Winter Fundraiser : 22 February 2026

STAR'S END Fundraiser - 22 February 2026
With each succeeding broadcast Star's End releases extraordinary new energies over the airwaves. Marking its 50th Anniversary at WXPN in Philadelphia, the five decade drift of imagination, its passionate exploration of innovative music and vivid manipulation of time and space have elevated this radio program to a great height. Every weekend from 1:00am to 6:00am Saturday Nights/Sunday Mornings Star's End works to renew the potential of Public Radio. As we are carried through new regions of music and thought each radio-lit evening provides the audience with an aural experience meant to expand horizons and enrich the human spirit. From the bright and teeming to the dark then probing, the unique mix of musical realizations ascends along enlivening lines of beauty. Across its 50 year run Star's End has preserved a space for us to center and contemplate. Even in the midst of tremendous distractions, we listen past all the noise - to simply spend some time with ones' own self. Now is the moment to show that you support this broadcasting endeavor, and validate the extraordinary 50 year run of Star's End on WXPN. In Winter 2026 the understanding few will again play their part in the Public Radio enterprise - as you consider what this remarkable venture is worth, and then come through with a donation to help it continue. Giving to Public Radio continues to be a significant gesture. During the broadcast of 22 February 2026 host Chuck van Zyl will spend the entire night live on-air in a fundraising effort. To you listeners who stay up, tune in, and make a donation, please know that your generosity is truly meaningful and appreciated! Thank You! Please call 1-800-565-WXPN, or donate online at www.xpn.org Thank You! Special 2026 Fundraising Thank-You Gifts Please Note: The 02.22.26 broadcast of Star's End will offer Special Thank You Gifts: ...The WXPN produced Star's End Mug & Star's End 50th Anniversary Monocular Keychain Viewer are available by donating: $15.00/month or $180.00/year (new or rejoining members) $75.00 Additional Gift (for current members) $5.00/month upgrade (for current members) ...in circulation for a limited time beginning mid-February 2026 Call 1-800-565-WXPN, or donate online at www.xpn.org Thanks! (Special Thanks to Neil Cippon for contributing his Star's End Spacesuit graphic design) The Electrical Spectacle - WXPN/Star's End 2026 Member Event Additionally, those making a donation during the 02.22.26 fundraising broadcast of Star's End will be among the first Members to receive an invitation to register and attend an exclusive Modular Synthesizer Session. To be held in the WXPN Performance Studio The Electrical Spectacle will feature performances by four noted area Electronic Musicians, plus Q&A. (Note: Please confirm that your WXPN Membership preferences are set to accept emails so your invitation may be secured) The Electrical Spectacle (the WXPN/Star's End 2026 Member Event) will take place on Saturday 25 April 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm in the intimacy of WXPN's Performance Studio, 3025 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. This event is Free for WXPN Members, but a reservation is required as seating is limited. After an opening reception and light refreshment our group will be seated and contemplate a succession of concerts from Chaka Benson, Sandy James, June Lopez and Ian Staer. Each will realize a brief music performance utilizing a Modular Synthesizer, followed by a period of discussion and demonstration.
Chaka Benson plays with an ear for color, motion and texture, forsaking conventional narrative clarity. His performances are an experience by way of the senses, rather than through pure mental interpretation. chakabenson.bandcamp.com Sandy James makes experimental music with Modular Synthesizers and performs regularly as part of Modular on the Spot picnics. As one moment triggers the next her work is constantly asking us to fathom atonal space. sandyjam.myportfolio.com June Lopez enjoys focusing on how cultural and musical influences shape sound. He is deeply invested in Latin-Jazz-Afro-Roots and in preserving the art of sonic design in live improvised performances. junelopez.bandcamp.com Ian Staer conjures beautiful, stark aural landscapes from a concise tonal vocabulary. Effectively imagined his music opens up space, then moves us slowly through a fully formed musical environment. staer.bandcamp.com
Modular Synthesizers were the first commercial Electronic instruments. Eventually supplanted by portable, internally hardwired models, and digital devices, in recent times they have made a big come-back. The basic feature of the Modular Synthesizer is that the artist decides everything. Each module is a discrete part chosen and arranged according to the taste and direction of the individual. Filters, oscillators, mixers, ring modulators, envelopes, and other even more esoteric components provide an unprecedented flexibility in sound design and music making. Modular Synthesizers are systems that are not fixed in the way conventional instruments are, and attract an interesting mix of musicians and engineers. Thanks for supporting WXPN and the Star's End 50th Anniversary! We appreciate your donation and look forward to seeing you for The Electrical Spectacle on Saturday 25 April 2026. Coming Soon: 2026 Member Event Photos 2025 Member Event Photos 2024 Member Event Photos

STAR'S END broadcasts every Saturday Night/Sunday Morning from 1:00AM til 6:00AM (ET) on: 88.5FM WXPN Philadelphia, PA 88.7 FM Middletown, York and Lancaster, PA 90.5 FM WKHS Worton/Baltimore, MD 99.7 FM Harrisburg, PA 91.9 FM Hackettstown, NJ 104.9 FM Lehigh Valley, PA W285DH Whitehall, PA and live on the world wide web at: www.xpn.org
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