Highlights Archive

Grown Up Dad• WXXI-TV

On Father’s Day, binge all five episodes of this series that explores the generational changes of fatherhood and asks what it means to be a good dad today

Grown Up Dad airs Sunday, June 15 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Historically, being a dad meant providing financially – putting food on the table and a roof overhead. Yet, this norm feels incomplete. With important societal discussions about toxic masculinity and evolving gender roles, defining good fatherhood has never been more complex. Host Joseph Gidjunis grew up seeing fathers as drive-by parents who often missed out on real family time. Wanting to be more present for his son, Joseph embarks on a journey across the United States and Australia to discover what that means for him and his family. Along the way, Joseph meets up with experts and other fathers to discuss fatherhood, parenting, work and life balance, and being a role model.

Photo: Host Joseph Gidjunis with son Gabe. Credit: Provided by APT

Stonewall Uprising: American Experience • WXXI-TV

When gay bar Stonewall Inn was raided in 1969, gay men and women did something they had not done before: they fought back.

Stonewall Uprising: American Experience airs Saturday, June 14 at 4:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

In 1969, homosexual acts were illegal in every state except Illinois and gays frequently found themselves being hauled off to jail, their names splashed in the next day’s newspaper. Even in Greenwich Village, where thousands of gay people moved to escape the constant oppression of their hometowns, patrons of gay bars were accustomed to frequent police harassment. But on June 28, 1969, the gay community experienced what one Village Voice reporter who was on the scene called its “Rosa Parks moment,” when the N.Y.P.D. raided a Mafia-run gay bar, the Stonewall Inn. For the first time ever, patrons refuse to be led into paddy wagons, setting off a violent three-day uprising that launched the gay rights movement.

Public Media Funding at Risk — What You Need to Know – A message from WXXI President & CEO Chris Hastings

Dear WXXI Community,

You may have seen recent news that the White House has officially sent its rescission request to Congress to rescind previously approved funding for public media, including funding that helps support stations like WXXI.

This proposal would revoke critical funds that stations across the country were already counting on this year to support local journalism, educational content, and community storytelling.

We want to be clear: This is a proposal – not a decision. Congress has up to 45 days to respond, and public media has long enjoyed bipartisan support from lawmakers who understand the essential role we play in communities nationwide.

At WXXI, we remain hopeful — but also focused. We’re in close communication with our partners in Washington and across the public media system. And we’re already working to make sure our elected officials hear just how vital this service is to the people of Rochester and the Finger Lakes.

This moment matters.

If you value WXXI’s work — the news you trust, the programs you love, the free educational resources we share — we hope you’ll raise your voice. Call your representatives. Protect My Public Media has a patch-through calling system which will put you in contact with your Congress person and offers talking points to help you make the call. Click here to access this information.

We also encourage you to share why public media matters to you. Invite others to do the same.

We are not panicked — but we are paying attention. And the best thing we can all do right now is stay engaged, stay informed, and stay committed to the values that brought us here in the first place.

With gratitude,

Chris Hastings
President & CEO
WXXI Public Media

The Devil’s Instrument • WXXI-TV

Explores the history, lore, craft and haunting music of the Hardanger fiddle and the dances that accompany it as they are practiced in present day Norway.

The Devil’s Instrument airs Friday, June 13 at 8:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI’s app

The national instrument of Norway, the Hardanger fiddle is similar to the violin, though it has eight strings, four of which resonate as drone strings. The instrument is often highly decorated with an extensive mother of pearl inlay on the fingerboard and black ink decorations on the body of the instrument. “The Devil’s Instrument” was the name given to the fiddle by religious leaders in the 19th century to discourage its use. The documentary interviews woodworkers who make the fiddle, the musicians who play it and the dancers who spin to it against the backdrop of the gorgeous Norwegian landscape.

Photo: Olav L. Mjelva — Hardanger Fiddle player
Credit: American Public Television

The Kennedys – The Story of an American Dynasty • WXXI-TV

Explore the family’s significant influence on American politics and culture

The Kennedys – The Story of an American Dynasty airs Monday, June 9 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI’s app

The Kennedys have represented glamour, power, and tragedy for decades. This fresh perspective on their iconic place in history starts from the beginning, in County Wexford, Ireland, through their early days in Boston and Hyannis Port, and into the halls of power in Washington, D.C.

Archival footage, home movies, and interviews with family members, historians, and experts provide unique access into the making of an American dynasty. By focusing on all nine siblings, not just the famous brothers, the film moves beyond major political events, revealing the intricate web of relationships, the complexities of their dynamics, and their long-lasting impact.

Photo: The Kennedy Family at the Kennedy Compound, 1931
Credit: Copyright/Public Domain

The Cozy Mysteries of Masterpiece Mystery! • WXXI-TV

Discover the secrets of the “cozy mystery” in this exploration of the genre.

The Cozy Mysteries of Masterpiece Mystery! airs Sunday, June 8 at 9:30 p.m. and streaming live and on the PBS App & WXXI app.

Go behind-the-scenes of Grantchester, Magpie Murders, Moonflower Murders, The Marlow Murder Club, and Miss Scarlet to learn what makes these mysteries so enchanting.

What is a Cozy Mystery?

There’s no strict definition for the cozy mystery, though the main rule of thumb seems to be that the story contains no graphic violence and generally, no swearing or sex. These are more lighthearted crime narratives—you won’t be so disturbed that you need to sleep with lights on. A focus on plot and character development ensures a predictable and reassuring experience offering escapism without being too heavy.

Importantly, the cozy mystery’s protagonist is an amateur sleuth who uses intellect and life experience to solve a case. Think Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. These affable amateur detectives typically have an emotional investment behind their probing. They also know their neighbor’s quirks and habits, elicit confidences, and ultimately work out the solution before law enforcement does.

Hochstein at High Falls: Candy

Don’t miss Candy performing at Hochstein at High Falls Thursday, July 31 at 12:10 p.m.

Candy and her band perform 50s/60s traditional country music.

More about the concert series:
Hosted by Hannah Maier of The Route/WRUR 88.5, the concerts begin at 12:10 pm at **Granite Mills Park, near the Pont du Rennes bridge. **That’s right. We are back at our original location when the series first began!

Concerts take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the rain location at MCC Downtown Campus will be announced by 10:30 am on Hochstein’s website and via Hochstein’s social media. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and lunch. Each performance will run approximately 40 minutes.

Parking Info: Public parking is available at the High Falls Parking Garage.

Hochstein at High Falls concerts are presented by High Falls Business Association, The Hochstein School, and The Route/WRUR 88.5. Hochstein at High Falls concerts are also made possible by a number of local organizations, including Brandtatorship, LaBella Associates, and Monroe Community College.

Hochstein at High Falls: Mountain. River. Traveler

Mountain. River. Traveler joins the Hochstein at High Falls Concert Series this summer.

This group weaves together the diverse musical traditions of China with powerful grooves and winding time signatures, creating a sound called “supercharged Chinese folk”. The group features traditional instruments – most notably the Pipa – among the standard guitar-bass-drums setup. Fresh yet familiar, traditional yet modern, Mountain · River · Traveler effortlessly breaks down musical boundaries to forge new sonic frontiers.

More about the concert series:
Hosted by Hannah Maier of The Route/WRUR 88.5, the concerts begin at 12:10 pm in the outer parking lot at 4 Commercial Street, corner of Browns Race. Please note that this is an alternate location for this summer, due to ongoing construction on the Pont du Rennes.

Concerts take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the rain location at MCC Downtown Campus will be announced by 10:30 am on Hochstein’s website and via Hochstein’s social media. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and lunch. Each performance will run approximately 40 minutes.

Parking Info: Public parking is available at the High Falls Parking Garage. Please note: the lot at 4 Commercial Street and the MCC lot across the street is for permit holders only.

Photo: Mountain. River. Traveler
Provided.