The Winemakers Premieres Sundays at 1:30 p.m. beginning October 4
Are you a wine enthusiast or fan of PBS reality series like Everyday Edisons,Cooking Under Fire, Design Squad, and Frontier House? Then follow the adventures of 12 men and women as they vie for a chance to create and launch their own wine label in the new series The Winemakers, premiering Sunday, October 4 at 1:30 p.m. The contestants plunge head-first into one of the most challenging and often romanticized, yet rewarding, professions to experience every aspect of winemaking — from viticulture and enology to sales and marketing. You’ll not only get to experience the contestants’ excitement and heartbreak, but also learn about how the world’s most storied beverage is made and sold.
Moment of Luxury Season Two Premieres Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. beginning October 1
Encores Sundays at 1 p.m. beginning October 4
In today’s economy, a “moment of luxury’ might seem impossible to experience. That’s where award-winning interior designer Bill Stubbs comes to the rescue, with great tips and ideas to discover the beauty around you and find excellence in the everyday. Moment of Luxury’s second season takes a fresh look at “attainable luxury,” as Bill demonstrates how anyone can create a unique room for next to nothing with imagination, some thrift shopping — even “dumpster diving!’
Bill Stubbs and Jacques Torres
In the season premiere (10/1), Bill finds inspiration in a visit to the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, where top designers share secrets that can work on any budget. The following week (10/8), Bill and Antiques Roadshow furniture appraiser Leslie Keno take you behind the scenes of the high-end auction process at Sotheby’s, then offer tips on how to start a collection at any price. Experience vicarious moments of luxury as Bill joins legendary designer/author Gloria Vanderbilt in the beautiful room she created based on her teenage sitting room from the 1940s, and enjoys the ultimate in French chocolate during a decadent visit to Jacques Torres’s chocolate factory (both 10/15). Later this month, top designer/author Bunny Williams shares her best home and garden ideas from her 18th–century Connecticut estate (10/22), then Bill jets to Montréal for a visit to the Old Quarter, North America’s largest open-air market, and more (10/29).
Tomorrow night, Wednesday, September 16 at 8 p.m., former Celtic Woman vocalist/harpist Órla Fallon will be live in WLIW21’s studio during a special presentation of Visions® of Ireland. Órla will sing songs off her upcoming solo CD Distant Shore and speak about her upcoming Christmas concert at St. Patrick’s Church of Bay Shore.
Donate now for the Christmas with Órla VIP package, featuring a pair of reserved front row tickets to Órla’s December 14 Christmas concert, plus her Distant Shore CD.
Donate now for a pair of tickets to see Christmas with Órla on December 14.
Watch this video of Órla sharing her thoughts on recording Distant Shore:
Donate now for Órla’s Distant Shore CD and the Visions® of Ireland DVD.
Watch Órla performing “Carrickfergus” in Celtic Woman - A New Journey:
Donate now for the Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey – Essential Collection CD and DVD.
Remember, WLIW21’s Celtic and Irish programs are possible because of your donations. Thank you for your support!
WLIW21 presents the exclusive premiere of The Story of Burn the Floor on Wednesday, September 16 at 9 p.m. with director/choreographer/world champion dance legend Jason Gilkison and producer Harley Medcalf live in the studio! This new behind-the-scenes performance documentary chronicles the Latin and Ballroom dance spectacular from its inception through to its newest production on Broadway. First conceived as a special performance for Sir Elton John’s 50th birthday celebration in 1997, Burn the Floor made its world premiere two years later in the UK and quickly took the globe by storm.
Historical performance footage, highlights from the live show, and on-the-road and backstage interviews illustrate the passion and excitement of Burn the Floor’s incredible 10-year journey. The Story of Burn the Floor features interviews with Medcalf, Gilkison, world champion dance legend / executive producer / company manager Peta Roby, and members of the Burn the Floor cast and crew, including dancers from the current Broadway production: Sharna Burgess (So You Think You Can Dance), Giselle Peacock (Dancing with the Stars; So You Think You Can Dance; Superstars of Dance), Damon Sugden (Dancing with the Stars; So You Think You Can Dance), Trent Whiddon (Australia’s Dancing with the Stars), Damian Whitewood (Dancing with the Stars), and Robin Windsor.
During WLIW21’s one-hour exclusive premiere, Gilkison and Medcalf will share stories about the dance sensation’s current Broadway run.
Watch a preview of Broadway’s Burn the Floor:
Donate now for an exclusive ticket package to see Burn the Floor live, starring Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev of So You Think You Can Dance on October 7 at the Longacre Theatre.
In 2008, Leonard Cohen, the influential singer/songwriter whose career spans four decades, embarked on his first tour in 15 years. Fans and critics alike hailed the show as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Watch Wednesday, September 16 at 10 p.m., as WLIW21 brings you a front row seat during the premiere of Leonard Cohen Live in London, recorded live on July 17, 2008, at London’s 02 Arena, one of Europe’s largest indoor venues. Tune in for details on how to get FLOOR SEATS to Cohen’s October 23 concert at Madison Square Garden!
A new PBS primetime special, Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times is coming to WLIW21 on Wednesday, September 9th at 8 p.m. This hour-long special, hosted by Al Roker, Deborah Roberts and Elmo, aims to help families with children ages two to eight experiencing difficult economic circumstances, by offering strategies and tips that can lead to positive outcomes for their children’s physical and emotional well-being during this tough economic climate. Roker and Roberts, who are married to each other and have children of their own, spoke to WLIW21 about the program.
Q: Why did you do this special, “Families Stand Together,” with Sesame Street?
Roberts: I have been such a fan of Sesame Street and I have always looked enviously upon any celebrity that gets to interact with the Muppets. I thought the special was infinitely responsible and wise. I thought ‘Wow, this is a combo of great things, a primetime special that’s important at this moment, and a television show like Sesame Street that has such an impact.’ I thought there’s no way to not do this.
Roker: It’s Sesame Street. Who doesn’t love Sesame Street? It’s a chance to hang out with Elmo! It’s a great topic, lots of people are dealing with this, and if Deborah and I can help, we’re happy to do that.
Q. There are a lot of programs that offer strategies for adults who are trying to deal with the recession … what makes this show different?
Roberts: What makes it different is that it offers advice on a couple of levels, to children and parents. Children are dealing with this recession through their families; children are experiencing and worrying about it and there’s great advice to help children weather the storm. There’s also advice to help parents to be there for their children. It’s not just geared to children, but also to families, to embrace these tough times and what they call for. There’s one family in the program who had to cut back; the father lost his job and his daughter loves to read. She had a great idea with her mother to sell her old books to buy new ones. Families can walk away from this program with a good image and good advice.
Q. What is the best advice you would give a parent who’s lost a job, or struggling with the recession?
Roker: Look for whatever help your community offers. Whether it’s church, financial assistance, therapy … you have to look for something. And you have to include your kids; you can’t do this without making sure the family’s involved. You also have to make sure that what you tell your kids is age-appropriate – don’t show them a budget, for example. But you can help them understand what’s going on. Hiding it is not the way to go.
Roberts: Number one, don’t underestimate what the children might think about it, and number two, to be creative — whether that means financially, or finding ways to make the money go further and still have a good time. One military family has come up with movie night at their own home; they have popcorn, and the kids enjoy it. It’s not like they’re missing out on the experience of going to the movies — parents are finding ways to be creative, in a way that comes up positive for their children.
Q. You have children of your own — what did you take away from working on the show?
Roberts: Fortunately, we are not struggling yet in this economy, but there are ways that our children can enjoy what we have, and ways that we can incorporate what these families do on the special into our own family. There are ways that we can do things to be creative with what we have, and it’s fun to work on a project and activity. My husband and I thought that we can do that with our kids. We can have that atmosphere at home, and we’ve employed these ideas from the program in our home. The silver lining is that we get closer as a family, and we pull together.
Watch a preview below, and tune in Wednesday night for Families Stand Together.
They had so much to talk about that they recorded a second vlog that we never got around to sharing with you until now. Watch as Jacques shares his Julia Child memories and plans for his next cookbook and the next season of More Fast Food My Way with Laura.
(View full post to see video)
See a live food demonstration from Jacques Pépin, taste his instant-cured salmon slices and other foods from the French Culinary Institute at the WLIW21 Autumn Gourmet Classic on Wednesday, September 9 at The Astor Center. Donate now to attend this special event and support WLIW21’s commercial-free arts, culture and cooking programming. More about this intimate evening of food, wine and “culinary theater” from Jacques and Laura:
(View full post to see video)
The WLIW21 Autumn Gourmet Classic also features a meet and greet and book signing with Lidia Bastianich, a food demonstration from Everyday Baking from Everyday Food Chef John Barricelli, and tastings from New York metro area restaurants and wines from all over the world. Space is limited to ensure all guests have an opportunity to see and taste everything so get your tickets now!
Historical performance footage, highlights from the live show, and on-the-road and backstage interviews illustrate the passion and excitement of Burn the Floor’s incredible 10-year journey. The Story of Burn the Floor features interviews with Medcalf, Gilkison, world champion dance legend / executive producer / company manager Peta Roby, and members of the Burn the Floor cast and crew, including dancers from the current Broadway production: Sharna Burgess (So You Think You Can Dance), Giselle Peacock (Dancing with the Stars; So You Think You Can Dance; Superstars of Dance), Damon Sugden (Dancing with the Stars; So You Think You Can Dance), Trent Whiddon (Australia’s Dancing with the Stars), Damian Whitewood (Dancing with the Stars), and Robin Windsor.
