WXPN’s Helen Leicht Helen Leicht | photo from the XPN archives
Helen Leicht will be honored for 40 years on Philly radio this fall
WXPN midday host Helen Leicht has been on the airwaves in Philadelphia since 1976, and this October she’ll be honored for her 40 years of championing music and community.
On October 6th, Leicht will receive The Connector Award from LiveConnections – a local music education nonprofit where she serves as a board member. The award will be presented at LiveConnections’ annual fundraising event The Big Hurrah, held at World Cafe Live. The event will also include performances from jazz singer Joanna Pascale, percussionist Alex Shaw of Alo Brasil, and more. Tickets for the benefit event are $100 in advance, $125 at the door and can be found here.
The LiveConnections program brings Philadelphia school students to World Cafe Live for performing and songwriting workshops with local artists like shaw, Andrew Lipke and more, culminating in the participants making music from their own perspective.
“These kids are saying okay, this is our life,” says Leicht. “I feel like LiveConnections is giving them the opportunity to have a voice, giving them the chance to experience music in a unique way. If me being honored helps them connect with more people, that’s wonderful.”
For more information on the event, go to the LiveConnections website here.