Playlist Culture
Culture
What the Chicago Humanities Festival Can Offer In This Unprecedented Year
“What we’ve been trying to do since moving to digital space is to immediately connect the theme to the current moment in as many different ways as we could,” says the artistic director of the Chicago Humanities Festival, which just launched its fall programming.
What to Watch in September
An extension of Chicago Tonight into the weekend, focusing on Chicago's Black and Latino communities; a new mystery set in Amsterdam; a documentary investigating the abuses underlying Texas's construction boom; and more.
Frontline's Michael Kirk on 'The Choice 2020'
"There has never been a better time for political biography," says the veteran Frontline producer Michael Kirk. "You want to look closely at the character of the two men who are asking to be President of the United States at this perilous time."
You Can Now Stream WTTW Live
You can now watch your favorite WTTW and PBS shows from your computer, tablet, or smartphone in real time with our new 24/7 live stream.
Elevating the Voices of Chicago's Diverse Communities
The new Chicago Tonight: Voices programs spotlight issues pertinent to Chicago's Black and Latino communities, which each make up a third of the city. "I'm hoping that any community, of any racial ethnicity, can watch the show and have a feel for what the Black experience in Chicago is like," says Black Voices host Brandis Friedman.
Chicago-based Dancer Ruth Page's "Bewildering Array of Activities"
Anna Pavlova, Irving Berlin, Serge Diaghilev, George Balanchine, Rudolf Nureyev: the choreographer and dancer Ruth Page worked with them all, plus brought Americana into ballet, built artistic institutions in her home base of Chicago, and choreographed over 100 ballets.
What's Coming to PBS This Fall and Winter
2020 may be an unprecedented year, but one constant is PBS programming, featuring such stalwarts as Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Masterpiece dramas, and new kids shows. Here's a preview of some of what's coming in the fall and summer.
What to Watch in August
August brings a new season of a long-running, cerebral mystery, extensive coverage and analysis of the Democratic and Republican Conventions from WTTW News and PBS NewsHour, and another overlooked story of the pandemic from Frontline.
WTTW Is Bringing Chicago's Summertime Activities To Your Home
Summer in Chicago is typically fully of fun activities from dancing to movies to concerts to summer camps held in the parks of the city. This year, WTTW is partnering with the Chicago Park District and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to bring those activities to you in your home.
The Performers of 'A Capitol Fourth,' 2020
On the 40th anniversary of PBS's A Capitol Fourth, the Fourth of July celebration is a bit different due to COVID-19, but there are still star performers and fireworks that you can enjoy from your home.
What to Watch in July
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.
Meet Bushra Amiwala, the Youngest Muslim Holding Public Office in the Country
Bushra Amiwala shares her story of becoming the youngest Muslim elected official in the United States. She's featured in the upcoming documentary, And She Could Be Next.
A Virtual Celebration of Juneteenth with Historical Institutions Across the Country
Six Black museums and historical institutions across the country are hosting a virtual event featuring cultural performances and scholars to celebrate Juneteenth, which marks the freeing of slaves in Texas two and a half years late, after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Ten Documentaries and Ten Books on Race in America
With America again in the midst of a public reckoning on race and racism, WTTW's head of community engagement, Tim Russell, was asked by a friend for recommendations on what to read and watch about race in America. Here are his lists.
A Virtual Graduation Ceremony for Chicago's High School Seniors
High school seniors may not be able to receive their diplomas in-person this year, but Chicago is hosting a virtual graduation ceremony featuring a commencement address by Oprah Winfrey and hosted by Hamilton star Miguel Cervantes.
