Tuesday, November 15, 2011

WQED Holiday Season Programming Offers Treats for All




HOLIDAY SEASON PROGRAMMING FROM WQED OFFERS NEW AND TRADITIONAL CLASSICS



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 14, 2011

CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org


HOLIDAY SEASON PROGRAMMING

FROM WQED OFFERS NEW AND TRADITIONAL CLASSICS


PITTSBURGH—Each year WQED-TV and Classical WQED-FM 89.3 offer viewers and listeners a cornucopia of programming on television and radio to celebrate the season. The 2011 schedule offers everything from the L.A. Holiday Celebration 2011 with more than 1,000 performers to a new offering from Lidia Bastianich (Lidia Celebrates America “Holiday Tables & Traditions”) that looks at four different cultures’ observance of several holidays. Whether you’ll be leaving cookies for Santa Claus, lighting the Menorah or preparing for the New Year WQED has something for you and your family this holiday as you gather together.

WQED-TV HOLIDAY FAMILY PROGRAMMING

• Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Homecoming

Thursday, November 24

“Special” 4802 at 7:30 p.m.

My Tale of Two Cities: A Comeback Story at 8 p.m.

After playing in more than 25 cities across North America, including on Capitol Hill, My Tale of Two Cities will make its broadcast premiere on WQED-TV Thanksgiving Day just in time for those coming home for the holidays!

Preceding the film, a special guest panel including the stars of the movie, former U.S. Secretary of Treasury, Paul O’Neill, Steelers’ legend Franco and his son businessman Dok Harris, and filmmaker Carl Kurlander will discuss the city’s remarkable resurgence since the filming. This special edition of WQED’s 4802 program that will air at 7:30 p.m. will be co-hosted by the president of The Pittsburgh Foundation, Grant Oliphant, and WQED’s Michael Bartley.


• Live From Lincoln Center “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker”

Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m.

A glowing one-ton Christmas tree, mischievous mice and crystalline waltzing snowflakes. Join the New York City Ballet for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker LIVE from Lincoln Center.


• Lidia Celebrates America “Holiday Tables & Traditions” (Four-part series)

Tuesday, December 20 at 8 p.m.

Join Lidia Bastianich as she visits with everyone from actors Mo Rocca and Stanley Tucci to a Chinese American family named Fong-Torres to discover four different holiday tables including an Italian-American Christmas Eve, a four-generation Mexican-American family Christmas get-together, a Chinese-American New Year celebration and a Jewish-American Passover.

• Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Featuring David Archuleta and Michael York

Tuesday, December 20 at 9 p.m.; Sunday, December 25 at Noon and 5 p.m.

Along with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Orchestra at Temple Square and 107 dancers, Season Seven American Idol runner-up David Archuleta sings holiday favorites while Michael York reads the story of Christmas from the Book of Luke from Salt Lake City.

• Nature “Christmas in Yellowstone”

Wednesday, December 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 8 p.m.

From snowflake crystals, to elk and bison to Jackson Hole, join NATURE as they retrace the footsteps of the original men who first explored Yellowstone and see extraordinary scenes often missed in Hayden Valley for “a Christmas like no other.”

• Christmas at Belmont

Thursday, December 22 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 2 p.m.

This annual holiday season tradition features familiar carols, classical masterworks, world music and seasonal favorites from the 400 student voices and Belmont University School of Music faculty.

• The National Christmas Tree Lighting 2011

Thursday, December 22 at 9 p.m.

Joined by some of the biggest names in entertainment this program’s finale includes the lighting of the National Christmas Tree by President Barack Obama and his family.

• European Christmas Markets

Thursday, December 22 at 10:30 p.m.

Travel through Germany, France and Switzerland and visit cities and towns through the lively markets of Europe at Christmas time.

• L.A. Holiday Celebration 2011

Friday, December 23 at 9 p.m.

L.A. Holiday Celebration 2010 (50th Annual)

Sunday, December 25 at 4 p.m.

Attended annually by more than 7,000 people, this LIVE three-hour program features more than 1,000 performers and includes an array of ethnic and culturally diverse music and dance.

• Christmas at St. Olaf

Friday, December 23 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 1 p.m.

From St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, this is a celebration that features five of the college’s choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra with newly commissioned works from American composers Andre J. Thomas and David N. Childs.

• Home and Hearth: The Crane Candlelight Concert 2009

Sunday, December 25 at 3 p.m.

This Christmas concert with The Crane Chorus and Crane Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rebecca Reames, Jeffrey Francom, Heather Eyerly, and Kenneth Andrews features more than 300 carolers and musicians performing traditional and seasonal hymns.

• Purdue Christmas Show

Sunday, December 25 at 6 p.m.

Now in its 77th year, the Purdue Christmas Show features members of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, Purduettes, Purdue Bells, University Choir, Heart & Soul, All Campus & Community Chorale and the PMO Kids Choir from Elliott Hall of Music.

• Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh

Sunday, December 25 at 7 p.m.

Perry Como once sang that, “there’s no place like home for the holidays.” Join beloved producer Rick Sebak as he takes you on a journey through western Pennsylvania holiday traditions past and present. It’s Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh.


WQED-TV HOLIDAY CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING

• Curious George Holiday Spectacular

Wednesday, November 23

Curious George The Movie at 8 a.m.

Curious George Follow That Monkey at 9:30 a.m.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas II at 11 a.m.

• Shalom Sesame – Chanukah: The Missing Menorah

Monday, December 19 at 11 a.m.

• America’s Children’s Holiday Parade

Tuesday, December 20 at 11 a.m. and Noon

• Shalom Sesame – Chanukah: The Missing Menorah

Wednesday, December 21 at 9:30 a.m.

• Prima Princessa Presents “Sleeping Beauty”

Thursday, December 22 at 11 a.m.

• Prima Princessa Presents “The Nutcracker”

Thursday, December 22 at Noon

• Christmas Day Programming

Sunday, December 25

Barney & Friends “Gift of the Dinos/A Visit From Santa” at 6 a.m.

Caillou “Caillou’s Christmas” at 6:30 a.m.

WordWorld “The Christmas Star/A Present for Dog” at 7 a.m.

Clifford’s Puppy Days “Heroes and Friends/The Cookie Crumbles” at 7:30 a.m.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas at 8 a.m.

Super Why! “Twas the Night Before Christmas” at 9 a.m.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That “Reindeer Games” at 9:30 a.m.

Dinosaur Train “Don’s Winter Wish/Festival of Lights” at 10 a.m.

Sid the Science Kid “Sid’s Holiday Adventure” at 10:30 a.m.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas at 11 a.m.


CLASSICAL WQED-FM 89.3/WQEJ-FM 89.7 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING

• Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 24

Giving Thanks at 6 p.m.

Today your family shares common blessings and a bountiful meal. John Birge brings to the table music, stories and thoughtful reflections on the meaning of Thanksgiving.


A Simple Thanksgiving at 8 p.m.

Quiet, uninterrupted music – the perfect accompaniment to relaxing after dinner.


The Thanksgiving Visitor at 11 p.m.

Truman Capote reads his classic aloud. (A WQED-FM 89.3 holiday tradition and favorite!)


• Thanksgiving With Cantus

Friday, November 25 at 6 p.m.

Join Cantus, one of America’s most accomplished vocal ensembles for a special Thanksgiving program.


• A Thanksgiving Celebration with Garrison Keillor

Saturday, November 27 at 8 p.m.

A broadcast of “Gratitude, Gravy and Garrison,” VocalEssence’s celebration of all things Thanksgiving. Keillor performs his signature monologue and contributes comic new lyrics to familiar songs and hymns.


• Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday Concert

Tuesday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m.


• River City Brass Holiday Concert

Thursday, December 8 at 8 p.m.


• Carnegie Mellon Holiday Concert

Friday, December 9 at 8 p.m.


• Handel’s Messiah

Sunday, December 18 at 8 p.m.


• A Taste of Chanukah

Monday, December 19 at 9 p.m.


• A Great Miracle Happened There

Thursday, December 22 at 9 p.m.


• Welcome Christmas

Saturday, December 24 at 9 a.m.


• Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

LIVE from Kings College in Cambridge, England

Saturday, December 24 at 10 a.m.


• Polish Christmas Cheer

Saturday, December 24th at 10 p.m.


• Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25


A Spanish Renaissance Christmas at 11 a.m.

An Elizabethan Christmas at Noon

St. Olaf Christmas Festival at 1 p.m.

Heinz Chapel Choir & CMU Holiday Concerts at 3 p.m.

Pittsburgh Symphony Brass Holiday Show at 5 p.m.

Handel’s Messiah at 6 p.m.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m.

A Chanticleer Christmas at 10 p.m.

Echoes of Christmas at 11 p.m.


• Chanukah in Story and Song

Tuesday, December 27 at 9 p.m.


• Live from First Night

Saturday, December 31st at 8 p.m.


• New Year’s Day From Vienna

Sunday, January 1 at 11 a.m.


WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

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