90.7 WMFE CALLS FOR ZIP CODE POETRY
‘ZIPODES’ PAY TRIBUTE TO LISTENERS’ NEIGHBORHOODS
ORLANDO — In honor of National Poetry Month, 90.7 WMFE is once again asking Central Floridians to pay tribute to the least poetic definition of where they live: The ZIP code! We want them to memorialize their federally appointed numerical designation by writing an ode to their ZIP code (ZipOde).
Each ZIP code is five numbers, so we’re asking that each ZipOde be five lines—the number of words in each line is determined by the number in the particular zip code. If your zip code has a zero, that line can be left blank.
Here’s one example, written by our own local poet laureate, Billy Collins:
This is the second year of the ZipOde collection by Young Friends of 90.7 WMFE, an initiative that seeks to engage and connect with young (and young-at-heart) public radio listeners throughout the Central Florida community.
The collection closes on April 27. Select ZipOde poems will be read on air and at the ZipOde Throwdown on April 27 at Orlando Brewing. Entrants are welcome to write a ZipOde for the zip code they call home right now, as well as their hometown zip code. If they live in Sanford but hail from Boston, they can submit poems for both!
Visit www.wmfe.org/zipode to learn more and to submit your ZipOdes!
ZipOde Throwdown: Young Friends of 90.7 WMFE will host ZipOde Throwdownat 6 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Orlando Brewing, 1301 Atlanta Ave, Orlando. Host Trevor Fraser, Orlando Sentinel entertainment reporter, will read some of our favorite poems and then invite you to take the stage to represent your neighborhood! We’ll have live music from local band Beemo. Learn more.
Brief version: What makes your Central Florida neighborhood great? In honor of National Poetry Month, 90.7 WMFE wants you to pay tribute to the least poetic definition of where you live: The ZIP Code. Each ZIP code is five numbers, so each “ZipOde” is five lines—the number of words in each line is determined by the number in your particular zip code. Select ZipOde poems will be read on the air and at the ZipOde Throwdown at Orlando Brewing on April 27. Visit www.wmfe.org/zipode to submit and learn more!
Thanks to NPR member station WLRN and O, Miami for letting us borrow their ZipOde concept.
ABOUT 90.7 WMFE: 90.7 WMFE is a non-profit, member-supported, community-based public broadcasting company that operates 90.7 WMFE-FM, metro Orlando’s primary provider of NPR programming; and 90.7-2 Classical. Part of the community since 1980, WMFE focuses on providing quality national and local news and programming. Visit wmfe.org to learn more.
ABOUT YOUNG FRIENDS OF 90.7 WMFE:
ZipOdes is presented by the Young Friends of 90.7 WMFE, an initiative that seeks to engage and connect with young (and young-at-heart) public radio listeners throughout the Central Florida community. The group is part of NPR Generation Listen, a movement to connect the next generation of public radio listeners to their local stations. Visit wmfe.org/youngfriends to learn more.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Jenny Babcock at 407-273-2300 ext. 112 or email at jbabcock@wmfe.org.