WTIU

Discover the story of a legendary jazz guitarist and composer from Indiana. Wes Montgomery was born in Indianapolis on March 6, 1923, and rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time. This first full-length documentary of Wes Montgomery is told through the eyes of his youngest child, Robert Montgomery.

Stepping is a dance form that can be found across the country at virtually every college with a substantial African American enrollment. Stepping is performed informally during parties as well as more formally during organized step shows. This film explores this tradition, its historical roots as well as its contemporary forms, styles and uses, to understand how students construct various levels of identity through this dance form…African American identity, fraternity or sorority identity, gendered identity and personal identity. The film goes behind the scenes with the Alpha Phi Alphas as they prepare for a step show that is only a few hours away. Cutting between this show and interviews with current and past steppers as well as footage from previous shows, the film provides a broad picture of this vibrant and dynamic dance form.

He earned nicknames that often equated to the most powerful forces in heaven and earth: The Cyclone. The Whirlwind. The Comet. He earned the respect of civil rights pioneer Booker T. Washington. And he shook the hand of President Theodore Roosevelt, who sought out the great champion to congratulate him. Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor was the world’s first Black sports superstar. Reporters simply called him “The Fastest Man in the World.”

Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, Greene County brings together the Hoosier state’s natural beauty, small-town hospitality, and beloved traditions in a way few places can. Explore the heart of this vibrant, tightly-knit community in The Spirit of Greene County. Discover the wealth of outdoor activities available in the county at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area, Greene-Sullivan State Forest, Redbird State Recreation Area, and Shakamak State Park. Take a journey through the Sculpture Trail Outdoor Museum—one of America’s largest—and meet the artists who reside there. Meet the new generation of farmers, food growers, and craft brewers that champion the region’s locally-grown produce.

We travel around Indiana to explore the rich history and culture surrounding Hoosier wine production. We talk to local wineries about their yearly production cycle, and visit two of the state's largest wine festivals. And we learn the finer points of wine tasting from experts at the Indiana Wine Grape Council, and from behind-the-scenes coverage of the Indy International Wine Competition.

Travel along the Wabash river and discover the inspiring stories of the people who lived along side it—from Tecumseh’s attempt to form a pan-Indian coalition to the experimental societies of New Harmony, and many destinations in between. Along the Wabash combines historical first-hand accounts, poetry, music and narration with fictionalized scenes and archival visuals.

Southern Indiana is home to some of nature’s most amazing treasures – over 4,000 caves, stretching for hundreds of miles beneath the surface of the Hoosier state. From show caves to state parks, Journey Indiana: Underground transports viewers to a world that few will experience in person.

Theodore Clement “T.C.” Steele was one of the most celebrated American Impressionist painters of his time. Singing Winds: The Life and Works of T.C. Steele — a new documentary that looks at the life and works of the great Hoosier Impressionist – from his hardscrabble youth, to his journey through some of the major art centers of Europe, to his return to his native

An imaginative retelling of the classic ballet, featuring a full orchestral performance and stunning choreography. A colorful blend of live theater with cinematic artistry. Breathtaking scenic design combines with elaborate costumes and elegant dance. Captured live at the Musical Arts Center at Indiana University, this presentation creates a new holiday tradition for audiences of all ages.

Saving Places: Preserving Indiana's Architectural Heritage tells the stories of individuals engaged in revitalizing, protecting, and preserving our historic places in Indiana. Indiana University professor of History James H. Madison gives a tour of four Indiana historic landmarks: Wilson Bridge, John Jay Center for Learning, Maple Grove Road and Lyles Station School.

Brown County, Indiana has been an artistic refuge since the early 1900s. That early artist colony included T.C. Steele, Adolph and Ada Walter Shulz, Will Vawter and Gustave Baumann. BROWN COUNTY ARTISTS documents the legacy of these early artists and then visits the studios of current Brown County artists: Fred Rigley, Larry Spears, Charlene Marsh, William Root and William Zimmerman.

Explore the fascinating story of a historic Bloomington theater and the secret to its longevity in The Indiana Theatre at 100. The Indiana Theatre opened to great applause on December 11, 1922. A crowd of 1,300—nearly ten percent of Bloomington’s population at the time—turned out on a cold Monday night to celebrate the theater’s opening. This documentary reveals how the theater continues to thrive.

The Beaux Arts Trio and Menahem Pressler represent a rare combination of longevity, consistency and quality. In honor of the group’s 50th anniversary in 2005, producer Susanne Schwibs interviews each member of the trio individually and as a group. Their comments are woven in with the music of their anniversary concert.

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music student jazz ensemble plays an original composition that pays tribute to the Jazz Age titans whose legendary early recordings were produced at a little studio called Gennett Records. The performance program The Gennett Suite features music inspired by artists including Louis Armstrong, King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, Bix Beiderbecke and Jelly Roll Morton.

Set in southwestern Indiana, Goose Pond: The Story Of A Wetland & Its Neighbors chronicles the struggle that resulted in the largest and one of the most successful wetland restorations of its kind in US history, the 8,000-acre Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area.

Indiana Legends: Madam C.J. Walker - Two Dollars and a Dream is a story of the first woman in history to start with nothing and earn her own million-dollar fortune. This pioneering businesswoman is an inspiring illustration of a rags-to-riches existence.

Built in 1835 close to the "Indiana College" building in Bloomington, Wylie House was the home of Indiana University's first president, Andrew Wylie, and his family. Today Wylie House is owned and operated by Indiana University as an historic house-museum. The program reveals how the museum has pursued its mission to preserve and study the house, and its place in local history.

More than ever before, kids across the U.S. are learning about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) inside the classrooms: both public and private. What has been overlooked is Green STEM--the study of natural resource conservation that is found right outside everyone’s doorstep. Mother Nature and her landscapes are part of this story but conservation plus kids is unrealized.

Horsepower: Indiana’s Equine Industry reveals Indiana’s rich history with horses and horse racing. A stalwart in Indiana, Standardbred racing dates back to the mid-1800s, with events occurring at many county fairs across the state. In exploring this tradition, the program looks into the Hoosier experiences which have produced some of the most famous and celebrated horses in history.

Bloomington: Remember When examines the city of Bloomington, Indiana - and its array of people, places, and interesting features – and the countless changes it has endured through the decades. Through interviews, archival photos, and videography, the program features places, locations, and customs of note in Bloomington that have survived, as well as those of a bygone era.