Beginning on Friday, October 14th and continuing every Friday night into December, the PBS Arts Fall Festival on KERA TV features a range of artists from around the country and across the musical spectrum. Full-length performances, behind-the-scenes interviews, profiles of artists and performers and mini-documentaries of women rock-and-rollers, banjo pickers and award-winning choreographers are a front row seat and back stage pass to productions and performances that will entertain and inspire you. Tune in on Friday nights at 8pm to see:
THE GUTHRIE THEATER PRESENTS H.M.S. PINAFORE
Delight in this spectacular new production of the beloved Gilbert and Sullivan classic from the Guthrie Theater, directed by the theater’s artistic director, Joe Dowling. Infused with fresh musical arrangements of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s memorable melodies — ranging from big band swing to classic pop — H.M.S. Pinafore is pure joy and sensational entertainment for everyone. Friday, October 14 at 8pm on KERA TV.
AMERICAN MASTERS: “Pearl Jam Twenty”
Carved from more than 1,200 hours of rarely and never-before-seen footage, plus 24 hours of recently shot interview and live footage, “Pearl Jam Twenty” is the definitive portrait of Pearl Jam as told by award-winning director and music journalist Cameron Crowe. Friday, October 21 at 8pm on KERA TV.
GREAT PERFORMANCES: “Miami City Ballet Dances Balanchine and Tharp”
Witness the grace and beauty of one of America’s finest dance companies, Edward Villella’s Miami City Ballet, in a trio of signature works by George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp. Friday, October 28 at 8pm on KERA TV.
GIVE ME THE BANJO
Narrated by Steve Martin, a banjoist himself, the film explores the roots of American music — the minstrel show, ragtime and early jazz, blues, old-time, folk, bluegrass and country. It is a story of America’s quintessential musical instrument from its African slavery roots to the 21st century, featuring performances and commentary from contemporary folk musicians such as Pete Seeger, Earl Scruggs, Taj Mahal, Béla Fleck and the Carolina Chocolate Drops, as well as from leading music historians, instrument builders and collectors. Friday, November 4 at 8pm on KERA TV.
AMERICAN MASTERS: “Bill T. Jones: A Good Man”
Follow award-winning director/choreographer Bill T. Jones’s intense creative journey as he leads his company in the creation of Fondly Do We Hope… Fervently Do We Pray, an original dance-theater piece in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s bicentennial. Friday, November 11 at 8pm on KERA TV.
WOMEN WHO ROCK
From Bessie Smith to Janis Joplin to Lady Gaga, this performance documentary vibrates with energy as it traces the indelible mark that amazing women musicians have made on America’s soundtrack. Inspired by the “Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power” exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, “Women Who Rock” reveals new insights into what it means to be female in the male-dominated world of rock and roll, while exploring how those dynamics between the sexes have changed with time. Friday, November 18 at 8pm on KERA TV.
GREAT PERFORMANCES: “Il Postino from LA Opera”
Bask in the beautiful voice of world-renowned tenor Plácido Domingo with the LA Opera in this romantic new opera by composer Daniel Catán based on the Oscar-winning Italian film. Friday, November 25 at 8pm on KERA TV.
GREAT PERFORMANCES: “Andrea Bocelli in Central Park”
Beloved tenor Andrea Bocelli performs a free concert on Central Park’s Great Lawn, with the New York Philharmonic conducted by its music director Alan Gilbert. Friday, December 2 at 8pm on KERA TV.
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GREAT PERFORMANCES: “The Little Mermaid from San Francisco Ballet”
Experience Hans Christian Andersen’s haunting tale of love with San Francisco Ballet’s production of John Neumeier’s inventive ballet. The original score is by young Russian-American composer Lera Auerbach. Friday, December 16 at 8pm on KERA TV.
