Highlights Archive

TOWN CRIER • The Little Theatre

Artist Mark Thomas Gibson processes the daily onslaught of news in his TOWN CRIER series, sounding the alarm on our fraying democracy and using art as an urgent call for citizen action. (TOWN CRIER artwork pictured)

Join WXXI for a FREE screening of this short film followed by a discussion with the artist Mark Thomas Gibson and film director Grace Lee, moderated by CITY Magazine editor Leah Stacy.

Details:
Tuesday, October 27
The Little Theatre, Theatre 1
FREE admission
Doors open at 6:30pm/Program begins at 7pm

This event is free, but reservations are required.

Reserve your free seat here beginning 10/1.

More about the film:

As America hurtles towards the 250th anniversary of its founding, TOWN CRIER is a short documentary film that examines the role of the artist in our complicated times. How do artists sound the alarm when the world is on fire? When society is in crisis and leaders fail to deliver, can artists hold us to account for our actions? Or for our inaction? American history painter Mark Thomas Gibson began his “Town Crier” series in 2021 in response to the cultural and political storm following Covid and the murder of George Floyd. These single-panel images were in a graphic, pen-and-ink comic book style and featured a Black man in colonial-era garb announcing the headlines of the day. Christmas, 2021, for example, began “Hear ye, hear ye! Ho! Ho! Ho! We have Joe Manchin problems! We have pandemic problems! We have voting rights and student loan problems! Often published on Instagram, these cartoons hearkened back to the Revolutionary War days of Paul Revere sounding the alarm “The British are coming! The British are coming!”

Since 2024, Gibson’s series and messages have taken on an urgency and greater frequency with regular Instagram posts using the handle @darthgibson. He has also incorporated several town criers into the “Banners” series recently on view at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

TOWN CRIER was shot on location in Philadelphia and Miami.

About the production team:

Grace Lee, Director/Producer, is an award-winning filmmaker working at the intersection of storytelling, activism, and community. Her work spans film, television, podcasts, and digital platforms, including the Peabody winning American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs and Asian Americans documentary series, And She Could Be Next, The Grace Lee Project and the podcast Viewers Like Us. She is co-founder of A-Doc, a national network supporting Asian Americans in the documentary field and brings a long track record of creating work that moves across mediums and mobilizes audiences. Her most recent film Forever We Are Young, about the passionate fandom for K-pop superstars BTS was released theatrically in cinemas worldwide in 2025. More info www.gracelee.net

Alicia Sams, Producer, has over 30 years of experience producing independent film and media, from feature films, documentary series and television. Credits include: Art Spiegelman: Disaster is my Muse; Long Strange Trip; Deceptive Practice:The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay; SOLITARY; Amreeka; By The People: The Election of Barack Obama (director/producer) and the 13-part series Arab American Stories which she created and was presented nationally by Detroit Public Television. She was also Director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics’ Pritzker Fellows Program from 2015-2023, where she brought leading political and public service practitioners to campus and developed seminar series with them to help students identify practical pathways into public service.

Conall Jones is an Oscar-winning producer whose work spans feature documentaries, short films, series, and investigative video journalism. He produced the 2026 Oscar-winning short All the Empty Rooms and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2023 for producing Stranger at the Gate, executive produced by Nobel-laureate Malala Yousafzai. Other credits include Fahrenheit 11/9 (directed by Michael Moore), Super Size Me 2 (directed by Morgan Spurlock) and most recently, he produced All the Empty Rooms, a short documentary about gun violence which premiered at Telluride and Toronto and will be released on Netflix in December. His work has appeared on platforms including Vice, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, NBC, A&E, and The New Yorker.

Showstoppers! Great Women of TV Variety • WXXI-TV

Hosted by three-time Grammy Award winner Debby Boone, this is a dazzling musical comedy salute to the history-making women of 1960s and ’70s TV Variety.

Showstoppers! Great Women of TV Variety airs Saturday, October 17 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

The program features classic performances from Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin, Diahann Carroll, Cher, Mitzi Gaynor, Toni Tennille, Ella Fitzgerald, Ann-Margret, Vikki Carr, Leslie Uggams, and many more. Collectively these trailblazing icons reinvented a TV genre, both in front of and behind the camera, with razzle-dazzle showmanship and a dynamic creative vision that entertained tens of millions.

Repeats Sunday, October 18 at 2:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Vicente Fernandez: Un Azteca en el Azteca • WXXI-TV

Revered as Mexico’s greatest living singer, Vicente Fernandez blends an operatic vocal range with a deep understanding of the roots of ranchera music.

Vicente Fernandez: Un Azteca en el Azteca airs Saturday, October 10 at 4 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

In this special, the Grammy-winning mariachi singer performs a historic farewell concert at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, the largest stadium in Latin America. Filmed on April 16, 2016, the concert attracted a crowd of over 85,000 fans, creating a memorable send-off to the King of Ranchera.

Bucks County, USA — WXXI-TV

A five-part docuseries filmed over four years that looks beyond politics to offer an impartial, human perspective on a deeply divided community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — a purple county in the country’s largest swing state.

Bucks County, USA airs Mondays, October 5- 19 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

Through two 14-year-old best friends, Evi and Vanessa, caught between parents on opposite sides of America’s culture wars, the series asks whether a community — and a country — can follow the example of its children and find a new path forward.

The Outbreak airs 10/5 at 9 p.m.
COVID fury ignites a school board war in Bucks County over what can and can’t be taught in schools. Best friends Evi and Vanessa are caught in the middle—their own parents are political rivals. As the fight over the schools grows more bitter and personal, the stage is set for a gripping clash over power, identity, and who gets to shape the next generation.

The Petri Dish airs 10/12 at 9 p.m.
Vitriol escalates as battles over school policies intensify across Bucks County. A student roundtable and an unlikely alliance between two teachers with opposing political views offer a flicker of hope that it’s still possible to reach across the aisle.

Duck Soup airs 10/12 at 10 p.m.
While the efforts to find common ground gain traction, a federal investigation over allegations of discrimination, a controversial new library policy, and escalating campaign tactics in the fight to win control of the school board push Bucks County closer to the edge.

Peace Valley airs 10/19 at 9 p.m.
As the school board elections reach a crescendo, the conflict gets personal. Amid brief moments of connection, students and parents alike suffer bullying, threats, and isolation, while activists take their battles to a national stage. Election night comes at last, and the community gathers, terrified and hopeful, to hear the results.

What Will Your Story Be? airs 10/19 at 10 p.m.
Election results arrive in an emotional wave of joy, tears, and fresh allegations. A new board stumbles, friendships are tested, and a national election heightens the stakes. Then, a deeply emotional roundtable cuts through it all—clarifying what the series was always about: what is division doing to our children? The next generation dares to believe they’ll find a better way.

Episodes repeat Sundays, October 11- November 1 at 11 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Hispanic & Latino profiles • WXXI News

WXXI News Health, Equity and Community reporter Racquel Stephen profiles members of the Hispanic community in the Rochester area who are making an impact. Go to WXXINews.org to read and listen to her profiles and other stories from local Latino communities. For a full list of WXXI programs and specials that feature Hispanic/Latino Americans, click here.

Meet Adrian Franco, The Man Behind the mic at the Puerto Rican Festival

Click here to listen to/read the full profile.

September’s Family Movie Friday: Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure

WXXI’s Family Movie Friday in September will premiere the upcoming special “Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure”!

About the Movie

Join Elmo and the Sesame Street friends on a once-in-a-lifetime African safari adventure. After adopting an orphaned elephant online, Elmo, Abby and Nina travel to The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya to meet the young elephant and the keepers who care for her. In Sesame Street’s first-ever safari, our friends embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery, taking them from the caring confines of the elephant sanctuary to the unpredictable African bush, where they come face to face with some of nature’s most iconic wildlife, including lions, zebras, giraffes and hippos. Presented in collaboration with Sesame Workshop and PBS Nature.

What to Know & Registration

Family Movie Fridays are a series of free family movie nights hosted at WXXI Studios. Families can join our WXXI Education team to watch a PBS KIDS movie or group of themed-episodes, play, and connect with other local families. All Family Movie Fridays are free, but registration is required.

Who: Family Movie Fridays are open to all kids and their families. All kids must be accompanied by an adult (over the age of 18). All adults must stay with their children throughout the entire event. Events are most appropriate for kids ages 2-8 years old.

When: Friday, September 25, 2026. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., movie starts at 6 p.m. Movie running time is about 1 hour; includes either one 1-hour movie or two 30-minute special episodes. Families are welcome to stay for part or all of the movie night experience.

Where: WXXI Studios – 280 State Street, Rochester, NY, Parking is available next door at High Falls Parking Garage

Family Movie Friday Registration

Grownup Name(Required)

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Please include area code.

Email(Required)

Families who register will receive a confirmation email and a reminder email.

Number of children attending(Required)

Number of adults attending(Required)

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I understand that Family Movie Fridays are a whole family experience. Children must be accompanied by an adult (18+) at all times.(Required)

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I understand that Family Movie Fridays will be captured with video and photo for documentation purposes and to share portions with WXXI’s funders, as well as our local community.(Required)

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Does anyone in your family have accessibility needs?

Please describe any accesibility needs below or contact Rachel Rosner at RRosner@wxxi.org.

Any other questions or comments?

American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez Screening & Discussion • WXXI Studios

Join WXXI for a FREE screening of American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, a film produced, written and directed by David Alvarado. Follow the legacy of filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez. A founding figure of the Chicano Movement, Valdez is best known for his play Zoot Suit, the Ritchie Valens biopic La Bamba and the theatre company El Teatro Campesino.

The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion through 9pm.

Details:
“American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez” Screening & Panel Discussion
Thursday, October 1, 2026. Doors open at 6 p.m. Screening starts at 6:30 p.m. Panel ends at 9p.m.
WXXI Studio A
280 State Street, Rochester, NY 14614

Parking available next door at High Falls Garage.

This event is free, but reservations are required due to limited space. Event Details Here

The screening will run from 6:30-8:10pm, followed by a panel discussion which will end by 9pm

Reserve Your Spot

Panel Moderator: Julio Sáenz, WXXI Chief Content Officer.

Panelists:

Annette Ramos, Latinx Community Leader, Social Justice Advocate, Arts Curator & Executive Director Rochester Latino Theatre Company
Ricardo Figueroa, Director, School of Film and Animation at Rochester Institute of Technology & John Traver Endowed Professor
Jason Barber, Co-Founder and Curator of ¡Presente! Film Series, Educator /Community Engagement Expert/Artist

Cover Photo: Luis Valdez in interview. Credit: Frasier Bradshaw.

About the film:
The son of migrant farmworkers who became a revolutionary artist, Luis Valdez changed American culture. In the 1960s, his El Teatro Campesino performed on flatbed trucks and helped mobilize farmworkers to win their first union contract. In 1979, his “Zoot Suit” was the first Chicano play ever performed on Broadway. His feature film, “La Bamba” was a breakout blockbuster in 1987 that authentically depicted Mexican American life and shared it with the world. Founded in 1965, Valdez’s El Teatro continues to be a beacon for Latino/a creators. American Pachuco is the story of a pioneering artist who gave voice to the overlooked and opened pathways for generations. Learn more at the American Masters’ Episode Website

Official Trailer

Family Movie Fridays

Lights, camera, family fun! This fall WXXI is kicking off a special family series called”Family Movie Fridays”. Families (kids + grownups) are invited to WXXI Studios each month for a PBS KIDS-themed movie experience to watch, play, and learn together.

Family Movie Night is a special opportunity for families to visit WXXI and enjoy a PBS KIDS movie special or collection of themed-episodes on the big screen in our studio! Families can take part in hands-on activities inspired by the featured program, pick up free PBS KIDS learning resources to continue the fun at home, and connect with other families in the community. Along the way, families will also discover how WXXI’s Early Learning Team brings PBS KIDS to life through engaging educational experiences and collaborations that help build a strong foundation for young learners.

Movie Night Schedule:

For more information and registration, click on the Movie Night below.

September 25: Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure
October 23: Halloween Boo-nanza! (featuring Carl the Collector + Super Why’s Comic Book Adventure)
November 20: Carnival of the Animals
December 18: Holiday Hoopla! (featuring Lyla in the Loop + TBD)
January 22: Winter Wonderland (featuring Molly of Denali & Elinor Wonders Why)
February 26: Odd Squad the Movie
March 19: Acoustic Rooster and the Barnyard Band
April 23: Wild Kratts Our Blue & Green World
May 21: Double Feature: Daniel Visits Somplace Else + Donkey Hodie Roadtrip

Please note the schedule of PBS KIDS movies or themed-episodes is subject to change.

Other Important Information

Friday fun! Movie Nights are held on Fridays, once a month, at WXXI Studios. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the movie will start at 6 p.m. Running time is about 1 hour.

Registration is required for each event. All of the events are free, but registration is required. Families must register separately for each Family Movie Friday they plan to attend. Upon registration, families will recieve a confirmation email with additional event details.

Bring your own food! Pack dinner, snacks, or whatever your family enjoys munching on during the movie.

Get cozy! Feel free to bring blankets, pillows, or other comfy items to make your viewing experience more enjoyable. Pajamas are welcome! Kids are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite PJs.

Limited seating is available. A small number of tables and chairs will be available on a first come, first served basis. For safety and space considerations, outside chairs are not permitted.

Accessibility accommodations. If someone in your family has accessibility needs, please include them in the registration form and/or contact Rachel Rosner at RRosner@wxxi.org prior to the event so we can help ensure a positive experience for everyone.