WHUP announced today that half the proceeds from its annual fall fundraiser will be donated to support Orange County musicians who have been most affected by the COVID-19 shutdown. Proceeds from the WHUP 50/50 Event, which will run October 12-18, will be funneled through the Orange County Arts Commission’s Arts Support Fund and go directly to musicians in the county to help cover basic expenses.
“Local music is at the core of our programming,” says station manager Bob Burtman. “Since musicians are still unable to perform live at area venues or tour and generate essential revenue, it seems only fitting that we do our part to help out those who are struggling to get by.”
For the past five years WHUP has hosted a steady stream of performers from around the Triangle for live in-studio sessions, and many shows in the schedule include local music on their playlists. “Our commitment to local music goes beyond just spinning records,” Burtman says, “and this is one way we can demonstrate that commitment.”
The 50/50 event reprises WHUP’s spring fundraiser, which raised more than $5,000 for Hillsborough service industry workers displaced by the pandemic. The goal for this event is to raise the equivalent amount to support local musicians, which would also allow WHUP to sustain its operations through the end of the year.
The Orange County Arts Commission has raised and distributed almost $60,000 since the Arts Support Fund was established in March. WHUP is pleased to partner with OCAC in the ongoing effort to provide relief for the arts community in these difficult times.
To donate to WHUP 50/50, please visit https://whupfm.org/contribute. For more information on WHUP and its programming lineup, the website address is https://whupfm.org, or email info@whupfm.org.
For more info on the Orange County Arts Commission Arts Support Fund, please visit https://artsorange.org/supportfund/.