The Wizard celebrates 30th at the Abbey

WZRD-FM (88.3), better known as "The Wizard," is celebrating its 30th anniversary on the air this year, and to celebrate they're hosting a night of live music at the Abbey Pub this Friday night (8/20). Scheduled acts include Hrvatski,Seel,Environmental Encroachment,Secret Agent Bill and noise rockers No Doctors as the headliners. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8 $8.00 advance, $10 day of show Abbey Pub 3420 W. Grace Chicago, IL The Wizard may be one the North Side's best kept secrets and it is really the only true free-form station in the city. While all of the other community stations in the city do "block" formats that designate certain formats for specific time slots (ie. WNUR has the Jazz Show, the Rock Show, Street Beat, etc.) , WZRD is all free-form, all the time...and has been for 30 years. You can hear just about anything no matter what time or day that you tune in. It's also the most ego-free station in the city as no DJ is allowed to name their show or even use their real name on the air...the current DJ on the air is simply known as a "Wizard." Finally, 88.3 is the only place on the North Side (and one of only 3 stations in the state) where you can hear the critically-aclaimed news program, "Democracy Now!" (heard M-F 7-9a on WZRD) WZRD's no frills and no ego approach to radio is what still makes it "a best kept secret," even after 30 years on the air. However, that's exactly how the station's founders wanted it, and that's what makes 88.3 such a refreshing spot on today's overly crowded and overly hyped radio dial.