House of Shadows Returns in November

Rhode Island PBS encores House of Shadows by local filmmakers Michael and Karen Iacobbo of Providence Lyceum, LLC. Featured as part of the ongoing Rhode Island PBS series Rhode Island Stories, House of Shadows airs Thursday, November 10 at 8 p.m., Saturday, November 12 at 11 p.m., and Sunday, November 13 at 7 p.m.

Filmed at some of Rhode Island’s most beautiful and important historical sites, the hour-long Gothic romance House of Shadows is inspired by the television series Dark Shadows. And, in fact, Connecticut actress Beverly Hayes, who plays Patience Silverfield, the 19th Century mistress of Silverfield Hall in House of Shadows, appeared in the original Dark Shadows.

Beautifully filmed as it moves between present day and 1893, the story explores the strange events that unfold - and the force that manifests - after the mansion in the family of famous Victorian poet Nathaniel Silverfield is taken by eminent domain for a planned flood.

Rhode Island locations showcased in the film include the Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum in Providence, the Malbone Estate in Newport, the Governor William Sprague Mansion in Cranston, the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, and the Roger Williams Park in Providence.

With a strong Rhode Island connection through its film locations, the film's cast, too, has local ties. House of Shadows stars Welsh-born actor and former Massachusetts resident Joe Michael Phillips, as Victorian-era poet Nathaniel Silverfield. Actress Jami Tennille of Massachusetts stars as Nathaniel’s fiancée, Victoria Noble. Connecticut actress Suzanne McCormick narrates House of Shadows and stars as Buffy Silverfield, mistress of the 21st Century estate. Young actor Olivia Sage Pentell, who plays heiress Annabel Lee Silverfield, is also from Connecticut. Rhode Island actor Kevin Cahill plays the villain: Gerard Hawthorne.

Other Rhode Island actors include Lawrence O'Leary as Jeffrey Silverfield, Linda Colvin as Aunt Lacey Silverfield, Josh Passarelli as Toby, Adam Buxbaum as Julian Murk, and Peggy Passarelli as the doctor.


Casting information provided by Providence Lyceum, LLC

BioBlitz: Discovering Nature's Neighborhood Marks Natural History Week

Among the forests, swamps, tidal wetlands, and ocean waves of Narragansett, Rhode Island, more than 200 adult volunteers, school children, working scientists, and avocational naturalists scramble  in early June to tally as many species as possible in one 24-hour period within a designated parcel of land. The event is called BioBlitz. 

BioBlitz: Discovering Nature's Neighborhood is a half-hour documentary that chronicles the annual event from 2013. In honor of Rhode Island Natural History Week, Rhode Island PBS is pleased to encore the film on Thursday, November 3 at 8 p.m. (plus, Saturday, November 5 at 11 p.m. and Sunday November 6 at 7 p.m.)

BioBlitz is a aptly named - scientists and citizen scientists spend one full day and night observing, identifying, and recording as many fish, birds, mammals, insects, fungi, trees, and plants as they can. A special event by any measure, the particular BioBlitz chronicled in the film was made even more memorable for the volunteers  who braved the elements after a tropical storm dumped 4 1/2 inches of rain overnight. Despite the weather, the "Narragansett project," as the 2013 event was called, located 1,265 species of life in the area that included Canonchet Farm, Narrow River, and the Pettaquamscutt Cove.

Hosted by the Rhode Island Natural History Survey annually since 2000 in various sites around Rhode Island, BioBlitz: Discovering Nature's Neighborhood was filmed by the Coastal Institute at University of Rhode Island.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) content over the air on 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08/1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08/508HD, Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD (Comcast SD subscribers check local listings for channel), Verizon FiOS 18/518HD; on satellite: Dish 36/7776, DirecTV 36. 

East Coast Antiques Season 3 Begins October 2

East Coast Antiques returns to Rhode Island PBS on Sunday, October 2 at 3:30 p.m. The series is part reality television and part destination show, with host and series creator Mike Rossi acting as the guide on a behind-the-scenes tour through the twists and turns of the antiques world.

As a licensed auctioneer, antiques store manager, and antiquities collector himself, Rossi brings a unique insider perspective to the new season. A television veteran with more than 25 years of broadcast experience, he is also the creator and director of the show.

Traveling from festivals to flea markets, Mike and his crew of hunters put theory to the test as they buy and sell, wheel and deal, haggle and handshake. Along the way, antiques insiders – including Rossi himself – share observations from their booths and shops up and down the east coast. East Coast Antiques presents the people and items that continue to make collecting antiques one of the hottest pastimes today.

This season of East Coast Antiques will air on Rhode Island PBS on Sunday afternoons at 3:30 p.m.  In addition to Mike Rossi, the returning cast includes antiques dealer Steve Mariorenzi, Jolie Stewart, and first season host, Margie O’Brien. Amy Miksis is the newcomer to the cast this season.

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

This Year's Benefit Auction Offers the 2016 Toyota Prius Two Hybrid

Large or small, one-time or recurring, individual donations are the largest source of financial support for Rhode Island PBS. The station hosts a variety of fund raising events throughout the year to boost opportunities to donate and to offer fun and rewards to you for your loyal support. Among the favorite events each year is the annual Benefit Auction, which, for almost 20 years, has featured a vehicle donated by your New England Toyota Dealer.

This year’s Rhode Island PBS Benefit Auction features the 2016 Toyota Prius Two Hybrid. If you are in the market for a car, this fun-to-drive vehicle is loaded with standard features, is technologically advanced, safe, and environmentally friendly. Put yourself behind the wheel of this car by being the winning high bidder. Plus, you know your winning high bid supports the shows you love to watch on Rhode Island PBS. Win-Win!

Poldark and Sherlock on Masterpiece, Great Performances at The Met, Doc Martin, Call the Midwife, Antiques Roadshow. These and so many other national and local programs and series are the shows you tell us you love to watch week after week on Rhode Island PBS. These shows are only possible thanks to financial support from you and public television viewers like you.

The Rhode Island PBS Benefit Auction opens on Monday, October 3 and closes on Sunday, October 23 at 8 p.m.

Let us know if you have any questions. Spread the word about the Benefit Auction to your family and friends, especially those looking for a new set of wheels! Thank you for your support.