Highlights Archive

Great Performances “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2025” • WXXI-TV

Experience this annual beloved concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss.

Great Performances “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2025” airs Wednesday, January 1 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Ring in 2025 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in this beloved annual concert. PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville hosts the traditional concert for the eighth consecutive year, commemorating the 200^th birthday of Johann Strauss. Showcasing the talents of the orchestra accompanied by on-location dance sequences with the Vienna State Ballet, the program also takes audiences on a tour of The Leopold Museum, the grand Südbahn Hotel, the mountains of the Semmering Hirschenkogel ski resort and more. Conducted by Riccardo Muti for the seventh time, PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville returns to host.

PBS Books featuring Zach OHora, show creator of “Carl the Collector” • Facebook Live

Meet Carl the Collector and his friends with series creator, author, and illustrator Zach OHora.

Carl the Collector | Conversation with Creator Zach OHora on Facebook Live on Wednesday, January 15 at 8 p.m.

Premiering last fall, this new PBS Kids series is the first to center on a neurodiverse character, celebrating the diverse ways kids think and express themselves. Learn more about Carl and all his adventures while celebrating the diverse way kids think and express themselves. This Facebook Live event is presented by WXXI as part of Dialogue on Disability, a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies – in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series that works to increase representation of people with disabilities by presenting programs that showcase the lives of diverse people. Dialogue on Disability is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation. The weeklong initiative runs January 22 through January 28, 2024.

Remembering Former President Jimmy Carter • WXXI-WORLD

To mark the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away December 29 at the age of 100, WXXI presents two encore broadcasts.

In Their Own Words “Jimmy Carter” and American Experience “Jimmy Carter” air Wednesday, January 1 on WXXI-WORLD.

In Their Own Words “Jimmy Carter” airs Wednesday at 7 p.m. This episode, which originally aired in 2021, explores the intimate and inspiring story of a long-shot outsider who beat the odds against him again and again and never looked back in his quest to better the lives of millions. Jimmy Carter’s journey from poor, rural peanut farmer to become the 39th president of the United States will be revealed to be a story of faith, determination and humanity. Repeats Thursday, January 2 at 10 a.m.

American Experience “Jimmy Carter” airs Wednesday, at 8 p.m. Through interviews with the people who know him best, Jimmy Carter traces his rapid ascent in politics, dramatic fall from grace and unexpected resurrection, including Carter family home movies and a rare film sequence of Carter’s final hours in the Oval Office, when he and his advisors waited in vain for the release of the Americans who had been held hostage in Tehran for 444 days. Repeats Thursday, January 2 at 8 a.m.

NPR Special Report: The Life and Legacy of Former President Jimmy Carter • WXXI News (FM 105.9)

In memory of the former President, who passed away on December 29th, WXXI News presents this NPR Special Report.

NPR Special Report: The Life and Legacy of Former President Jimmy Carter airs Wednesday, January 1 at 1 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. on WXXI-FM 105.9 and streaming on WXXInews.org.

Featuring NPR’s Ari Shapiro as host and reporting from NPR’s Linda Wertheimer, the special looks at the career and life of the 39th president of the U.S. Carter will receive a state funeral and President Biden has set Jan. 9 as a national day of mourning.

Photo: Former President Jimmy Carter speaks to a group of Duke University alumni at the Carter Center in Atlanta in 2012. Credit: John Bazemore / AP/AP

Norm & Company: Justin Vigdor • WXXI-TV

In memory of Rochester attorney Justin Vigdor, who passed away earlier this week, WXXI presents a special broadcast of an episode of Norm & Company from 2013 featuring Mr. Vigdor as the guest.

Norm & Company: Justin Vigdor airs Friday, January 3 at 5:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

In 2013, Mr. Vigdor, then Senior Counsel at Boylan Code LLP, sat down with WXXI President Norm Silverstein for an episode of Norm & Company. In the episode he speaks about his military law career, how he came to make Rochester his home, and his extensive involvement in the Rochester community.

Hosted by former and long-time WXXI President Norm Silverstein, Norm & Company is a series where long-time Rochesterians recount fascinating stories about their lives in the community.

“Voces American Historia” Virtual Discussion with John Leguizamo & Ben DeJesus • Watch On-Demand

On the heels of Voces American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos’ successful run on PBS, WXXI hosted a special virtual discussion with the series’ director Ben DeJesus and creator/host John Leguizamo. On December 10, 2024, the two joined us via Zoom to share how the series came about, their creative approach, what they have learned, and more.

Tras el éxito de Voces American Historia: La historia no contada de los latinos en PBS, WXXI se complace en organizar un debate virtual especial con el director de la serie, Ben DeJesus, y el creador y presentador, John Leguizamo. Los dos se unirán a nosotros a través de Zoom para compartir cómo surgió la serie, su enfoque creativo, lo que han aprendido, y mucho más.

Voces American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos is available on PBS Passport Don’t have Passport? Click here to become A WXXI Member today.

WXXI Classical Presents… Amadeus

Milos Forman’s 1984 biography of Mozart celebrates its 40th Anniversary with a luminous new 4K restoration of the original theatrical cut, courtesy The Academy Film Archive!

WXXI Classical Presents… Amadeus screens Saturday, January 11 at 3 p.m. at The Little Theatre.

Winner of 8 Academy Awards, including “Best Picture,” this special anniversary screening as part of the WXXI Classical Presents film series will also feature a post-film Q&A with local classical luminaries. Click here to order you tickets online!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) is a remarkably talented young Viennese composer who unwittingly finds a fierce rival in the disciplined and determined Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham). Resenting Mozart for both his hedonistic lifestyle and his undeniable talent, the highly religious Salieri is gradually consumed by his jealousy and becomes obsessed with Mozart’s downfall, leading to a devious scheme that has dire consequences for both men.

WXXI Classical Presents is a series of films that are related to classical music in some way, co-produced by WXXI Classical and The Little Theatre. Selected by classical music hosts Brenda Tremblay, Mona Seghatoleslami, and Steve Johnson each film chosen exemplifies the power of music in an exciting or non-traditional narrative way. More details about the WXXI Classical Presents Series

Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa • WXXI-WORLD

This WXXI production explores the seven principles that are the foundation of Kwanzaa by sharing seven real-life stories of impact.

Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa airs Sunday, December 29 at 7 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD.

Honoring the heritage, unity, culture, and rich contributions of African Americans, Kwanzaa is more than just a celebration; it’s a way of life. Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa explores the seven principles that are the foundation of Kwanzaa by sharing seven real-life stories of impact. These stories reveal how each principle plays a role in the Black community, illustrated through cultural elements of dance, storytelling, music, and spoken word.

Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa features interviews with Dr. David A. Anderson/Sankofa, Rochester Kwanzaa Coalition; Ms. Melba Ayco, Artistic Director and Owner, Northwest Tap Connection; Delores Jackson Radney, Rochester Kwanzaa Coalition; Melanie Funchess, Principal & CEO, Ubuntu Village Works LLC; Reenah Golden, Founder and Artistic Director, Avenue Blackbox Theatre; Anthony and Zakiya King, Owners of Cerebral Kingdom Bookstore; Dr. Shaun Nelms, EPO Superintendent, East High School; Shawn Dunwoody, Digital Designer Dunwoodē Designs; Terrie Ajile Axam, Founder Artistic Director, Total Dance/Dancical Productions Inc., and Terry Chaka, Rochester Kwanzaa Coalition.

Cultural Expressions: Kwanzaa is a WXXI Public Media production from 2022. The production team includes: Teej Jenkins-Routier, producer/director; Joanne V. Gordon, editor/producer; and Rhonda Austin, associate producer.