Musical specials featuring Celtic Thunder, John Denver and some of Motown’s biggest stars as well as season finales of two fan-favorite British programs highlight KET’s TeleFund 2015, taking place Saturday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, March 15.

This year, viewers can expect an exciting blend of programming celebrating legends of music, performing arts, fitness and lifestyle programming and much more. TeleFund provides an opportunity for viewers to support KET’s mission to provide quality, trusted programs that educate, inspire and entertain.

Those who donate during TeleFund will have the chance to receive tickets to a wide range of concerts and experiences, including Celtic Thunder’s concert in Danville at Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts on March 31; KET’s Fabby Abbey Ball at Spindletop Hall in Lexington on Saturday, May 30; and the Fourth Annual Kentucky Collectibles appraisal fair, to be held at Louisville’s Frazier History Museum on Saturday, April 25. Donors may also choose from an array of other exclusive thank-you gifts and benefits.

Programming highlights include:

 

MUSICAL SPECIALS

• Motown 25

Not seen on television in more than 20 years, this concert celebrates the 25th anniversary of Motown, with reunions of superstars Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Jackson 5, The Temptations, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves and more. Legendary comedian Richard Pryor hosts.

KET: Saturday, Feb. 28 at 8/7 pm

KET2: Monday, March 2 at 9/8 pm

 

• 50s and 60s Party Songs

Featuring Chubby Checker performing “The Twist,” along with other hits, this show is sure to make viewers want to get up and dance. Party tunes from rock pioneers Bill Haley, Little Richard, The Kingsmen, Tommy James and The Shondells and more are also showcased.

KET2: Saturday, Feb. 28 at 8:30/7:30 pm

KET: Monday, March 9 at 8/7 pm

 

• Celtic Thunder Voyage

In this concert featuring worldwide touring sensation Celtic Thunder, the performers showcase their powerhouse vocals in traditional Irish and Celtic standards as well as modern favorites.

KET2: Sunday, March 1 at 2/1 pm

KET: Monday, March 2 at 8/7 pm

 

• John Denver: Country Boy

In this new documentary, the private life and public legacy of singer/songwriter John Denver is explored through archival footage and interviews with friends and family members who knew him best.

KET: Sunday, March 1 at 6/5 pm

KET2: Tuesday, March 3 at 9:30/8:30 pm

 

BRITISH FAN-FAVORITES

• Doc Martin’s Portwenn

Shot on location in Port Isaac, England, the program is a new, behind-the-scenes look at the hit series Doc Martin. It features interviews with cast members, a look at the town known as Portwenn and a unique guided tour of the sets with the producer of the series.

KET: Thursday, March 5 at 9/8 pm

KET2: Friday, March 6 at 8/7 pm

 

• The Great British Baking Show Season Finale

In the much-anticipated finale, the three finalists must master a classic pastry technique – which normally takes a day – in only three hours. And, in the Showstopper challenge, they must deliver the perfect blend of sponge, caramel, choux pastry, and petit four – or risk defeat.

KET: Sunday, March 1 at 7:30/6:30 pm

 

• Downton Abbey Season 5 Finale

In the riveting, two-hour-long season 5 finale, the Crawleys go to a shooting party at a castle in Northumberland and return to Downton for a joyful Christmas holiday.

KET: Sunday, March 1 at 9/8 pm

 

LIFESTYLE PROGRAMMING

• Suze Orman’s Financial Solutions For You

Suze Orman provides advice to help viewers find financial security, by helping them understand the real “goal of money” in their lives.

KET: Sunday, March 1 at 1 pm/noon

KET2: Sunday, March 1 at 9/8 pm

 

• Easy Yoga for Arthritis with Peggy Cappy

Host Peggy Cappy shares exercise designed to address joints that have stiffened with age or become less mobile from injury or inactivity.

KET: Saturday, Feb. 28 at 10/9 am

KET2: Tuesday, March 3 at 7/6 pm

 

• Ed Slott’s Retirement Roadmap

Ed Slott helps viewers navigate the potholes, detours and road blocks to a prosperous, fun and worry-free retirement.

KET: Saturday, Feb. 28 at 12:30 pm/11:30 am

KET2: Sunday, March 1 at 8:30/7:30 am

 

TRAVEL

• Rick Steves’ Europe: Remote, Sacred, Wild

This program finds Rick canoeing through the tiny canals of a Dutch nature preserve, hiking in Northern England’s pristine Lake District, exploring Italy’s most remote and romantic stretch of Riviera, and marveling at exquisite Medieval art in the sister cities of Ravenna and Chartres. In the Muslim and Arab half of the Holy Land, Rick ventures through the Judean Desert, visits a remote monastery and bobs in the Dead Sea.

KET2: Wednesday, March 11 at 9/8 am

 

• Rick Steves’ Dynamic Europe: Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin

In this latest special, travel expert Rick Steves tours three of Europe’s most energetic capitals – Amsterdam, Prague and Berlin. In each city, Steves shares valuable insights on art, culture and history along with practical travel advice.

KET2: Sunday, March 1 at 9/8 am

KET: Saturday, March 7 at 2/1 pm

 

“KET serves all Kentuckians with engaging, high-quality and diverse educational programming and services,” said Shae Hopkins, KET’s executive director and CEO. “We thank the more than 36,000 KET members who help make this possible through their support of KET.”

During TeleFund, viewers may donate by calling 1-800-866-0366 or visiting KET.org/donate. Donations allow KET to continue to deliver programming that provides insights, discoveries, culture, excitement and entertainment to communities throughout Kentucky – as well as provide a safe haven for the Commonwealth’s youngest citizens through award-winning PBS children’s programming.

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, serving more than one million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization on Twitter @KET and facebook.com/KET and at KET.org.

Contact:

Todd Piccirilli
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
859-258-7242
tpiccirilli@ket.org