Los Angeles, CA (Tues, Jan. 18, 2005) - On Sunday, January 30 at 9 p.m., 89.3 KPCC unveils a new weekly arts and culture program, Pacific Drift. Using the lenses of art, culture and documentary to explore issues specific to Southern California, Pacific Drift focuses on untouched artistic resources in and around the region- both established and emerging artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers and performers. Pacific Drift will also feature documentaries about life in Southern California. It will air Sundays from 9-10 p.m.

"This is one of the most diverse and fascinating regions in the world. Yet, it can be very difficult to discover and learn about all the incredible people, all the amazing places and all the vibrant cultural scenes that exist around every corner," said Benjamin Adair, creator, producer and host of Pacific Drift. "The goal of this show is to bring the many, many exciting and vital things happening in Southern California to the widest possible audience."

In its January 30 premiere, Pacific Drift will feature, among others: Miss Vaginal Crème Davis, a mainstay of L.A.'s avant-garde performance scene; Paul Chihara, a world-renowned classical music and film composer; Charlie LeDuff, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist; and Erika Rothenberg, a public artist and sculptor with many works across the region.

Future shows will feature: Dr. Jim Gimzewski, a cutting-edge UCLA chemist; John Cameron Mitchell, a playwright and film director; Ruben Ortiz-Torres, a prominent visual artist; Tony Tetro, a convicted art forger; and Sam Stern, a blogger and filmmaker. Also in the works are documentaries about the Los Angeles Women's Building, a center of U.S. feminist art from 1976 to 1991; the House Ear Clinic, a research facility doing pioneering work on deafness and hearing disorders; and SuicideGirls.com, an adult-oriented website and online community.

In addition to creating original programming for the radio, Adair will curate a series of live events in future seasons bringing creative people from across the region together with the Pacific Drift audience. "Eventually we hope Pacific Drift will be more than a radio show," added Adair. "We seek to fulfill the greater KPCC mission and build a real community space where people can come together and address the issues that affect all of our lives - as Southern Californians. Only we'll use art, culture and creativity as our guide."

Before creating Pacific Drift, Adair produced American Public Media's award-winning The Savvy Traveler, heard on more than 200 public radio stations over its seven-year run. He has reported from Africa and Asia, and has spent more than a decade covering the many cultures and places that make up Southern California.

"This is a very ambitious new programming effort and, obviously, we're excited about its debut;" said Bill Davis, President of Southern California Public Radio. "Our flagship programs, AirTalkâ and Talk of the Cityâ, usually take a very straightforward approach to addressing the region's controversial issues and achievements. Pacific Drift takes a narrative approach to addressing many of the same issues and concerns. Taking both approaches brings 89.3 KPCC closer to fulfilling our mission of strengthening the civic and cultural bonds that unite Southern California's diverse communities." Davis added that Pacific Drift's live events will create a public forum for an on-going audience dialogue that explores new issues, events and cultures. "Ben's putting together a show that breaks the mold. There's no question that Pacific Drift will open people's eyes and ears to what's happening in this incredibly complex and diverse metropolis called Los Angeles."

89.3 KPCC is the flagship station of Southern California Public Radio. In the past three years KPCC has won more awards for excellence in journalism than any other radio station in Southern California. KPCC is also the fastest-growing public radio station in the country, airing the signature public radio news and talk programs from NPR, along with AirTalk with Larry Mantle weekdays from 10 a.m.- 12 Noon, and Talk of the City with Kitty Felde weekdays from 2-3 p.m.