FREEWAY PHILHARMONIC follows the dreams, disappointments and successes of seven freelance classical musicians as they perform with regional orchestras across North California while struggling to acquire a permanent position with a major orchestra. It depicts their efforts to balance a love of music with a road warrior lifestyle that often requires traveling hundreds of miles a day to rehearse and perform. These individuals have an unrelenting desire to live their art, sometimes at the expense of their families, health, and well being. This story shows the dedication, perseverance and rigorous life of the musicians, as they grapple with their desire to succeed in a hard driving career and come to terms with their limitations in their quest for artistic accomplishment.

Natalie MacMaster, renowned for her mesmerizing Celtic fiddling and feverish step dancing, takes center stage in a new concert special accompanied by her five-piece band and special guests Bela Fleck, Hayley Westenra (Celtic Woman), Carlos Nunez, Donnell Leahy (Leahy), Kate Quinn and the Men of the Deeps. Taped October 2006, during the prestigious Celtic Colours International Festival at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Center on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the production celebrates Natalie's homecoming after bringing her acclaimed music to the world. Known as one of Canada's major talents, Natalie has a huge following in the U.S. with 10 albums to her credit, two of which made Billboard's World Music Top 20. In 2005, she won "Best Female Artist of the Year" at Canada's East Coast Music Awards. Performing before an enthusiastic audience, the Grammy-nominated musician demonstrates why she is credited with escalating the Cape Breton style of traditional East Coast music, with its driving rhythms, to its contemporary prominence. Whether Natalie and her talented band are pulling out all the stops in the fast-paced opening number, "David's Jig," having fun mixing traditional and contemporary sounds in "Matt & Nats," or wowing the crowd with her fancy footwork in "A Medley," it is clear that this musician, who picked up the fiddle at age nine, loves what she does with a passion. Always interested in showcasing the talents of others, Natalie welcomes American banjo legend Bela Fleck and joins him for the playful and catchy "Bela's Tune." New Zealand's Hayley Westenra sings a beautiful rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now," and Natalie, Bela and the band join famed Galician piper Carlos Nunez to perform the rousing, foot- stomping "Sharon Shanon," which brings the hard-clapping audience to their feet. Natalie's husband, fellow fiddle virtuoso Donnell Leahy also shares the stage, performing his own composition, the aptly named "Gypsy Boy," accompanied by his sister Erin Leahy on piano and cellist Wendy Solomon (Bowfire). The family connection continues with "Nova Scotia, Nature's Song," a moving tribute to the maritime province and its people, sung by Kate Quinn, Natalie's cousin. Midway through the song, she is joined by the Men of the Deeps, a coal miners choir from Cape Breton, who enter clad in coveralls and hard hats with only the lamps on their helmets for light. The memorable concert ends on a high note as the principal performers receive a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd.

Documentary exploring the legacy of Robert Flaherty's Louisiana Story.This program brings together the surviving key participants of the original film, including Richard Leacock, legendary cinematographer and associate producer of Louisiana Story, and J.C. Boudreaux, once the emblematic Cajun boy who personified Flaherty's optimistic vision.Reverse Angel features diverse commentary from native folklorists, artists, filmmakers, and historians who have both studied and shared in the legacy of Louisiana Story.

“As an independent station without a news team to cover the election ourselves, we feel that it is absolutely essential to provide this programming to the viewing public,” said MiND TV CEO Howard Blumenthal. “This is an important election, and we want to keep our viewers up to date with alternative coverage.”

On election night, Democracy Now! will bring viewers the 2008 election results as they come in. The program will include live coverage of the results as the polls close, on-the-ground reports from across the country, reactions from across the globe, and running in-depth analysis and commentary from a wide range of guests that viewers won't hear from anywhere else.

“As an independent station without a news team to cover the election ourselves, we feel that it is absolutely essential to provide this programming to the viewing public,” said MiND TV CEO Howard Blumenthal. “This is an important election, and we want to keep our viewers up to date with alternative coverage.”

On November 5th, Democracy Now! expands to a two-hour broadcast from 6PM to 8PM to provide complete coverage of the election outcome.

FREEWAY PHILHARMONIC follows the dreams, disappointments and successes of seven freelance classical musicians as they perform with regional orchestras across North California while struggling to acquire a permanent position with a major orchestra. It depicts their efforts to balance a love of music with a road warrior lifestyle that often requires traveling hundreds of miles a day to rehearse and perform. These individuals have an unrelenting desire to live their art, sometimes at the expense of their families, health, and well being. This story shows the dedication, perseverance and rigorous life of the musicians, as they grapple with their desire to succeed in a hard driving career and come to terms with their limitations in their quest for artistic accomplishment.

A tribute to the life and music of one of soul's greatest singer/ songwriters, Otis Redding, told through vintage performances and rare interviews with family members and close colleagues. During Redding's five years (1963-1967) with Stax Records, he placed a total of 21 singles on the R&B charts, with another 10 charting in the two-year period following his tragic death, December 10, 1967, in a plane crash. The documentary features rousing performances of classics, including "I Can't Turn You Loose," "I've Been Loving You Too Long," "Shake," live with Booker T and the MG's at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, and live studio performances recorded the day before he died of "Try A Little Tenderness" and "Respect." Redding's only #1 song, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," plays against footage of San Francisco and the Sausalito docks where he composed the memorable tune on a houseboat. He never got the chance to perform the posthumous hit in concert. Giving few interviews during his short career, Redding's conversation with host Dick Clark on American Bandstand is particularly significant, as are revealing interviews with his wife Zelma and daughter Karla Redding-Andrews, and those who helped Redding create his unique sound: Stax Records founder Jim Stewart; guitarist Steve Cropper, a founding member of Booker T and the MG's and The Mar-Keys, who co-wrote and played on many of his songs; and trumpet player Wayne Jackson of The Mar-Keys, who played on all of his records. Growing up in Macon, Georgia, Otis sang in a gospel quartet and played the drums while helping to support his family. Winning a local singing contest brought him to the attention of promoters and musicians, who paved the way a few years later for his Stax Records audition in 1962. Nearly every 45 rpm single Redding released had an up-tempo track on one side and a ballad on the other, reflecting the two primary styles of his biggest influences, Little Richard and Sam Cooke, respectively. As his wife Zelma recounts, performing at Monterey Pop was the "highlight of his life" because Redding felt he had reached a whole new audience. That audience has grown every day since.

[Narrative film about 13-year-old Trevor, who comes to terms with his sexuality.]This Academy Award Winner for Best Live Action Short follows 13-year-old Trevor, a passionate Diana Ross fan who strives for attention from his parents by faking suicides. To no avail, one day, Trevor is befriended by a hunky school athlete named Pinky Faraday. Trevor quickly develops a crush on him. When Trevor's best friend Walter Stiltman discovers how Trevor feels about Pinky, he stops hanging out with him and it's not long before Pinky learns of Trevor.. s crush and publicly rejects him. Brokenhearted and humiliated, Trevor decides that he really isn't made for this world and swallows a bottle of pills. But help comes in an unexpected form. This film helped to launch the The Trevor Helpline, the nation's only 2 4/7 toll free suicide and crisis prevention helpline for gay and questioning youth. http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Egypt's majestic Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx provide a dramatic backdrop for the U.S. television debut of Canadian artist Chantal Chamandy. Accompanied by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra and her troupe of 10 dancers, the Egyptian-born singer/songwriter returns to her native country to perform an eclectic mix of songs. Visually enhanced by striking choreography, elegant staging and a dynamic light show, the concert special includes an emotional rendition of "Somewhere" from West Side Story, two traditional Arabic songs ("Salma ya Salama" and "Helwa ya Beladi") and Chantal's original compositions ("You Want Me," "Peace"). Filmed September 7, 2007, the performance features guest appearances by the Egyptian National Ballet Company, Tanoura dancers, a Darbouka drum band and an Egyptian marching band. Chantal - Live at The Pyramids marks the first time a concert was permitted to be filmed at the base of the Pyramids on the Giza plateau - and offers a breathtaking, illuminated view of the last remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Conceived by Chantal as a means of promoting peace through cultural exchange, the production extravaganza includes contributions from award-winning French director Gerard Pullicino (Celine Dion, Madonna), set designer Guy St-Amour (Cirque du Soleil's LOVE), choreographer Genevieve Dorion-Coupal (Cirque du Soleil's LOVE; Celine Dion's Unison Tour), who serves as the show's co- artistic director with Chantal, and lighting designer Matthieu Larrivee (Alanis Morissette).

Celtic Thunder is a new group and concert special featuring five Celtic male vocalists: Paul Byrom (age 28, Dublin, Ireland), George Donaldson (age 39, Glasgow, Scotland), Keith Harkin (age 20, Derry, Northern Ireland), Ryan Kelly (age 28, Moy in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland) and Damian McGinty (age 14, Derry, Northern Ireland). Taped August 2007 at the Helix in Dublin, the group's debut performance is a celebration of Celtic heritage and men-their loves, attitudes, individuality, power and strength, throughout life's journey. Celtic Thunder premieres nationwide on public television March 2008 (check local listings) and is distributed by WLIW New York. From rousing ensemble numbers to solos showcasing each members' vocal style and personality, Celtic Thunder performs powerful ballads, popular hits, and heartwarming songs of love and loss from across the Celtic music spectrum-Irish, Scottish, traditional and contemporary. Celtic Thunder creator/producer Sharon Browne teamed up with legendary Irish composer Phil Coulter (Elvis Presley's "My Boy," Sandie Shaw's "Puppet on a String," the now-classic Irish ballad "The Town I Loved So Well"), to audition men all over Ireland and Scotland for the group, and craft a representative set list. The eclectic mix of music includes traditional songs ("Mountains of Mourne," "Come by the Hills, " "Love Thee Dearest"), pop classics (Paul Anka's "Puppy Love," the Eagles' "Desperado," The Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin") and Coulter originals (Irish Rugby Football Union anthem "Ireland's Call, " "The Old Man," "Steal Away"), accompanied by The Celtic Concert Orchestra, a full band, bagpipes and monks. Choreography, dramatic lighting, visual effects, and a set resembling ancient stone steps and paths enhance the musical production.

From the Louisville Palace in Louisville, Kentucky, Alison Krauss + Union Station - Live features Barry Bales, Ron Block, Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski performing their best-known hits, including "Forget About It" and "When You Say Nothing At All." Alison earned her initial acclaim as a teenage instrumentalist, but soon it was her voice that captivated everyone's attention. She's now become a true crossover artist, appealing to a wide range of audiences.

ABSOLUTELY IRISH! brings together the brightest stars on the traditional Irish music scene today for a once-in-a-lifetime concert. Filmed at the intimate Irish Arts Center in New York City's famed Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, Irish music impresario Mick Moloney presents three generations of musical virtuosos performing beloved jigs, reels and airs, and contemporary takes on favorite old tunes. Among other highlights, ABSOLUTELY IRISH includes special guest appearances by two living legends ? 80-year-old flute player Mike Rafferty and 85-year-old Irish dancer Jo McNamara ? and features a heart-tugging rendition of "Leaving Liverpool" performed by the entire ensemble.

Caring for animals and operating zoos is growing more challenging each year. Are zoos safe for both animals and humans, or are the cruel and inhumane as some claim? Today, many of the nation's top zoos are now stepping up their efforts to save endangered species. Zoo veterinarians are now at the forefront of many those conservation and education efforts. We follow two zoo veterinarians as they make house calls to the Sacramento Zoo. Also featured is an exclusive interview with renowned primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall, and a visit to San Francisco Zoo where tragedy has changed this wildlife sanctuary.

Documentary about the first female troopers in the Pennsylvania State Police.

Grammy award-winning Native American flutist Robert Mirabal evokes the cultures of both the ancient and contemporary worlds in a concert and dance special filmed December 16, 2000 at Foxwoods Resort Casino's Fox Theater (Mashantucket, Connecticut). A member of the Taos Pueblo tribe in northeast New Mexico, Mirabal's melodies spring from the lively and haunting chants of his ancestors, and range from traditional songs in Tiwa, his native language, to the driving rhythms of his rock fusion compositions. Noted session drummer Kenny Aronoff (Melissa Etheridge, John Fogerty, John Mellencamp) joins Mirabal's band, Rare Tribal Mob, and a troupe of singers and dancers in elaborate native dress for the performance. A multidimensional artist, Mirabal is also a master flute maker and published author.

Local documentary that highlights the impassioned struggle to save four historically certified downtown Philadelphia buildings known as "Rindelaub's Row" from demolition to make way for yet another luxury condo high-rise tower near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, PA. The filmmakers take to city streets for a sidewalk's-eye view of the coming chaos. Film was created by local journalist Maralyn Lois Polak and local architect Benjamin Nia.