SPOTLIGHT

Earlier this year, the iconic singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell received the country’s highest musical award, the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. If you missed the broadcast airing of the ceremony, you can still see the full program with your WTIU PBS Passport member benefit. Experience the songs of the artist whose music defies categorization as she is celebrated by performers including James Taylor, Brandi Carlile, Diana Krall, Graham Nash, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper, and others—plus a surprise performance by Joni herself!

Watch the special now at pbs.org/show/gershwinprize/episodes/season/2023 or with the PBS App on your Smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, phone, or tablet.

Passport is an online streaming benefit available to WTIU members giving at least $5 monthly or $60 annually.

For more information, call 1-800-662-3311.

Activate Passport here

Friday, June 2 at 9pm

Featuring interviews with Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, Nile Rodgers, and Big Freesia, along with intimate contributions from friends and bandmates and the never-before-broadcast words of Little Richard himself, this documentary tells the story of a rollercoaster life, of musical highs and knuckle-biting lows, and makes the case that Richard should be crowned the king—and queen—of rock ’n’ roll.

Monday, June 12 at 10pm

In 1866, six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments were created after Congress passed the Army Organization Act. They came to be known as Buffalo Soldiers. Explore the complex history of Black Americans who enlisted in the U.S. military as a path to citizenship, a livelihood, and greater respect, and how they fought in military conflicts abroad and civil rights struggles at home.

Friday, June 16 at 9pm

Sondra Radvanovsky portrays the mythic sorceress in this Met premiere of Cherubini’s rarely performed masterpiece. Joining Radvanovsky are tenor Matthew Polenzani as Medea’s husband, Giasone; soprano Janai Brugger as her rival for his love, Glauce; bass Michele Pertusi as her father, Creonte, the King of Corinth; and mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova as Medea’s confidante, Neris.

Begins Sunday, June 18 at 9pm

The final season opens in spring 1972 with DS Morse rejoining the force after an extended leave to treat his drinking problem. His first case immerses him in a world he loves—orchestral music—where the performances are divine, but the personnel can be petty, dictatorial, and even homicidal. In the lead up to the season 9 premiere, tune in to Endeavour: A Countdown to the Final Goodbye on Sunday, June 4 at 9pm and Morse & The Last Endeavour on Masterpiece on Sunday, June 11 at 9pm.

Tuesday, June 20 at 10pm

Although they grew up as fundamentalist, evangelical Christians, these moms are now willing to risk losing friends, family, and faith communities to champion their kids—even if it challenges their belief systems and rips apart their worlds.

Wednesday, June 21 at 10pm

Through the personal and inspiring stories of four patients urgently searching for answers to mysterious symptoms, this film exposes widespread problems in our healthcare system that disproportionately affect women. From societal taboos and gender bias to misinformed doctors and financial barriers to care, the film shines a light on how millions are effectively silenced.

Friday, June 23 at 10pm

Finding inspiration outside the studio, a group of acclaimed contemporary artists use history, science, and politics as the raw material to create potent sculptures, paintings, drawings, and public works. Featured artists include Tauba Auerbach, Hank Willis Thomas, the art collective Guerrilla Girls, and Anicka Yi.

Tuesday, June 27 at 8pm

Visit the Catskills hideaway where in the 1950s and ’60s an underground network of transgender women and crossdressing men found refuge. Told through the memories of those whose went to Casa Susanna, the film provides a moving look back at a secret world where the persecuted and frightened found freedom, acceptance, and often, the courage to live their lives out of the shadows.