KVLU produces new documentary series, ‘Bayoulands’
91.3 KVLU Public Radio will produce and air “Bayoulands,” a year-long documentary series exploring the people and places of Orange County, Texas. The program premieres Thursday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m., with a repeat broadcast on Sunday, Jan. 31.
“We are proud to bring this series to the public,” said Jason Miller, KVLU production director. “The stories featured will hopefully present a unique and compelling narrative about this corner of Texas.”
The first episode of “Bayoulands” features an interview with Stephanie Dwyer, the artist who created the 17-feet-tall bottle trees now located in the Children’s Garden at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. Dwyer, who has recently been invited to exhibit at the Smithsonian, discusses her passion for Southern folklore metal art and for making sculptural bottle trees. The episode also focuses on efforts to restore the Cow Bayou Swing Bridge, which was rededicated in August 2015. The Texas Department of Transportation spent $9.5 million on the repair of this bridge, which opened in 1941, and is one of the most historic bridges in Texas.
Topics for future episodes include the preservation of the historic Orange Train Depot, the construction of the Rainbow and Memorial Bridges, Hurricane Ike recovery, various ethnic influences such as the Cajun community, arts and culture features and nature stories such as the annual stocking of the lake at Claiborne Park in Vidor.
The series is made possible by a grant from the H.H. and Edna Houseman Charitable Trust, committed to benefiting the Orange County area, its citizens and charitable organizations, and managed by Capital One Asset & Wealth Management.
Following the premiere, new, hour-long episodes will air every fourth Thursday of the month in 2016 at 6 p.m., with a repeat broadcast the following Sunday at 5 p.m.
For more information about this program and to submit program, visit www.lamar.edu/kvlu/index.html.
A non-profit public radio station serving Southeast Texas, KVLU offers a wide selection of commercial-free news, talk and music programs from National Public Radio and American Public Media. We also produce a diverse offering of local programs featuring classical, jazz, alternative, ambient music, documentaries, and more. The station is in its 42nd year of broadcasting and is licensed to and operates from Lamar University.