The WFMU Record and CD Fair is this radio station's biggest and most looked forward to event of the year because for one weekend, it transforms New York City into the greatest record shopping village in the world. The Fair brings in more than 200 dealers from around the globe -- dealers specializing in the fringey sounds that keep you coming back to WFMU again and again like Krautrock, Brazilian, Dub, Experimental, Psych, Freakbeat, Jazz, Funk, Garage, No-Wave, Post-Punk, Hip Hop, Metal, DIY, Breakcore, Blues, Electro-Acoustic, Hobbit Rock, Folk, Minimal Synth, Soundtracks, Dancehall, Weirdo Propaganda, Afrobeat, Comedy, Rockabilly, Hardcore, Spoken Word, Noise, 20th Century Classical, Disco, Gospel, and pretty much any other genre you might try to one-up your pals by casually proclaiming an affinity for.

That said, the Fair is about much more than mere product. It's a party! A party with beer and Two Boots pizza, and a Merry Go Round (nothing like riding a Merry Go Round while drinking beer and eating pizza, let me tell ya), and live performances from DJ/Rupture, The Lexie Mountain Boys and Sato & Jonny. Not enough? There's DJ Trouble/DJ Maria's famed LP Modification Station (where you can artfully exact your revenge on the crappy 70s pop LP of your choosing), as well as Mac's Traveling Flexi Museum, which is ordinarily only available in the online realm, but makes this annual appearance in meatspace especially for WFMU. If your wallet is maxed out, you can retire to the dark and soothing confines of the A/V Lounge and check out a dizzying assortment of wild vids with WFMU's peculiar aesthetic in mind. DJs Bronwyn C., Mr. Finewine, Rex, Terre T., and Dave the Spazz will all be spinning live from the Fair, and you'll be able to catch off-air sets from FMU heavyweights like Hatch, Brian Turner, Noah Zark, Dan Mackta, and Billy Jam throughout the weekend.

The smiling faces of our hard working staffers and volunteers is what makes the Record Fair such a hoot. United under a common purpose (raising money for WFMU), we celebrate our common sickness (record shopping), and pack a lifetime of memories into three paltry days. I hope we'll be seeing all of you there.

The WFMU Record & CD Fair will be held on November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2007 at the Metropolitan Pavilion. (125 West 18th St, NYC). Regular admission ($6) will be in effect on Friday from 7-10 PM, and Saturday/Sunday from 10 AM - 7 PM. Early admission ($20) begins on Friday at 4 PM. Early admission entrants get unlimited access all weekend long!

To find out how you can volunteer to help out at the Fair, email Volunteer Wrangler Scott Williams. For more information on the Record Fair, click here. To see a list of attending dealers and short descriptions of their merch, click here. For the full entertainment schedule, click here. To watch some guy smile at you for four minutes and twenty one seconds, click here.