University of Wisconsin - Extension

In celebration of February's African-American History Month, Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) will air nine insightful programs.

Starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, the programs begin with Romancing the Throne. The sudden death of the King of Lesotho in a car crash thrusts the small country and its citizens into shock, not the least of whom is the King's son, Prince Mohato, enjoying the free and easy life of a thirty-something bachelor in London. This true story plays something like the film, "Coming to America," in reverse.

A Huey P. Newton Story, the first of the three biographies offered in February, begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13. This intimate portrait of the assassinated co-founder of the Black Panther Party navigates Newton¿s cinematic stream of consciousness through text drawn from his own writings and recorded interviews -- revealing an enigmatic and complex individual who was both celebrated and vilified.

Later in the month, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, American Masters presents "Ralph Ellison: An American Journey. " Explore the life and work of influential author Ralph Ellison, whose landmark novel "Invisible Man" won him a lifetime of awards and honors.

Combining biography and music, WPT presents Bob Marley: Rebel Music, An "American Masters" Special at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20. As biographers look back at the last century, Bob Marley -- the world's first Reggae super star whose singular voice and stirring lyrics calling for racial harmony -- has won a place in history as a peerless artist and international symbol for peace.

Other musical programs include George Benson: Absolutely Live that airs at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13. This program presents a stunning fusion of much-loved tunes from the jazz and pop master. George Benson, eight-time Grammy Award winner, performs new compositions and greatest hits in this concert special, recorded at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on May 27, 2000.

Three Mo' Tenors in Concert: A Great Performances Special airs at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19. This tribute and parody of "The Three Tenors" provides an African-American perspective on a Euro-centric phenomenon. Victor Trent Cook, Rodrick Dixon and Thomas Young prove they are every bit as versatile as their Italian counterparts.

The last music offering is "Carmen Jones," which airs at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. This powerful melodrama is adapted from Bizet's opera by Oscar Hammerstein II. With exciting music, Dorothy Dandridge is the ultimate femme fatale.

A visit to New York's Harlem is given in A Walk Through Harlem airing at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. In this walking tour, the two longtime New Yorkers go to the heart of Harlem and meet many of the people who have made or witnessed history there, exploring landmarks and events that make up the story of this dynamic 350-year-old community.

Lastly, is a historical documentary called Goin' to Chicago that will air at 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25. This program tells the story of the largest internal migration in United States history--the move that led millions of African Americans from the cotton fields and segregation of the rural South to the cities of the North and West. Although the migrations influenced virtually every facet of American political, economic and cultural life, writer and psychologist Robert Coles has described the movement as "one of the great unsung sagas of human history." Goin¿ to Chicago is the first documentary to tell their story on broadcast television.

WPT is a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/Madison, WPNE-TV/Green Bay, WHRM-TV/Wausau, WLEF-TV/Park Falls, WHLA-TV/La Crosse and WHWC-TV/Menomonie-Eau Claire.

http://www.wpt.org