{mosimage}With cooler weather forecast for our region, more people are going to start looking for outside activities. How does a relaxing evening down by the river — complete with great food and smooth jazz — sound? If it sounds tempting, you don’t have to look far, as WFSS 91.9 FM will host its third annual Jazz on the River event at Campbellton Landing on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m.  Gates will open at 5 p.m., rain or shine. 
    “This event is part of our fall fundraising effort,” said Janet Wright, program director of WFSS 91.9 FM. “The station used to only do on-air fund drives and we felt that we should do something a little more creative.” 
      The performers for the event are jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon from Montreaux, Switzerland; jazz guitarist Nick Colionne from the south side of Chicago; and electric violinist Ken Ford from Atlanta, Ga.      
      “We have people coming from Atlanta and Maryland to see the show,” said Wright.
“There has been a request from fans to do this event more than once a year.” 
      Wright said that it feels good to see the event grow yearly and know that people enjoy it.
    WFSS is owned by Fayetteville State University and has been on the air for 31 years. It started out as a 10-watt station and currently has 100,000 watts serving 13 counties in southeastern North Carolina. The station streams its signal on the Internet so deployed soldiers and other listeners can follow the programming online.
“We mainly feature news and jazz music,” said Wright. “On the weekends we play blues, bluegrass, gospel, African, Latin and folk music.”  
      WFSS airs several radio shows, including: Chat with the Chamber, Community Health and The Arts Connection.  
      The purpose of Chat with the Chamber is to keep the community aware of businesses, economic developments and opportunities. Community Health talks to local physicians regarding the latest developments in medicine and informs local citizens about health services that are provided in the Fayetteville community.
      The Arts Connection focuses on events that are taking place in the world of the arts. The program guide can be viewed at www.wfss.org.    
    Proceeds will be used for operating expenses for WFSS. An on-air fundraising drive is scheduled for this October. 
“We are public radio and we do not air commercials,” said Wright. “Therefore we have to raise our money in different ways.” 
     Food vendors will be onsite for the concert event. WFSS will sell alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Coolers are not permitted. 
     “People are invited and encouraged to bring a lawn chair,” said Wright. “It is going to be a fun and successful event with great music.”   
     Campbellton Landing is located at 1122 Person St. on the banks of the Cape Fear River. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate. For more information or to purchase tickets call 672-2650 or 672-1381. Tickets can also be purchased at Fort Bragg MWR Tickets & Tours at 396-8747.

Contact Shanessa Fenner at editor@upandcomingweekly.com