Thursday, March 1, 2012

WTVI celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2 with the Cat In The Hat-A-Thon, a PBS Kids Multimedia Event

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 1, 2012) – On Friday, March 2, WTVI will celebrate the 108th birthday of Dr. Seuss with THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT-A-THON, a two-hour marathon of PBS KIDS series THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!.  THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will air on WTVI from 8-10 a.m. with encore presentations on Sunday, March 4, from 8-10 a.m.  Kids will also be able to engage with the Cat and friends through games and video content online and on mobile. 

“Families, schools and communities around the country celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday every year, and WTVI is joining in the festivities,” said Beverly Dorn-Steele.  “WTVI is honoring the legacy of Dr. Seuss with THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON, taking  kids on Seussian adventures while helping foster their curiosity and build science skills.” 

THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will feature two brand new episodes, “Seasons – Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter,” which takes the Cat, Nick and Sally on a journey through the four seasons, and “When I Grow Up/Doing It Differently,” in which Nick and Sally explore what it means to grow up and learn that trying a different approach can sometimes be the best way to solve a problem.  The marathon will also include encore presentations of “Hooray for Hair/Ice Is Nice” and “Chasing Rainbows/Follow the Prints.” 

The celebration will continue online and on mobile.  Video clips from all four episodes featured in THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will be available for free online at PBSKIDS.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.   

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! has ranked among the top ten programs for children ages 2 to 5 since it premiered on PBS KIDS in September 2010. The series is a key part of WTVI and PBS KIDS’ commitment to helping kids build critical STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – skills through engaging content across platforms. 

Images from these episodes are available on PBS PressRoom. 

Following is a listing of the episodes airing during the March 2 CAT-IN-THE-HAT-A-THON on WTVI from 8 to 10 a.m. 

“Seasons – Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter” *NEW*

“Seasons – Spring and Summer” – For Show and Tell at school, Nick and Sally must bring something from their favorite season. But how can they choose which is their favorite? The Cat in the Hat takes them to the magical Garden of Seasons, where they can visit any season they like, any time they like! They meet three young animals and journey with them as they begin to grow up. Sally decides that she has two favorite seasons, and with the pictures taken from the Snaparama camera, she now has a scrapbook of pictures to show why! 

“Seasons – Fall and Winter” – It’s Nick’s turn to choose a favorite season. Back to the Garden of Seasons to visit Fall and Winter! In Fall, they meet up with their friends from Spring and Summer to have a going away party for Candy the goose who’s about to fly south. In Winter, they have a great time playing with Sam the hare while all his other friends hibernate. Nick can’t decide on just one season, so he makes a picture of all the fun they had in both seasons! 

“When I Grow Up/Doing Things Differently” *NEW*

“When I Grow Up” – Sally and Nick are trying to guess what they’ll be when they grow up when the Cat drops in for a visit. Cat is sure Nick and Sally will never guess what his friend Puggle will be when she grows up. When they see her, they start guessing right away! A frog? A duck? No, a beaver! They discover that, while Puggle may have some similarities to other creatures, she will grow up to be a duck billed platypus. 

“Doing It Differently” – Nick and Sally can’t seem to find Harvey the guinea pig. They find the Cat in the Hat instead! Cat suggests that Sally and Nick might find Harvey by meeting three friends who always do things differently – like a bird that runs instead of flies, or a cat that swims, or a fish that walks on the mud! Nick and Sally are sure to find Harvey now – by doing it differently! 

“Hooray for Hair/Ice Is Nice”

“Hooray for Hair” – Sally and Nick are getting their hair cut today; maybe they should try new hairstyles! A trip to meet three of Cat’s friends (and some styling help from the Wig-o-lator) will help them decide! Should they have Yak hair? No, too hot! How about hair like a fur seal? Not quite, too short. A porcupine? No way! How will they ever get a hug from their moms with hair that spiky? They decide that the hair they have is what’s perfect for them! 

“Ice Is Nice” Nick and Sally want some nice cold lemonade, but there are no more ice cubes in Sally’s fridge! A trip to Freeze-your-knees Snowland will fix that! They meet Cat’s friend Polly the polar bear who introduces Sally and Nick to all the different kinds of ice that make up her home. After trying many types of ice, they find the kind that will be perfect for their lemonade! 

“Chasing Rainbows/Follow the Prints”

“Chasing Rainbows” The kids are painting a picture of a rainbow but can’t remember all the colors to use. Luckily for them, Cat takes them to Color-ga-lore to meet King Kaleidoscope, an expert on rainbows! A musical number teaches them the proper color order, and a silly spray of water leads them to discover how to make their very own rainbow!  

“Follow the Prints” Nick and Sally are enjoying a backyard picnic when they discover their last strawberry has gone missing! Who could have taken it? Cat’s friend Cluey Looey can help them! They are off to Muddyfeet Waterhole where they learn about how the differently shaped feet, paws, or hooves of various animals make differently shaped footprints. Back home, they follow the prints and discover their strawberry was taken by a squirrel! Luckily, the Cat has some more! 

About WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station

WTVI is an essential community resource that connects people in the heart of the Carolinas. A public television station, WTVI offers a diverse mix of quality programs and services designed to inform, educate, entertain and promote citizenship. From award-winning children’s programming to groundbreaking documentaries and original music performances, WTVI offers quality content viewers can trust. WTVI reaches more than 380,000 households in its 13-county area in both North and South Carolina: Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Rowan, Iredell, Stanly, Union, Anson, Catawba, Cabarrus, Cleveland in North Carolina and York and Lancaster in South Carolina. Get closer to home -  www.wtvi.org


About THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! was created in response to recent findings that children graduating from kindergarten are less prepared to learn about science than about other subjects. The series supports young children’s science learning by introducing scientific inquiry skills, teaching core science concepts and vocabulary, and preparing preschoolers for kindergarten and first grade science curriculum — all in whimsical style.

A team of science and early childhood experts developed the curriculum for the first season’s 40 episodes, each of which begins with a question posed by Sally or Nick. Although the Cat knows a lot of things, his insatiable curiosity to learn more about the world leads to adventures with Sally and Nick in his one-of-a-kind Thinga-ma-jigger, a marvelously Seuss-ian contraption that sprouts wings, pontoons, booster rockets, skis, and just about anything else needed to find the answer. The inquisitive gang travels to the bottom of the sea to observe giant sea worms, zips to the rain forest to visit animals living in Kapok trees, and shrinks to bee-size to visit a hive and learn how honey is made. Guided by the Cat, the kids figure things out by observing, collecting and managing clues, making connections, constructing and evaluating theories, and having discussions – all in a preschool-appropriate manner. Produced by Portfolio Entertainment Inc. and Collingwood O’Hare Productions, in association with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Random House Children’s Entertainment, Treehouse, and PBS KIDS, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! is based on Random House’s best selling Beginner Book collection, “The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.”

 Contact:


WTVI

Beverly Dorn-Steele704-371-8840


Jeff Vawter
704.371.8839

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Friday, January 20, 2012

WTVI to air special programs of upcoming Charlotte concert performers, with opportunities for choice seating and meet and greets with the artists

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 20, 2012) – Over the next week WTVI will be airing some very special performance programs with the opportunity for viewers to obtain choice seating and special meet and greets with the artists. 

“We invite our viewers to experience a television preview of some of the best performers around, singers who will perform live in Charlotte over the next few months and who support public television,” says Elsie Garner, WTVI’s president and CEO. “Our station’s relationships with these groups allow us to offer special concert ticket prices and meet and greets with the artists.”  

The schedule includes:  

Human Nature Sings Motown with Special Guest Smokey Robinson, airing on WTVI:
Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 11 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 10:30 p.m. 

This program features the superlative talents of Australia's number one selling vocal group, the four members of Human Nature, presented by Smokey Robinson. Backed by a nine piece band with a full stage production which evokes the Motown period, the group tells the stories of Motown songs and performs them wearing the classic wardrobes characterizing the legendary Motown acts. Human Nature will perform at the Belk Theater on April 22, 2012. 

Rain 2: A Tribute to the Beatles, airing on WTVI:
Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. 

WTVI presents a retrospective musical experience for the whole family with Rain 2: A Tribute to the Beatles. This is a unique concert experience featuring Beatles cover band, Rain. Rain not only performs Beatles tunes, they present a multi-media, multi-dimensional Beatles experience. Combining historical footage with unique camera work and incredible costumes, Rain follows the Beatles’ career from their earliest beginnings to the psychedelic days of the late 1960s. Rain will perform at the Belk Theater on April 16, 2012.  

Celtic Thunder: Heritage, airing on WTVI:
Sunday, Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 4:30 p.m. 

HERITAGE is the all-new Celtic Thunder show that focuses entirely on their Celtic and Irish roots. The group features traditional standards such as "Whiskey in the Jar," "Black is the Color," "Skye Boat Song" and "Red, Red Rose" as well as a few beautiful love songs such as, "The Dutchman", "Noreen" and "Just a Song at Twilight." Celtic Thunder will be in Charlotte in the fall/winter of 2012, however viewers can pledge now for a special meet and greet with two of the group’s members at WTVI studios on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at 6:15 p.m.   

Celtic Woman: Believe, airing on WTVI:
Sunday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 9 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. 

Internationally renowned for alluring stage productions and songs of heartwarming inspiration, BELIEVE is destined to reveal for Celtic Woman what will be a new chapter of musical enchantment to be enjoyed by the entire family. Celtic Woman performs at Ovens Auditorium on February 21, 2012.

Great Performances: Jackie Evancho: Come Dream with Me, airing on WTVI:
Sunday, Jan. 22 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 

Recorded on the grounds of the spectacular John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, this special marks the solo concert debut of the 10-year-old girl with the extraordinary soprano voice. Jackie Evancho will perform on June 6, 2012 at Time Warner Arena.   

Visit www.wtvi.org for details. 


About WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station

WTVI is an essential community resource that connects people in the heart of the Carolinas. A public television station, WTVI offers a diverse mix of quality programs and services designed to inform, educate, entertain and promote citizenship. From award-winning children’s programming to groundbreaking documentaries and original music performances, WTVI offers quality content viewers can trust. WTVI reaches more than 380,000 households in its 13-county area in both North and South Carolina: Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Rowan, Iredell, Stanly, Union, Anson, Catawba, Cabarrus, Cleveland in North Carolina and York and Lancaster in South Carolina. Get closer to home -  www.wtvi.org 

Contact:

WTVI
Rick Fitts

Jeff Vawter
704.371.8839

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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

WTVI’s new 282 television show puts a unique spin on social media and public affairs with CLT Blog partnership

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 17, 2012) – WTVI’s 282 television show, debuting January 30, 2012, is an interactive current events show with a twist: social media discussions on current events will determine the topics and feed each show’s content. The show will stream live on the internet each Monday at noon, and will air on television at 6:30 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. the same day.  

282 is a new kind of local show that will be as interesting to watch and participate with online as it is to see on television. The weekly panel will feature local media makers - bloggers, journalists, filmmakers, social media personalities – all discussing the most significant local events of the week. Politics, entertainment, education, sports and other hot topics are all up for discussion.  

The concept was the brainchild of Elsie Garner, WTVI’s president and CEO. “I have been intrigued with the idea of starting with social media and making a TV show out of it instead of the traditional TV show informing social media efforts,” says Garner. “Our partnership with CLT Blog provides the perfect technology and audience for this modern approach recognizing new ways people interact, obtain news and discuss events important to them.” 

Carlton Hargro, the host, is the former editor of Creative Loafing, with years of editorial experience in Charlotte and Atlanta. WTVI’s Rick Fitts is the executive in charge of production, and Jere Thomas is the director.  

282 is one of many local productions from WTVI. The station currently produces Carolina Business Review, Healthwise, For Your Home, United Way and You, and The Charlotte Small Business Spotlight. WTVI also airs the Mecklenburg County Commission meetings, as well as pre-election debates and Everyday Edisons. WTVI has worked with and used the talents of many local independent producers to present local documentaries to the community, such as Charlotte's Own Bearden at 100, Rural Mecklenburg: A Vanishing Way of Life, Carolina Calling, Our Vanishing Americana, The Blue Ridge Parkway: A Long and Winding Road, Sojourn of the Strings and City of Canvas: The Story of Camp Greene.  

About WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station

WTVI is an essential community resource that connects people in the heart of the Carolinas. A public television station, WTVI offers a diverse mix of quality programs and services designed to inform, educate, entertain and promote citizenship. From award-winning children’s programming to groundbreaking documentaries and original music performances, WTVI offers quality content viewers can trust. WTVI reaches more than 380,000 households in its 13-county area in both North and South Carolina: Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Rowan, Iredell, Stanly, Union, Anson, Catawba, Cabarrus, Cleveland in North Carolina and York and Lancaster in South Carolina. Get closer to home -  www.wtvi.org

About CLT Blog

CLT Blog is Charlotte’s largest online-only news outlet and social content network, with one of the largest followings on Facebook and Twitter of any media organization in the Carolinas. Our mix of citizen and professional contributers cover the Queen City: its music, art, nightlife, sports, politics, economy, past, and future. As a locally born-and-bred collective, we focus on Charlotte’s most pressing issues and inspiring stories, and through the use of rich media like live streaming video, engage the next generation of Charlotteans. www.cltblog.com

 Contact: 

Rick Fitts

Jeff Vawter
704.371.8839

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