Women, War & Peace, a new 5-part series, uncovers the untold stories of women’s strategic role in global conflict and peacemaking

WTVI to host two community outreach events for veterans

CHARLOTTE, NC (October 6, 2011) – What if you looked at war as though women mattered? What if you looked at peace as though women mattered? These two questions are at the heart of a five-hour series, Women, War & Peace, a comprehensive global media initiative on the changing roles of women in war and peace. Actors Matt Damon, Geena Davis, Tilda Swinton, and Alfre Woodard narrate.

Filmed in conflict zones in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Colombia, and Liberia, Women, War & Peace - airing Fridays, October 14, 21, 28 and November 4 and 11 at 10 pm. ET on WTVI -couldn’t be timelier. As the recent developments in Afghanistan make headlines around the world, Women, War & Peace places women at the center of an urgent dialogue about conflict and security.

Women, War & Peace challenges the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain. The series reveals how the post-Cold War proliferation of small arms has changed the landscape of war, with women becoming primary targets and suffering unprecedented casualties, yet simultaneously emerging as necessary partners in brokering lasting peace and as leaders in forging new international laws governing conflict. The series is a co-production of THIRTEEN and Fork Films.

“As a female veteran of peace and wartime service in the Army, I am excited that this new five-part PBS miniseries has been compiled to shed light on the important roles women have played during peace and conflict. It is of critical importance to our citizens. Thank you for this partnership,” says Twila Adams, board member, Southeastern Paralyzed Veterans of America, and owner of Holistic NailCare Services.

As part of WTVI’s community outreach, the station will host two, free sneak preview screenings:
• Monday, October 10, 2011, at 6 p.m., at Beacon Manor Independent Living Center, 3501 Independence Blvd., Charlotte. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) members, disabled veterans, American Legion members, National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS) members, and women’s auxiliary groups are invited as well as the general public.

• Tuesday, October 11, 2011, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Operation Stand Down (hosted by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans), a resource fair for veterans, at the Grady Cole Center, 310 North King Dr., Charlotte. This event is open to veterans.

“I’m excited that these community outreach screenings and dialogue will engage diverse women from the Charlotte community who have served in the military. These upcoming events will help increase awareness of the issues facing women serving in war zones,” says Reverend Yvonne McJetters, NABVETS, Women’s Auxiliary Group, executive director of Hope, Hands & Heart Ministries.

Attendees at both screenings will see clips from all five episodes in the series:

• I Came to Testify is the moving story of how a group of 16 women who had been imprisoned and raped by Serb-led forces in the Bosnian town of Foca broke history’s great silence – and stepped forward to take the witness stand in an international court of law. Their remarkable courage resulted in a triumphant verdict that led to new international laws about sexual violence in war. Narrated by Matt Damon. Produced and Written by Pamela Hogan. Airs October 14, at 10 p.m. Hear Matt Damon at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/women-war-and-peace/features/why-should-men-care/

• Pray the Devil Back to Hell is the astonishing story of the Liberian women who took on the warlords and regime of dictator Charles Taylor in the midst of a brutal civil war, and won a once unimaginable peace for their shattered country in 2003. Directed by Gini Reticker. Produced by Abigail E. Disney. Co-produced by Johanna Hamilton. Airs October 21, at 10 p.m.

• Peace Unveiled follows three women in Afghanistan who are risking their lives to make sure that women’s rights don’t get traded away in U.S. peace talks with the Taliban. Narrated by Tilda Swinton. Directed by Gini Reticker. Produced by Claudia Rizzi. Written by Abigail E. Disney. Airs October 28, at 10 p.m.

• The War We Are Living travels to Cauca, a mountainous region in Colombia’s Pacific southwest, where two extraordinary Afro-Colombian women are braving a violent struggle over their gold-rich lands. They are standing up for a generation of Colombians who have been terrorized and forcibly displaced as a deliberate strategy of war. Narrated by Alfre Woodard. Produced by Oriana Zill de Granados. Written by Pamela Hogan and Oriana Zill de Granados. Airs November 4, at 10 p.m.

• War Redefined, the capstone of Women, War & Peace, challenges the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain through incisive interviews with leading thinkers, Secretaries of State and seasoned survivors of war and peace-making. Interviewees include Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee; Bosnian war crimes investigator Fadila Memisevic; and globalization expert Moisés Naím. Narrated by Geena Davis. Produced and Written by Peter Bull. Co-produced by Nina Chaudry. Airs November 11, at 10 p.m.

“I’m delighted that, through national partnerships, WTVI can provide such a timely perspective on culture and issues of war and peace that affect us all,” says Elsie Garner, WTVI’s president and CEO. “Both women and men will be educated and inspired by the stories in this series.”

Women, War & Peace airs Fridays at 10 p.m., beginning October 14, 2011.

Learn more about women’s changing roles in today’s wars at womenwarandpeace.org


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 and entertain. 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. www.wtvi.org

Contact:

WTVI
Jeff Vawter
704.371.8839
jvawter@wtvi.org

"Rural Mecklenburg: A Vanishing Way of Life" airs October 2, 2011, at 8 p.m.

"Rural Mecklenburg: A Vanishing Way of Life" illustrates the way of life that characterized most of Mecklenburg County from its earliest beginnings in the 1760's until the mid-1900s. Several rural historic sites are included, such as the Robinson Rock House Ruin, the Hezekiah Alexander House, the Grier-Rea House and Hopewell.

The program is by producers Dan Morrill and L.G. Walker. View video: http://vimeo.com/24751379

WTVI to air School Board, City Council and Mayoral debates

The League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg (LWV) and WTVI are producing televised debates and interviews for candidates running in the November 2011 election. The media is invited to attend the tapings at WTVI Studios, located at 3242 Commonwealth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205.

The debate and interview taping schedule is as follows:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education: October 10 (from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), October 11 (from 9:30-10:30 a.m.) and October 13, 2011 (at 8:30 a.m.). We will be taping individual interviews with the candidates every 30 minutes. Questions will come from the LWV, Kids Voting and CMS civics classes.

Charlotte City Council At-Large: October 20, 2011 (from 11:30-12:45). We will be taping a debate with nine candidates.

Charlotte City Council Districts: October 20, 2011 (from 10-11 a.m.). We will be taping a 15-minute debate for each district.

City of Charlotte Mayor: October 21, 2011 (from 9-10 a.m.). We will be taping a debate between Anthony Foxx (D) and Scott Stone (R).

The debates will air on WTVI on Sunday, October 30, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Mayoral: 1-2 p.m.
• City Council At-Large: 2-3 p.m.
• City Council Districts: 3-4 p.m.
• School Board: 4-6 p.m.

Recordings will also be available on CLTBlog's website, http://cltvotes.us.

“The community needs this election information to distinguish between candidates for important local offices,” says Elsie Garner, WTVI’s President and CEO. “We are pleased to provide these resources in simple, unbiased formats, and as always, we enjoy welcoming candidates to our studio to share their views.”


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 and entertain. 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. www.wtvi.org

WTVI premieres in-depth look at the life of John Belk

John Belk: A Portrait in Principle

John Belk is among the most influential people in Charlotte as well as the history of the New South, but his story has never been told for television. The region’s premier business host, Chris William, and his team have produced this in-depth look at John Belk’s life as told by those who knew him best. Airs September 14, 2011, at 9 p.m.

WTVI’s HealthWise show provides free healthcare information for sixteenth year

Charlotte, NC (September 7, 2011) – On Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 6 p.m., Joey Popp kicks off the sixteenth season of HealthWise, a live, call in medical television program educating viewers on the latest prevention and treatment methods.

“In an economic environment where a lot of people have lost their jobs and healthcare insurance, we are able to offer free healthcare information. We hope the show’s educational contribution to our community will ultimately help the bigger mission of lowering healthcare costs,” says executive producer, Suzanne Mielke. “HealthWise’s free health information can assist in preventing unnecessary trips to doctors as well as help people address their small health concerns now, before they escalate into much larger health issues.”

Mielke started HealthWise 16 years ago by walking door-to-door to meet local physicians and rally support to forge the vision of the television show.
“I remember, I was told by many people that this program wouldn’t happen, but the naysayers underestimated the ability of our community of wonderful physicians. The physicians made this program happen, and I want to thank each and every one who has ever sponsored or participated on a HealthWise program. It is my hope that our area doctors will once again step up to the plate to participate and push for fundraising support for this show,” says Mielke.

The HealthWise fall program line up starts with “The Ravages of Diabetes & High Blood Pressure on the Eye and its Vessels,” with guests from Charlotte Eye Ear Nose and Throat. Other topics this season include shoulder pain solutions, new technology to lose weight, three new minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and cardio-oncology.

View the complete HealthWise show schedule at: www.wtvi.org/healthwisepd.cfm

Physicians interested in participating in the community outreach offered through the HealthWise program should contact Suzanne Mielke, at smielke@wtvi.org.

WTVI’s fall season features local producers with lessons on Charlotte history and national education and entertainment for all ages

CHARLOTTE, NC (August 23, 2011) – WTVI is an important portal for viewers to learn more about the people and places in and around Charlotte as well as the entire globe.

“WTVI’s fall lineup is the richest, most adventurous content we have ever shared,” says Elsie Garner, CEO. “Our local and national partnerships are bringing provocative lessons from history, the arts, and present day battlefields.”

This fall, WTVI is proud to partner with talented local producers to premiere the following programs:

WTVI premieres new local documentaries:

• Charlotte’s Own Bearden at 100. Romare Howard Bearden was born on September 2, 1911, in Charlotte. Recognized as one of the most creative and original visual artists of the twentieth century, Bearden experimented with many different mediums and artistic styles, but is best known for his richly textured collages, two of which appeared on the covers of Fortune and Time magazines. His life and art are marked by exceptional talent, encompassing a broad range of intellectual and scholarly interests, including music, performing arts, history, literature and world art. WTVI will host a preview at the Mint Museum Uptown on September 2, 2011. The program airs September 7, 2011, at 8 p.m. Steve Crump, longtime WTVI collaborator, is the local producer. The Jerald Melburg Gallery is the title sponsor.

• John Belk: A Portrait in Principle. John Belk is among the two or three most influential people in Charlotte’s recent history, but his definitive story has never been told for television. The region’s premier business host, Chris William, and his team have produced this in-depth look at John Belk’s life. Airs September 14, 2011, at 9 p.m.

• Rural Mecklenburg: A Vanishing Way of Life. This documentary illustrates the way of life that characterized most of Mecklenburg County from its earliest beginnings in the 1760's until the mid-1900s. The program premieres October 5 at 10 p.m. Rural Mecklenburg is by producers Dan Morrill and L.G. Walker.

• City of Canvas: The Story of Camp Greene. Completed after years of research, this show reminds us of important but somewhat overlooked chapter in Charlotte’s history. Camp Greene was a World War I training camp in Charlotte from 1917 to 1919. Produced by Jack Dillard and a team of advisors on the project that includes Dr. Dan Morrill, professor of history at UNC Charlotte and Consulting Director of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission; Joyce Reimann, Manager, and Jane Johnson, Librarian, Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Airs on Veterans Day, November 11, 2011 at 9 p.m.

• Overdraft. From Davidson producer Scott Galloway, this documentary presents a broad explanation of America’s federal debt and the choices Americans will have to make to fix it. This film describes the connections, opportunities, and consequences of debt at the federal, state, and local levels of government. Airs in January 2012.


WTVI will also take viewers into new worlds by featuring these nationally-produced programs and hosting local events around the premieres:

• Women, War & Peace is a bold new five-part PBS television series challenging the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain. The series reveals how the post-Cold War proliferation of small arms has changed the landscape of war, with women becoming primary targets and suffering unprecedented casualties. Yet they are simultaneously emerging as necessary partners in brokering lasting peace and as leaders in forging new international laws governing conflict. Featuring narrators Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton, Geena Davis and Alfre Woodard, Women, War & Peace is the most comprehensive global media initiative ever mounted on the roles of women in war and peace. The series is a co-production of THIRTEEN and Fork Films.

The five episodes in the series:

I Came to Testify is the moving story of how a group of 16 women who had been imprisoned and raped by Serb-led forces in the Bosnian town of Foca broke history’s great silence – and stepped forward to take the witness stand in an international court of law. Their remarkable courage resulted in a triumphant verdict that led to new international laws about sexual violence in war. Narrated by Matt Damon. Produced and Written by Pamela Hogan.

Pray the Devil Back to Hell is the astonishing story of the Liberian women who took on the warlords and regime of dictator Charles Taylor in the midst of a brutal civil war, and won a once unimaginable peace for their shattered country in 2003. Directed by Gini Reticker. Produced by Abigail E. Disney. Co-produced by Johanna Hamilton.

When the U.S. troop surge was announced in late 2009, women in Afghanistan knew that the ground was being laid for peace talks with the Taliban. Peace Unveiled follows three women in Afghanistan who are risking their lives to make sure that women’s rights don’t get traded away in the deal. Narrated by Tilda Swinton. Directed by Gini Reticker. Produced by Claudia Rizzi. Written by Abigail E. Disney.

The War We Are Living travels to Cauca, a mountainous region in Colombia’s Pacific southwest, where two extraordinary Afro-Colombian women are braving a violent struggle over their gold-rich lands. They are standing up for a generation of Colombians who have been terrorized and forcibly displaced as a deliberate strategy of war. Narrated by Alfre Woodard. Produced by Oriana Zill de Granados. Written by Pamela Hogan and Oriana Zill de Granados.

War Redefined, the capstone of Women, War & Peace, challenges the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain through incisive interviews with leading thinkers, Secretaries of State and seasoned survivors of war and peace-making. Interviewees include Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee; Bosnian war crimes investigator Fadila Memisevic; and globalization expert Moisés Naím. Narrated by Geena Davis. Produced and Written by Peter Bull. Co-produced by Nina Chaudry.

Women, War & Peace airs Fridays at 10 p.m., beginning October 14, 2011. WTVI’s Beverly Dorn-Steele will host a community panel discussion to complement this series.


• Prohibition: Discover the true story of America’s “Great Experiment.” Go beyond the oft-told tales of gangsters, rum-runners, flappers and speakeasies to experience the rise, rule and fall of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s documentary. Airs on WTVI October 3, 4 and 5 at 8 p.m.

• The PBS Arts Festival: As part of its commitment to increasing access and participation in the arts, PBS is hosting a multi-platform arts festival this fall, beginning October 15 and airing Saturday nights through November 25 and in mid-December on WTVI, with content featuring artists and performances from nine different communities around the country and celebrity hosts from each locale. In addition, WTVI will include short video segments highlighting the arts in the local community, immersive online exhibits extending the broadcast specials, and innovative classroom tools to help fill gaps in arts education.

The initial programs to be featured in the festival are (in alphabetical order):

PBS Arts from Chicago: AMERICAN MASTERS “Bill T. Jones: A Good Man” – Follow award-winning director/choreographer Bill T. Jones’s intense creative journey as he leads his company in the creation of Fondly Do We Hope... Fervently Do We Pray, an original dance-theater piece in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s bicentennial. “Bill T. Jones: A Good Man” is a co-production of A Good Man Film LLC, Kartemquin Films, Independent Television Service (ITVS), THIRTEEN’s American Masters for WNET, and Media Process Group, with the cooperation of the Ravinia Festival. The evening’s presentation is in collaboration with PBS member station WTTW.

PBS Arts from Seattle: AMERICAN MASTERS “Pearl Jam Twenty” – In honor of Pearl Jam’s 20th anniversary, award-winning director and music journalist Cameron Crowe creates a definitive portrait of the seminal band carved from over 1,200 hours of rarely and never-before-seen footage, plus 24 hours of recently shot concert and interview footage. “Pearl Jam Twenty” chronicles the years leading up to the band’s formation, the chaos that ensued soon after their rise to mega-stardom, their step back from center stage and the creation of a work culture that would sustain them. Part concert film, part insider hang, part testimonial to the power of music and uncompromising artists, the film celebrates the freedom that allowed Pearl Jam a way to make music without losing sight of what mattered most to them — their fans and the music fans that they themselves had always been. AMERICAN MASTERS is a production of Thirteen for WNET. The evening’s presentation is in collaboration with PBS member station KCTS.

PBS Arts from Minnesota: GILBERT AND SULLIVAN’S HMS PINAFORE – Delight in this spectacular new production of the beloved Gilbert and Sullivan classic from the Guthrie Theater, directed by the theater’s artistic director, Joe Dowling. Infused with fresh musical arrangements of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s memorable melodies — ranging from big band swing to classic pop — HMS Pinafore is pure joy and sensational entertainment for everyone. The evening’s presentation is produced by PBS member station Twin Cities Public Television (tpt).

PBS Arts from the Blue Ridge Mountains: GIVE ME THE BANJO (w.t.) – Narrated by actor/comedian Steve Martin, a banjoist himself, the film explores the roots of American music — the minstrel show, ragtime and early jazz, blues, old-time, folk, bluegrass and country. It is a story of America’s quintessential musical instrument from its African slavery roots to the 21st century, featuring performances and commentary from contemporary folk musicians such as Pete Seeger, Earl Scruggs, Taj Mahal, Béla Fleck and the Carolina Chocolate Drops, as well as from leading music historians, instrument builders and collectors. “Give Me the Banjo” is produced and directed by Marc Fields with Michael Kantor as executive producer. Tony Trischka is co-producer and music director. The evening’s presentation is in collaboration with PBS member station UNC-TV (North Carolina).

PBS Arts from Los Angeles: GREAT PERFORMANCES “Il Postino from LA Opera” – Bask in the beautiful voice of world-renowned tenor Plácido Domingo with the LA Opera in this romantic new opera by composer Daniel Catán based on the Oscar-winning Italian film. GREAT PERFORMANCES is a production of Thirteen for WNET New York Public Media. The evening’s presentation is in cooperation with PBS SoCal (Southern California).

PBS Arts from San Francisco: GREAT PERFORMANCES “The Little Mermaid from San Francisco Ballet” – Experience Hans Christian Andersen’s haunting tale of love with San Francisco Ballet’s production of John Neumeier’s inventive ballet. The original score is by young Russian-American composer Lera Auerbach. Part of GREAT PERFORMANCES’ “Dance in America,” GREAT PERFORMANCES “The Little Mermaid from San Francisco Ballet” is a production of Thirteen for WNET New York Public Media. The evening’s presentation is in collaboration with PBS member station KQED.

PBS ARTS from Miami: GREAT PERFORMANCES “Miami City Ballet Dances Balanchine & Tharp” – Witness the grace and beauty of one of America’s finest dance companies, Edward Villella’s Miami City Ballet, in a trio of signature works by George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp. Watch the company’s critically acclaimed performances of Balanchine’s “Square Dance” and “Western Symphony” and Tharp’s “The Golden Section.” Part of GREAT PERFORMANCES’ “Dance in America,” GREAT PERFORMANCES “Miami City Ballet Dances Balanchine & Tharp” is a production of Thirteen for WNET New York Public Media. The evening’s presentation is in collaboration with PBS member station WPBT.

PBS Arts from New York: GREAT PERFORMANCES “Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park” – The broadcast premiere of internationally acclaimed tenor Andrea Bocelli’s free concert in Central Park features his best-known and best-loved songs with an array of surprise guests from throughout the music world. Bocelli will be accompanied by the New York Philharmonic, under the direction of music director Alan Gilbert and the Westminster Symphonic Choir, conducted by Joe Miller.
GREAT PERFORMANCES “Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park” is a production of, and is presented in collaboration with, Thirteen for WNET New York Public Media.

PBS Arts from Cleveland: WOMEN WHO ROCK – From Bessie Smith to Janis Joplin to Lady Gaga, this performance documentary vibrates with energy as it traces the indelible mark that amazing women musicians have made on America’s soundtrack. Inspired by the “Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power” exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, “Women Who Rock” reveals new insights into what it means to be female in the male-dominated world of rock and roll, while exploring how those dynamics between the sexes have changed with time. The film is produced by Susan Wittenberg and Carol Stein with assistance from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The evening’s presentation is in collaboration with PBS member station WVIZ/PBS ideastream®.


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 and entertain. 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. www.wtvi.org

Contact:

WTVI
Jeff Vawter
704.371.8839
jvawter@wtvi.org

DINOSAUR TRAIN heads to the “Big City” on WTVI with one-hour movie premiere

The Schiele Museum will host sneak preview as part of "Reptile Day" exhibit

Everyone’s favorite dinosaurs are making their way to the city for “Dinosaur Big City,” a one-hour movie from PBS KIDS series DINOSAUR TRAIN airing on August 22 at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., on WTVI. Families can join Buddy and his Pteranodon family on a pre-historic adventure as they gather all their theropod friends to travel to the big Theropod Club Convention being held in Laramidia, the “Dinosaur Big City!”

The premiere of Dinosaur Big City marks the start of season two of DINOSAUR TRAIN. From the world-renowned Jim Henson Company, the hit DINOSAUR TRAIN series is seen in over 13 million households every month. The series encourages scientific thinking and other skills as it teaches children about natural science, natural history and paleontology. DINOSAUR TRAIN’s second season will focus on exploring the outdoors and natural phenomena, and will feature “Big Dinosaur Week” and a special based on the fan favorite “Dinosaurs A to Z” song. DINOSAUR TRAIN airs on WTVI weekdays at 9:30 a.m.

“We are extremely proud of the success of DINOSAUR TRAIN and are delighted that young fans around the world continue to embrace the series,” states Lisa Henson, CEO, The Jim Henson Company. “With each episode, we strive to deliver the highest quality of entertainment and education, and we have a tremendous team of creative talent to ensure that we meet the expectations of children and their parents.”

“WTVI broadcasts 65 hours of PBS KIDS programming per week, including DINOSAUR TRAIN” says Elsie Garner, CEO at WTVI. “We are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children through curriculum-based entertainment with positive role models and content designed to nurture a child’s total well-being.”

Local screening, Sunday, August 21
Join WTVI’s Ms. Beverly at the The Schiele Museum of Natural History, in Gastonia, NC, Sunday, August 21, at 3 p.m. for a sneak preview screening and free DINOSAUR TRAIN items. The screening is part of the Reptile Day exhibit, open from 1-5 p.m. For museum members, admission is $3. For non-members, admission is $10 for adults and $9 for children ages 4-18. 1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC http://www.schielemuseum.org/


Dinosaur Big City Movie Synopsis
Buddy and his Pteranodon family embark on a journey on the Dinosaur Train, gathering all their theropod friends together to travel to a really big Theropod Club Convention, which is being held in Laramidia, the “Dinosaur Big City.” Among the travelers is King Cryolophosaurus, a singing theropod who is more than a little nervous about giving a concert in front of his biggest audience ever in the Big City. Once the Dinosaur Train arrives in Laramidia, Buddy and the Pteranodon family explore the crowded “dinosaur metropolis.” At the Theropod Convention, the kids reunite with Annie Tyrannosaurus and her parents Delores and Boris, and they all meet the multi-horned mayor, Mayor Kosmoceratops. In the end, Buddy and Tiny help King Cryolophosaurus overcome his stage fright, and he wows a large dinosaur audience when he sings his new song, “Whole Lotta Theropods” at the Convention.