LPB eNews
THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
PBS NEWS SPECIAL
Tuesday 8:00pm
LOUISIANA STORIES FROM LOUISIANA'S STORYTELLER
BLUE: THE LIFE & ART OF GEORGE RODRIGUE
Louisiana Special Focus
Tuesday 7:00pm
George Rodrigue - his story, his artistic contribution, his entire life - are a vivid part of the Louisiana landscape and continue to be an important part of the art world in America and beyond. A vigorously collected and admired figure, the “Blue Dog” painter has a legacy that endures.
From his bayou-inspired Louisiana cultural works, literally putting the Cajuns on the map, to his world-renowned Blue Dog catalogue, Rodrigue’s work is full of life, a deep ethos, color, narrative, and joyous storytelling.
WLAE-TV and LAE Productions share the story of this prolific artist, from his childhood in New Iberia to his explosion of fame across the globe. This documentary weaves together the story of an artist who remains an important figure in contemporary art, and has ever remained, “The Cajun Man”.
DOCUMENTARIES WORTH WATCHING AGAIN
AMERICAN CREOLE: NEW ORLEANS REUNION
Louisiana Special Focus
Thursday 7:00pm
From 2006, this documentary from filmmakers Glen Pitre and Michelle Benoit follows jazz musician Don Vappie in the months after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Vappie finds his sidemen scattered, his flooded-out mom sleeping on his couch, and his 8-year-old grandson clamoring to join the band. But in the wake of the nation's biggest natural disaster, where the landscape that gave birth to jazz has been destroyed and Don's culture and community have been blown to the winds, what's left to call home?
SHARING THE BEAUTY OF LOUISIANA WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD
HIDDEN LOUISIANA
Louisiana Special Focus
Thursday 8:30pm
A special from well-known travel host, journalist, and author Peter Greenberg, this is a look at Louisiana through the eyes of a seasoned travel guide. As a Louisiana native, you might still find a few surprises in this show, but its real power lies in its ability to showcase our beautiful state with the rest of the country!
"Hidden Louisiana" is a program that's available to PBS stations across the United States. LPB was proud to be able to work with Greenberg and his team in this effort that shares the beauty of Louisiana culture and history with everyone.
WHEN LOUISIANA WAS THE GATEWAY TO THE NEW WORLD
WHY LOUISIANA AIN'T MISSISSIPPI... OR ANY PLACE ELSE!
LPB Special Focus
Two Night Event
Friday 9:30pm
Who says education can’t be fun! Watch the two-night encore presentation of this LPB documentary and you might be surprised about what you’ll learn... and how much fun you’ll have while doing it!
In part one, you can't talk about Louisiana without talking about water, especially the mighty Mississippi River. It was the life source for many of the Native Americans who inhabited this land for thousands of years before colonization. Explore places such as Poverty Point, the swamps of Acadiana and visit the Coushatta Pow - Wow. Plus, the founding of New Orleans, which becomes the port gateway to the New World long before Ellis Island.
Watch part two Friday, March 14 at 9:30pm.
TAKING EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Some of the biggest fans of the LPB documentary Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi…or Any Place Else! are teachers!
Sure, English teachers may not cheer about the title, but every time the documentary series airs, educators from across the state reach out inquiring about sharing it in their classroom as a resource. Now, the valuable lessons encased in the four-hour documentary exploring Louisiana’s unique history and culture have been distilled down to an easy-to-use collection of lessons that are available for educators across Louisiana and the entire country to use!
“Some of the most impactful historic and cultural lessons from Why Louisiana are now part of a collection of standards-aligned lessons on the PBS LearningMedia website,” says LPB Education’s Tech Specialist, Katy Stark.
PBS LearningMedia is a free, web-based, educational library that’s available to teachers of all grades, full of learning resources aligned to national and state standards. The lessons can include videos, images, audio recordings, and other primary source documents along with support materials like lesson plans and discussion guides.
The LPB Education Team collaborated closely with a PBS Content Manager as they worked to adapt LPB media into concise videos and create supporting materials that are carefully reviewed for practicality and effectiveness in the classroom. The vetting process is rigorous to ensure that all educational materials uploaded to the platform are high-quality and representative of diverse perspectives. “With PBS’s reputation as a trusted educational resource, every piece of content undergoes thorough evaluation to consistently provide the most accurate, impactful, and high-quality educational materials for educators and students nationwide,” says LPB President & CEO, Clarence “C.C” Copeland.
PBS LearningMedia is a resource that was developed with educators in mind, but it’s a useful tool for learning at home as well. “We know learning can happen anytime and anywhere,” says LPB Education Services Director, Nancy Tooraen. “We encourage parents to explore the platform. It’s searchable by subject and grade, making it easy to find something to supplement learning.”
“This work really speaks to LPB’s commitment to developing educational resources to extend the learning that’s already inherent in the documentaries and programs that we produce,” adds Copeland. “It’s part of our promise to Louisiana to provide programs that are intelligent, informative, educational, and entertaining. We thank our viewers for the support they provide that allows us to do just that.”
EXPLORING THE WORK OF LEGENDARY PERFORMERS AND SONGWRITERS
TONY BENNETT: VIVA DUETS
Monday 8:00pm
It's classic Tony Bennett, with an international twist!
Enjoy this music icon as he performs some of his greatest hits with a celebrated roster of artists, including Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Franco De Vita and Vicente Fernández. Filmed in 20212 during the making of the album, Viva Duets features performances in English and Spanish, with artists representing multiple countries and continents.
Tony Bennett is known for recording duets live and Viva Duets was no exception, withsessions recorded in Ft. Lauderdale, New York, and in the case of famed Mexican
performer Vicente Fernández, on his 400-acre ranch in Guadalajara. All of the tracks
are from Bennett’s extensive hit catalog, with the exception of the duet with Vicente
Fernández, which features an English/Spanish version of the song, "Return To Me,"
originally recorded by Dean Martin. Other duets include “Who Can I Turn To?” with
Gloria Estefan, “For Once in My Life” with Marc Anthony, “The Good Life” with Franco
De Vita, and many more.
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THE BEST OF THE 60s
Saturday 6:00pm
From the sounds of pop, rock, folk, and soul – covering the British Invasion to Motown!
Among the hits featured are Cherish by The Association, Time of The Season by The Zombies and Born To Be Wild by John Kay & Steppenwolf. Also seen are final performances by Rob Grill of The Grass Roots Let's Live For Today and Scott McKenzie's Summer of Love anthem San Francisco Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair. The special closes with a segment devoted to the late Davy Jones of The Monkees in his last television concert singing favorites such as Daydream Believer.
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KRIS KRISTOFFERSON: LIFE AND SONGS
Saturday 8:30pm
On March 16, 2016, a multigenerational who’s who of country greats came together at
Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to honor the songs of Kris Kristofferson, a true
songwriter’s songwriter and one of the most beloved musical heroes of our time. The
concert features 13 once-in-a-lifetime performances and finds Kristofferson joined by
Dierks Bentley, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Emmylou Harris, Jamey Johnson, Alison
Krauss, Lady A, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Darius
Rucker, Hank Williams Jr., and more. Along with the performances, the program takes
viewers backstage, showcasing exclusive interviews with the artists and exploring
Kristofferson’s enduring influence on culture and music.
Performances include “Help Me Make It Through The Night” (Lady A), “Here Comes
That Rainbow Again” (Martina McBride), “For The Good Times” (Alison Krauss and
Jamey Johnson), “Under The Gun” (Darius Rucker), “Worth Fighting For” (Jennifer
Nettles), “If You Don’t Like Hank Williams” (Hank Williams Jr.), “Loving Her Was Easier
(Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” (Rosanne Cash), “To Beat The Devil” (Eric Church),
“From the Bottle to the Bottom” (Dierks Bentley & The Travelin’ McCourys), “The
Pilgrim, Chapter 33” (Emmylou Harris and Kris Kristofferson), “Me And Bobby McGee”
(Reba McEntire), “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” (Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson),
and “Why Me” (Kris Kristofferson and Full Ensemble).
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT LAST WEEK!
GREAT PERFORMANCES: ANDREA BOCELLI 30TH - THE CELEBRATION
LOUISIANA CONNECTION
Wednesday 7:00pm
World-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli commemorates his 30th anniversary with a concert event in his hometown. Bocelli performs duets with an unprecedented cast of global superstars like Ed Sheeran, David Foster, Katharine McFee, Lang Lang, Sofia Carson, Brian May, and Louisiana's own Jon Batiste.
Click here to see Bocelli and Batiste perform a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace."
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WHY YOU LIKE IT: DECODING MUSIC TASTE
Monday 9:00pm
Composer and musicologist Dr. Nolan Gasser, the architect of Pandora Radio’s Music
Genome Project and an expert in Music AI, presents an immersive program that
explores the science and culture behind musical preferences — blending live
performances, animations, and insights from neuroscience, psychology, culture, and
more. The show features a pioneering mobile app that provides real-time interactive
content and a personalized music playlist based on individual tastes. Why You Like It
unlocks the mysteries of musical taste and inspires the audience to embrace music to improve the quality of their lives, reduce stress, and better understand their
community.
NEW ZIGGY EPISODE NOW STREAMING
ZIGGY'S ARTS ADVENTURE: FORM
LPB SPECIAL FOCUS
Now Streaming at ziggy.lpb.org
The junkyard’s hosting an arts festival so no one knows where the new object with unusual form came from, but everyone thinks they know what it is. Ziggy meets up with ceramist Mikey Walsh at the festival to form fun cups from clay. What other art forms does Ziggy discover and what is that strange thing in the junkyard? Watch this art-filled adventure to find out! - now streaming at ziggy.lpb.org.
WHAT TO WATCH AND WHEN: THIS WEEK ON LPB
Season 2 of the lavish PBS series Marie Antoinette is headed to LPB Sundays on March 23. In the meantime, fans can enjoy this behind-the-scenes special with a deeper look at the elaborate costumes and beautiful French locations!
MARIE ANTOINETTE: BEYOND THE PORTRAIT | Monday 7:00pm
MONDAY
7pm - Marie Antoinette: Beyond the Portrait ALL NEW Explore the beautiful French locations and learn about the lavish, custom-made costumes in this dramatic hit series.
8pm - Tony Bennett: Viva Duets ALL NEW The smooth singing icon performs duets with a celebrated roster of performers, including Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Franco De Vita and Vicente Fernandez.
9pm - Why You Like It ALL NEW Explore the science and culture behind musical taste.
TUESDAY
7pm - Blue: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue LOUISIANA SPECIAL FOCUS You likely know the art, but do you know the man?
8pm - President Donald Trump Address to Congress Live coverage of President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress.
10pm - America Made with Love ALL NEW Travel coast to coast to meet extraordinary artisans - including a cowboy bootmaker and a jewelry artist inspired by Indigenous ancestry - whose passion, vision and creativity embody the essence of American ingenuity.
WEDNESDAY
7pm - GREAT PERFORMANCES Andrea Bocelli 30th - The Celebration Experience the world-renowned Italian tenor's 30th anniversary concert from Tuscany. You'll see a familiar face from Louisiana onstage!
9pm - Deconstructing the Beatles Milestone albums and the stories that accompanied them.
10:30pm - Fleetwood Mac: The Dance Recorded in 1997, this concert marks the return of the band's most successful line-up of Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Stevie Nicks, who had not released an album together since 1987.
THURSDAY
7pm - American Creole: New Orleans Reunion LOUISIANA SPECIAL FOCUS This documentary from 2006 follows jazz musician Don Vapie in New Orleans in the months following Hurricane Katrina.
8:30pm - Hidden Louisiana LOUISIANA SPECIAL FOCUS Exploring Louisiana through the eyes of a well known travel guide.
10pm - Billy Joel: Live at Yankee Stadium Join the Piano Man for his legendary 1990 concert recorded live at the historic stadium in the Bronx.
FRIDAY
7pm - Louisiana: The State We're In LPB SPECIAL FOCUS
7:30pm - Washington Week with The Atlantic Roundtable discussion about the week's major news.
8pm - Earth, Wind & Fire: iheart Radio Live Pull out your bell bottoms and leisure suits! This concert will take you back to the days of discos and roller rinks!
9:30pm - Why Louisiana Ain't Mississippi...or Any Place Else! LPB SPECIAL FOCUS This exciting documentary from LPB takes you from one end of Louisiana to the other to show you all of the ways Louisiana is a jewel, not just to those that live here, but to the entire world.
SATURDAY
6pm - The Best of the 60s ALL NEW The decade of peace, love and happiness is celebrated in this compilation.
8:30pm - Kris Kristofferson: Life & Songs ALL NEW This concert documentary from 2016 brings together some of country music's best to celebrate the iconic songwriter and performer.
10pm - Concert for George A performance tribute to George Harrison featuring Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Billy Preston.
SUNDAY
7pm - Tony Bennett: Viva Duets ALL NEW The smooth singing icon performs duets with a celebrated roster of performers, including Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Franco De Vita and Vicente Fernandez.
8pm -GREAT PERFORMANCES Andrea Bocelli 30th - The Celebration Experience the world-renowned Italian tenor's 30th anniversary concert from Tuscany. You'll see a familiar face from Louisiana onstage!
10pm - American Creole: New Orleans Reunion LOUISIANA SPECIAL FOCUS This documentary from 2006 follows jazz musician Don Vapie in New Orleans in the months following Hurricane Katrina.
JOIN US FOR CREATURE ADVENTURES THIS SUMMER
CAMP LPB: CREATURE ADVENTURES
JUNE 23-27
REGISTER HERE
Creature Adventures is a fun summer camp program for children ages 6 through 9! Camp LPB will engage kids in science, technology, engineering, math, and literacy with fun hands-on activities, digital media, and technology featuring the Wild Kratts! Camp is at LPB's Telecommunications Center located at 7733 Perkins Road in Baton Rouge, LA, from 9 AM - 12 NOON Monday-Friday. Cost is $175 per camper plus a non-refundable registration fee of $25.
EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT: HELP CHILDREN EXPLORE CAREERS
SKILLSVILLE
Premieres March 3 at 4:30pm on LPB PBS KIDS
Streaming beginning March 3
The new show SKILLSVILLE is designed to encourage kids ages 4-8 to "power up" the skills they need for future success!
Taking its cue from some of the best elements that gaming has to offer, this fun new series centers around friends Cora, Dev, and Rae as they enter the world of Skillsville – a game where they transform into their avatars, ParCora, Devosaurus, and Racer Rae, and explore new skills through fun jobs that help the virtual city of Skillsville thrive.
"SKILLSVILLE uses something kids already love—gaming—to help them practice essential life skills that can shape their future," said Carol-Lynn Parente, Executive Producer and Co-Creator. “Our goal is to empower young viewers with simple, effective self-regulation strategies as the tools they can use to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams. By combining the fun of career exploration with practical skills like pausing to think, planning, organizing and persevering through setbacks, SKILLSVILLE inspires kids to see themselves as problem-solvers and change-makers who can lean on their unique strengths to help their community.”
Each episode will begin in the real world and focuses on life skills like focus and organization. When the kids enter the world of Skillsville, they must work together and learn useful strategies to complete a task and win the game. When they’re back in the real world, Cora, Dev, and Rae use the skills and strategies they’ve acquired in Skillsville, which are essential in helping people of all ages to learn, work, and manage the activities of daily living.
Look for other SKILLSVILLE resources for parents, caregivers, and educators such as educator resources on PBS LearningMedia along with four interactive games coming on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Games and Video apps.
SUPPORT LPB - DREAMS OF ITALY
DREAM GETAWAY RAFFLE
Details & Tickets Here
Deadline April 9
Imagine yourself strolling through the historic streets of Rome, admiring the art of Florence, and gliding through the canals of Venice—all while indulging in world-class cuisine and wine. The Friends of LPB Dream Getaway Raffle is your chance to make this dream getaway a reality, and support the work of LPB at the same time.
One lucky winner will receive an incredible vacation package for two that includes:
- Stays in Rome, Florence, and Venice
- Private tours of iconic landmarks
- Exclusive food and wine experiences
- $2,000 in Visa gift cards for airfare and other expenses
Tickets are $50 each. Buy two or more and become a member of Friends of LPB.