This week on WETA UK we begin Downton Abbey series 2, Doctor Who series 5, Outnumbered series 4 and continue with I, Claudius, Life of Mammals, and more! Read on for more details and share with us what you're planning to watch!

Watch WETA UK here:  Via antenna: 26.2, Comcast: 265, Cox: 800, Verizon FiOS: 474, RCN: 39

Monday the award winning series I, Claudius continues at 8:00pm with Queen of Heaven. Get all the exciting, strange, and dramatic moments explained here with KCET’s I, Claudius episode guide! 

Tuesday at 7:00pm kick off series 14 of Last of the Summer Wine with us! Click here to download or print THE WETA UK LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE SERIES 14 EPISODE GUIDE so you can follow along with the comedy! A trio of old men never seem to grow up and develop a unique perspective on their equally eccentric fellow townspeople through their youthful stunts. Don’t let 14 previous series hold you back, you can start watching this series at any point. No time like the present!

At 8:00pm Tuesday, discover the powerful and mysterious Wentworth Woodhouse in Country House Revealed. Once one of the most powerful places on earth, it was commissioned by one of the wealthiest families in the country whose power and riches put them on par with royalty and it is still one of the largest privately owned homes in Europe. Today, Wentworth Woodhouse is something of a mystery since few people know the house. Unravel its hidden history to reveal a story of intrigue, family feuding and political wrangling dating back over two hundred years.

Wednesday, join us as we begin series 5 of Doctor Who at 4:00pm! Matt Smith stars as the newest Doctor. With explosive regeneration, the Eleventh Doctor awakes to discover his TARDIS is about to crash! Once safe on the ground, he pulls himself out of the wreckage to come face-to-face with young Amy Pond. Still wearing the remains of the Tenth Doctor’s suit, the Doctor promises to take Amy to the stars. But before they can begin their journey, they become mixed up in an alien plot that could destroy the Earth! Use THE WETA UK DOCTOR WHO SERIES 5 EPISODE GUIDE to follow each episode of this series!

Wednesday at 8:00pm, watch part two of Inspector Morse: Greeks Bearing Gifts which began last week. 

Thursday night at 8:00 continue exploring mammals with David Attenborough in Life of Mammals: Return to the Water. After millions of years, the increasing competition to survive forced some mammals to take one of the greatest steps in evolution – they returned to the water. Keeping the fur of their shore bound ancestors’, mammals like voles, otters and seals still return to land to breed yet have the ability to swim to great depths in their search for food. Still breathing air and giving birth to live young, dolphins and whales became the new hunters of the world’s oceans. With complex communication, perfect streamlining and great underwater speed, these mammals have mastered all the problems that had to be solved to survive in this harsh world.

At 11:30 Thursday night, catch the first episode of Allo, Allo series 5! Don’t worry about watching this show from the very beginning, jump in with the new series Thursday night!

Friday get ready for the series 4 premiere of Outnumbered beginning at 9:30pm! Follow the battle of wills between two parents and their three young children who are seemingly locked into a never-ending contest to see just whose patience will run out first. Print THE WETA UK OUTNUMBERED SERIES 4 EPISODE GUIDE to follow along with the wit, humor, and fun of this unique series.

Saturday at 5:30pm tune in for episode 1 of Are You Being Served? series 4. A large, old-fashioned department store in London named Grace Bros. is still run on strictly hierarchical lines. Each member of staff knows their place -- in theory. In practice, they are all engaged in their own private wars with management and with each other in this classic British comedy. No need to watch from series 1, we invite you to join us and follow along with this program using THE WETA UK ARE YOU BEING SERVED? SERIES 4 EPISODE GUIDE.

Saturday night beginning at 8:00pm, the WETA UK EVENT: The Complete Downton Abbey continues with two more episodes! Watch series 2 from the beginning and get ready for series 3 coming this winter. Keep track of characters and the drama by using PBS' detailed episode guide. Want more details on characters and the actors that play them? Check out this Downton Abbey series 2 character chart from PBS. Get exciting details about the series from the actors with these Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey cast interviews!

Sunday tune in for series 2 episode 1 of Yes, Minister. Set in the corridors of power in London's Whitehall and Westminister, this comedy surrounds The Right Honorable James Hacker MP, the newly-appointed Cabinet Minister for Administrative Affairs. He soon finds many of his ideas for reform openly opposed by the civil servants whose job it is to implement them. One in particular is his Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby. Their respective struggles to gain and maintain the levers of power form the basis of the comedy series. Names can be tricky! Keep THE WETA UK YES, MINISTER SERIES 2 EPISODE GUIDE handy to reference characters and story lines while you watch!

See his work, see into his soul

Visit The National Gallery of Art in your home this Friday night and prepare to be captivated by the many works of twentieth century painter, George Bellows. A brilliant fusion of art and narration tells (but better yet, shows) the many strokes of the life of this artist in the half-hour program, National Gallery of Art: George Bellows.

Born and raised in Ohio, Bellows left for New York at a time when the city was well on its way to becoming a bustling metropolis. The new scenery served as the inspiration for much of his paintings, in which he depicted the changing city, plight of the poor, and excitement and chaos of the city. Unlike fellow artists of his time, Bellows was interested in painting reality and truth-that which was right before his eyes, even when the truth was not a “pretty sight”. Through just a sampling of Bellows’ Portfolio, National Gallery of Art: George Bellows brings you the story of New York’s transformation, Bellows’ life and artistic evolution, and a reflection of Bellows’ understanding of life in an ever-expanding metropolis. 

His paintings will bring you on a voyage to the places and people Bellows was most struck by: from illegal boxing matches to the mysterious sea of Mohegan. See the world through Bellow’s eyes and no doubt you will see into his soul. Watch National Gallery of Art: George Bellows tonight, October 5 at 10:00pm on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.

Our WETA Around Town critics reviewed the George Bellows exhibit at NGA which is on display through October 8. See what they had to say!

Call the Midwife & Upstairs Downstairs continue

Be sure to tune into WETA TV26 and WETA HD this Sunday as Call the Midwife continues beginning at 8:00pm!  Stay tuned after Call the Midwife for the first episode of Masterpiece Classic: Upstairs Downstairs series 2 beginning at 9:00pm!

In the new series of Upstairs Downstairs:

It’s the year before WWII and we’re reintroduced to the residents of 165 Eaton. Lady Agnes and Sir Hallam now have two small children but Sir Hallam faces danger with a peculiar preoccupation. Lady Agnes is interested in an American multi-millionaire while Sir Hallam’s aunt, Dr. Blanche Mottershead, is now comfortable in the house after Lady Maud’s death. On the other side, life downstairs without Rose continues with a peppy new nursery maid, Beryl. With upstairs and downstairs facing jolting secrets and the war creeping ever closer, the smooth running of Eaton Place threatens to come to a halt.

WETA helps you stay up to date with the candidates and issues this election season!

The countdown to Election Day is in full swing and it’s just a matter of weeks before history is made yet again. Whether you are fully confident and eager to cast your vote or on the fence about your choice, staying atop of the political coverage is crucial. Let WETA be your primary source for Election 2012 coverage. Regardless of who gets your vote, with WETA on your side, you’ll be more informed thanks to all our great political programming this month! Here’s what you have to look forward to:

The First Presidential Debate 2012

Kick off campaign season by tuning in tonight at 9:00 to watch the First Presidential Debate. Moderated by PBS’ own Jim Lehrer (who has served as moderator in eleven nationally televised presidential debates thus far), questions posed to President Obama and Governor Romney will center on domestic policy.  The debate will be divided into six segments of fifteen minutes each, with the first half focusing on the economy, and the second half on health care, the role of government, and governing.

Don’t miss out on the Presidential Debate that will surely set the tone for the remainder of the election. Watch the First Presidential Debate tonight at 9:00 on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.

The Virginia Senatorial Debate 2012

Watch important coverage of the Virginia Senatorial candidates debating the issues that matter to Virginians. Senatorial candidates Tim Kane (Democrat) and George Allen (Republican) will face off in the second of three debates between the two former Virginia governors. Issues on the agenda? Social issues, foreign policy, the economy….and everything from gay marriage to America’s role in Afghanistan.

Don’t miss out on this debate, as the Virginia race is one of only a few in the country that will decide if Republicans or Democrats will hold the power in the United States Senate come January. Watch Tuesday, October 9 at 5:00pm on WETA TV26 or WETA HD.

Frontline: The Choice 2012

A former community organizer. A businessman in the private sector. You’ve heard their plans for America and know their views on the issues. You’ve seen their birth certificates and read their tax returns. President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney have told America their stories…but with all the buzz, what information do you really need for this election? Go beyond the headlines, tabloids, political advertisements, and Super PACs, and let the Frontline political team give you a detailed outline of each candidate in the two-hour documentary, Frontline: The Choice 2012.

Through over one-hundred interviews with the candidates’ friends, family, and political associates, Frontline: The Choice 2012 explores how President Barack Obama became America’s first African American President, and why Mitt Romney transformed from businessman to rising politician. Though their political outlooks differ as much as their histories, health-care reform remains a focal issue for both and Frontline is here to help sort out the facts.

Watch Frontline: The Choice 2012 Tuesday, October 9 at 9:00pm on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.  Also catch this special episode of Frontline October 26 at 9:00pm and November 5 at 10:00pm.

Vice Presidential Debate 2012

The Vice Presidential candidates may have more in common than you’d think. Vice President Biden and Congressman Ryan are both Roman Catholics, and have working-class backgrounds. They are each family men; when Biden’s children were young he commuted two hours by train each day to Washington and back, and Ryan budgets valuable campaigning time for camping trips and hunting lessons with his three children. And when the Green Bay Packers are playing, Biden and his opponent Ryan are rooting along. Nonetheless, the pair are football fields apart on some major issues under consideration for this national election. And when it comes to choosing your Vice President, knowing their stances on those issues is of the utmost importance and WETA is providing you with access to the Vice Presidential Debate.

In the second of the four general election debates, watch Vice Presidential candidates Biden and Ryan in the 2012 Vice Presidential Debate. Focusing on foreign and domestic policy, the debate will be divided into nine ten-minute segments. Moderated by Martha Raddatz, senior foreign affairs correspondent for ABC News, Americans can expect to see the candidates battle for their significant Presidential candidate’s votes.

We’re welcoming October with open arms as we begin a new month full of exciting new programs. Be sure to get an overview of this month in our COMING IN OCTOBER blog post and find a detailed breakdown of the week right here on the Programmer’s Choice every Monday!

Tonight, Monday, we continue the saga of I, Claudius with Poison is Queen beginning at 8:00pm. Earlier this year, David Bianculli of NPR wrote a rave review of this series. Read the article and listen to his segment here! If you haven’t joined in on the drama, thrill, and excitement of I, Claudius, there’s no better time to start than now! Catch up on the series so you’re ready for tonight with episode recaps on the KCET guide to I, Claudius! 

Tuesday at 8:00pm, take a trip to the English country side with historian Dan Cruickshank as he explores the stunning late 17th century property, Kinross House in Country House Revealed. Kinross House has a unique story including that of Sir William Bruce who was imperative to the restoration of King Charles II. With insight from Sir William's descendants, journalists and Scottish aristocracy, secrets long since forgotten are revealed, and offer an explanation into his ultimate downfall.  

Wednesday we begin mysteries at 8:00pm! This week, watch Masterpiece Mystery! Endeavour and meet rookie Detective Constable Endeavour Morse before he was the Inspector you know today. This special episode portrays a young Endeavour Morse, the low man on the force returning to Oxford with no track record and his future on the line.

Series 3 of Allo, Allo begins Wednesday at 11:30pm! CLICK HERE to view and print our WETA UK ALLO, ALLO SERIES 3 EPISODE GUIDE for all the classic laughs! 

Thursday get primal at 8:00pm with David Attenborough’s Life of Mammals: Meat Eaters. Discover the diversity of carnivores, from arctic foxes who cache food for winter, through pack-hunting wolves, to big cats. Using infrared, he trails a lone leopard, and seeks out the biggest cat of all, the Siberian tiger. 

Series 4 of Are You Being Served? begins Thursday at 11:00pm! CLICK HERE to view and print our WETA UK ARE YOU BEING SERVED? SERIES 4 EPISODE GUIDE! 

Friday is your appointment with the Doctor of Laughs, Doc Martin from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. The Holly Bears a Prickle and Nowt So Queer air back to back this Friday giving you a double the dose of the doctor for your Friday night funnies.

Series 5 of My Hero begins Friday at 3:30pm! View and print our WETA UK MY HERO SERIES 5 EPISODE GUIDE HERE so you can follow along with this hilarious sitcom!

Also, catch the first episode of Waiting for God series 3 Friday at 6:00pm! Use our WETA UK WAITING FOR GOD SERIES 3 EPISODE GUIDE HERE so you can follow along with each episode in series 3!

Saturday is a BIG night! The WETA UK Event: The Complete Downton Abbey begins at 8:00pm! Every Saturday beginning this week, tune in to WETA UK for two back-to-back episodes of Downton Abbey from 8:00pm – 11:00pm. This week we kick off the WETA UK Event starting from the very beginning with episodes 1 & 2 of series 1. 

Sunday get laughs at 8:00pm as Yes, Minister continues with The Right to Know. Are there occasions when a Minister should be kept in the dark? The question takes on new meaning when the Minister's daughter joins a group protesting his plans for administration of the countryside. Then stay tuned for the premiere of Fawlty Towers series 2 at 8:30pm! CLICK HERE to view and print our WETA UK FAWLTY TOWERS SERIES 2 EPISODE GUIDE so you’re always filled in on what’s happened and what’s to come this series. 

Let the SciFi continue with series 7 of Red Dwarf this Sunday at 11:00pm! Download, view, and print our WETA UK RED DWARF SERIES 7 EPISODE GUIDE because when you have 7 series, you need a guide to help you along.  

It’s a big week on WETA UK! This is YOUR guide to new seasons, new shows, and 24/7 all-British programming this week!

Monday I, Claudius continues at 8:00pm with “What Shall We Do About Claudius?” Read up on the series and this episode with KCET’s wonderful Episode Guide. 

Also on tonight, series 3 of Foyle’s War begins at 9:00pm! Download and print our Foyle’s War Series 3 Episode Guide to get a full synopsis of each episode and keep you on track with the series. 

Tonight a new show begins! Ashes to Ashes premieres tonight at 10:00pm on WETA UK! The follow up to fan-favorite Life on Mars sees DCI Gene Hunt and his sidekicks back on our screens. But this time, it’s the ‘80s calling as Alex Drake, a DCI uses psychological profiling rather than brute force to nail her men. Download our Ashes to Ashes Series 1 Episode Guide to follow along with the series.

Tuesday another new series begins on WETA UK at 8:00pm. In Country House Revealed architectural historian Dan Cruickshank takes an exclusive tour around one of Britain's oldest country homes - an immaculately preserved relic of the Mediaeval and Tudor ages. Journey to “South Wraxall” in the first of six episodes and explore the fascinating and dramatic history of this manor.

At 10:00 Tuesday night, begin series 3 of MI-5! Watch the series and use our MI-5 Series 3 Episode Guide to keep track of all the action and drama! 

Wednesday at 8:00pm join Trevor McDonald for the final installment of Queen and Country as he explores the Queen as the Traveller. The Queen is head of the 16 realms that make up the Commonwealth and at the age of 85, the queen remains undaunted by long-haul travel. In Perth, Western Australia, Queen Elizabeth is on tour before opening the Heads of Government Meeting, which is especially important for the monarchy.  The Commonwealth countries are being asked to change the rules of succession so that a first-born girl may inherit the crown.  If it’s approved, it will be the single biggest change to the monarchy for centuries. 

Thursday catch the first episode of Waking the Dead series 3 beginning at 9:00pm! Download our Waking the Dead Series 3 Episode Guide to follow all the cases this season. 

Friday don’t miss lots of laughs with our ALL DAY Comedy Fridays on WETA UK! Back-to-back episodes of Doc Martin from 7:00pm – 9:00pm followed by As Time Goes By, Outnumbered, Coupling, and Blackbooks. 

Saturday join us at 8:00pm for the WETA UK Movie: Sharpe’s Challenge. Sean Bean is British soldier-hero Richard Sharpe, a rough diamond who has risen through the ranks of the army on the back of his brave exploits. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, "Sharpe" is based on the popular novels of Bernard Cornwall. A year after the battle of Waterloo, dispatches from India warn that a local Maharaja is threatening British interests. Sharpe is sent to what turns out to be his most dangerous mission to date in "Sharpe's Challenge." Meet the characters of the movie with PBS' Character Guide.

Sunday continue watching Yes, Minister at 8:00pm! While battling one another on the Civil Service reduction issue, the Minister and Sir Humphrey learn of a plan that would adversely affect them both. They must now work together for the first time.

The United States faced extreme challenges in the wake of the Civil War. Brother fighting against brother, the Civil War was marked as one of the darkest periods in our country’s history causing a divide among citizens and resulting in an unprecedented number of casualties. 750,000 lives were lost during the four years of bloody warfare. Many soldiers were unburied and unidentified, leaving families and friends devastated and unaware of whether they had survived. The Civil War would change America forever.  As the country grappled with the harsh reality of war and the staggering numbers of the fallen, a question that seems to remain unanswered today was posed upon post-war survivors; how many must continue to die so that others may live in peace? Tonight at 8:00pm on WETA HD and WETA TV26 we present American Experience: Death and the Civil War. Experience the drastic changes our country faced during the aftermath of the war to accommodate the hundreds and thousands of brave souls that were lost. The broken country stained with the blood of husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers would need to find a way to somehow put itself back together again.

Sit with director, Ric Burns as he reflects on the making of the documentary in this behind-the-scenes interview.

Experience the timeless grandeur of Wagner's famed opera, Der Ring des Nibelungen with Great Performances at the Met: Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Directed by visionary director Robert LePage, this breathtaking new production of Wagner’s masterpiece has already received critical acclaim from opera fanatics and theatre critics alike. All four parts of the Der Ring des Nibelungen production at New York’s famed Metropolitan Opera House will air through Friday at 9:00pm. Learn more about this iconic opera with this synopsis from Great Performances. 

Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold)

The opening opera in Wagner’s Ring Cycle tells the story of rising tensions between the Valhalla Gods, the Underworld Dwarves, and the Brawny Giants. Mayhem ensues when the sinister Nibelung dwarf Alberich steals gold from the bottom of the Rhine to create a ring with infinite power. After Wotan, King of the Valhalla Gods, receives news of the ring he uses his magic to steal the ring for himself. However, Wotan is completely unaware that Alberich has cursed the ring to bring misfortune to anyone who wears it. The ring’s curse eventually leads Wotan to breach a contract with the Giants who have kindly built the Gods a new castle in the sky.  Airs tonight, September 11 at 9:00.

Die Walküre (The Valkyrie)

The second opera in the cycle focuses on the illicit romance between twin siblings Siegmund and Sieglinde. After Siegmund meets Sieglinde during a stroke of fate, the two fall in love and break the rules of the Gods. When Wotan’s wife Fricka, forces Wotan to punish the two lovers, Brunnhilde, Wotan’s valkyrie daughter challenges her father’s authority and begs him to spare the two from punishment. After Brunnhilde challenges the judgement of her father, he banishes her to mortal life and a deep sleep on a mountain top, where she is surrounded by a magic ring of fire that can only be broken by the bravest warrior. Airs tomorrow, September 12 at 9:00pm.

Siegfried

The third part of Wagner’s Ring Cycle tells the story of Siegfried, the son of Siegmund and Sieglinde. After his mother dies during childbirth, he is raised in the wilderness by Mime, the deceitful brother of Alberich. To prove his worth as a noble warrior, Siegfried slays the evil dragon Fafner and takes the all-powerful ring. In order to fulfill his destiny, he must overcome King Wotan and capture Brunnhilde from her high and fiery captivity. Airs Thursday September 13 at 9:00pm. Watch this interview with Kay Hunter Morris, Siegfried in Robert Lepage’s new Ring cycle at the Met. 

Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods)

After Siegfried finally rescues Brunnhilde, their love is brought to a halt by a trio of mischievous humans hoping to steal the ring for themselves. Even though the plan fails, the altercation results in Siegfried’s death. Heartbroken after the death of her true love, Brunnhilde takes the ring and burns herself with Siegfried on the hero’s fire causing global mayhem and signaling the end of the world. Airs Friday September 14 at 9:00pm.

Tune in every night Tuesday through Friday to experience the timeless grandeur of Wagner’s Ring Cycle on WETA TV26 and WETA HD!

Just for fun, remember this Looney Tunes rendition of Der Ring des Nibelungen in “What’s Opera, Doc?” (1957)? 

FRIDAY September 7 - A Night with the Legends

Tonight beginning at 9:00pm on WETA TV26 and WETA HD, spend quality time with two of music’s greatest legends: Sam Cooke and Paul McCartney. Brought to you by American Masters and Great Performances, tonight’s programming will provide you with an intimate look into these lives of these master performers. Learn more about Sam Cooke’s unprecedented ability to transcend multiple music markets and Paul McCartney’s musical inspiration. Tune in tonight to learn more about these music icons!

American Masters Sam Cooke

Even though we’ve all gotten lost in the sweet sound of his classic “A Change Is Gonna Come”, how much do we really know about Sam Cooke? Tonight on American Masters Sam Cooke: Crossing Over, take a privileged glimpse into the life of this game changing artist. Beginning with his origins as a choir boy at the First Baptist Church in Chicago, and following his rise to fame in the Pop, Gospel, and R&B markets, Crossing Over not only pays tribute to Cooke’s musical talent, but also his role as an activist in the Civil Rights Movement. Narrated by Danny Glover and featuring interviews with James Brow, Muhammad Ali, and Smokey Robinson, this documentary showcases Sam Cooke’s influence on entertainment, as well as social and political life. Tune into WETA TV26 and WETA HD, tonight at 9:00pm.

Great Performances: Paul McCartney: Live Kisses

While many of today’s musicians cite The Beatles as an influence, what inspired the great Sir Paul McCartney? Performing songs from his covers album titled “Kisses on the Bottom”, Great Performances: Paul McCartney: Live Kisses captures an intimate one-time performance of Sir Paul’s favorite songs. Accompanied by the renowned Diana Krall and her band, watch Paul perform classics from his album like “Home” “Always” and “Bye Bye Blackbird”. In Great Performances: Paul McCartney: Live Kisses captures a one-time performance event from the Capitol Records Building in Los Angeles. Hear Paul sing the songs that changed his life tonight at 10:00pm!

SUNDAY September 9 - Let Me Be Your Star

Dozens of high school musical theatre students have dreams of one day breaking legs on Broadway and will do anything to make it there.  But when they participate in an intense week of “theatre boot camp” in the documentary series, Broadway or Bust, their talent and hunger for the spotlight are put to the test.  Students endure hours of auditions and rehearsals in preparation for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards where they will be expected to shine in front of a panel of prestigious theatre judges and a live audience. Will these young stars in the making rise up to the challenge? Or will the demanding rehearsal schedule get the best of them?  Students must be in step. Vocals must be flawless. Character must shine through.  This is a make it, or break it story of the road to center stage. Sunday nights starting this week September 9 at 8:00, tune into WETA TV26 and WETA HD for Broadway or Bust and see how a theatre sensation is created. 

Mark your calendar and catch this three part series for a front row view of the behind-the-scenes journey to stardom!

The Casting Call, September 9, 8:00pm

Boot Camp, September 16, 8:00pm

And the Winner Is…, September 23, 8:00pm

SUNDAY September 9 - A Gentle Disposition, A Rough Job

His knack for investigating and empathy for victims has brought Wallander many triumphs and heartaches, and your loyalty to the show has brought Wallander back for a third season!

Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Kenneth Branagh is resuming his role as the lovable Swedish cop, Kurt Wallander, with the first of three new episodes beginning this Sunday September 9 at 9:00pm on WETA TV 26 and WETA HD. Season Two left off with Wallander finally finding some inner-peace, but when two girls are murdered in An Event in Autumn, his new start could come to a quick end. With two more gruesome investigations in The Dogs of Riga (September 16) and Before the Frost (September 23), how will our fragile Wallander maintain his momentarily stable ground? Tune in Sundays at 9:00pm on WETA to find out!

Do some investigating of your own and watch this scene from An Event in Autumn Wallander to see if you think he will be able to handle these three, tough new cases! 

With a knack for the Blues and a seat in the band “Bloodline”, Joe Bonamassa got his musical start among rock royalty. Now an international superstar and a solo artist, Bonamassa is gracing the stage at the Beacon Theatre in New York City for one night and you can watch it right here on WETA!

This legendary performance will air on WETA TV 26 and WETA HD tonight at 9:00. Don’t miss the chance to see Joe Bonamassa perform duets with iconic entertainers such as lead singer for “Bad Company” Paul Rodgers and Nashville’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient John Hiatt. With so much rock, rhythm and blues make tonight a memorable one with WETA and the pre-eminent blues-rock guitarist of his generation, Joe Bonamassa, Live from the Beacon Theatre. 

Before you catch the show, rock out with this trailer of the Beacon Theatre performance! 

Wondering what to do with those beautiful summer flowers in your garden? Tonight at 8:00 on WETA TV26 and WETA HD, join expert floral designer and Washingtonian Sarah von Pollaro as she teaches how to create exquisite arrangements without breaking the bank. Flower Empowered with Sarah von Pollaro, one of the WETA’s latest original productions, is meant to show that working with flowers can be creative, affordable, and most importantly: fun! Passionate for floral design since a young age, Sarah has turned her love for flowers into Urban Petals, a business that not only creates arrangements for events, but also donates flowers and floral arranging classes to local non-profit organizations. She also inspires others to enjoy arranging flowers by sharing quick, easy, and seasonal ideas on her website, www.flowerempowered.com. Read our one-on-one interview with Sarah below and be sure to watch Flower Empowered with Sarah Von Pollaro on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.

Tuesday August 21, 2012 8:00pm

Sunday August 26, 2012 7:00pm

Q: When did you begin arranging flowers?

A: When I was just a child. At three years old with my grandmother. It was wonderful. She taught me all about wildflowers and we used to candy violets. I’ve always been a flower person and it’s been a big part of my life. I don’t know if I was born with it or it just happened but I love it.  

Q: What inspired you to pitch the idea for Flower Empowered to WETA?

A: I believe that people are interested in flowers and want to know what to do with them. I also love teaching and showing people the possibilities of flowers. When I speak at garden clubs and small parties, people get so excited and always want to know more. I felt that people really wanted to know this information and then I asked myself ‘Where’s the best place to go with this?” And of course, it’s public television. Knowing that people want this knowledge is what gave me the drive to take this to WETA.

I also used to do these instructional online videos every week and people would contact me and tell me ‘We love these and we watch these over and over!’ And keep in mind, these were just the one-takes I would take on my flip camera. That’s what I came from and that’s what you’ll see on my website. I knew if people liked those, then they would have to be interested in a show. I really do believe that people want this and I’m so excited about getting the word out. I also really value public television the high level of quality that’s brought to the table at WETA. It’s an honor to have a show that’s produced and aired by WETA. I wouldn’t imagine it any better. And I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

Q: What was the most exciting part about filming the show?

A: Getting to work with everyone at WETA. Every single person I meet here is incredible.  It’s really an honor to go from filming in my kitchen by myself on a flip camera to working with camera man Ed Lee and all these wonderful people who are running around and helping me bring my vision to life. I’m still in shock. I can’t believe that this is happening and I feel like the luckiest person in the world. Everyone was so supportive and helpful and believed in it as much as I did. They all wanted to make it the best possible show it could be.

Q: What would you like for viewers to gain from watching the show?

A: I want people to know that flowers are not intimidating and that anyone on any budget can have something beautiful in their home. My main message is that: It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s useful. We all have events that we need to bring flowers to. If you can do it yourself, you’re saving money and it’s another way to be creative. We all need creative outlets, especially adults. When we’re kids, we get to make something in arts and crafts every day and then mom takes it home and puts it on the fridge and you get to feel good about yourself. As adults we don’t have a lot of opportunities to be creative and have someone say ‘Wow! That looks great!’ The cool thing about flowers is that everyone looks at them and says ‘Oh they look great!’ So it’s a good feedback loop for you to feel good about yourself. We all need that. It’s a wonderful thing to learn to do.  

I also truly believe that flowers are a necessity not a luxury; they nourish the soul just as food nourishes the body.  When you have flowers in your house it brightens the entire space.  By showing people techniques, tips, and tricks to affordable floral design, I hope they will be able to enjoy flowers more often.

Q: Do you believe that flowers have a therapeutic quality? If so, why?

A: Absolutely. It’s scientifically proven that being in nature relaxes us. So when we bring flowers into our homes, we’re bringing in a little bit of nature. When we get them in our hands, it forces us to relax because the same feeling of nature that relaxes you is in your hands. It’s calming. Also, when you’re looking at the material, you’re using your visual mind in that way that we don’t when we’re typing e-mail or doing other things. You’re looking at something, you’re touching something, and you’re feeling something. This is why I feel so strongly that it’s therapeutic.  That’s why I go into women’s shelters and as many non-profits as I can where we lead the therapeutic flower parties.  I see the lights come on in these peoples’ eyes, many of whom have walked in with their heads down. You know they’re having a really tough time, you know maybe they’ve been a victim of domestic violence or they’re in a difficult situation. And you see throughout the flower party as I teach and get the flowers into their hands the change in their entire face, everything about them. They feel energized and beautiful and good about what they made and that’s a feeling that I want everyone to have.

Q: What kind of skills can someone learn from working with flowers?

A: First of all, I would say that it instills a huge appreciation for nature and that’s why I share it with children. When you’re really looking at flowers and working with them closely, you see such a range of colors and textures. What you see in nature is just awe inspiring. I think that builds a greater appreciation for the earth and our role in it. I work with a lot of child-focused non-profits.  One we recently visited is Bright Beginnings, a child development center for homeless children. Last week, we brought in flowers to share with all the children. They touched and looked at the flowers- they loved it! For the older children, it leads them to questions like ‘Where do flowers come from?’  Ultimately, working with flowers builds a connection to the earth.

Flower Empowered with Sarah Von Pollaro airs on Tuesday night at 8:00 and Sunday night at 7:00.