Top Picks: The National Memorial Day Concert on PBS, CNN's series 'The Sixties,' and more
Memorial Day tradition
This year marks the 25th anniversary of 鈥檚 live broadcast of the National Memorial Day Concert from the West Lawn of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. A 鈥渟tar-studded lineup,鈥� including the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jack Everly, honors military service members. It airs May 25 at 8 p.m. EDT.聽 聽
Food and war
War Fare: From the Homefront to the Frontlines is an online exhibit by the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Mo., featuring the food of wartime. Did you know that 鈥淢eatless Monday鈥� and 鈥淲heatless Wednesday鈥� have their origins in the rationing restrictions of World War I? Prepare for an enticing history lesson, complete with an online copy of a US government-issued 1918 cookbook, 鈥淲in the War in the Kitchen.鈥� Go to .
Sideman in the spotlight
may play guitar in Bruce Springsteen鈥檚 band, but he also explores musical avenues beyond E Street. Face the Music chronicles Lofgren鈥檚 career, from the bonhomie classic rock of his 1970s band Grin to his outstanding 2011 album 鈥淥ld School.鈥� (New to Lofgren? Try those albums on iTunes or Spotify.) The box set includes out-of-print rarities, 40 unreleased tracks, and appearances by Neil Young (鈥淜eith Don鈥檛 Go鈥�) and Springsteen (鈥淰alentine鈥�).聽
In the trenches
鈥檚 three-part The World Wars is deftly engaging, opening with a young Adolf Hitler in the trenches of World War I,聽 then spinning round the globe to another youngster, George Patton, making his name in the US fight against Pancho Villa. Then it鈥檚 off to London to watch a very green Winston Churchill start his career by coming up with one of Britain鈥檚 all-time egregious blunders: Gallipoli. The reenactments are interspersed with interviews with Sen. John McCain, Gen. Colin Powell, former British Prime Minister John Major, and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monte. It begins May 26 at 9 p.m.
Reliving the past
takes us back half a century to the 1960s in its 10-part series about that iconic decade. The Sixties kicks off with 鈥淭elevision Comes of Age鈥� then walks through such definitive events as J.F.K.鈥檚 assassination, Selma and the March on Washington, the space race, the Beatles, and much more. Tom Hanks, the series鈥� executive producer, is also one of many celebrities who reflect on the era鈥檚 lasting influence. The series launches May 29.
Big is beautiful
Think ballet is only for the skinny ballerina? Tune into Big Ballet on to see how a cadre of those who always dreamed of being in the ballet work to make their dreams come true, despite being an 鈥渦ntraditional size.鈥� The three-part series follows 18 aspirants, culminating in a performance of 鈥淪wan Lake.鈥� This reality series proves the spirit does not need a perfect body to dance. It debuts May 28.
