Teen turntables and tie-dye t-shirts will be a few of the highlights at Carbondale’s Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program block party and 25th birthday bash, the nonprofit’s first-ever community party.

AZYEP, pronounced “a-zee-yep,” will host from noon-4 p.m., Saturday, June 7, on Second Street in Carbondale. All ages are invited to this free event. 

“Our 20th anniversary was during the pandemic,” News and Education Director Megan Webber said. “So instead of a party, we hosted a 24-hour broadcast featuring classic shows and interviews from over the years. This is our first opportunity to celebrate together, out in the community.”

For 25 years, this nonprofit, primarily funded by grants, has offered young people the opportunity to DJ free of cost. The program works with kids ages 8 to 18, offering them the chance to host their own radio shows. 

The street party will feature DJ sets and on-stage interviews with some of the young broadcasters, as well as food trucks and mocktails for people to sip and snack on while they watch.

There will be a packed lineup of kid-friendly activities like face painting, rock painting, and a special t-shirt station. Attendees will be able to buy a t-shirt then take it to the tie-dye booth and turn it into unique wearable art.

Founded in memory of Zanca, the nonprofit has always centered on youth empowerment through media. 

“Andy had a difficult childhood,” his niece Webber said. “When he was just eight years old, he walked into KDNK radio. There were no other kids on the radio at that time, but the folks at the station welcomed him in. They taught him to DJ, and it became a place where he felt safe and accepted.”

Although she never knew her uncle personally, his story continues to inspire a new generation. After his death when Webber was nine years old, her mother established the nonprofit to give other young people the same kind of outlet Andy had. 

“If someone’s interested, they just email us, and we get them on the calendar,” Webber said. “You don’t have to have experience — just curiosity and a love for music.”

Some of the DJs have been involved for years. Take DJ Cool Kat, a sophomore at Roaring Fork High school who began to DJ at age 10. His father was Zanca’s best friend. He’s known for bringing both humor and heart to his sets.

“One time, he had a really rough week at school, came into the studio low-energy, and just played didgeridoo music with a few whale sounds mixed in for an hour,” Webber laughed. “The audience loved it. It was like a meditation.”

While most kids play pop, hip hop, and classic rock, the kids in the program have access to the full KDNK music library. 

“I think everyone should do it,” said DJ Snow, who became a part-time broadcast instructor after six years spinning. “If there are any kids out there that have a love for music or need an outlet.” 

DJ Snow adds that it’s a cool place with cool, understanding people who will give them a platform to express themselves freely through music.

One of the DJs who will be spinning at the party has been a DJ for six years, despite being only 13-years-old. 

“I like being a DJ because I love music, and I love expressing myself,” eighth grade Carbondale Middle Schooler DJ PJ said. “It’s really fun to play songs for other people. I like to think that some people are chillin’ in their cars and getting to listen to some good music.”

DJ PJ’s show, “Downtown Tunes from the Tank,” focuses mostly on folk songs or pop songs from the ’70s and ’80s. 

Learning to DJ also helped him with other skills. 

“I think that being a DJ is great because it taught me public speaking,” he said. “I wasn’t good at public speaking before, and now I am.”

The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program is a separate nonprofit from KDNK, despite their close partnership and shared history; all donations should be sent directly to the AZYEP.

The street will be blocked off outside of 76 S. 2nd St., from Main Street to Garfield Avenue by KDNK. For more information or to get involved, email paige.gibbons@AZYEP.org.

As the event approaches, Webber hopes it will be more than just a fun day. 

“Right now, kids are navigating a world where they don’t always feel safe — where diversity is under attack,” she said. “Andy Zanca Empowerment Program is all about celebrating diversity and giving kids a platform to be themselves. That’s what this day is about: joy, safety, belonging, and letting them know that people are rooting for them.”