Playlist Culture
Culture
Two Avant-Garde Women Who Took Big Risks in Chicago’s Art Scene
Dancer Katherine Dunham and curator Katharine Kuh are part of an upcoming exhibition at the Newberry Library called "Chicago Avant-Garde," which tells the story of five Chicago women who took risks throught their art.
What to Watch in September
There's a huge amount of worthwhile TV out there nowadays, so it can be hard to choose what to watch. But who better to recommend shows than the person who programs them? Lisa Tipton, WTTW’s Head of Programming and Pledge, constructs the WTTW schedule by searching through offerings from many different sources which include the national PBS network, the BBC, and independent filmmakers to put together a varied and engaging broadcast schedule.
A Chicago Artist Honors Muhammad Ali
“Muhammad Ali is the athlete equivalent of an artist," says the visual artist Rahmaan Statik, a South Side native and former Nation of Islam member who has painted a mural of Ali at 2847 S. Kedzie Avenue in Little Village.
What Muhammad Ali Means To Me - A Personal Reflection
Muhammad Ali was the greatest; a symbol of a strong, unapologetically Black man; an example of how a person can grow and change. WTTW's Tim Russell reflects on his memories of Ali and the boxer's importance.
Coming Up on WTTW
From a special examining the U.S.-Mexico border via the medium of food, to profiles of pioneering women Sandra Day O'Connor and Rita Moreno, to a scientific examination of marijuana as it becomes increasingly accepted, take a look at upcoming PBS shows.
What to Watch in August
A look at the myth-filled life of Princess Diana in her own words, two documentaries marking the approaching twentieth anniversary of 9/11, a marathon mystery, and a popular musical in concert form.
A Chicago Native Returns Home to Become the Newest WTTW News Reporter
Joanna Hernandez spent the past five years as a journalist in New York City, but she has always wanted to return to Chicago to tell the stories of her native city. "I’ve talked about it since day one,” she says.
Buddy Guy, American Master
A new documentary explores the Chicago blues legend's life as he refined his craft and influenced some of rock's most famous guitarists. "It is the American story," says the filmmaker. "Buddy worked his ass off and kept at it, despite never having massive success."
Discover Indie Films This Summer in the PBS Short Film Festival
PBS has spotlighted short-form independent films online for a decade now with the Short Film Festival. Preview the films, including several from Illinois, and find a viewing party kit and more as you settle in for some extraordinary shorts.
Chicago's Long-Running, Family Reunion-style House Music Picnic and Festival
The Chosen Few Picnic and Festival has been bringing house music and a family reunion atmosphere to a South Side park for three decades, thanks to a set of DJs who helped popularize house music in the first place. The event, virtual this year, takes place July 3.
Meet the Performers of 2021's A Capitol Fourth
Meet the talented musicians performing in the pre-recorded A Capitol Fourth, which culminates with live fireworks over the U.S. Capitol on the Fourth of July.
What to Watch in July
A new British version of an intriguing Belgian mystery, a documentary featuring both performance and history focusing on Brazil featuring Gloria Estefan, and a show pitting modern families against life on a rural island in the early twentieth century.
The Chicago Author Who Wrote the First American Novel to Feature Gay Themes
Henry Blake Fuller isn't necessarily a well-known name in literature. But his book Bertram Cope's Year is considered by many to be one of the first American novels to feature gay characters. Fuller also played a big role in making social realism the literary style of Chicago.
50 Years of Chicago's Independent Blues Label
Alligator Records was born when a young hippie decided he had to record an unusual artist he had seen "50 times" at a Chicago club. Fifty years later, it has recorded legends, fresh upstarts, the Queen of the Blues, and more, all while retaining a family feel.
Some of PBS's Best Documentaries, According to 'Esquire'
Esquire recently pointed out that, while Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and other streaming services have been making waves with documentaries over the past few years, PBS has been offering top-level documentaries for decades.
