WXXI Classical is proud to pay tribute to the generations of classical musicians of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in the future of classical music.
Connect here to listen to featured musicians interviews.
On-Demand
L.A.: A Queer History On-Demand
The 2-part series sheds light on the roots of “gay culture” born in Los Angeles.
The 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York has been widely regarded as the beginning of the Gay Civil Rights Movement, but the true heart of the movement, and what we know as “Gay Culture” was born in Los Angeles. “L.A.: A Queer History” sheds light on historical figures who are largely unacknowledged, creating a newfound dialogue about LGBTQ history but also a better understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Culture & Criminalization: Episode 1
Protests & Parades: Episode 2
The Lodge On-Demand
A look inside the first-of-its kind LGBTQ+ retirement community.
Fountaingrove Lodge in Santa Rosa, California, is the nation’s first state-licensed continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that’s specifically for LGBTQ+ seniors and their allies. The Lodge looks inside this unique experiment in gay/straight living to show us the daily lives, hopes, and fears of people in their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. What you discover will surprise you.
Positive All the Way On-Demand
Learn the inspiring story of the Paralympic movement’s recent revolution, profiling its extraordinary founder, Sir Philip Craven.
This film explores the power of adaptive sport to ignite the human spirit and simultaneously weaves a tapestry of how Sir Philip Craven the former president of the International Paralympic Committee, guided the world’s largest adaptive sports organization to become a global leader for social change. Positive All the Way tells the inspiring story of the Paralympic movement’s recent revolution, profiling its extraordinary founder, Sir Philip Craven, who was paralyzed at age 16 but was determined to make an impact in the way the world sees these courageous athletes.
As the film explores the power of adaptive sport to ignite the human spirit, it simultaneously weaves a tapestry of one man’s journey to bring inclusion and opportunity to the world. Reflecting on his tenure as President of the International Paralympic Committee, Sir Philip Craven recounts his life experiences and battles, including the fall which left him paralyzed at the age of 16. It was these obstacles, paired with his values, that shaped the leader and the Paralympic movement he so clearly loves.
Protactile: A Language of Touch On-Demand
Join author and disability rights advocate Rebecca Alexander as she meets the founders and educators of Protactile, a language based solely on touch. Historically, DeafBlind people have been limited to using interpreters to communicate. With Protactile, one-on-one and group conversations are not only possible, but they also allow for deeper and more meaningful connection. From American Masters.
Searching for Timbuctoo On-Demand:
This film tells the little-known story of a Black settlement, established in the wilds of upstate New York. It brought together a group of ardent abolitionists willing to risk their fortunes, their families, and their futures to destroy slavery.
In 1846, in an effort to level a blow against racism, wealthy New York landowner and well-known abolitionist leader, Gerrit Smith, gave away 120,000 acres of wild land to nearly 3000 African-American men so that they could have the right to vote in the State of New York. His ‘scheme of justice and benevolence’ helped establish a Black settlement that brought together a diverse group of black and white abolitionists –including a struggling sheep farmer named John Brown — committed to ending slavery.
What Smith could not know is that his plan would also lead one man to the brink of insanity; send another to the gallows, and help hurtle the nation towards a catastrophic civil war. Searching For Timbuctoo reveals the hidden history of this long lost community and follows an archaeology team trying to unearth it.
One Way or Another On-Demand:
In this 100th episode, tellers share how dealing with challenges showed them strengths they never knew they had. Brandon bridges the gap between their deaf grandma and a police officer using ASL; an allergic reaction turns Sara’s vacation upside down; and Jeff takes on Mt. Kilimanjaro for cancer research. Three storytellers, three interpretations of ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, hosted by Theresa Okokon. Stories from the Stage: One Way or Another
Concrete Gridiron On-Demand:
Follow the Buffalo team as they navigate their inaugural season and discover a lifelong purpose in adaptative sports. In 2021, a wheelchair football league launched nationwide. Discover the first wheelchair football league in Buffalo, NY that is a part of the national league, which is made up of athletes living with disabilities.