menuOctober 11, 2024
TCMedia Open House
Thurston Community Media (TCMedia) invites anyone who’s interested in making videos, producing movies, recording podcasts, or are just curious about what the inside of a tv studio is like to come to our media makerspace open house. The open house is Sunday, October 20th, from 2pm to 5pm.
There will be hands-on activities like stop-motion animation, a green-screen experience, and a demonstration of the new podcast suite. Door prizes, including theater tickets, professional audio equipment, and TCMedia classes/memberships, will be given away every hour.
"We’re very excited about our new podcast suite," says Deborah Vinsel, CEO. "It’s a turnkey operation that will be easy for novices to use but has technology that experienced podcasters will appreciate."
The podcast suite is the latest addition to TCMedia’s equipment and facility offerings. Members can reserve and use a 4-camera studio or edit suites housed at the Yauger Way facility or check out camcorders, DSLR cameras, and a variety of accessories for production out in the community.
Thanks to Dancing Goats Coffee, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, CCI Solutions, Orca Books, Acme Ice-cream, and Harlequin Productions for their support.
TCMedia is a nonprofit community media organization that has provided media tools, training, and distribution services to the greater community since 1986.
September 11, 2024
Correo Aereo in Concert
Thurston Community Media (TCMedia) hosts the second concert of the 2024 Studio A Concert Series on Saturday, September 21st for a night of brilliant Latin and World Music benefitting TCMedia and the Hispanic Roundtable’s Latinx Youth Summit.
Performing together since 1992, Correo Aéreo (pronounced cor-RAY-o eye-AIR-e-o) features Abel Rocha on Venezuelan and Mexican harp, guitar, cuatro, and vocals and Madeleine Sosin on violin, maracas, bombo, jarana, quijada and vocals. Amy Denio, a collaborator and renowned solo artist, contributes clarinet, accordion and vocals for this performance.
Be a part of the live studio audience as TCMedia documents the artistry of Correo Aéreo.
"Listening to their performance one can unite space and time across cultures. I highly recommend Correo Aereo." Dr. Juan Tony Guzman, Director of Jazz Dept. Luther College, Music Dept.
"We are very honored to host this amazing group for Hispanic Heritage Month," says TCMedia CEO Deborah Vinsel. "We are also grateful for the opportunity to support the work of the Hispanic Roundtable and their work with local Latinx youth, another important non-profit in our amazing, diverse community," Vinsel added. The Latinx Youth Summit is a single-day event hosted annually by local colleges and universities on rotation. Nearly 500 high school students attend various on-campus workshops covering college and career preparedness, self-empowerment, culture and more.
Studio A has hosted Blues with Ethan Tucker, New Age/Classical from Scott Cossu and Holly Reeves, Traditional Irish with Randall Bays and most recently Bluegrass with The Oly Mountain Boys. Guests relax in the nightclub ambiance of Studio A where every seat provides an up-close and intimate experience.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 7:30 p.m. The Studio A Concerts support TCMedia’s mission to deliver communication resources that build stronger communities. A portion of the evening’s raffle proceeds will benefit the Hispanic Round Table and Latin X Youth Summit. Tickets are available here!
May 26, 2024
CEO Announces Retirement
After more than three decades of service with Thurston Community Media (TCMedia). Deborah Vinsel, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), gave the Board of Directors her notice to retire effective December 31st or as soon as a replacement is named.
Vinsel has had a storied career in community television, working her way up from a producer and trainer at Waycross Community Television in Ohio to her current position as the CEO for TCMedia. Vinsel was recently honored as one of this year's recipients of the Soroptimists Award, recognizing Exceptional Women of the South Sound region. In her comments regarding the award, Vinsel said, "I fell in love with the concept of empowering people to use the medium to speak for themselves," says Vinsel. "I was so fortunate to have several mentors who were pioneers in the community media movement, and they greatly influenced my perspective on building community with media."
Under Vinsel’s leadership, TCMedia has spent 34 years telling the stories in our community and is now embarking on a new phase that reflects the diversity and richness of Thurston County and beyond. According to Meagan Murphy Ross, President of the Board of Directors, TCMedia has spent the last year shifting the organization’s funding model to that of a 100% nonprofit with no government funding. "Through it all," says Ross, "Deb has demonstrated her resolve to find new avenues to fulfill TCMedia’s mission as she and the organization continue serving Thurston County with an entrepreneurial spirit."
In her notice to the Board, Vinsel noted, "It has been a distinct honor and privilege serving as the Chief Executive Officer for TCMedia. I look forward to spending time with my husband and family and cheering from the sidelines as TCMedia moves forward!" Earlier this year, the TCMedia Board adopted a strategic plan that focuses on redefining and reimagining the organization, which continues to offer media education and training, impactful community programming, and new and innovative fundraising efforts. Ross stated, "Although the TCMedia Board is sad to see Deb leave, we are confident that we can orchestrate a smooth transition and keep the organization on track to meet our strategic goals."
Ross said that the Board will start a national search for a new leader immediately but is committed to taking its time to identify the right person. "We are looking for someone with a passion and excitement for continuing the TCMedia story."
Interested applicants can CLICK HERE for more details on the process.