WCCA August 2022 newsletter

This Month at WCCA TV, The People's Channel

Hello friends! Hope this finds you well!!

The Third Annual Central Mass Jazz Fest (CMJF) will be a five day celebration from Tuesday, September 20, through Saturday, September 24, 2022. A five-day-performance schedule will create a signature event for Worcester. The 2022 event will include local, regional and world renowned artists with performances in four downtown venues as well as educational activities.

Performance Dates and Venues:

Tuesday, September 20th, at Mercantile featuring Pamela Hines, whose performances have been compared to those of Miles Davis. Also featured will be trumpeter, composer and teacher, Bill Fanning, who performs concerts and conducts clinics both in the U.S. and internationally as a member of the Jeff Coffin Mu'tet.

Wednesday, September 21st, at the Worcester Beer Garden, will be The Russo Brothers Quintet who were voted the #1 Jazz group in a Worcester Magazine poll. The quintet performs a soulful blend of jazz styles that include Swing Latin and Funk.

Thursday, September 22nd, in collaboration with Cinema-Worcester, there will be an educational opportunity for jazz fans with a documentary film on the life of the legendary Jaki Byard, in Preservation Worcester's Park View Room.

Friday, September 23rd, in a combined effort with Clark University and their Geller Jazz Concert series, Razzo Hall will be the site of our fourth day of CMJF performances featuring world renowned artists.

Saturday, September 24th, will feature five acts, including the Worcester Youth Jazz Orchestra directed by Dan Gable, and Greg Abate, who enjoyed 26 weeks with the #1 CD on the National JazzRadio Chart and is performing 225 days around the globe. Other performers scheduled are vocalist Donna Byrne and The Cameron Campbell Trio.

Please note that performance venues might be subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. Stay tuned for updates.

As all performances will be presented free of charge, sponsorship support is essential to a successful Festival. There are several opportunities for CMJF sponsors and all of them will receive widespread exposure, as we promote heavily in Worcester and Boston print media, posters and other promotional print pieces, social media, local radio and television spots. To be a CMJF sponsor, please contact Michael Coogan at michael@wccatv.com. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. On Instagram, we are wccatv13. WCCA TV 194 can also be seen on Roku (Worcester TV).

WCCA TV Special Presentations

On July 21, 2022, the Rotary Club of Worcester invited locals and media to Elm Park for the unveiling of a new monument to world peace – a Peace Pole with the phrase "May Peace Prevail On Earth" written in the eight languages most commonly spoken in Worcester county, representing Worcester's diverse immigrant population (Chinese, English, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish and Vietnamese). Exclusively on WCCA TV 194 in Worcester, also seen on Roku (Worcester TV).

WCCA TV interns interview Kelsa L. Zereski, President of Reliant Foundation. Kelsa Zereski brings over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector, in various roles from advisor or Trustee to lead staff member, to the now-independent non-profit Reliant Foundation. She had previously served as director of philanthropy at Reliant Medical Group and clerk of Reliant Foundation for the past 10 years. Today Ms. Zereski is responsible for the operations, community outreach, grant making, and fundraising of Reliant Foundation. In addition, Ms. Zereski is a Trustee of the George F. & Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, a non-profit private Foundation with assets over $50 Million, making annual grants totaling more than $2.7 Million.

WCCA TV Program Notes

  • Welcome to Beacon Hill Chat, a WCCA TV program that features interesting people talking about the interesting things going on in Central Massachusetts. Host of the program State Senator Harriette Chandler welcomes Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Central Mass, Steven Schimmel. They discuss concerns of the Jewish community of rising levels of antisemitism, political polarization, and rising criticism of American/Israeli policy in the Middle East, especially in regards to the Palestinian people. In another episode, Senator Chandler welcomes Acting City Manager of Worcester, Eric Batista. They discuss the issues an expanding Worcester is facing – from a lack of affordable housing to addressing food insecurity to meet the needs of the growing immigrant population.
  • Tune in to new episodes of WCCA TV's The Mayor's Forum hosted by Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty. This program features local guests to discuss a wide range of topics that impact residents of Worcester and Central Massachusetts. The Mayor welcomes the newly-appointed Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools, Rachel Monárrez. Monárrez officially took over as superintendent of Worcester Public Schools on July 1, 2022. She came to Worcester after serving as the deputy superintendent of the San Bernardino City Unified School District and spending nearly two decades as a classroom teacher and instructional leader in Southern California. In April, the School Committee selected Monárrez to take over for Maureen Binienda. Her goal is to create a culture of listening, learning and communicating throughout the district. In another episode, the Mayor chats with Acting City Manager, Eric Batista, about his new role and his vision for the city of Worcester.
  • Welcome to Activate Worcester, a WCCA TV program hosted and produced by community activists Ron Motta and Chris Pinto. 'Activate Worcester' has been established to educate viewers and provide knowledge on how to participate and become active in Worcester and beyond. Ron and Chris discuss the Abortion Law change, and Rights under the Second Amendment.
  • What It's Worth is a WCCA TV program definitely worth watching! Host Tommy Colletta interviews David Fontaine, Candidate for Worcester County Sheriff. Exclusively on WCCA TV 194 in Worcester!
  • Time for a coffee break and a new episode of Coffee with Konnie, hosted by former Worcester Mayor Konnie Lukes. Konnie has coffee with Roberta Schaefer, Ph.D., the founding Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau. She talks about her 30-year history providing information and expertise on public policy in Central Massachusetts, and the developments in Worcester that the Research Bureau has helped succeed and made possible.
  • Connecting the Dots is a WCCA TV non-traditional legal program hosted by attorney Liz Myska. Liz welcomes Ed Bemis to talk about Bemis Farms Nurseries and their decorative floral arrangements throughout the outdoor areas of Worcester.
  • This is Worcester is a WCCA TV program hosted by community activist Bill Coleman. In this episode, Bill talks about what make Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard such attractive summer destinations, and some of the things to do and see when there. He also talk about the different ways Worcester residents spend their summer vacation.
  • WCCA TV's independent, eclectic music-video show, Video Jam, with host Tracy Foley, has been presenting mainstream and indie-rock music for more than 15 years. This new episode features music from Josie Cotton, LNDN, Stacy Gabel, IZ.M.B., Tre Samuels, Sofi Tukker, Cloe Wilder, and Lauv. Tune in on Fridays at 9 PM and Saturdays at 7 PM to WCCA TV, Channel 194 in Worcester MA. Keep on jammin'!!
  • Senior Speak is a WCCA TV program for seniors and by seniors, hosted by community activist Edith Morgan. Edith welcomes President of the Green Hill Park Coalition, Brian McCarthy. He talks about the park's recent history and ongoing projects with Worcester Technical High School to chemically purify the man-made pond, protect and promote local ecology, and improve and maintain surrounding hiking trails. In another episode, Edith interviews the Executive Director of the Greater Worcester Land Trust, Colin Novick, about the state of municipal public parks in Worcester. They discuss the successes and difficulties involved in keeping the land vibrant, free from pollution, while expanding accessibility and recreational opportunities for the public. Senior Speak airs on WCCA TV, Cable Channel 194 in Worcester, on Tuesdays at 12:30 PM and Wednesdays at 12 PM.

About WCCA TV

Worcester Community Cable Access is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation administering public access cable television for Worcester, Massachusetts. Our mission is:

  • To advance democratic ideals by ensuring the people have access to electronic media
  • To provide a platform for first amendment rights and for artistic and cultural expression
  • To promote co-operative relations with those who serve the public interest
  • To promote communication through community use of media

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