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Preview Thu Mar 21 2013
Preview: 2013 CHIRP Record Fair
Arriving just in time to assuage all whose fruitless searches for original Soft Machine or Verlaines records, for mono pressings of The Kink Kontroversy or Five Live Yardbirds, or for those early Roxy Music records that recently emptied the bank account of your tragically obsessed loved one, is the return of Chicago Independent Radio Project's (CHIRP) annual Record Fair on Saturday, April 13. Billed as CHIRP Radio's 11th Annual Record Fair & Other Delights, the fair will return to its site at The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union, 1340 West Washington Boulevard, for the fifth consecutive year. Organizers smartly added extended shopping hours due to anticipated demand due to last year's increased turnout, with both early and regular admission offered at staggered prices.
The fair will include "over 80 tables of vinyl, CDs, posters, 'zines, artwork, crafts and other delights," and we can only imagine what that might include. The fair brings together independent vinyl dealers and collectors from all over the country, drawing everyone from genre specialists with rare records to casual collectors of singles and 45s. This year, CHIRP organizers aim to appeal to newcomers to vinyl fetishism/exhibitionism by launching their own "Guide to the Record Fair", which offers "the best tips on how to shop for and collect vinyl." (We're assuming "get out while you can, kid" isn't one of them.)
In addition to shopping for music, attendees can learn about CHIRP from the organization's numerous booths and on-site reps, listen to special guest DJs form local labels and record stores, and indulge in offerings from local food and beer vendors like Irazu, Handlebar, Goose Island and Dark Matter coffee, which will no doubt cater to the obsessive (but wise!) early admits in need of an extra caffeine boost to hep them survey the crates at light-speed before their fellow fairgoers-cum-rivals find that Standells record first.
The Record Fair is CHIRP's largest annual event, with all proceeds going toward supporting the station's operational costs such as rent and streaming fees, so you won't have to feel too guilty about picking up a rare Sub Pop comp or two instead of paying your electric bill next month.
The CHIRP Record Fair & Other Delights runs Saturday, April 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is $7, or $5 with an ad or flyer. A special $25 pre-admission session from 8:00-10:00 a.m. allows collectors early access to the dealers and offers unlimited access all weekend long. Free parking available. Visit the CHIRP website for more information.
UPDATE: The Reader is offering a $12.50 coupon for early admission ($25 value) via its Real Deals site.
