FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2009
CONTACT:
Meg Fullwood
214-740-9377
mfullwood@kera.org
BEAT THE DOG DAZE OF SUMMER WITH AUGUST PROGRAMS ON KERA-TV
DALLAS/FORT WORTH – Tune in for programs to enliven your brain and enlighten your mind this month on KERA-TV. Join a team of archeologists as they search for clues about ancient civilizations in a race against the clock on Time Team America. Dr. Amen offers insight into The Brain in Love and great movies delight and entertain. Don’t miss the classic comedy Annie Hall and join the search for the perfect wave in surfing documentary The Endless Summer.
Historical documentaries this month include the American Masters tribute to Walter Cronkite, Frost/Nixon: The Original Watergate Interviews and WWII Behind Closed Doors – Stalin, the Nazis and the West. Revisit 1967 San Francisco with American Experience – Summer of Love and celebrate the history of fine cuisine with Julia Child Memories: Bon Appétit!
Music makes the world go around and KERA brings you great ways to enjoy the journey. The Music Instinct: Science and Song takes a systematic look at the impact of music on the brain. Playing for Change pursues peace through music with songs from around the world. Concert programs and documentaries explore the life and legacies of Neil Young, Pete Seeger, Elvis Presley, Django Reinhardt and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Get tickets to music performances during our August TV fundraising drive and enjoy specials featuring pianist Jim Brickman, the Irish singing quintet Celtic Thunder and trumpeter Chris Botti. Scott Houston joins us in the studio to teach viewers how to Play Piano in a Flash. It all comes your way in August, on KERA.
RADIO
The Economy
Mondays during Morning Edition
Get survival tips and weekly updates on unemployment and foreclosures as part of KERA’s ongoing coverage of the North Texas economy.
Radio Lab
Fridays at 8:00 p.m.
Radio Lab continues with a series of short science essays on the topics of Race, Memory and Forgetting, Diagnosis, Detective Stories and Pop Music.
TELEVISION
Annie Hall
Saturday, August 1 at 8:00 p.m.
Directed by Woody Allen, this classic comedy follows the romantic adventures of two neurotic New Yorkers in a stream-of-consciousness analysis of the relationship after they’ve broken up. Starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton.
Texas Monthly Talks – Walter Cronkite
Saturday, August 1 at 9:30 p.m.
Evan Smith of Texas Monthly talks with veteran journalist Walter Cronkite about his lengthy career, broadcast news of today, his years at the University of Texas in Austin and his love of sailing.
One Star Theatre – Enemy from Space
Sunday, August 2 at 1:00 a.m.
Aliens invade a small English town, inhabiting the minds and bodies of humans until Dr. Quartermass discovers the creatures are controlling a secret government facility!
The Great Circus Parade 2009
Sunday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m.
This glorious display of circus history and pageantry features ornate circus wagons, exotic animals, clowns and performers in tribute to the street parades of the American circus.
Time Team America – Range Creek
Sunday, August 2 at 6:00 p.m.
Time Team America travels to eastern Utah to uncover an untouched archeological site, providing the team with a rare opportunity to learn how this ancient civilization lived in the canyons a thousand years ago.
Masterpiece Mystery! Wallander, Part 1
Sunday, August 2 at 9:00 p.m.
Kenneth Branagh stars as Kurt Wallander, a Swedish detective who is fighting strange crimes and his own personal demons. This 3-part mystery series has been honored with two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Best Miniseries and Best Movie or Dramatic Special.
American Masters – Walter Cronkite: Witness to History
Monday, August 3 at 9:00 p.m.
A look at the influential life of reporter, correspondent and television anchor Walter Cronkite whose 70-year career in journalism earned him the reputation of being the most trusted man in America. Interviews with Bill Moyers, David Halberstam, Molly Ivins, Helen Thomas and others are included.
P.O.V. – New Muslim Cool
Tuesday, August 4 at 10:00 p.m.
Puerto Rican-American rapper Hamza Pérez left the world of drug dealing and street life to become a Muslim. He moved to Pittsburgh and started a religious community, sharing his message of faith through hip-hop music. Then the FBI raided his mosque causing Hamza to confront the realities of living in a post 9/11 world.
Time Team America – Fort James, South Dakota
Wednesday, August 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Time Team America concludes the season with a trip to Fort James, South Dakota. The fort was built on the prairie to protect settlers against the Sioux Indians. The team believes it holds information about life on the early frontier and wants to protect it for future research.
The Music Instinct – Science and Song
Wednesday, August 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Scientists and researchers use new techniques to investigate the intersection of music, the human mind, body and the universe. Musicians from a variety of disciplines join the conversation to find out why music gives us goose bumps.
American Masters – Neil Young: Don’t Be Denied
Wednesday, August 5 at 10:00 p.m.
Rock legend Neil Young is the subject of this American Masters documentary. The program uses exclusive interviews and previously unseen performance footage from Young’s collection to tell the story of his personal and professional life. Interviews with long-time collaborators David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and others are included.
Austin City Limits
Thursday, August 6 at 10:00 p.m.
Lyle Lovett is joined by Guy Clark, John Haitt and Joe Ely for a songwriters’ roundtable that explores the best in American folk, country and rock-and-roll.
Visions of France: The Riveria
Saturday, August 8 at 9:30 a.m.
The sun-splashed beaches of the Cote D’Azur take center stage in the new program Visions of France: The Riviera. Panoramic views and roadway vistas are set to music and narration to offer insight into the fashionable beach resorts and mountain retreats in this Mediterranean playground for the rich and famous.
Julia Child Memories: Bon Appétit!
Saturday, August 8 at 5:00 p.m.
This program includes a retrospective of some of Julia Child’s most memorable episodes from the PBS cooking series The French Chef along with testimonials and commentary. Meryl Streep and Julie Powell, who star in the soon-to-be-released movie Julie&Julia, are also featured.
The Big Band Years
Saturday, August 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Featuring songs that bridge the WWII and baby boomer generations, the program mixes concert footage of bands and vocalists from the 1930s and 40s.
Get Down Tonight – The Disco Explosion
Saturday, August 8 at 9:00 p.m.
A reunion concert of disco era superstars featuring live performances and archival clips of the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Wild Cherry and others, hosted by K.C. and the Sunshine Band.
Jim Brickman: Beautiful World – Tune in for tickets!
Sunday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m.
This spectacular television special brings together gorgeous piano music and performances by vocalists Jon Secada, Orla Fallon, Melinda Doolittle and Mark Masri. Jim Brickman joins us live in the studio. Tune in for tickets to his November 6th concert at Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie.
Celtic Thunder – Take Me Home – Tune in for tickets!
Sunday, August 9 at 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m.
The Irish vocal quintet returns with a new program filmed in Ontario Canada. New songs and audience favorites include Every Breath You Take, Castles in the Air and the Irish classic Danny Boy. Tune in for tickets their November 16 concert at Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie.
The Brain in Love with Dr. Daniel Amen
Monday, August 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Research shows that loving, affectionate relationships lead to longer lives and better memory. This third program from award-winning psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen offers a compelling twist on brain health: How to use your brain to bring and keep more love in your life. Dr. Amen joins us in the studio.
Chris Botti Live in Boston – Tune in for tickets!
Monday, August 10 at 9:00 p.m.
A gifted instrumentalist and charismatic performer, trumpeter Chris Botti and PBS have created an exciting new special featuring Botti’s band with special guests Sting, John Mayer and Yo-Yo Ma with Keith Lockhart conducting The Boston Pops. Chris Botti joins us live in the studio. Tune in for tickets to his upcoming concert, April 15, 2010, at Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie.
Frost/Nixon: The Original Watergate Interviews
Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Sir David Frost introduces this 35th anniversary special honoring his 1977 interview series with former U.S. President Richard Nixon. In this historic media event, Frost interviewed Nixon about everything from Vietnam and China to Watergate and his final days in the White House. The forum offered Nixon no advance knowledge of the questions and no right to see the edited program before it was broadcast.
The Oak Ridge Boys – A Gospel Journey
Wednesday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Bill Gaither hosts this celebration of the Oak Ridge Boys’ 36-year musical collaboration. The program features live performances of their best-loved gospel favorites with vintage footage and photos chronicling their long history together.
Great Performances – Pete Seeger’s 90th Birthday Concert
Wednesday, August 12 at 8:30 p.m.
With a career spanning a half century, folk artist, political activist and environmentalist Pete Seeger celebrated his 90th birthday with an all-star concert at Madison Square Garden. More than 40 artists joined the concert including Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Mathews and others who performed songs inspired by Seeger’s music and activism.
Love Me Tender – The Love Songs of Elvis Presley
Sunday, August 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Elvis Presley’s love songs attracted women of all ages and were important benchmarks of his career. From I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, recorded in 1956, to his later success with Love Me Tender this new documentary celebrates the tender side of the King of Rock and Roll and commemorates 32 years since his death at age 42.
Sebastian Sidi – Live at the O.C. Pavilion
Sunday, August 16 at 9:00 p.m.
Popular Uruguay-born American musician and composer Sebastian Sidi creates instrumental electronic music that bridges the classical, new-age rock and Latin genres. The keyboardist’s music appeals to a diverse fan base and is frequently compared to Yanni and John Tesh. Sebastian Sidi joins us in the studio.
Motown Memories
Monday, August 17 at 9:00 p.m.
Another great collection from Hittsville, USA, Motown Memories focuses on archival hits and rare interviews with Motown legends The Temptations, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Diana Ross and The Supremes and Marvin Gay. The program is hosted by Mary Wilson.
Playing for Change: Peace Through Music
Tuesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m.
This documentary about the transformative power of music brings together musicians from around the globe to collaborate on new and familiar songs in an effort to foster a greater understanding of our commonality.
Stevie Ray Vaughan: Live! Play Hard and Floor It
Wednesday, August 19 at 8:30 p.m.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Steve Ray Vaughn’s seminal recording, Couldn’t Stand the Weather, this documentary follows the guitarist’s career from his 1982 debut as an unknown performer at the Montreaux Jazz Festival to his return as a headliner in 1985. Highlights include performances of Crossfire, Riviera Paradise and Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile (Slight Return).
David Garrett: Live in Berlin
Thursday, August 20 at 9:00 p.m.
Violinist David Garrett intertwines classical, rock and pop selections with a full rock band and a symphony orchestra at Berlin’s Tempodrom Arena. The performance includes reinterpretations of rock classics by Queen, AC/DC and selections from the film score to Pirates of the Caribbean.
American Experience – Summer of Love
Monday, August 24 at 9:00 p.m.
The 1967 Summer of Love brought thousands of young people to San Francisco’s Height Ashbury district to experience free love, music and an alternative lifestyle. By 1968, that inspiration was disappearing into a maelstrom of broken dreams. This American Experience documentary offers a complex portrait of a time many consider to be the peak of 1960s counter-culture.
Great Performances – Harlem in Montmartre
Wednesday, August 26 at 9:00 p.m.
The jazz age in Paris between WWI and WWII included a fascinating chapter in African-American cultural history as many black Americans chose to stay in Europe after WWI rather than return to segregation in the United States. Over the next 20-years, an expatriate community of musicians and entertainers emerged in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris. This Great Performances documentary features key figures of the movement including Django Reinhardt, Josephine Baker, Sidney Bechet and many others. Based on a book by William A. Shack.
Oshkosh Air Show – An Inside Look
Thursday, August 27 at 10:00 p.m.
One of the largest air shows in the world, AirVenture Oshkosh includes more than 10,000 aircraft and attracts more than a half million people. Viewers fly alongside the world’s best aerobatic pilots and follow a father and son flying a P-51 on its maiden voyage after restoration to compete for best in show.
Play Piano in a Flash!
Saturday, August 29 at 9:00 a.m.
Scott Houston offers non-musicians tips and tricks to playing piano in this new television special. Guest professionals share their secrets to playing by ear, accompaniment and original composition. Scott Houston joins us in the studio.
MOVIE 13: The Endless Summer
Saturday, August 29 at 9:00 p.m.
Surfers travel the world in search of the perfect wave in this 1966 film classic by documentary filmmaker Bruce Brown. They share the sport in communities along the way, with stops in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii and California.
Great Performances at the Met – La Cenerentola
Sunday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m.
In this last performance of the season, Elina Garanca portrays a Rossini heroine in this operatic Cinderella story. Lawrence Brownlee is her Prince Charming with veteran baritone Alessandro Corbelli and John Relyea rounding out the cast. Maurizio Benini conducts.
Masterpiece Mystery! Inspector Lewis II: Moonbeams Kiss the Sea
Sunday, August 30 at 8:00 p.m.
Following the death of his wife, Detective Inspector Robbie Lewis returns to Oxford to rebuild his life and confront his past. Working with Detective Sergeant James Hathaway, they achieve professional success and develop respect and admiration for each other.
WWII Behind Closed Doors – Stalin, the Nazis and the West, Part 1
Monday, August 31 at 9:00 p.m.
A history of WWII that is full of surprises, this 3-part series draws on newly-available materials made available since the opening of archives in the East, and examines key decisions made by Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt during the war.
