The third annual Winterfest will be held Nov. 26 through Dec. 7 on Rogers State University Public Television, featuring live membership drives conducted by community volunteers, a wide variety of special programming including more than a dozen concerts and the premier of “Voices of Bartlesville,” a documentary film about the history of the city.
“Voices of Bartlesville” will be premiered on RSU Public Television during “Bartlesville Night” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2. The film was co-produced by RSU Public Television and BIG Productions and tells the story of a community that began with a trading post on the Caney River, famously boomed when oil was discovered in the area and grew into a business, cultural and educational hub of northeast Oklahoma. RSU operates a campus in downtown Bartlesville.
More than 30 community leaders from Bartlesville will appear live in the studios of RSU Public Television during “Bartlesville Night,” and several will be interviewed about their participation in the film and experiences helping to shape that community. Ann-Janette, a musical performer from Bartlesville who has achieved national acclaim, also will appear live on the program. A concert program, “Brighter Day Ahead”, featuring Ann-Janette, will be presented at 9 p.m. during “Bartlesville Night.”
“RSU Public Television is proud to play a key role in documenting the history of this great community,” said Dan Schiedel, general manager of RSU Public Television. “This type of project fits directly into our mission, which is to present educational and enriching programming that enhances the lives of Oklahoma residents.”
During the evening of Monday, Dec. 1, employees of 1st Bank will be live in the studios, accepting pledges during the membership drive and demonstrating their support for public television, Schiedel said.
“We are grateful to the staff of 1st Bank for sharing their valuable time and finances to support the presentation of high-quality educational television,” he said.
Membership pledge events will be presented live in the RSU Public Television studios during the evenings of Dec. 1, 2, 6 and 7.
Those making pledges during the membership drive will be eligible to receive thank you gifts including DVDs, CDs, tumblers, books and more.
The 12-day membership drive also will feature a variety of special programming with appeal to broad audiences, including more than a dozen recent and vintage concerts performers as widely varied as Boyz II Men, Elvis, Mamas and the Papas, Glen Campbell, Billy Joel, the Doors and others. Special holiday programming also will be presented, and other special programs will focus on business, current events, sports and lifestyles, Schiedel said.
RSU Public Television is licensed to Rogers State University and is the only public television station to be operated by a university in Oklahoma. The station, based on the RSU campus in Claremore, reaches more than a million people within a 75-mile radius of the campus. RSU Public Television broadcasts on UHF Channel 35, Tulsa and Claremore cable channel 19 and cable and satellite systems across Oklahoma.
For more information on RSU Public Television, or to make a pledge during the membership drive, call 1-800-823-7210 or visit rsu.tv.