On Thurs., Oct. 4 from 7-9:30 p.m., KCET and PBS SoCal came together to kick off the Upfront style event called “Find Your Original” with an exclusive screening of KCET Original programming at The Majestic Downtown. Guests were welcomed with opening remarks from Board Chairman Dick Cook (Dick Cook Studios) and President and CEO Andrew Russell (Public Media Group of Southern California) followed by an introduction of the original programming from Public Media Group of Southern California’s Chief Creative Officer Juan Devis. The event celebrated the launch of new seasons of "SoCal Connected," "Lost LA," "The Migrant Kitchen," "Tending Nature" and "City Rising." Clips of each series were followed by words from those at the helm of the productions including executive producer of KCET’s "SoCal Connected" Karen Foshay, host of KCET’s "Lost LA" Nathan Masters, executive producer of KCET’s "Tending Nature" Laura Purdy, EVP of The Autry Museum of the American West Maren Dougherty, executive producer of KCET’s "The Migrant Kitchen" Antonio Diaz and director/producer of KCET’s "City Rising" Kate Trumbull-LaValle. Evening capped off with a raffle by "SoCal Wanderer" host Rosey Alvero with prizes form leading L.A. establishments including Los Angeles Ballet, San Antonio Winery, REI, Greenbar Distillery, Patina Group and the Los Angeles Times. The event was sponsored by Union Bank, Los Angeles Ballet, dublab and San Antonio Winery.
The event began with a red carpet and reception featuring chefs from the upcoming seasons of "The Migrant Kitchen" and "City Rising." Notable attendees included Chef Roy Choi (Kogi, A Frame), actress Sharon Lawrence ("Shameless," "Queen Sugar," "NYPD Blue"), actor/filmmaker Raphael Sbarge ("Once Upon a Time"), actor Maurice Benard ("General Hospital"), actress Brigid Brannagh ("Runaways," "Army Wives"), actress Susan-Kate Heaney ("The Mindy Project," "Masters of Sex"), actress Kat Kramer ("Meet the Fockers") and more.
Over 350 guests attended including the casts and crews from the series as well as special guests interviewed in the upcoming episodes of the following shows:
- Emmy® award-winning weekly half-hour news documentary series "SoCal Connected" debuts long-form episodes focused on a single topic, allowing for a deeper exploration of critical issues. New season kicks off with a look at the tumultuous L.A. media landscape on Tues., Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. on KCET
- "Lost LA," a co-production with the University of Southern California Libraries and sponsored by Union Bank, uncovers the dreams that built modern-day Los Angeles through documents, photos and other rare artifacts. The new season unlocks the untold history behind the fantasy of California, from the sunny youthfulness of its beaches to the iconic scenery of Yosemite and premieres Tues., Oct. 9 at 8:30 p.m. on KCET
- Emmy®-winning food series "The Migrant Kitchen" is produced in partnership with acclaimed culinary publication Life & Thyme. "The Migrant Kitchen" explores California’s booming food scene through the eyes of a new generation of chefs whose cuisine is inspired by the immigrant experience. Premieres Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. PT on KCET
- "Tending Nature" shines a light on the environmental knowledge of indigenous peoples across California by exploring how Native peoples have actively shaped the land for millennia, in the process developing a deep understanding of plant and animal life. In partnership with The Autry Museum of the American West, the series premieres Nov. 7 at 8:30 p.m. PT on KCET
- Last year, "City Rising" explored the history of discriminatory practices and gentrification throughout the state. This year the series looks at California’s informal economies. In partnership with The California Endowment, the multi-platform documentary series will premiere on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. PT on KCET
All shows will also be streaming on YouTube, Roku, Amazon and Apple TV.
Browse photos from the event below.
1/24 Guest check-in table
2/24 KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018 to launch new seasons of SoCal Connected, Lost LA, The Migrant Kitchen, Tending Nature and City Rising | Orange County Event Photography
3/24 Board Chairman Dick Cook, Chief Creative Officer Juan Devis, President and CEO Andrew Russell (Public Media Group of Southern California)
4/24 Chef Roy Choi at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018 to launch new seasons of SoCal Connected, Lost LA, The Migrant Kitchen, Tending Nature and City Rising | Los Angeles Event Photography
5/24 Guests enjoy the reception at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018 to launch new seasons of SoCal Connected, Lost LA, The Migrant Kitchen, Tending Nature and City Rising | Los Angeles Event Photograph
6/24 Dr. Jenney Hall and actress Sharon Lawrence enjoy fresh sashimi from Seiichi Yokota of Yokose Seafood at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown | Los Angeles Event Photography
7/24 Actress Brigid Brannagh, Tracey Mercer and Nicole Daddio at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018 to launch new seasons of SoCal Connected, Lost LA, The Migrant Kitchen, Tending Nature and City Rising
8/24 Actor Raphael Sbarge at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018 to launch new seasons of SoCal Connected, Lost LA, The Migrant Kitchen, Tending Nature and City Rising
9/24 Host of KCET’s LOST LA Nathan Masters at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018 to launch new seasons of SoCal Connected, Lost LA, The Migrant Kitchen, Tending Nature and City Rising
10/24 Producers of KCET's SoCal Connected enjoy the reception at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
11/24 Crew of SoCal Connected at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
12/24 Tending Nature Producer/Director Corbett Jones, KCET Director of Production Matthew Crotty and Tending Nature Producer/Director Anna Rau at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
13/24 City Rising's Joanna Sokolowski and Kate Trumbull-LaValle joined by a friend on the carpet at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
14/24 The Autry's Maren Dougherty, Josh Garrett-Davis, Karimah Richardson and Laura Purdy at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
15/24 BLVD Kitchen at KCET’s Upfront event called "Find Your Original" at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
16/24 KCET Content and Development Producer Henry Cram enjoys the reception at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
17/24 USC Libraries' Tyson Gaskill, LA as Subject's Jessica Hough, Kseniya Melnik and Host of KCET’s LOST LA Nathan Masters at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
18/24 Compass Group at KCET’s Upfront event called "Find Your Original" at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
19/24 Guests enjoy light bites during the reception at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
20/24 Guests sit for sneak peek screenings at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
21/24 KCET Executive Director of News/ Executive Producer of SoCal Connected Karen Foshay introduces screener for season 9 of SoCal Connected
22/24 KCET Chief Creative Officer Juan Devis addresses the audience at KCET’s Upfront event
23/24 Host of SoCal Wanderer Rosey Alvero announces raffle winners at the end of the program at KCET’s Upfront event called ”Find Your Original” at The Majestic Downtown on October 4, 2018
24/24 Guest Stephanie Nieves enjoys a clip from season 9 of KCET's SoCal Connected
