JOHNSTON, IOWA (February 11, 2021) — Tour some of the iconic structures in Cedar Rapids, experience concerts from Carole King, James Taylor, and Tina Turner and meet a group of metalsmithing artisans in Arkansas during Festival 2021. Taking place February 20-21 and February 27-March 14, this year's event is packed with local productions, music events, history specials, and more.
During the pledge drive, viewers will have the opportunity to support the programming and services they enjoy all year long, ensuring that Iowa PBS continues to educate, inform, enrich, and inspire Iowans across the state.
Festival programming airs on Iowa PBS .1, Iowa PBS WORLD .3 and Iowa PBS Create .4. New programs airing on Iowa PBS .1 are listed below.
Local
* Gardening with Steil 2, Saturday, February 20, 2PM — Aaron Steil and Cindy Haynes explore vegetable and shade gardens, morel mushroom-hunting, fairy gardens, and the Plant a Row for the Hungry program.
* Greetings from Iowa Special, Thursday, March 4, 7:30PM — With segments from the popular digital series' third and fourth seasons, this special offers another journey around the state exploring the colorful people, places, and stories that make Iowa great.
* Historic Buildings of Iowa: Cedar Rapids, Tuesday, March 2, 6:30PM — Explore the architecture, culture, and history of the Paramount Theatre, Veterans Memorial Building, and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, along with the Grant Wood Studio, Brucemore Mansion, and the National Czech and Slovak Museum.
Arts and Entertainment
* ABBA Forever — A Celebration, Sunday, February 21, 9:30PM — Celebrate the supergroup with Neil Sedaka, Donny Osmond, Tim Rice, and the band members themselves.
* Carol King and James Taylor at the Troubadour, Monday, March 1, 8:30PM — In 2007, 36 years after they first performed together at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, Carole King and James Taylor reunited to celebrate the venue's 50th anniversary.
* Dolly Parton and Friends: 50 Years at the Opry, Sunday, February 28, 8PM — A celebration of the country-music legend's 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, this special captures Dolly Parton delivering some of her biggest hits on one of the most iconic stages in the world.* It's What's Happening, Baby!, Saturday, March 13, 7PM — Famed New York disc jockey Murray the K hosted this legendary concert broadcast live in 1965 from the renowned Brooklyn Fox Theatre. Featured performers include Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, The Righteous Brothers, The Supremes, The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, and many others.
* Joe Bonamassa: Live from the Ryman, Friday, March 5, 10:30PM — The blues-rock guitarist and songwriter performs from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
* The Lennon Sisters: Same Song, Separate Voices, Saturday, March 13, 5:30PM — Join television's greatest sister act for a joyful and exuberant song-filled career retrospective.
* Tina Turner: One Last Time, Saturday, March 6, 8:30PM — Join one of the best-selling recording artists of all time for her unforgettable concert filmed at London's Wembley Stadium in 2000.
* Tower of Power: 50 Years of Funk, Saturday, March 6, 10PM — Groove to the signature sounds of the iconic soul-funk-R&B band, still playing to "Souled Out" crowds as they tour the world.
General
* The Colorado, Wednesday, March 10, 6:30PM — From the earliest settlements in the region to the impact of climate-change today, this documentary tells the stories of European and Anglo-American explorations in the 18th and 19th centuries, the dam-building era and its consequences, agriculture and immigration, and the fate of the river's delta in Mexico.
* Nancy Zieman: Extraordinary Grace, Saturday, February 20, 3:30PM — For 35 years, viewers tuned in for her calm approach to sewing delivered in a friendly manner. This special tells the life story of Nancy Zieman's humble beginnings to become a beloved television host.
* Urban Forge: Ozark Artistry, Wednesday, March 3 at 8 p.m. - In Arkansas, a talented group of artisans keep the time-honored tradition of metalsmithing alive through their work at Urban Forge. This special follows their work and highlights the craftsmanship it takes to produce these functional works of art.
Lifestyle
* Eat Your Medicine: The Pegan Diet with Mark Hyman MD, Sunday, March 7, 8AM — Dr Mark Hyman explains how food is the most powerful medicine available to heal chronic disease.
* The Energy Paradox with Steven Gundry MD, Saturday, March 6, 6:30AM — Dr Steven Gundry discusses exhaustion and shares steps we can take to reclaim our youthful energy.
* Joyful Pain-Free Living with Lee Albert, Saturday, February 27, 6:30am — As a neuromuscular therapist, meditation teacher, and yoga instructor, Lee Albert addresses three systems of the body that contribute to pain, stress, and premature aging.
* Overcoming Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and Grief with Daniel Amen MD and Tana Amen, Saturday, February 27, 12PM — Dr Daniel Amen discusses ways to help you feel happier and more in control of your own emotions.
* The Transformational Power of Yoga, Sunday, February 28, 6AM — Desiree Rumbaugh shares how simple yoga and meditation practices can strengthen, protect, and heal.
In addition to its statewide broadcast, Iowa PBS .1 is available to livestream on iowapbs.org/watch, pbs.org/livestream, the PBS Video App, and YouTube TV. Iowa PBS programs, behind-the-scenes extras, and more can be enjoyed on iowapbs.org, Facebook, and YouTube. Viewers can also stream their favorite shows on demand using the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android, and many streaming devices.
Learn more at iowapbs.org/festival.
Published schedules are always subject to last-minute changes. For the latest schedule updates, visit iowapbs.org.
Iowa PBS is formerly known as Iowa Public Television. New name. Same essential mission.
As Iowa's only statewide television network, Iowa PBS's mission to educate, inform, enrich, and inspire Iowans guides its quality, non-commercial programming that tells Iowa's stories like no one else can. Four statewide, public channels offer programs of lasting value to Iowans, regardless of where they live or what they can afford: Iowa PBS .1, Iowa PBS KIDS .2, Iowa PBS WORLD .3 and Iowa PBS Create .4 on Channel 11, Des Moines; Channel 12, Iowa City; Channel 21, Fort Dodge; Channel 24, Mason City; Channel 27, Sioux City; Channel 32, Waterloo; Channel 32, Council Bluffs; Channel 36, Davenport; and Channel 36, Red Oak. More information can be found at iowapbs.org.
