Small Village, Big Story: Carolina, RI

As part of its ongoing series, Rhode Island Stories, WSBE presents the two-part documentary, Carolina, RI: The Smallest of the Small, a film by Carla Ricci about the village of Carolina in Richmond, RI.


A hundred years ago, New England had 2,000 mill towns - and one of them was tiny: 75 houses clustered around one street less than a mile long. But, Carla Ricci says, "don't let looks deceive you: Carolina, Rhode Island, has a big story." As mill towns go, it may be the smallest of the small, but this film makes the case that it may be one of the best.

What started out for Ricci as casual conversation between neighbors turned into a seven-year long journey of research and discovery, poring over historical letters, photos, and documents, as well as hours of captured recollections and reminiscences. What resulted is the woven tapestry of the rich - and almost forgotten - history of remarkable Rhode Islanders from a remarkable Rhode Island village.


This link will take you to a video preview. Don't miss the "Cutting Room Floor" for more stories that didn't make it into the final film.


Carolina, RI: The Smallest of the Small will be shown in two parts. Part 1 airs on Saturday, September 24 at 7 p.m. (re-broadcast on Sunday, September 25 at 11 p.m.) on WSBE Rhode Island PBS. Part 2 airs Saturday, October 1 at 7 p.m. (rebroadcast on Sunday, October 2 at 11 p.m.)

Two Sides of Life... One Chance at Love... William and Mary

He's an undertaker. She is a midwife. He has two sons. She has two daughters. Two sides of life, one chance at love.

Beginning Saturday, September 17, at 10 p.m., WSBE Rhode Island PBS airs the romantic comedy drama, William and Mary. It stars Martin Clunes as William Shawcross, an undertaker, and Julie Graham as Mary Gilcrest, a midwife. Besides naming its two principal characters, the show's title is also a cultural reference to the reign of the English monarchs, William and Mary. In fact, when I first heard the series title, that's exactly what I thought the subject would be: British royals.

Instead, William and Mary is about two very average, very endearing folks, who become romantically involved after meeting through a dating service. With careers at opposite ends of the life cycle, and facing complicated situations involving their extended families, which intrude on the couple's fledgling relationship, William and Mary promises to surprise and engage you every Saturday night at 10.

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

Invitation to Artists and Artisans

WSBE Rhode Island PBS invites artists and artisans to participate in the 2011 Art & Artisan Auction. It's a great way to share your work, while supporting public television, too. The Web site explains the benefits to you (and to us) of your generosity, and this link makes donating your work so easy.

Questions? Give our Auction Director Jeff Hartley a call at 222-3636 extension 327.

Jackie Evancho: Dream with Me in Concert

Great Performances presents Jackie Evancho in a solo concert that fully reveals the complete range and depth of this spectacular young talent. Watch highlights from the solo concert debut of the 11-year-old girl with the extraordinary soprano voice. WSBE Rhode Island PBS airs Jackie Evancho: Dream with Me in Concert on Friday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m., with rebroadcasts on Sunday, September 4 at 8:30 p.m., and Friday, September 9 at 12:30 p.m.

Already familiar to national audiences from her debut appearances on America’s Got Talent, Jackie is the youngest star in Great Performances’ recent Hitman Returns: David Foster & Friends concert, performing virtuoso interpretations of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Pie Jesu” and Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro.”  Foster will co-host the special, and serve as music director.

Jackie Evancho’s concert will celebrate the release of her first full-length SYCO/Columbia CD Dream with Me, which covers classical crossover material, and will be taped at the spectacular grounds of the magnificent The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida.

Jackie’s musical selection on the program is scheduled to include “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “Nella Fantasia,” “A Mother’s Prayer,” “Nessun Dorma,” “Angel,” “O Mio Babbino Caro,” “Somewhere,” “All I Ask Of You,” “Ombra Mai Fu,” “Lovers,” “Imaginer,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “To Believe,” and “Dream With Me.”

Then at 9 p.m., Roy Clark, Glenn Campbell and MY MUSIC bring back the most memorable songs to cross over the country and pop charts from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s in Country Pop Legends. The program features new live performances, and classic clips from Tammy Wynette, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash and many more.