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Can you imagine getting $50,000 for your first birthday? The University’s student-run television station – The Maine Channel – has, and they’re kicking off the celebration with live entertainment, program previews and, most importantly, free food. The event is sponsored in conjunction with the Campus Activities Board’s Frequency and hosted by UMaine Last Comic Standing contestant Dan Fredrickson. It will take place this Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Bear’s Den at Memorial Union.
The birthday extravaganza is part of a public relations effort to “increase student awareness of The Maine Channel,” said Randy Perkins, promotional director for The Maine Channel. According to a recent survey, 36 percent of University of Maine students have never heard of The Maine Channel. The elaborate celebration will provide an entertaining, informal source of information that, in the words of Liz Boardman, another promotional coordinator, “shows off our capabilities.”
The event will feature segments from the upcoming news show, “The Today, Tonight and Tomorrow Show,” UMaine sports show “Black Bear Nation,” debate/boxing show “Mouthguard,” and talent program “Fame in 15.” Filming for the final program, “Misfortune,” a classic trivia production, will occur live at the actual event. It will consist of two contestants who compete to answer 10 questions with various challenges included.
The news crew will also be around reporting on the event, and other staff will be present to provide information for curious students and student organizations who may want to promote their institution on The Maine Channel for free.
To conclude the show, the audience will hear from local band The Bay State, with special guest Fly Upright Kite.
“We’re all wicked excited for this,” Boardman said. She also said organization for the birthday celebration has been the main topic of discussion among The Maine Channel staff for the last two months.
For Maine Channel Executive Producer Andrew Eldridge, who has endured the initial tumults of The Maine Channel – formed several years back with absolutely no funding – the birthday party stands for something more than fun and entertainment. It provides new direction for the organization and a chance to flex its communicative muscles as well as show continuous live footage of students walking through the mall on Channel 42.
“We’ve been doing a good job advertising,” Eldridge said. He expects it to be “pretty full,” with an estimated crowd of 150-200 people. “There’s been a lot of stuff gone in to planning this event,” he said. Eldridge hopes that students will have a terrific night of entertainment and Pat’s Pizza.
Bangor Daily News