Wednesday, February 25, 2015

"The Original Food Truck" Haven Brothers comes to Rhode Island PBS


"The Original Food Truck," Haven Brothers: Legacy of the American Diner tells the story of Haven Brothers Diner, the oldest operating diner on wheels. The original fast food - and the first food truck owned by woman - this late night lunch cart has served patrons for more than 120 years.



Located in the birthplace of the American diner, Providence, RI, the Haven Brothers diner was almost lost to the modernizing of Providence. The political decision to move the diner from its reserved parking spot next to Providence City Hall was considered blasphemous by its loyal followers, and the ensuing public outrage successfully reversed the ill-conceived notion.

The documentary recounts that story, as well as traces the history of Haven Brothers truck and its owners over the years. The story is told by dozens of fans, in what quickly becomes an endearing, humorous cavalcade of Rhode Island's famous and infamous personalities. Only in Rhode Island!

The story of Haven Brothers is a rich commentary on the American Dream, the American diet, and what it is to be a success.

"The Original Food Truck," Haven Brothers: Legacy of the American Diner premieres on Rhode Island PBS on Thursday, March 5 at 9:30 p.m. David Piccerelli, Rhode Island PBS president, and Margie O'Brien, television producer, present the documentary in segments taped in a full-size replica of a diner exhibited inside the Culinary Arts Museum on the Johnson and Wales University Bayside Campus. Meet filmmaker Jeff Toste as he describes his experiences making the film. Museum Curator and diner expert Richard Gutman also provides entertaining and informative information about the original "fast food joints."

Visit Haven Brothers Movie on Facebook.

Photos from the remote shoot at the Culinary Arts Museum - great place to visit!







March 4: Music of Justin Hayward, Joe Bonamassa with Brian McKenzie and Kevin Williams + the Invisible Orphans

 

On Wednesday, March 4, Rhode Island presents televised concert performances by two legendary musicians - one classic and one contemporary. We'll be live in studio for that broadcast, with special guest musicians Brian McKenzie, and Kevin Williams and the Invisible Orphans, who will perform during program breaks.


At 8 p.m., Justin Hayward: Spirits... Live features the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for The Moody Blues, Justin Hayward in his performance of classic favorites. Brian McKenzie will perform during this show. You can also find Brian McKenzie on Facebook.


At 9:30 p.m., Joe Bonamassa: Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks features world-renowned guitarist Joe Bonamassa as he tributes Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. Kevin Williams and the Invisible Orphans features Kevin on vocals and guitar, Ron Pacheco on bass and Adam Chamberlain on drums.

Throughout the night, you will have ample opportunity to get tickets to Joe Bonamassa's August 11 concert at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis - before tickets go on sale to the public! We have a Meet and Greet opportunity for you, too.

Tune in for this fun night of great local music live in the studio, as well as great televised rock concerts by two phenomenal performers. Here's a sample of what you will experience. Yes, prepare to be blown away.










RISD Museum Exhibits Dazzling Gilded Garments from the 1920s and 1930s

When Laurie Brewer, RISD Museum's assistant curator for costume and textiles, joined us as guest speaker at the Downton Abbey On-Stage Dinner Party in December, she promised a special exhibit at the RISD Museum in early 2015.

To coincide with the 1920s fashions seen in Downton Abbey Season 5, the subject of Laurie's presentation was - and the exhibit will be - the gilded fashion style of Newport socialite Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt Gerry. That exhibition of a unique collection of garments opens Friday, March 13 and runs through Sunday, July 5.

Golden Glamour: The Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt Gerry Collection is an intimate peek into the wardrobe of an extraordinary woman. Golden Glamour features dazzling gilded garments given to the RISD Museum from the estate of American philanthropist and Rhode Island native Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt Gerry (1873-1958).

This luminous installation includes early-1920s through 1930s fashions from the premier design houses of Europe - Elsa Schiaparelli, Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo of the Fortuny label, the House of Worth, Callot Soeurs, Paul Poiret, and Edward H. Molyneux - all speaking to Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt Gerry's impeccable and cosmopolitan taste for fashions of lamé, silk, and velvet.

Visit the Museum site for directions and hours.

Friday, February 20, 2015

It's Just the Ticket! Best Tickets to Upcoming Concerts by Best PBS Performers

Best Seats for the Best Public Television Performers

We're thrilled to let you know about several local live concerts coming up - some with celebrity meet and greet opportunities! Stay tuned for more information about these and other concerts, including great television performances in March.

Celtic Woman 10th Anniversary Tour

Since Celtic Woman's March 2005 American debut they have engaged fans through television specials and tours. Rhode Island PBS is excited to welcome back the Celtic Woman to Providence!   Click for details.

Shen Yun
April 17 and 18
Providence Performing Arts Center

Classical Chinese artists revive the true, divinely inspired culture of China and share it with the world in a spectacular presentation of music and dance. Click for details.

Guy and Ralna 
Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m.  
Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston in Waltham, MA. 

These icons of The Lawrence Welk Show are in concert. Meet and Greet Opportunity! Click for details.

The Wild Kratts Live!
Saturday, June 13 at 4 p.m.
The Vets
Animated Kratt Brothers, Martin and Chris, "come to real life" in a classically Wild Kratts story. Off "To the Creature Rescue!" the Kratt Brothers activate some fan favorite Creature Power Suits to confront a comic villain. Through hilarious pratfalls and amazing animal 'wow facts' the Wild Kratts team comes to rescue the rescue so animals of the creature world are safe once again. Click for details

Joe Bonamassa
August 11 
Fort Adams, Newport

This is one show you don't want to miss! Joe Bonamassa is coming to Fort Adams in Newport on August 11, 2015. Rhode Island PBS has your tickets to this show before they go on sale to the general public. Tune in Wednesday, March 4 at 9:30 p.m. for Joe Bonamassa: Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks - only on Rhode Island PBS! 

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson
Coming September 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Providence Performing Arts Center

Join Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, award winning astrophysicist, author, and host of FOX's Cosmos for an evening of engaging conversation about science, exploration, and the world as we know it. Stay tuned for ticket information

Zoltan Maga 
October 27, 2015
The Vets Auditorium

Zoltan Maga: from Budapest with Love will be live at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. Please call 401-222-3636 x 209 for more information, or click the link to purchase your tickets. All tickets purchased through Rhode Island PBS will be automatically entered to win a Meet & Greet with Zoltán Mága. 

Salute to Vienna
Coming December 27, 2015
The Vets Auditorium 

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Harvesting Rhode Island - New Local Series on Rhode Island PBS

  
Harvesting Rhode Island is a 5-part series that raises public awareness of local farming and the farm-to-table cycle through folk life studies, and by interpreting how this significant way of life on the farm will manage to survive.

Episodes will air two at a time in the ongoing series, Rhode Island Stories, Sundays at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. beginning March 22. UPDATE: All five episodes in this first series are now available online as well. Links are posted below. 

The series explores how traditional systems can be creatively maintained and become more of a dynamic marketplace. Introducing the public to the farmers of Rhode Island will provide insights into the complex but easily taken-for-granted process behind the edibles we consume.

Growers have had to balance the traditional approaches that were handed down to them with the variable realities of today’s business climate. In the latter part of the twentieth century local wholesale markets began to shrink due to large retailers and national distribution systems.

As a result, growers increased their direct marketing through on-site retail stands, pick-your-own programs, farmers markets, and selling through local retailers. This direct approach has, in turn, stimulated diversification to satisfy the eclectic tastes of increasingly sophisticated consumers. A large number of consumers in Rhode Island are unaware of the locations and variety of crops that are grown in the state and where to purchase them.

Harvesting Rhode Island seeks to change that by bringing viewers on location to see the farms, meet the farmers and listen to the farmers' stories.


Harvesting Rhode Island

Farm to Table                                    
Rhode Island PBS       3/22/2015      6:00 PM
Rhode Island PBS       3/24/2015      4:00 AM
Rhode Island PBS       3/28/2015      11:00 PM
LEARN                      3/24/2015      8:00 PM
LEARN                      3/25/2015      3:00 AM
LEARN                      3/26/2015      12:00 AM


   
                     
Grape Expectations               
Rhode Island PBS       3/22/2015      6:30 PM
Rhode Island PBS       3/24/2015      4:30 AM
Rhode Island PBS       3/28/2015      11:30 PM
LEARN                      3/24/2015      8:30 PM
LEARN                      3/25/2015      3:30 AM
LEARN                      3/26/2015      12:30 AM                   




Farming Old, Farming New             
Rhode Island PBS       3/29/2015      6:00 PM
Rhode Island PBS       3/31/2015      4:00 AM
Rhode Island PBS       4/4/2015        11:00 PM
LEARN                      3/31/2015      8:00 PM
LEARN                      4/1/2015        3:00 AM
LEARN                      4/2/2015        12:00 AM



                        
A Tale of Three Nurseries                 
Rhode Island PBS       3/29/2015      6:30 PM
Rhode Island PBS       3/31/2015      4:30 AM
Rhode Island PBS       4/4/2015        11:30 PM
LEARN                      3/31/2015      8:30 PM
LEARN                      4/1/2015        3:30 AM
LEARN                      4/2/2015        12:30 AM




                        
Farm City                   
Rhode Island PBS       4/5/2015        6:00 PM
Rhode Island PBS       4/7/2015        4:00 AM
Rhode Island PBS       4/11/2015      11:00 PM
LEARN                      4/7/2015        8:00 PM
LEARN                      4/8/2015        3:00 AM
LEARN                      4/9/2015        12:00 AM



UPDATED: March 13, 2015
UPDATED: April 5, 2015
UPDATED: April 6, 2015

Pension suit: "It's a Lawyer Lollapalooza!" this week on A Lively Experiment 2/20/15



“It’s a lawyer lollapalooza!” said Scott MacKay on the postponement request of the pension suit.

Panel
Dyana Koelsch, moderator
Rob Horowitz, Democratic Strategist
Scott Mackay, Political Reporter, Rhode Island Public Radio
Lisa Pelosi, Republican Strategist
Ted Nesi, Political and Economic Reporter, WPRI-TV

Topics
  • Governor Raimondo’s economic critique and vision/ her executive order intended to improve the state’s business climate 
  • State asks for delay in pension trial 
  • DOT Chief Mike Lewis to step down 
  • Review of the Gist years 
  • Governor’s pay equity tip line
A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 7 p.m., with rebroadcasts on Saturdays at 7 P.M. on WSBE Learn (36.2), and Sundays at noon on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.

WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.

Can't get to the TV? Watch the episode online anytime and anywhere on our YouTube channel. Episodes of A Lively Experiment are generally available to watch on the next business day. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and YouTube will notify you when a new episode is uploaded.

On Facebook? So are we! "Like" A Lively Experiment on Facebook.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Two Towns Emerge in Search for "Our Town"


When Rhode Island PBS put out the call in December for the next Our Town location, residents from two towns were vocal right away. By the time the January 31 deadline arrived, it was clear that support from two towns was equally enthusiastic.

“The people have spoken, and we will visit two towns in 2015 – North Kingstown and Portsmouth,” said David W. Piccerelli, president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS. North Kingstown will be featured in a documentary televised in September, and Portsmouth will be featured in December.

Piccerelli attributes the enthusiasm for this next chapter of Our Town to the success of Our Town: Glocester, the first documentary in the planned series. “The comments that we and the participants received since the premiere are positive and inspiring. We’re looking forward to building on that energy as we take the project to North Kingstown and Portsmouth.”

Our Town is a community project wherein neighbors become filmmakers and tell the stories of Our Town. Part fund-raiser, part community builder, part historical and cultural documentary, and part “day-in-the-life” video scrapbook, Our Town shares with viewers the local legends, historical happenings, and backyard secrets of the particular town and its villages – untold or uncelebrated stories that capture the essence of the town.

Our Town gives the community a platform to share stories and perspectives on the town in their own voices,” Piccerelli said. “It's also a meaningful way for us to connect with our community.”

Residents of North Kingstown and Portsmouth are especially urged to participate, but one need not be a resident of the particular town - just have a great town story to tell. Community meetings and a technical workshop lead up to filming. During the planning meetings, participants discuss and choose the subjects and locations they want to include in the documentary about their town. Two days are allocated for filming, but volunteers can film stories anytime before the deadline.

“Those who wish to start filming right away do not have to wait for the filming dates – just contact the station and let us know,” said Jodi Mesolella, Our Town project director and director of membership and special projects at Rhode Island PBS.

“The content is decided by the participants. They pick what will be in the film. We’re looking forward to seeing what North Kingstown and Portsmouth choose to do,” Mesolella said.

In each town, Rhode Island PBS will recruit 20 to 25 volunteers with video cameras. There are no restrictions as to age or experience and there is no cost or compensation to participate.

“We will offer guidance, technical advice and support to our volunteers, but this is definitely their story as told by them in their community,” said Margie O’Brien, Our Town project producer. Video recorded by the volunteers will be edited together by Rhode Island PBS to create a one-hour film of each town.

Wickford Lighthouse in Wickford Harbor, North Kingstown. Photo credit: Walter Sulyma
The first planning meeting in North Kingstown will be in early March, with the technical workshop for the volunteer filmmakers in early April. The filming deadline will be mid-June.

Gull Cove, Portsmouth, RI  Photo: Jennifer Teichman

After an initial planning meeting in March, Portsmouth’s first community meeting will be in August, with the technical workshop and filming deadline in September.

For information about joining the Rhode Island PBS Our Town project, and for details about meetings as the dates approach, visit ripbs.org/ourtown, or call Jodi Mesolella (project director) at 401-222-3636, extension 209, Margie O'Brien (producer) at extension 225, or email ourtown@ripbs.org.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

A Lively Experiment week of February 13, 2015



Panel
Dyana Koelsch – moderator
Ian Donnis - political reporter, Rhode Island Public Radio
Maureen Moakley - professor of political science, URI
Kate Nagle - news editor, GoLocalProv.com
Dave Layman - corporate communications consultant

Topics
  • Snow: 
    • how cities are approaching removal 
    • MBTA service suspended/Director stepping down 
  • Former North Providence Councilor Paul Caranci on corruption 
  • Rep. Almeida’s arrest for misusing campaign funds 
  • Suspending Brian Williams
A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 7 p.m., with rebroadcasts on Saturdays at 7 P.M. on WSBE Learn (36.2), and Sundays at noon on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.

WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.

Can't get to the TV? Watch the episode online anytime and anywhere on our YouTube channel. Episodes of A Lively Experiment are generally available to watch on the next business day. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and YouTube will notify you when a new episode is uploaded.

On Facebook? So are we! "Like" A Lively Experiment on Facebook.

Trace the experience of The Italian Americans on Rhode Island PBS


From immigrants to prominence in business, politics, and the arts, trace the experience and influence of The Italian Americans.

The series reveals how Italian immigrants challenged the notion of the American “melting pot” — chronicling four generations of Italian-American lives, from the massive late 19th Century wave of immigration to today.

From the importance of the family over an individual’s personal aspirations, to their distinctive, circular migration patterns, to the specter of the Mafia that still plagues Italian Americans today, this series peels away myths and stereotypes to reveal a world uniquely Italian and uniquely American.

Rhode Island PBS presents the complete four-hour series The Italian Americans on two consecutive nights beginning at 8 p.m., Wednesday, February 25 and Thursday, February 26.

Click for a video preview.


Friday, February 6, 2015

Children's Friend on Rhode Island Spotlight


It’s Rhode Island’s oldest child welfare organization and one that has been a pioneer for much of the past 180 years. Children’s Friend, founded in 1834, serves the state’s most vulnerable children and their families.

And while last month’s annual Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive drew support from hundreds of individuals and companies, Jim Hummel shows us some of the dozens of programs Children’s Friend runs the rest of the year.

See the segment on Rhode Island PBS:
Fri  2/06 at 2:13 a.m.
Fri  2/06  at 12:17 p.m.
Sat  2/07 at 6:46 p.m.
Sun  2/08  at 6:51 p.m.
Mon  2/09 at 2:16 a.m.
Mon  2/09  at 12:17 p.m.
Tue  2/10  at 4:51 p.m.
Wed  2/11  at 12:16 p.m.
Thu 2/12 at 2:46 p.m.

See the segment on Learn:
Tue  2/10 at 8:51 p.m.
Wed 2/11 at 3:52 a.m.
Thu 2/12  at 6:55 a.m.

See all of the segments on Rhode Island Spotlight 

Mayors Forum on A Lively Experiment (week of February 6, 2015)



Panel
Dyana Koelsch – moderator
Mayor Allan Fung - City of Cranston
Mayor Don Grebien - City of Pawtucket
Mayor James Diossa - City of Central Falls
Mayor Lisa Baldelli Hunt - City of Woonsocket

Topics

  • Managing the snowstorms 
  • Car Tax legislation– how it impacts cities + towns 
  • Mayors' agendas with the General Assembly
  • Regionalization of services 
  • Creative fundraising for cities

A Lively Experiment airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (36.1) Fridays at 7 p.m., with rebroadcasts on Saturdays at 7 P.M. on WSBE Learn (36.2), and Sundays at noon on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.

WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.

Can't get to the TV? Watch the episode online anytime and anywhere on our YouTube channel. Episodes of A Lively Experiment are generally available to watch on the next business day. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and YouTube will notify you when a new episode is uploaded.

On Facebook? So are we! "Like" A Lively Experiment on Facebook.