as long as they are able to write somewhat legibly. You can also sign up with family and friends and work a shift together!

Highlight, copy, and then paste the following link into your browser to see what shifts work for your schedule! https://www.wortfm.org/cgi-bin/longsignup

There are a lot of signs that summer is coming to a close. The temperatures are beginning to drop, a few yellow leaves are starting to appear, September is here, and the Fall Pledge Drive needs volunteers to answer phones! Starting October 3rd and running through the 12th, the Fall Pledge Drive will be in full swing!

Anyone can sign up to answer phones as long as they are able to write legibly and have no major hearing issues.

No experience is required. ✔️
Free meals, snacks, and drinks are available. 🥐🥝🍩
Shifts are available all throughout the day to fit anyone's schedule. ⏰📅
You can meet your favorite WORT DJ! 🎙️

Copy the link below and paste it into your browser to see what shifts work for your schedule, and see if you can sign up with a friend!
https://www.wortfm.org/cgi-bin/longsignup

09/21/2025

THE BELLRAYS❗Will be tearin' it up at the Fair shortly 🤘 •DO•NOT•MISS•IT•💫🌟⚡
WORT stage - 800 blk - 5:30
https://facebook.com/events/s/wort-underground-stage-at-will/2001531560585762/

09/20/2025

Madison Symphony Orchestra and Fresco Opera both have performances tonight!! Maestro John DeMain and Dr. Melanie Cain came on The Ava Borelli Show to discuss their performances with Ava Borelli.

Maestro John DeMain is in his 32nd and final season as music director of the Madison Symphony Orchestra. He spoke with Ava Borelli about two very special concerts he’ll be conducting: the first is, “Pure Joy Opening Night: Maestro’s Dinner,” featuring pianist Olga Kern, music by Tchaikovsky and a post-concert dinner in his honor on Friday, September 19; and a second program, “Soar with Cirque de La Symphonie & Party into the Night,” featuring Cirque (circus) performers, music from famous film scores and a huge after-party, with dinner, dancing, and food stations on Saturday, Sept 20. Maestro DeMain notes that these events kick off the MSO’s centennial celebrations and shares more on the concert programs. Both concerts take place in Overture Hall. Tickets and more information are at madisonsymphony.org.
https://www.wortfm.org/maestro-demain-talks-opening-concerts-for-his-final-season/

Dr. Melanie Cain, co-founder and artistic director of Fresco Opera Theatre, spoke with Ava Borelli about upcoming performances of Opera on the Point, a show that turns the fire circle at the end of Picnic Point into a stage of firelight, storytelling and song. Performances are Sept 20 and 27 at 7 p.m. Audiences gather around a roaring bonfire. This year’s show, Whispers from the Woods, brings to life the spirits said to inhabit the woods and water: witches, dryads, water spirits, and the mysterious orbs of light that drift along the peninsula. Plan ahead for a 1-mile walk to the fire circle at the end of Picnic Point. Information about the program, ensemble and setting can be found at Fresco Opera.
https://www.wortfm.org/fresco-opera-presents-whispers-from-the-woods/

Listen to the full interviews on our website!

09/19/2025

HERE WE GO! Tonite is Thee Big WORT FM - WISCO Rock Party❗The kick-ass bands are gonna Bring. It.🤘 And YO - Raffle Prizes Galore, inc. ⚡TRUE NORTH FEST tix ⚡FREAKIN' HALLOWEEKEND tix • Gift Certs. from ⚡ MADCITY MUSIC 💿 ⚡SALVATORE'S 🍕 + Far Out WORT Merch!
All the deets on WORT's socials & the FB Event page.
See y'all soon at The Wisco 💓
https://facebook.com/events/s/wort-wiscos-10th-annual-willy-/1552609585902189/

09/18/2025

The W***y Street Fair Pre-Party is TOMORROW at The Wisco, with doors opening at 8 PM and the live bands starting at 9 PM. Donations at the door of $10 or more will receive a raffle ticket (more raffle tix will be available for purchase) and giveaways will happen between bands.

WORT is also sponsoring the Underground Stage at the W***y Street Fair THIS SUNDAY. This year, our station chose the following bands to play live music on this stage: Def Sonic, The Dana Perry Band, The Brash Menagerie, Clean Room and The BellRays.

Celebrating WORT’s 10th annual W***y Street Fair Pre-Party and 50 YEARS of community broadcasting!

We hope to see you there.🎉

09/18/2025

It's almost Fair weekend and we're Fired Up for the awesome bands Friday nite AND Giving Away stuff to YOU! We've called them 'Famous' Raffles for awhile now, welp, because they are❗PRIZE UPDATE! -
In addition to the tix to • TRUE NORTH FEST @ Duck Pond 9/27 & • FREAKIN' HALLOWEEKEND @ Atwood Music Hall 10/31 -
We have Gift Certs. kindly donated from • MadCity Music & • SALVATORE'S Tomato Pies ➕
WORT FM Merch! (see below) Prizes will be given away between bands.
SEE Y'ALL at The WISCO 🤘
https://facebook.com/events/s/wort-wiscos-10th-annual-willy-/1552609585902189/

09/17/2025

Put on your dancing shoes and come celebrate WORT’s 50th Birthday and Dan Talmo's 70th Birthday with a Gala on October 11 at The East Side Club in Madison, overlooking the beautiful Capitol skyline. The night benefits WORT Community Radio where Dan has been an international music host for over 30 years.

The event begins at 7pm and features three live bands and plenty of dancing:
🔸Szászka, a Transylvanian Hungarian and Romanian Village String Band
🔸Christo’s Novelty Combo (Christo Ruppenthal - Musician) performs Vintage Hawaiian Jazz
🔸Hirt Alpert with 60’s pop by Madison’s Al Hirt and Herb Alpert Cover Band

Enjoy delicious birthday cake and special giveaways!

Tickets are $20 and are available on our website at wortfm.org, at the station during business hours, and at the door. All proceeds benefit WORT Community Radio.

09/13/2025

⚠️WE ARE SO STOKED for WORT's 10th
ANNUAL❗Wisco ROCK PARTY!
Just a week to go 😮
Besides the kick-ass bands & DJ Kyle Motor - There's another famous WORT Raffle! We promised to let ya know the details, so here's what's in store for PRIZES:
⭐ Pairs of CONCERT TICKETS! :
🔸TRUE NORTH FEST - 9/27 @ Warner Park ($70 value/pair)
www.truenorthfest.com
🔸FREAKIN' HALLOWEEKEND - 10/31 @ Atwood Music Hall
($30 value/pair)
www.freakinhalloweekend.com
⚡PLUS gift certificates from • MAD CITY MUSIC! • WORT swag & more!
Stay tuned to WORT for more details...
*Giveaways will happen between bands.
**Donations at the door of $10 or more will receive a raffle ticket (more raffle tix will be available for purchase)
GET TO THE WISCO NEXT FRIDAY & YOU COULD BE A WINNER! 🤘
https://www.facebook.com/share/1GLwhcYzv4/

09/11/2025

Can’t wait until the Fair to rock out? Get to the 10th Annual W***y Street Fair Pre-Party on Friday, September 19th, graciously hosted by our rock comrades at The Wisco. It's WORT’s 10th ANNUAL rock party, and we’re super fired-up!

WORT FM’s rock parties are renowned for getting the Fair weekend going with gusto, and this one is no exception! WORT is honored to have 3 outstanding local bands donating their talent for this Musicians for WORT fundraiser:
🔸EEK kicks off the night at 9pm with manic surfy punk with songs covering leftist politics, anxiety, and bikes. They’re creating a buzz on the scene – so git yer b***y there early!
🔸Next up, GOLDEN JOINING will keep the party in high gear with their eclectic progressive rock, with a mix of metal and jam, and some funk for good measure.
🔸Closer GEOFF PALMER pop-punk-garage rockers bring it with some raucous sonic action. Geoff and his band craft irresistibly catchy songs bursting with energy, keeping the fun going ’til midnight & beyond!

WORT DJ Kyle Motor will get things rockin’ before the bands – with spins between bands as well! And, as always, we’ll have one of WORT’s famous RAFFLES!! We’ve got some incredible prizes, including pairs of concert tickets! Plus, gift certificates from MadCity Music, WORT merch/swag, and more!

*Giveaways will happen between bands.
**Donations at the door of $10 or more will receive a raffle ticket (more raffle tix will be available for purchase)

Doors at 8pm / DJ at 8:30pm / Bands commence to rock around 9pm
Donation at the door supports volunteer-powered radio 89.9FM [$10-$15 suggested]

Celebrating 50 YEARS of community broadcasting!🎉🎉🎉