Photo:Board Chairman Dick Cook (Dick Cook Studios), Chief Creative Officer Juan Devis (Public Media Group of Southern California) with President and CEO Andrew Russell (Public Media Group of Southern California) at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018 to launch new seasons of SoCal Connected, Lost LA, The Migrant Kitchen, Tending Nature and City Rising. Photo courtesy of KCET.
On Thurs., Oct. 4 from 7-9:30 p.m., KCET and PBS SoCal came together to kick off the Upfront style event called “Find Your Original” with an exclusive screening of KCET Original programming at The Majestic Downtown. Guests were welcomed with opening remarks from Board Chairman Dick Cook (Dick Cook Studios) and President and CEO Andrew Russell (Public Media Group of Southern California) followed by an introduction of the original programming from Public Media Group of Southern California’s Chief Creative Officer Juan Devis.
The event celebrated the launch of new seasons of SOCAL CONNECTED, LOST LA, THE MIGRANT KITCHEN, TENDING NATURE and CITY RISING. Clips of each series were followed by words from those at the helm of the productions including Executive Producer of KCET’s SoCal Connected Karen Foshay, Host of KCET’s Lost LA Nathan Masters, Executive Producer of KCET’s Tending Nature Laura Purdy, EVP of The Autry Museum of the American West Maren Dougherty, Executive Producer of KCET’s The Migrant Kitchen Antonio Diaz and Director/Producer of KCET’s City Rising Kate Trumbull-LaValle.
Evening capped off with a raffle by SOCAL WANDERER Host Rosey Alvero with prizes form leading LA establishments including Los Angeles Ballet, San Antonio Winery, REI, Greenbar Distillery, Patina Group and the Los Angeles Times.
The event began with a red carpet and reception featuring chefs from the upcoming seasons of THE MIGRANT KITCHEN and CITY RISING. Notable attendees included Chef Roy Choi (Kogi, A Frame), Actress Sharon Lawrence (Shameless, Queen Sugar, NYPD Blue), Actor/Filmmaker Raphael Sbarge (Once Upon a Time), Actor Maurice Benard (General Hospital), Actress Brigid Brannagh (Runaways, Army Wives), Actress Susan-Kate Heaney (The Mindy Project, Masters of Sex), Actress Kat Kramer (Meet the Fockers) and more.
Over 350 guests attended including the casts and crews from the series as well as special guests interviewed in the upcoming episodes of the following shows:-
Emmy® award-winning weekly half-hour news documentary series SOCAL CONNECTED debuts long-form episodes focused on a single topic, allowing for a deeper exploration of critical issues.New season kicks off with a look at the tumultuous LA media landscape on Tues., Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. on KCET
LOST LA, a co-production with the University of Southern California Libraries and sponsored by Union Bank, uncovers the dreams that built modern-day Los Angeles through documents, photos and other rare artifacts. The new season unlocks the untold history behind the fantasy of California, from the sunny youthfulness of its beaches to the iconic scenery of Yosemite and premieres Tues., Oct. 9 at 8:30 p.m. on KCET
Emmy®-winning food series THE MIGRANT KITCHEN is produced in partnership with acclaimed culinary publication Life & Thyme. THE MIGRANT KITCHEN explores California’s booming food scene through the eyes of a new generation of chefs whose cuisine is inspired by the immigrant experience. Premieres Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. PT on KCET
TENDING NATURE shines a light on the environmental knowledge of indigenous peoples across California by exploring how Native peoples have actively shaped the land for millennia, in the process developing a deep understanding of plant and animal life. In partnership with The Autry Museum of the American West, the series premieres Nov. 7 at 8:30 p.m. PT on KCET
Last year, CITY RISING explored the history of discriminatory practices and gentrification throughout the state. This year the series looks at California’s informal economies. In partnership with The California Endowment, the multi-platform documentary series will premiere on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. PT on KCET
All shows will also be streaming on YouTube, Roku, Amazon and Apple TV.
KCET is a flagship PBS channel of the newly formed Public Media Group of Southern California.
