Playlist Culture
Culture
The Chicago Air and Water Show
The Chicago Air and Water Show is this weekend, August 19 and 20. Explore dazzling modern and amusing historic photos of the popular event.
11 Chicago Public Artworks You Didn't Know Existed
Everyone knows the Picasso and the Bean, but there's a lot more outstanding public art waiting just around the corner in downtown Chicago. Discover ten works by some of the twentieth century's most famous artists, and a piece that was just removed from a major Chicago tourist attraction.
Behind the Scenes with Geoffrey Baer
Ever wondered how a PBS special gets made? It’s more painstaking than you may realize. Hours of work might yield only a few minutes of material included in the final program. Go behind the scenes of the filming of an upcoming Geoffrey Baer tour.
A Legendary Folk Concert at Carnegie Hall
In 2003, Pete Seeger, The Weavers, Peter, Paul & Mary, Arlo Guthrie, and more gathered in Carnegie Hall to celebrate the influential folk impresario Harold Leventhal. Learn about the background of the concert and careers of these folk legends.
Take an Immersive Tour of Havana
Our expansive Weekend in Havana website lets you explore Cuba's unique capital city. Plan a trip with a guided tour of the must-see highlights. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Havana with 360 video. Explore the cars, cigars, cocktails, and dance of Cuba, and more.
"This Is What I Need to Do": The Experience with Dedry Jones
Dedry Jones loves music, but he's not a musician. He expresses his passion by talking about music, and he's quite the conversationalist. Learn how he began hosting an interview and performance series with the artists he thought people should know. He also shares his favorite performances.
Chinese Masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago
Tao Wang, head of Asian Art at the Art Institute of Chicago, reveals his favorite works in the museum's Chinese collection and the surprising stories behind them. He guides a tour through Chinese art history and discusses his upcoming large exhibition, his first since coming to the museum.
Trying to Create Hope in Syria
Feras Fayyad's documentary Last Men in Aleppo follows the volunteer rescue workers known as White Helmets who rescue people from the rubble after bombings in Syria. "They must help themselves because nobody else will help them," Fayyad says. "They try to create hope."
Meet the Performers in 'A Capitol Fourth'
Now in its 37th year, A Capitol Fourth is an unmatched fireworks display and musical event. Meet some of the performers, from host John Stamos, who also appears with The Beach Boys, from comedy stalwarts The Blues Brothers to gospel star Yolanda Adams.
The Path to Becoming a Puppeteer on Children's Shows
David Rudman plays Cookie Monster on Sesame Street and has created numerous children's shows with his brother Adam and their production company. Hear the stories of David's obsession with puppets and the Rudmans' journey from short cartoons to full-length series.
The Story of 'Nature Cat'
The PBS Kids show Nature Cat is produced in a small office park in a Chicago suburb by the four-person team of Spiffy Pictures. Explore the process of creating an animated children's show - it involves Skype and comedians from Saturday Night Live - and learn about the origins of Nature Cat.
The Authors of Printers Row Lit Fest on WTTW
Sample some of the writers who will be appearing at Printers Row Lit Fest this weekend, through interviews on Chicago Tonight and My Chicago. Gillian Flynn, Rita Dove, Amy Dickinson, NPR's Scott Simon and more are all here!
From the Archive: Gwendolyn Brooks
June 7 marks the centenary of Gwendolyn Brooks. The renowned poet was the first black author to win the Pulitzer Prize and Poet Laureate of Illinois from 1968 until her death in 2000. Hear her read two of her poems in this WTTW program from 1966.
The Performers in 'The American Epic Sessions'
In The American Epic Session you can see Taj Mahal, Jack White, Nas, Bettye LaVette, The Avett Brothers, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, and more record on equipment from the 1920s, with all its warmth and challenges. Meet some of the musicians here.
A Love Letter to America: 'American Epic'
American Epic "is musical to tell this story of what’s wonderful about America because music is perhaps America’s greatest gift to the world," says filmmaker Bernard MacMahon.
