Serving America: Memories of Peace Corps premieres on Tuesday, April 3, 7:30 p.m. on WPBT2. This original WPBT2 documentary highlights the experience of eleven South Floridians who served in the early years of the Peace Corps.
In addition to the broadcast, WPBT2 will host an online webcast of the documentary on Thursday, March 29, 7:30 p.m., EST at http://www.wpbt2.org/webcast. During the webcast, visitors can watch the program, chat with each other, and ask questions to the Executive Producer, Jack Kelly.
Told through the recollections of those who served include: Donna E. Shalala, President of the University of Miami, who volunteered in Iran from 1962-1964; Alberto Ibarguen, President and CEO of the James S. and James L. Knight Foundation, who served in Venezuela and Columbia from 1976-1971; Roland Foulkes, Founder & Chief Strategist, One Broward, who served in Ghana, West Africa from 1982-1984; and Terrance L. Lindemann, former WorldBank Head Marketing Div. Ext. Affairs, who volunteered in Venezuela from 1962-64.
Through the mix of archival film and photographs with personal stories from these returned volunteers, the program tells the story of service and idealism while tracing the history and heritage of an organization that has inspired more than 200,000 Americans to work for peace in 139 countries.
“What the Peace Corps really did is make me a citizen of the world,” says Shalala of her experience in Iran. After his service in Ghana, Roland Foulkes believes the “Two years; changed my life. It transformed me in a way that nothing else has.” From Ibarguen’s experience in Venezuela and Colombia, he states, “I am the living, breathing result of those two years in the jungle.”
The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew a federal government agency devoted to world peace and friendship. Within weeks of his inauguration, President Kennedy signed Executive Order 10924, establishing the Peace Corps on a temporary pilot basis. By June 30, 1962, 2,816 volunteers are in the field in 28 host countries.
FRONTLINE will broadcast a two-part mini-series on WPBT2 April 24 and May 1 at 9 pm. Since 2008, Wall Street and Washington have fought against the tide of the fiercest financial crisis since the Great Depression. What have they wrought? In a special 4-hour investigation, FRONTLINE tells the inside story of the struggles to rescue and repair a shattered economy, exploring key decisions, missed opportunities, and the unprecedented and uneasy partnership between government leaders and titans of finance that affects the fortunes of millions of people around the world. In Part 1 , April 24 on WPBT2, FRONTLINE producer Michael Kirk investigates how two U.S. administrations have confronted the crisis – while dealing with sharp internal divisions and a relationship with Wall Street marked by mistrust and dependence, mutual interests, and competing goals. The investigation charts the largest government bailout in U.S. history, a series of decisions that rewrote the rules of government and fueled a debate that would alter the country’s political landscape. Focusing on the Obama administration, FRONTLINE tells the story of a newly elected president with a mandate for change grappling with the multi-headed menace of economic instability, and with fundamental choices about winners and losers and the direction of his presidency. In Part 2, on May 1 on WPBT2, FRONTLINE producer Martin Smith pivots the investigation to the inner workings of global high finance, which four years after the crisis exploded remains largely shrouded in secrecy and laden with risk. While popular anger at bankers and the effects of reckless lending and borrowing has spread across much of the globe, effective regulatory reform remains elusive. Looking to Europe as well as America, FRONTLINE interviews leading bankers and officials to probe deeply into story of the big banks, how they developed, how
A special screening, free admission at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale
Monday, March 19, DAVY JONES TRIBUTE...Free!
DAVY JONES
FLIFF remembers Davy Jones of The Monkees with a Tribute on Monday, March 19th. Beginning at 7pm in the Courtyard with THE MONKEES Greatest Hits and bar specials...plus free munchies, followed by an episode from THE MONKEES TV show...then at 8pm, move inside and watch the Bob Rafelson (FIVE EASY PIECES) directed HEAD starring Davy Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith with Victor Mature, Annette Funicello, Frank Zappa, Sonny Liston and Terry Garr - Co-Written by Jack Nicholson! AND ITS ALL FREE!
IDINA MENZEL LIVE: BAREFOOT AT THE SYMPHONY features Tony® Award-winning Broadway star (Rent and Wicked), television actress (“Glee”) and recording artist Idina Menzel, with an orchestra masterfully
led by legendary composer/conductor Marvin Hamlisch, filmed at The Royal Conservatory’s beautiful Koerner Hall in Toronto, Canada.
Known as a show-stopping performer, Menzel takes viewers on a special journey through a diverse repertoire of classic pop and musical theater favorites, including a fresh spin on contemporary songs. The concert is woven together by Menzel’s irresistible appeal, wit and unparalleled vocal prowess. Recently called the “Streisand of her generation” by The Denver Post, the singer has captivated audiences at sold-out concerts across the country. This show reflects all of her musical and life influences.
IDINA MENZEL LIVE: BAREFOOT AT THE SYMPHONY premieres Saturday, March 10 at 8:30pm on WPBT2. Idina Menzel will be live in WPBT2’s studio! Tune in for a special ticket offer for her upcoming concert in Miami.
UNDER THE STREETLAMP, America’s hottest new vocal group, performs an electrifying evening of classic hits from the American radio songbook in this special recorded at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana. Exuding the irresistible rapport of a modern-day Rat Pack, the quartet — recent leading cast members of the Tony® Award-winning musical Jersey Boys — deliver an evening of unforgettable entertainment.
Featuring doo-wop, Motown, old time rock ‘n’ roll and favorite songs from the Drifters, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Four Seasons and many others, UNDER THE STREETLAMP premieres Sunday, March 11 at 10:00pm on WPBT2.
The members of Under the Streetlamp — Michael Cunio, Michael Ingersoll, Christopher Kale Jones and Shonn Wiley — have been featured on Broadway, in film and on television, and were showcased on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” “The Emmy® Awards” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show” during their Jersey Boys tenure. Accompanied by a band of seven elite musicians, Under the Streetlamp has packed concert venues across America. They are, without a doubt, a modern classic.
OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II — OUT OF MY DREAMS is a celebration of the most acclaimed lyricist and librettist of the 20th century, the man who worked in the theater for more than 40 years, writing the lyrics for more than a thousand songs and the libretti for dozens of operettas and musicals performed on Broadway, in London and in Hollywood films.
Brimming over with movie clips from his greatest musicals, this new PBS special features interviews with Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, Shirley Jones, Mitzi Gaynor, Hammerstein family members and others.
Hosted by Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Matthew Morrison (“Glee”), OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II — OUT OF MY DREAMS premieres Saturday, March 10 at 7:00pm on WPBT2.
IDINA MENZEL LIVE: BAREFOOT AT THE SYMPHONY features Tony® Award-winning Broadway star (Rent and Wicked), television actress (“Glee”) and recording artist Idina Menzel, with an orchestra masterfully led by legendary composer/conductor Marvin Hamlisch, filmed at The Royal Conservatory’s beautiful Koerner Hall in Toronto, Canada.
Known as a show-stopping performer, Menzel takes viewers on a special journey through a diverse repertoire of classic pop and musical theater favorites, including a fresh spin on contemporary songs. The concert is woven together by Menzel’s irresistible appeal, wit and unparalleled vocal prowess. Recently called the “Streisand of her generation” by The Denver Post, the singer has captivated audiences at sold-out concerts across the country. This show reflects all of her musical and life influences.
IDINA MENZEL LIVE: BAREFOOT AT THE SYMPHONY premieres Saturday, March 10 at 8:30pm on WPBT2. Idina Menzel will be live in WPBT2’s studio! Tune in for a special ticket offer for her upcoming concert in Miami.
Tony Bennett made music history with the Grammy-nominated CD Duets II when it debuted at the top of the Billboard Album charts, making Bennett the oldest vocal artist ever to achieve the number one spot. Recently nominated for three Grammys, including Best Traditional Pop Vocal, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s), the critically acclaimed album followed the 85-year-old singer’s Grammy-winning 2006 Duets CD, which had, in turn, been released in honor of his 80th birthday.
Great Performances: Tony Bennett: Duets II features the singer’s greatest hits, performed by Bennett and today's biggest stars, including John Mayer, Michael Bublé, k.d. lang, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Queen Latifah, Norah Jones, Josh Groban, Faith Hill, Alejandro Sanz, Carrie Underwood and more.
The sessions, filmed to capture the magic of these performers singing with the master of the Great American Songbook, airs on Saturday, March 10 at 10:00pm on WPBT2.
Internationally renowned guitar superstar Joe Bonamassa delivers a stunning performance at the legendary Beacon Theatre in New York City in this special taped exclusively for public television. Bonamassa’s show at the Beacon Theatre is his follow-up performance for PBS, following the successful JOE BONAMASSA — LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL.
JOE BONAMASSA: BEACON THEATRE — LIVE FROM NEW YORK premieres Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 11:00pm. Tune in for special ticket offers to his upcoming concert performance in Miami.
Bonamassa’s Beacon Theatre performance, captured by the same producers and directors who filmed his performance at the Royal Albert Hall, features memorable duet performances with legendary classic rock singer Paul Rodgers(lead singer for Bad Company) and John Hiatt, recipient of Nashville’s Music Lifetime Achievement Award for songwriting. In addition to these special guest appearances, Bonamassa’s show features new songs and a guitar experience audiences will be sure to remember.
Italian heartthrobs Il Volo — Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble — have been receiving unanimous raves for their vocal talent and showmanship. Since their May 2011 debut in the U.S., the three Teenage Tenors have appeared on “American Idol,” “The Tonight Show,” “Ellen,” “The Today Show” and “Good Morning America,” among others, and their single, “O Solo Mio,” has been viewed by more than a million fans on YouTube. Already certified platinum in their homeland, Italy, and several other countries, they have captured the hearts of Americans of all ages.
Il Volo, meaning “flight,” was chosen as their name because these three young men were about to spread their wings. Now viewers can watch them soar in their premiere PBS special filmed at Detroit’s famed Opera House on October 27, 2011. IL VOLO TAKES FLIGHT premieres on WPBT2 Sunday, March 4 at 6:00pm.
The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, a fully-staged, lavish 25th anniversary mounting of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running Broadway and West End extravaganza, comes to WPBT2 on Sunday, March 4 at 7:30pm.
To mark the musical’s Silver Anniversary, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh presented “The Phantom of the Opera” in the sumptuous Victorian splendor of London’s Royal Albert Hall. International audiences were invited to join the celebration when the evening was transmitted live to cinemas worldwide. This dazzling restaging of the original production recreates the jaw-dropping scenery and breathtaking special effects of the original, set to Lloyd Webber’s haunting score.
The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall stars Ramin Karimloo as The Phantom and Sierra Boggess as Christine. Both had triumphed in the London premiere of “Love Never Dies,” Lloyd Webber’s sequel to “The Phantom of the Opera,” both earning prestigious Olivier Award nominations for their roles.
On October 2, 2006, a 32-year-old milk truck driver named Charles Roberts entered a one-room schoolhouse in the Amish community of Nickel Mines in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and shot 10 young girls, killing five, before committing suicide as police officers stormed the school. Just hours after the shooting, Amish community members visited the gunman’s family to offer forgiveness. The events at Nickel Mines horrified the nation for the senseless brutality of the shootings and left many questioning and haunted by the victims’ startling response.
Filmed over the course of a year, The Amish answers many questions Americans have about this insular religious community. Their intense faith and strict adherence to 300-year-old traditions have by turn captivated and repelled, awed and irritated, inspired and confused America for more than a century.
An extraordinarily intimate portrait of contemporary Amish faith and life, the film questions why and how the Amish, an insistently closed and communal culture, have thrived within one of the most open, individualistic societies on earth; explores how, despite their ingrained submissiveness, the Amish have successfully asserted themselves in resisting the encroachments of modern society and government; asks what our fascination with the Amish says about deep American values; and looks at what the future holds for a community whose existence is so rooted in the past.
With unprecedented access to the Amish built on patience and hard-won trust, the film is the first to deeply penetrate and explore this profoundly attention-averse group and includes the voices of those close to the murdered schoolgirls. Written and directed by David Belton and produced by Callie T. Wiser, The Amish premieres on AMERICAN EXPERIENCE on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. on WPBT2.
Whales and dolphins remain a constant source of fascination. But how much do we really know about them? Whales and dolphins, known as cetaceans, may appear to be totally alien to us — but with their mental ability, group communication and the recent discovery that dolphins have individual names, they are closer to us than we ever imagined. Nature: Ocean Giants provides new insights into the lives of whales and dolphins in a visually powerful, engaging and entertaining format. The three part series premieres Wednesday, February 22 at 8:00pm on WPBT2.
In the first of three hours, Giant Lives, we examine the world of great whales, such as the blue whale and the bowhead, the largest animals that have ever lived on our planet. To these mighty leviathans, size matters. In the Arctic, giant bowhead whales survive the freezing cold wrapped in fifty tons of insulating blubber two feet thick, making them the fattest animals on the planet. And in addition to being the fattest, they may live the longest.
The second hour, Deep Thinkers, explores the cognitive and emotional lives of dolphins and whales, which have the largest brains of any animal. Like us, cetaceans have special brain cells called spindle cells that are associated with communication, emotion, and heightened social sensitivity. These cells were once thought to be unique to humans, yet research is showing that whales and dolphins have may have three times more spindle cells than we do, leading scientists to believe that their mental abilities and emotional awareness could be far greater than we imagined.
In the final hour, Voices of the Sea, the extra sensory perceptions and communication skills of these extraordinary creatures are considered. Whales and dolphins use sound to hunt, to communicate with one another, and also to “see” and experience the world around them. Sending out loud clicks, they use the echoes to form a mental picture of the world around them. They use ultrasound to see inside other creatures, clicks and whistles to speak, echolocation to navigate and hunt in the depths where the light cannot guide them.
DAVY 
JONES 
