For Immediate Release
Monday, August 28, 2017
Press Contacts: Cara Recine, Executive Director, The Varsity Center (618) 457-5353, cararecine@outlook.com; Brian Flath, Assistant Director, WSIU Corporate Support, (618) 453-4286, brian.flath@wsiu.org
WSIU, Varsity Center to Host Preview of New Ken Burns Documentary Series “The Vietnam War”
Free Preview Screening is Sept. 7 at 7:30pm
Carbondale, IL – WSIU Public Broadcasting, a service of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and The Varsity Center invite the general public to a free preview screening of The Vietnam War, a new 10-part documentary series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick coming to WSIU and PBS stations nationwide beginning on Sunday, Sept. 17.
The preview screening will take place on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7:30pm in the main performance room of The Varsity Center, 418 South Illinois Ave., Carbondale. Doors will open at 6:45pm. Refreshments will be provided. A cash bar also will be available.
“This latest series by Ken Burns provides an opportunity for current generations to better understand one of our nation’s most difficult periods, largely through the eyes of those who lived it," said Greg Petrowich, Executive Director of WSIU Public Broadcasting.
“We are thrilled to have been asked to host this very special event and to be associated with WSIU’s efforts to provide quality programming,” said Cara Recine, Executive Director of The Varsity Center. “All of us feel it is an important and monumental documentary, and we know that, because it is a production of Ken Burns and PBS, it will be excellent.”
Ten years in the making, The Vietnam War includes rarely seen, digitally re-mastered archival footage from sources around the globe, photographs taken by some of the most celebrated photojournalists of the 20th century, historic television broadcasts, evocative home movies, and revelatory audio recordings from inside the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon administrations. The series also features more than 100 iconic musical recordings from many of the greatest artists of the era, and original music from Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and the Silk Road Ensemble featuring Yo-Yo Ma.
The Vietnam War will air on WSIU-TV at 7 every night from Sunday, Sept. 17 through Thursday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 28, with a repeat broadcast immediately after each episode. The series will air again in its entirety on Tuesdays at 8pm from Oct. 3 through Nov. 28.
WSIU Radio plans to air a series of companion radio stories featuring interviews with local Vietnam War veterans. Details will be provided on the air and at wsiu.org.
Local sponsors for The Vietnam War on WSIU TV and companion local features on WSIU Radio are Southern Illinois Healthcare, Megabytes Technology Services, and the Missouri National Veterans Wall (americaswall.com).
About WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting is licensed to the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University and is an integral part of the College of Mass Communication & Media Arts on the Carbondale campus. The WSIU stations reach more than three million people across five states and beyond through three digital public television channels, three public radio stations, a radio information service, a website, and an education and community outreach department.
WSIU's mission is to improve the quality of life of the people they serve. The WSIU stations partner with other community organizations to promote positive change and to support the academic and public service missions of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Learn more and get the latest station news online at wsiu.org and on WSIU's Facebook and Twitter pages.
WSIU's programs and services are partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
About The Varsity Center
The Varsity Center is a performance and art venue and event center in downtown Carbondale, Illinois. Housed in the historic building of the former Varsity movie theater, The Varsity Center is undergoing re-branding and renovation of its performance spaces, which include the Balcony Stage, a 137-seat “listening room” with state-of-the-art light and sound systems. Other spaces include The Varsity Gallery, an event room and visual art display area available for room rental at (618) 457-5353. To keep up with events and activity, please go to www.facebook.com/varsitycenter.
The Varsity Center is also home to The Stage Company, a community theater with a long history in Carbondale. The company performs in the space that was first renovated, The Arnold Theater. Learn more and get ticket information at stagecompany.org or call (618) 549-3465.
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