VPM NL MarchApril24

MARCH/APRIL 2024

How do you think about the future? Envisioning what’s one or two weeks ahead or what’s to come in two to fifteen years from now — or both?

This new six-part documentary series, A Brief History of the Future, will help you explore innovative ways to conceive of and work toward a better tomorrow.

Hosted by renowned futurist Ari Wallach, the series challenges a dystopian framework of control over people through censoring of information, denial of free thought, and loss of individuality. The documentary offers a refreshing new take on the future and asks viewers to imagine a world full of discovery, hope, and possibility. It inspires us to understand the capacity we possess to advance far-reaching positive outcomes.

The series weaves together history, science, and unexpected storytelling to expand an understanding of how the choices we make today will shape the world future generations need to flourish.

Each episode follows groundbreakers who are working to solve humanity’s greatest challenges and features valuable insights from a wide range of thinkers, scientists, and storytellers including French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, English sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur, Canadian musician Grimes, Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, Canadian atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe, French soccer player Kylian Mbappé, and others.

EPISODES 1. “Beyond the Now” — Ari Wallach’s journey to seek the individuals and ideas that can shape a more sustainable future.

2. “Chaos & Complexity” — An exploration of why people are feeling overwhelmed and nervous about this transformational moment in history.

3. “Once Upon a Time” — Ari Wallach’s dive into the fundamental role storytelling plays in our lives and its potential to unleash the power of human imagination and creativity moving forward.

4. “Human” — An investigation into humans’ ability to increase compassion, which values are being instilled into artificial intelligence technologies, and how we can create a better world for ourselves and future generations.

5. “Together” — A discussion about how people’s unique ability to cooperate has the potential to impact those around us, broader communities, and societies.

6. “Tomorrows” — An examination of how we see the concepts of the future, why we need to think much bigger about what could come next, and how each one of us can be involved.

Airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. starting April 3 on VPM PBS.

VPM.org

2 MEMBERSHIP INSIDER

RAPTORS A FISTFUL OF DAGGERS

Raptors are the planet’s most successful avian predators. United by characteristics such as a hooked beak, razor-sharp talons, keen eyesight, and a taste for flesh, these birds of prey have conquered the globe. They hunt and feed primarily on vertebrates, capturing prey with their talons. The many species of raptors dominate every habitat in which they live.

This two-part series, presented by Nature, is an extensively researched and exquisitely filmed story of raptors. The episodes feature not only brilliant cinematography but also fascinating insights into the lives of eagles, hawks, and falcons, as well as lesser known hunters such as the secretary bird, the crested caracara, kites, and more.

Airs Wednesday, April 10 at 8 p.m. on VPM PBS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION TV PROGRAMMING 804-560-8126 FM PROGRAMMING 804-560-8170 MEMBERSHIP 804-560-8141 SERVICES TOLL FREE 800-476-2357 WEB VPM.org ADDRESS 23 Sesame St. Richmond, VA 23235

From the Desk of … Jayme Swain Dear VPM Member, Like the PBS series A Brief History of the Future, the VPM team is thinking about what lies ahead. This year marks our 60th anniversary, and we are undergoing a transformation to ensure our organization is relevant, accessible and thriving for generations to come.

We are strengthening our local and regional news, producing more arts and culture programming and creating resources to support early childhood education. In addition, we are building VPM’s new headquarters in

The original British drama series Alice & Jack is being brought to the United States by a collaboration including co-producer MASTERPIECE. Created by award-winning writer Victor Levin, Alice & Jack is a love story for the ages. It reveals how romance plays out between two very different people over 15 years.

When Alice and Jack first meet, they are bound by a connection so powerful it seems that nothing can break it; but, as time goes on, will they find a place of happiness together or will their emotional

downtown Richmond to be a vibrant public square that is welcoming for all.

We are grateful for your partnership and helping bring VPM’s vision for the future to life Sincerely,

J S Jayme Swain President and CEO, VPM and the Virginia Foundation for Public Media

complexities get in the way? Alice is a single woman invested in her career while grappling with a childhood trauma. Jack is the lonely-yet-charming scientist she meets in a bar.

The series stars Andrea Riseborough, actress and producer, who plays the role of Alice alongside Domhnall Gleeson in the role of Jack. Honest, intimate, and surprisingly funny, the series explores love in all its unexpected kaleidoscopic beauty.

Airs Sundays at 10 p.m. starting March 17 on VPM PBS.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Air dates/times are subject to change. Please check vpm.org/watch/tv-schedule for updates.

MEMBERSHIP INSIDER 3

THE CANCER DETECTIVES In the 1950s, the survival rates from cancer of any kind were low. Cervical cancer — often asymptomatic until it reaches an advanced stage — was previously in many instances a death sentence.

Created by filmmakers Amanda Pollak and Gene Tempest, the dramatic story of the fight against cervical cancer is told through the lives of three fascinating people.

The program reveals the extraordinary work of Dr. George Papanicolaou whose single-minded pursuit of the development of a diagnostic test saved hundreds of thousands of women; Hashime Murayama,

Author, actor, humorist, and performer John Lithgow explores how the arts are flourishing for students of all ages in the Los Angeles area in Art Happens Here with John Lithgow.

In his new one-hour special, he tries his hand at dance, silk-screen printmaking, jazz vocals, and ceramics — working alongside young people whose lives are being transformed by many art forms.

Growing up, Lithgow wanted to be an artist and was encouraged by his public school performing and visual arts teachers.

the Japanese-American illustrator who was interned in a WWII camp and then released to work on the project; and Dr. Helen Dickens, a groundbreaking Black surgeon, who overcame a deep distrust between the Black community and the medical establishment to save thousands of lives.

The expertise and dedication of these individuals spearheaded a significant contribution in the battle against cancer. The death rate of cervical cancer was slashed by 60 percent.

Airs Tuesday, March 26 at 9 p.m. on VPM PBS.

“Education involves more than just the basic academic subjects,” he says. “Arts education is an anchor that contributes to a child’s emotional and social development.”

As he collaborates with students, Lithgow revels in a sense of discovery, creativity, and camaraderie: “Through the arts, young people find out who they are and where their imagination will lead them, which provides essential tools to move through life.”

Airs Friday, April 26 at 10 p.m. on VPM PBS.

Described as impeccably written and thoroughly engaging, Nolly is a three-part period drama presented by MASTERPIECE. It celebrates a legendary soap opera star — whose career started on the London stage — and shares a surprising slice of British TV history.

Joan Noele “Nolly” Gordon was one of the most recognizable faces on British television beginning 60 years ago when she played the role of hotel owner Meg Richardson in the UK’s first full-length daytime serial soap, Crossroads. Gordon led the Crossroads cast for a 17-year run from 1964 to 1981.

The miniseries follows the brassy and opinionated Nolly Gordon in the twilight of her career. While she was treasured by viewers and beloved by her co-stars, she was merely tolerated by directors and abruptly sacked by programming ming executives. Viewers were outraged for months, and Nolly lly herself did not go quietly.

Fans will love watching Helena Bonham Carter take on this multi-faceted character as she puts Joan Noele Gordon back in the spotlight. Bonham Carter and series creator Russell T Davies turn the Crossroads star’s downfall into a rollicking good time andd a fitting tribute.

Airs Sundays at 9 p.m. starting March 17 on VPM PBS.

4 MEMBERSHIP INSIDER

VPMNL0324

MEET ANNIE PARNELL In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month in April, we caught up with Annie Parnell, host of Jazz Weeknights and The Undertow on VPM Music to learn more about the music she loves!

We love Jazz Weeknights and The Undertow, and our readers do too! Can you tell us a bit more about the shows and what they mean to you?

When Jazz Weeknights launched (almost two years ago, now!), I remember thinking very carefully about how I could set up the show to both honor the momentous legacy of jazz history and explore the fascinating world of jazz today. To me, that’s what the show represents: a way to celebrate the journey of an art form rooted in boundary-pushing and experimentation and connect its roots to modern-day musical innovations. There’s such an amazing history of jazz in Virginia, and I love being able to uplift that history and connect it to local artists on the scene today like No BS! Brass Band, Butcher Brown, and John D’earth.

The Undertow has also always had a local focus. Before it launched in January 2023, there were two things I knew I wanted to do with the alternative rock hour: I wanted to emphasize artist interviews with a local connection, and I wanted to feature a weekly calendar of upcoming shows in Richmond, Charlottesville, and the surrounding areas so listeners could stay up-to-date on who’s playing in town. I was very nourished by my local indie rock scene as a kid, and it’s been an amazing opportunity to pay that forward by spotlighting the community of artists, venues, and recording studios we have here.

Who are some of your favorite jazz artists?

I grew up listening to lots of Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley, and John Coltrane’s Lush Life compilation is one of the first LPs I ever bought. They all have special places in my heart, but Alice Coltrane and Billie Holiday are also all-time favorites. In terms of contemporary artists, I really love the work of Cécile McLorin Salvant, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Melissa Aldana.

Can you share a memorable moment from an interview you've done with a jazz musician?

By far the most memorable moment I’ve had during a jazz interview was when our local cosmic jazz legend Lonnie Liston Smith played “Infant Eyes” by Wayne Shorter on piano for me during our interview earlier this year. Shorter had just recently passed, and as Lonnie explained to me, he often uses his music as a meditative practice to help him put things in perspective. I was transfixed! It was an absolute honor.

How do you enjoy spending time outside of work?

It probably won’t be a surprise that I love going to concerts! A few of my favorite shows I’ve seen this year are the John D’earth Quintet at Révéler, Fred Hersch and Esperanza Spalding at the Modlin, and Horse Jumper of Love at Get Tight Lounge.

I’m also an avid reader, though — especially books about music. For jazz fans, I recommend the novel Coming Through Slaughter by Michael Ondaatje, which is a poetic exploration of the life of Buddy Bolden. Fans of The Undertow should pick up Crying in H Mart, a beautiful memoir about grief, family, and food by Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast.

NEW DIGITAL SERIES: IN THE PEN WITH ROSCOE BURNEMS In the Pen with Roscoe Burnems is a brand-new digital series that highlights the history of spoken word and showcases prominent figures in the spoken word world.

Stay tuned and follow our social media channels for updates leading up to the release in April!

VPM PODCAST PREMIERE: TRACK CHANGE Tune into VPM’s latest original podcast, Track Change.

This series follows Grammy award-winning recording artist Speech Thomas as he joins men incarcerated in Richmond City Jail to produce an album of their original music. The music program is part of an anti-recidivism initiative of a local nonprofit called REAL LIFE — Recovery from Everyday Addictive Lifestyles to provide these incarcerated men with the resources, skills, and support they need to successfully re-enter society.

Listen in with us later this year.

Scan QR Code to Donate.