Items tagged with 'WMHT'

Lower Lancaster Street

This could be an interesting look into Albany not-so-long ago past: WMHT will be showing the 1981 documentary Lower Lancaster Street this Thursday at 7:30 pm. Blurbage:

LOWER LANCASTER STREET is a documentary film that focuses on the gentrification of a rundown block in Albany that was being taken over by the middle-class at the expense of the working-class and the unemployed. Produced over the course of an entire year beginning in 1980, the film captures the transformation that took place in the decade following the completion of the Empire State Plaza where areas close to the newly constructed New York State office buildings were largely purchased by those in the middle class who displaced a predominantly working poor population who had made these neighborhoods their home. LOWER LANCASTER STREET originally appeared on PBS stations across the United States as part of the US CHRONICLE series which was hosted by Jim Lehrer.
LOWER LANCASTER STREET was produced in a cinema verite style by Steve Dunn, who lived on Lancaster Street at the time while working as a cameraman for the iconic public television series, INSIDE ALBANY. LOWER LANCASTER STREET was narrated by INSIDE ALBANY host, David Hepp. Mr. Hepp has now recorded a new on-camera introduction and conclusion for the documentary to take the place of what Jim Lehrer recorded almost 35-years-ago.

That a short trailer embedded above. WMHT says it hasn't shown the doc in more than 30 years.

If you're a WMHT member, you can watch the entire 30-minute doc online at that first link above.

Lancaster now...
Here's the Google Street View (captured July 2017) of that same block depicted in the thumbnail of the embedded trailer.

Kennedy of Albany: A Writer and His City premieres tonight

A reminder that the new WHMT doc about William Kennedy -- Kennedy of Albany: A Writer and His City -- premieres tonight (Monday) at 9 pm. Blurbage:

Discover the life and legacy of William Kennedy as told by the Pulitzer Prize winning author himself. In this intimate documentary, learn about Kennedy's humble beginnings in his hometown of Albany, which would become the backdrop and fodder for much of his work, and his incredible career spanning nearly five decades.

That link includes a few clips from the hour-long documentary.

Presumably WMHT will also be showing the doc at other times in the future.

Kennedy of Albany: A Writer and His City

WMHT William Kennedy documentary still

WMHT has a new documentary about William Kennedy -- Kennedy of Albany: A Writer and His City -- lined up to premiere June 29. Blurbage:

Discover the life and legacy of William Kennedy as told by the Pulitzer Prize winning author himself. In this intimate documentary, learn about Kennedy's humble beginnings in his hometown of Albany, which would become the backdrop and fodder for much of his work, and his incredible career spanning nearly five decades.

The doc premieres Monday, June 26 at 9 pm on WMHT.

There's also a preview screening Monday, June 19 at 6 pm at the WMHT studios in North Greenbush, with a discussion and reception following. Admission is free, but you must RSVP by June 16: rsvp@wmht.org or call 518-880-3400. (We're guessing it will be a popular event and could fill up.)

image: WMHT

Behind The Lights on WMHT

The WMHT documentary about the Breathing Lights public art project -- Behind The Lights -- premieres on TV this Monday, April 17 at 10 pm.

There's a trailer embedded above. The doc followed the planning and implementation of the project.

There's an other airing this Friday, April 21 at 9 pm and Sunday, April 23 at 7 pm.

WMHT live town hall with John Faso

John Faso Congressional portrait

WMHT has a live video town hall program with local Congressman John Faso set to run this Thursday, April 13 from 8-9 pm. It'll be broadcast on WMHT's TV channel, as well livestreamed on its website and Facebook page.

New York NOW's Matt Ryan and the TU's Casey Seiler will moderate. WMHT says you'll be able to submit questions by using #FasoTownHall on Twitter and Facebook. The livestream will include an additional 15 minutes of questions. (There will also be a studio audience -- it's already full.)

There's been a clamor around the country for Congressional town hall-style meetings since the last election, with overflow crowds. Faso has so far declined to participate in such events, calling them "shouting-and-screaming sessions." [Daily Freeman]

So, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. As WMHT said today in a release, it "expects lively public discourse."

As you know, John Faso represents the NY 19 Congressional District, which wraps around the southern end of the Capital Region. He succeeded Chris Gibson in the seat, and it's the Republican's first term in Congress.

Henry Johnson: Tale of Courage premiere

Henry Johnson Croix de Guerre

Henry Johnson displaying his French Croix de Guerre. / photo via Wikipedia

WMHT has a new documentary about Henry Johnson -- Henry Johnson: Tale of Courage -- premiering April 11 at 7:30 pm. It'll then air multiple times during the month.

But before that, there's a preview screening at the State Museum April 4 at 6 pm. A discussion will follow with producer Zeke Kubisch, city of Albany special community projects coordinator (and author and scholar) Barbara Smith, and historian Aaron Noble. The screening is free to attend, though WMHT does ask that you RSVP.

You probably know (should know) the outline of Henry Johnson's story. An Albany resident, he served in WWI with the Harlem Hellfighters, who had been placed under the command of French forces because of racism within the US Army. While on sentry duty in 1918 he fought off a surprise German attack of at least 12 soldiers and saved a fellow American soldier, all while being wounded multiple times. Upon his return to the United States he was initially hailed as a hero. But he was later marginalized after speaking out about the racism African-Americans faced in the military. Unable to work because of his war injuries, Johnson's personal life crumbled and he died at the age of 32.

It wasn't until 2015 -- and after the work of many people -- that Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

TVFilm 9 call for submissions

Thumbnail image for TvFilm 2The ninth season of WMHT's TVFilm series is coming up later this year, the media is org is still accepting short films submissions. Blurbage:

Hosted and produced by Brandon Bethmann, TvFILM engages dialogue with winning filmmakers to discuss the inspiration, ideas and concepts behind their work. In addition, TvFILM profiles the people, places and events that are shaping WMHT's growing independent film and media community.

The deadline to submit a film is March 31. That link above has info about how to do so.

You can watch previous episodes from the series online.

YouthFX
As mentioned previously, the award-winning YouthFX program has the premiere for its new crop of films set for March 30 at The Spectrum. Tickets are $10 / $8 for students. These screenings usually sell out, see keep an eye out for advance tickets going on sale soon.

Hamilton's Albany online

WMHT's short documentary about the connections between Alexander Hamilton and Albany -- the aptly-titled Hamilton's Albany -- is now available for viewing online. That's the embedded version above.

Blurbage:

Join host Ryan Fitzpatrick as he explores Hamilton's Albany life, from marrying into the wealthy Schuyler family, to the feud that fueled the duel with Aaron Burr. Marrying into the Schuyler family raised the social and political status of the ambitious Hamilton, who was born out-of-wedlock on the Caribbean island of Nevis in 1757. He went on to become the senior aide to General George Washington, was a member of the Continental Congress, an author of the Federalist Papers, a champion of the Constitution and the first Secretary of the Treasury.
This historical documentary is a look at the society and issues that informed some of his most important decisions. Shot on location at the Schuyler Mansion, home of Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler and his family; The First Church, where Reverend Eliphalet Nott delivered a rousing eulogy that helped turn the tide of public opinion against dueling; and other sites around Albany, NY.

It's a quick watch, just 26 minutes.

Earlier on AOA:
+ "You maintain your empire in spite of all my efforts..."
+ A timeline of Theodosia Burr Alston

Hamilton's Albany on WMHT

WMHT's new documentary about Alexander Hamilton's connections to Albany -- the aptly-titled Hamilton's Albany -- premieres this Sunday, December 4 5 at 10 pm. Blurbage:

Join host Ryan Fitzpatrick as he explores Hamilton's Albany life, from marrying into the wealthy Schuyler family, to the feud that fueled the duel with Aaron Burr. Marrying into the Schuyler family raised the social and political status of the ambitious Hamilton, who was born out-of-wedlock on the Caribbean island of Nevis in 1757. He went on to become the senior aide to General George Washington, was a member of the Continental Congress, an author of the Federalist Papers, a champion of the Constitution and the first Secretary of the Treasury.
This historical documentary is a look at the society and issues that informed some of his most important decisions. Shot on location at the Schuyler Mansion, home of Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler and his family; The First Church, where Reverend Eliphalet Nott delivered a rousing eulogy that helped turn the tide of public opinion against dueling; and other sites around Albany, NY.

The 30-minute doc will be also run December 8 at 7:30 pm, 10 pm, and 10:45 pm.

Preview screening: The Albany Institute of History and Art is hosting preview screenings of Hamilton's Albany this Friday, December 2 at 5:30 pm, 6:15 pm, and 7 pm. They're free to attend.

Crossroads: The History of Rapp Road

The WMHT mini-documentary about Albany's historic Rapp Road community -- Crossroads: The History of Rapp Road -- is now available to watch online. It's not-quite 30 minutes long, and worth a watch.

The Rapp Road community on the western end of the city in the Pine Bush has been the home for generations of African-American families who moved here from Mississippi during the Great Migration. Their first stop was the South End, but they ended up moving out to what was then a rural part of the city in search of place that was more like where they'd had lived in the south.

One of the things that's good about this doc by Todd Ferguson and Beverly Bardequez (who's a member of the community) is that it includes people telling the story in their own words -- about why their families left Mississippi, about what it was like when they arrived in Albany, about building their new homes on the city's edge.

The Rapp Road Community Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Earlier on AOA: The Rapp Road Community Historic District

Governor Mario Cuomo: Poetry & Prose on WMHT, preview screening at State Museum

The trailer for the upcoming WHMT documentary Governor Mario Cuomo: Poetry & Prose is embedded above. Blurbage:

Experience the memorable twelve years Mario Cuomo spent as New York's 52nd Governor including his initial run for this office in 1982 against Ed Koch, his lauded 1984 keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention, his flirtations with running for president that earned him the nickname 'Hamlet on the Hudson,' and his final political race versus George Pataki.

The doc premieres on WMHT October 3 at 9 pm. But there's also a free preview screening at the State Museum September 29 at 5:30 pm, with a discussion following (see the link to RSVP).

New season of TvFILM premieres this week

The new season of TvFilm -- a showcase of local film -- premieres this Thursday, June 23 on WMHT at 10 pm. Show blurbage:

Hosted and produced by Brandon Bethmann, TvFILM engages dialogue with winning filmmakers to discuss the inspiration, ideas and concepts behind their work. In addition, TvFILM profiles the people, places and events that are shaping WMHT's growing independent film and media community.

Here's a preview of the season 8 premiere. It looks like the episode includes a bunch of short works from a range of local filmmakers, including the award-winning YouthFX short Falling by Maya Suchak and Imani Peterkin.

By the way: Previous episodes of TvFilm are available online.

Frederic Church's Olana on WMHT

A new documentary about the Olana State Historic Site in Hudson -- the home and studio of the great Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church -- premieres tonight on WMHT at 7:30 pm. Blurbage:

Olana, located high on a hill overlooking the majestic Catskill Mountains and scenic Hudson River, is the great masterpiece of American landscape painter, Frederic Edwin Church. Church was born in 1826 and went on to become the most successful representative of America's first art movement, the Hudson River School. Church designed the picturesque landscape, network of carriage roads, farm complex and Persian inspired villa that comprise the 250 acre estate of Olana. Church traveled the globe painting the natural environment and amassing an extensive collection of paintings and decorative art from around the world. The documentary recounts the dramatic rescue of a national treasure that was nearly destroyed by disbursement in the mid-1960s and how the location of the home and Church's paintings of the surrounding have played a role in preserving the view shed of the Hudson River Valley.

Just based on the trailer embedded above, it looks like the doc includes some beautiful scenes.

Frederic Church's Olana is set to run again on WMHT four other times June. Check out the schedule at the second link above.

SPAC
Also on WMHT this week: A new documentary about the Saratoga Performing Arts Center -- SPAC at 50 -- premieres this Thursday at 7:30 pm and 9 pm. The doc covers the venue's history and some of the acts that performed there, with appearances from performers such as Dave Matthews and Joshua Bell.

Screenings of new Mohawk Giants documentary

MohawkGiantsTalk-011.jpg

The 1931 Mohawk Giants. / photo courtesy of Schenectady County Historical Society

WMHT has a new documentary about the Mohawk Giants baseball team in Schenectady queued to premiere Monday, April 11 at 7:30 pm. That's just before the debut of the new Ken Burns two-part doc about Jackie Robinson that same night at 9 pm.

But you can catch a free early screening of The Mohawk Giants: Schenectady & The Negro Leagues at Proctors this Tuesday, April 5 at 7 pm. The night will also include a few excerpts from the upcoming Jackie Robinson.

Blurbage for the documentary about The Mohawk Giants:

The Mohawk Giants were an independent professional negro league baseball team supported by mostly white fans, whose players were a mix of young bucks on the way up and older veterans who were on their way down from the Negro Major leagues. The team found lots of success in its runs between 1913 and 1940 with players like the eventual Homestead Gray Buck Ewing and pitching ace Frank Wickware.
With the help of national caliber historians and a first-hand look into the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO, we're able to tell the stories of this team as well as other standouts from the area like Edsall Walker. Walker was born in Catskill, played ball in Albany, and then moved on to play for one of the most famous Negro League teams, the Homestead Grays, alongside baseball legends like Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and many others.

It's free to attend the preview screening, but WMHT does ask that you RSVP: rsvp@wmht.org.

Earlier on AOA: The Mohawk Colored Giants of Schenectady

The Great Ledge: Exploring Thacher showing this week

the great ledge whmt screengrab

A screengrab from the doc.

WMHT is showing the doc about Thacher State Park -- The Great Ledge: Exploring Thacher -- this week. It looks beautiful. (You can watch the trailer at that link.)

Documentary blurbage:

New York's John Boyd Thacher State Park in the Helderberg Mountains has inspired visitors for generations. The park resonates with natural beauty. It is a place of both wonder and discovery. Its over 2100 acres contain spectacular 1200 foot limestone cliffs formed over 100 million years ago, yielding dramatic views, subterranean caves, waterfalls, fossils, and miles of trails. The park also resonates with human history. Native Americans trails traversed the cliffs, the caves were a refuge for British loyalists during the American Revolution, in the 1800's it was the site of the anti-rent wars, and was a key locale in the burgeoning new science of geology.
This documentary is filmed in ultra-high definition. Footage is edited with additional historic and scientific interviews, recreational footage, and archival images from both the Albany Institute of History and Art and the Library of Congress, to create a breathtaking and informative program for viewers. The documentary explores the wonder of Thacher Park from never before seen perspectives and ask challenging questions about land use, conservation and historic preservation.

WMHT will show The Great Ledge Wednesday, March 9 at 7:30 pm on its main channel, with additional showings over the next two weeks on its various other channels (Create and World).

Out in Albany

out in albany documentary title screen

In honor of Pride Week WMHT will be showing the documentary Out in Albany twice this month -- Tuesday, June 9 at 10 pm, and Monday, June 22 at 10 pm.

There are a few clips from the doc at that link above. Blurbage:

OUT IN ALBANY is a documentary project that highlights issues at the forefront of the LGBTQ community today while mining the rich history of LGBTQ lives in the Capital Region. A state worker transitioning from male to female. A teenager navigating high school as an out lesbian. A queer community member of color balancing identities. These are just a few of the stories being lived in the Capital Region today.
... It covers the history and trajectory of the many movements within the LGBTQ community while highlighting the issues at the forefront of the community today. Specifically, this documentary looks at historic points of setback and growth related to the LGBTQ movement. From the founding of the Pride Center in Albany to police raids to medical support for AIDS patients to the marriage equality movement, the documentary looks at the historic highs and lows of the equality movement.
Woven into the history of the region are the stories of individuals that illustrate the issues at the forefront of the current LGBTQ movement. These issues include transgender rights, youth support, LGBTQ people of color, and aging populations in the community.

The doc first premiered last year. And as far was can tell, it's not posted online in its entirety, so this is a good chance to catch it.

Hoffman's Playland, ESP neighborhood documentaries set to air

Hoffmans Playland Story trailer image

WHMT has scheduled premiere dates for a few local documentaries that a lot of people will probably interested in:

One More Ride: The Hoffman's Playland Story
Pretty much what it says on the label:

"One More Ride: The Hoffman's Playland Story" captures the history of the beloved family amusement park. For 62 years, it was where we brought our children to play and to celebrate birthdays. We rode the roller coaster and merry go round. It was a tradition of smiles and laughter for generations. And while this past season was its final one, WMHT will provide viewers with one last ride as we celebrate the history, nostalgia and memories of Hoffman's Playland. We'll meet the Hoffman family whose long-standing devotion, work ethic and continuous attention to detail and perseverance made the park what it was. It will all come to life through original videography, archival photos, home movies, behind the scenes video and emotional on-screen interviews.

It's set to air on November 29 at 9 pm. (It will also be streamed online.)

The Neighborhood that Disappeared
This is the doc by Mary Paley about the neighborhood knocked down for the Empire State Plaza. (You might remember the Kickstarter for the project.) We get the sense it's very much from the ESP-skeptic perspective. Blurbage:

In 1962, one of the most massive urban renewal projects in American history sterilized the cultural and ethnic heart of Albany, New York. An arrangement made by first term Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller and longtime Albany Mayor, Erastus Corning the 2nd, displaced almost eight per cent of the City's diverse population, razed more than a thousand buildings, dislodged 3,600 households, and closed 350 businesses.
Tune in as 'The Neighborhood That Disappeared' unearths the vibrant ethnic neighborhood that housed courageous immigrants and the Greatest Generation. More than a half-century after it was lost forever; we'll revisit 'The Neighborhood That Disappeared.'

The doc is set to air December 12 at 8 pm.

"America's Grandest Race Course"

whmt track at saratoga

WMHT is premiering a new documentary about the Saratoga Race Course this coming Monday night at 9 pm. From the blurbage for The Track at Saratoga: America's Grandest Race Course:

This hour-long historical documentary will transport viewers through 150 years of owners, trainers, jockeys and horses. We'll experience the track beginning with four thrilling days in August 1863 and continue through the pageantry of today.

There's a short promo clip at that link above. It looks like the doc includes a bunch of old photos, which could be fun to see.

Rediscovering the Light: WMHT is re-airing its recently-premiered doc about the restoration of the state Capitol building -- Rediscovering the Light: Restoring New York's Capitol -- July 19 at 10:30 pm. And it will play again July 28, August 19, and August 23.

TvFilm 4

TvFilm 2TvFilm -- WMHT's showcase of short films created by regional filmmakers -- returns this Sunday (June 24), and will have new episodes for six weeks. From the blurbage:

WMHT sought out unique and original independently-made short films created in upstate New York and western New England with the idea that you don't have to be in the Big Apple or Los Angeles to make, watch or enjoy independent cinema. TvFILM proves that filmmaking is alive and well in our region. From short films to documentaries to animated shorts, TvFILM leaves no cinematic stone unturned.

The schedule is post-jump. We noticed the second episode (July 1) includes the documentary about Tyler Rhodes, the Albany teen fatally stabbed in Hoffman Park, created by the Grand Street Arts' YouthFX program.

TvFilm airs at 10:30 pm on Sundays.

(there's more)

Our Town: Troy

our town troy stillWMHT's new Our Town: Troy airs for the first time this Thursday at 7:30 pm. From the blurbage:

WMHT's OUR TOWN TROY features stories told by those who live and work in Troy using their personal video cameras. The stories are designed to show the heritage, personalities and unique characteristics that make the community distinct. The stories are chosen and told by community members.

The program includes 25 stories -- the full list of stories and storytellers is after the jump. And here are a bunch of stills from the program.

The Our Town series already includes Amsterdam, Bethlehem, Hudson, Saratoga Springs and Schenectady. Those episodes are available online in full.

(there's more)

William Kennedy's Prohibition Story

Legs Diamond Shoot Ryans Wake Bar.jpg

A scene from William Kennedy's Prohibition Story -- location: Ryan's Wake

Next week PBS premieres the new Ken Burns documentary, Prohibition.

There's quite a bit of prohibition era history wrapped up here in the Capital Region, and a whole bunch of talented local actors and filmmakers are working on a local companion piece that will air alongside the Burns documentary on PBS stations around New York State.

Here's a preview:

Watch the full episode. See more WMHT Specials.

More on the project, plus some great location photos, after the jump.

(there's more)

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For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

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