Dear Friends,
As the end of this calendar year approaches, AZPM is counting on you to help ensure that its mission to educate, inform, and inspire continues into the future.
During this season of giving, I hope you will join my family and me in making a special year-end gift to help AZPM wrap the calendar year on solid financial footing and ensure that all Southern Arizonans continue to have access to quality television, radio, and online programming and educational resources.
CLICK TO WATCH a message from the CEO
Special year-end fundraising programs on PBS 6 kicked off December 1 with CELTIC WOMAN: 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT at 9 p.m. With your generous pledge of support, you can receive tickets to hear the group live at Centennial Hall in May 2024! Special pledge programming continues on December 2 with an exclusive special celebrating the illustrious careers of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme at 7 p.m. (STEVE & EYDIE: MEMORIES OF MY MOM AND DAD), followed by a nostalgic musical journey through the late 70s and early 80s (YACHT ROCK REVUE: 70s AND 80s, LIVE FROM NEW YORK) at 9 p.m. On December 3, visit the charming seaside setting of Hotel Portofino at 6:30 p.m. (HOTEL PORTOFINO: TOURING PORTOFINO), then join historian Lucy Worsley at 8 p.m. for the first of three episodes exploring mystery writer Agatha Christie’s haunted early life (AGATHA CHRISTIE: LUCY WORSLEY ON THE MYSTERY QUEEN). Special music events continue with PAVLO: LIVE IN SANTORINI December 7 at 8 p.m. and NEIL DIAMOND: THANK YOU AUSTRALIA December 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Holiday specials and premieres abound on PBS 6 throughout December. Return to the Yorkshire dales for a marathon of ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Season One starting at noon Saturday, December 10, followed by the Season Two marathon starting at noon Saturday, December 17. Stay with PBS 6 December 10 for the 9 p.m. premiere of ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL: CHRISTMAS IN THE DALES, offering seasonal behind-the-scenes glimpses into the magical village of Darrowby. Closer to home, the Tabernacle Choir’s annual concert, SEASON OF LIGHT: CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR, premieres on December 12 at 8 p.m. Relieve some of that holiday stress with A CHRISTMAS CAROL GONE WRONG, a hilarious comedy with special guest stars Diana Rigg (All Creatures Great and Small) and Sir Derek Jacobi (Last Tango in Halifax), premiering December 23 at 7 p.m. and repeating December 25 at 2 p.m. And don’t miss the beloved CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL at 8 p.m. on December 25.
Notable premieres also include a fascinating three-part special that follows baby animals as they navigate their most harrowing learning curves precisely when they are most vulnerable. LIFE: THE FIRST STEPS premieres December 13 at 9 p.m. LOOKING GLASS ALICE, the critically acclaimed theatrical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic Through the Looking Glass, premiering December 15 at 9 p.m., is an innovative and dazzling interpretation of Carroll’s dreamlike vision. ROALD AND BEATRIX: THE TAIL OF THE CURIOUS MOUSE, premiering December 16 at 6:30 p.m., recounts the true story of the young Roald Dahl, future author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, on a visit to his favorite author, Beatrix Potter, played by Dawn French (The Vicar of Dibley). And on December 19 at 9 p.m., former PBS Newshour* anchor Judy Woodruff takes viewers on a journey of exploration into our country’s deepest divides in AMERICA AT A CROSSROADS WITH JUDY WOODRUFF. Follow her across the United States as she examines declining trust in institutions, increased political violence, rapid social change, negative partisanship, distrust in the judiciary, domestic extremism – and how the disappearance of local news has contributed to the unraveling of civic connection.
The holidays are the perfect time to relax with the binge-worthy offerings on AZPM Passport. Catch up with your favorites or explore new programs, including dramas like Downton Abbey, Sanditon, Marie Antoinette, and Broadchurch. Expand your perspectives with the Ken Burns collection, celebrate the arts, investigate history and culture, or enjoy the best of food and cooking. There’s something for everyone on AZPM Passport, and it’s only available to AZPM members.
An alfalfa field in Marana, AZ bordered by I-10. September 2023
AZPM is your best source for in-depth local news, both online and on the air. From daily headlines to in-depth features, get your news in a convenient podcast with AZPM News Daily. For deeper dives into relevant topics, don’t miss The Buzz on NPR 89.1 Fridays at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 3:30 p.m., or available on demand. This month, The Buzz covers education and education funding with Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and Pima County School Superintendent Dustin Williams and explores land grant institutions and native lands. On Friday, December 22, The Buzz examines the impact of water issues on the local agricultural industry and foreign land ownership on Arizona’s alfalfa production.
Classical 90.5 celebrates the 75th birthday of pianist Mitsuko Uchida on December 20 with music of Mozart and Schumann, and the first day of winter on December 22 with a full playlist of winter-themed music. Locally produced Christmas specials include a concert from Arizona Repertory Singers and A Holiday Card to Tucson from the University of Arizona School of Music. Details are available on Classical 90.5’s radio program schedule.
Arizona Public Media is powered by your support. Thank you for your generosity throughout this past year, and please accept my very best wishes to you and yours this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Jack Gibson
Chief Executive Officer
P.S. Thanks for bearing with us as we transitioned radio operations automation systems over the last several weeks. The transition was fraught with unanticipated challenges but, once completed and de-bugged, will provide much greater reliability for NPR 89.1 and Classical 90.5 listeners.
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