PHC Happenings:December Reception at the Philadelphia Art Alliance

(l-r): Humanities Live speakers Moylan Mills, Richard Rosen, Tania Isaac and Jeanne Murray Walker, PHC Assistant Director Laurie Zierer, PHC Executive Director Joseph J. Kelly and WHYY's Executive Director of Arts and Culture Service Kenneth Finkel.

The Pennsylvania Humanities Council announced its leap forward into digital television production at the December 6, 2006 reception at the Philadelphia Art Alliance. Area arts and culture leaders, funders, friends and government officials were invited to celebrate the beginning of Humanities Live, the PHC's new program partnership with WHYY-TV.

Representatives from both organizations, including the PHC's Chair Randall Miller, Executive Director Joseph J. Kelly and Assistant Director Laurie Zierer, as well as WHYY's President and CEO Bill Marrazzo, spoke about the program's inception and future.

Hosted by WHYY's Tracey Matisak, and filmed in front of a live participatory studio audience, Humanities Live brings the PHC's diverse and high-quality Commonwealth Speakers programs to a wider audience than ever before. Beginning in January, and continuing every other month through 2007, six programs will be taped at WHYY's Civic Space in Philadelphia, and will be broadcast on WHYY's Y Arts digital channel (Comcast 241).

"Humanities Live is an exciting way to showcase the gifted individuals we are blessed to have in our region and state—people ready to share their lives of learning through dance, poetry, film, sports, music and drama. Through Humanities Live, a broader public will discover, or rediscover, the pleasures of humanities learning," said Joe Kelly.

Following the announcement, guests conversed about the Humanities Live program and the opportunities it promises to the greater Philadelphia region. Jazz pianist Farid Barron provided the evening's musical entertainment, courtesy of The Clef Club.

To reserve your free seat for any of the six tapings, visit www.whyy.org. Tapings will run from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.