GRANNIES ON SAFARI(R) Returns for a Second Season on Public Television Stations Nationwide

GRANNIES ON SAFARI(R) Returns for a Second Season on Public Television Stations Nationwide

National Broadcast premiere, Saturday, May 3, 2008 (check local listings)

CHICAGO, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Best friends and co-hosts Pat Johnson and Regina Fraser return for a second season of the award-winning Grannies on Safari to recount their continued exploration to diverse locales that dazzle the senses and intrigue the mind. Having scoured the world to explore fascinating destinations, Pat and Regina share their experience of making new cultural connections and visiting notable, historical sites. Grannies on Safari will be distributed to public television stations nationwide by American Public Television. The national broadcast premiere is Saturday, May 3, 2008. (check local listings)

In the premiere episode of Grannies on Safari, Pat and Regina motor from Chicago to Ottawa, Canada where they visit Parliament Hill to witness the changing of the guards, experience the Cordon Bleu Cooking School and perform a ceremonial dance with some original Aboriginal (Native) Americans.

Produced in high definition, the second season of GRANNIES ON SAFARI features seven, new, 30-minute episodes that highlight the dynamic duo's love for travel as they visit a 19th century pioneer community in Canada; wander through palaces in Poland; cruise the Caribbean; admire new architectural landscapes in Buenos Aires; visit Montevideo in Uruguay, the City of the Drums; venture through colorful ethnic neighborhoods in Toronto and explore San Juan, Puerto Rico. Each episode features Pat and Regina in lively conversations with locals as they visit unique sites and unveil cultural treasures.

   Destinations include:    Ottawa - Canada's Best Kept Secret  

In the season premiere, the Grannies visit historic Parliament Hill and marvel at the splendor of the changing of the guard, taste prize-winning barbeque, visit a one-of-its-kind Aboriginal display, tour the sprawling grounds of Rideau Hall, home of the Governor General, and take an evening boat ride along the pristine Ottawa River.

Poland - Warsaw and Krakow: Sophisticated Sister Cities

Join the Grannies as they travel to Poland and seek hidden treasures and historical markers in the heart of Warsaw and Krakow. Significant and beautiful churches, old castles, interesting shops, and, of course, good food are all there. They also include a darker part of Poland's history as they pay a special visit to two concentration camps: Auschwitz and Birkenau.

Cruising the Caribbean

In this episode, the Grannies decide to so something different -- take a cruise -- and cruise in a big way, on a "really" big ship to the Caribbean. With stops at glamorous islands including Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, and Antigua, they visit local artists and craftsmen, visit a sugar plantation, see the monkeys on Barbados, and walk the same paths as pirates.

Buenos Aires: European Charm with a Latin Beat

On this trip to Buenos Aires, the Grannies visit with a noted silversmith who makes authentic Gaucho artifacts, take a stroll in the famous rose gardens in one of the most beautiful parks in the city, and foray into local markets. Journey with the Grannies on a Busquebus (a fast boat/ferry) to Colonia, Uruguay and walk along the "Street of Sighs" where former African slaves were quarantined before being sent to Brazil and other parts of South America.

Montevideo - Uruguay's City of the Drums

Traveling to Montevideo, Uruguay's capital city, the Grannies visit one of the oldest opera houses in Latin America, enjoy the lively and pulsating rhythms of drums and meet with the active Afro-Uruguayan community to learn about the art of drum making. The Grannies also meet with an art curator and writer, visit the Carnival Museum, and a premier winery.

Toronto - A Cultural and Ethnic Mix

In Toronto the Grannies visit Chinatown, Cabbage Town and Caribbean Town -- to name just a few. At the Gardiner Museum they try their hand at "throwing pots" and visit the one-of-a-kind Bata Shoe Museum where more than 12,000 shoes are housed. Learn the art of making Chinese dumplings, dragon lanterns, and then watch the Grannies share their skills on "Caribana" costume-making.

San Juan - Bienvenidos, Paradise

The Grannies venture into San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they visit small hamlets, villages, and winding roads that crisscross the island. Visit El Morro, a large Spanish fort, walk through Old Town with flower draped balconies and experience the integration of the many cultures found on this island through its music -- "salsa!"

Grannies on Safari is produced by The Art Explorers, Inc. in association with Brave New Pictures, Inc., comprised of director, DP, and videographer Dave Monk and producer, writer and editor Kathy Monk. Since 1988, the Monks have produced narrative, documentary, educational, fundraising, and promotional videotapes for a wide range of clients. Their work has appeared on The Discovery Channel, NBC Nightly News, MTV, A&E Network, ESPN, PBS, CBS and at EPCOT Center in Walt Disney World. Original incidental music for the series is by Allen Phillips, with the theme song composed by trumpeter Orbert Davis. For more information on this series, visit http://www.granniesonsafari.com/.

About American Public Television (APT)

With more than 10,000 hours of programming in its library, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation's public television stations for 47 years, distributing more than 300 new program titles per year. For more information about APT's programs and services, visit APTonline.org.

About WTTW National Productions

WTTW National Productions is a premier producer and presenter of original, high-quality television programs for both public and commercial television broadcast. WTTW National Productions is a division of Window to the World Communications, Inc., the parent company of WTTW11 Chicago. More information about WTTW National Productions is available at http://www.wttw.com/national.

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Source: Grannies on Safari

CONTACT: Shaunese Teamer of WTTW11, +1-773-509-5441, steamer@wttw.com,
for Grannies on Safari

Web site: http://www.granniesonsafari.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment