TVTV to host Dance-a-Thon

An important medium for Boise’s voice is struggling to keep its head above water.

But rather than watching their finances drop off the deep end, Treasure Valley Public Access Television (TVTV) is dancing it off.

And TVTV invites everyone to join them for a six-hour fundraising Dance-a-thon this Saturday.

Four bands are providing music for the TVTV Dance-a-thon, including Nada Brahma and Soul Purpose. Magic 93.1 will provide a DJ and music.

Prizes will be awarded by Cable One, Mortimer’s, The Flicks, Bogus Basin, BSU athletics and more. Free food and refreshments will also be provided for the dancers.

Over the course of a few years and with the help of community members and students, Peter Lutze formed TVTV. The public access channel first aired in January 2001.

“We wanted a system where ordinary folks could decide what they wanted [on TV] and could use that TV the same way they could use other forms of media, like the telephone … ” Lutze said.

TVTV has become a medium through which many community members make their voices heard. Lutze said shows on TVTV range from political and religious to comedic and musical.

TVTV also helps people who want to produce television shows. They offer training, use of the studio and equipment.

“We’re really facilitators of ordinary people making television. Now, the only tough side is that we don’t have very much money,” Lutze said.

Although TVTV is grateful for the $30,000 they receive each year from the city, the money simply isn’t enough.

“We have to charge people something to become members and use our facilities. We have to really hustle for fundraising and other things to try and make it happen,” Lutze said.

“We see that there’s certain things in the community that are really important to the community as a whole and we try and make sure that stuff gets out there.”

But limited funds hinder TVTV’s ability to cover all of the issues that are important to the community.

“We could be going gangbuster. If we had a $400,000 budget and we had tons of staff, we could go out and shoot everything that happens in the city. We’d love to do that,” he said.

Lutze is hoping the Dance Off will not only raise funds to keep TVTV alive, but that it will also raise funds for the organizations that join the Dance Off. Any money the dancers make over the $30 minimum is their own.

Lauren Consuelo Tussing, The Arbiter

Related Posts:

1. Students raise funds at TVTV dance marathon
2. TVTV stations public access
3. Talented dancers strut their way onto TVTV
4. TVTV celebrates first film fest
5. Ski race to benefit TVTV