Coming in March: Explore history with Ken Burns, Henry Louis Gates Jr. and more

From antiques to the Arizona landscape to all things Ken Burns and honoring Henry Louis Gates Jr., Arizona PBS takes a wide-ranging exploration of history and geography throughout early March.

Saturday, March 2

“Desert Dreams: Celebrating Five Seasons in the Sun” (9:30 p.m.)
The Sonoran Desert is alive with beauty, and this stunning film captures the changes over the seasons with views of its remarkable plants and animals. Desert Dreams showcases 182 species of plants and animals in a first-of-its-kind presentation of the Sonoran Desert as it changes over the course of a calendar year. The program blends HD video footage and time-lapse imagery captured over four years, with stills from the filmmaker’s photographic archive compiled over three decades to chronicle five seasons: Dry Summer, Wet Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. The supporting soundtrack combines natural sounds with a kaleidoscope of flute and percussion vignettes performed by world-class musician Gary Stroutsos, featuring 29 musical instruments with to create a pictorial and musical tapestry without narration or people. Get the “Desert Dreams” combo.

Sunday, March 3

“Ken Burns: The National Parks” (5:30 p.m. with a replay Tuesday, March 5, at 8:30 p.m.) — New
Explore the beauty and grandeur of our nation’s magnificent parks, from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon. Filmmakers Burns and Dayton Duncan vividly reveal fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the series.

Monday, March 4

“Antiques Roadshow – Miami Beach, Hour Three” (7 p.m.)
Roadshow is coming to the Phoenix Botanical Garden on April 16. There’s one final way you can still secure a spot to see all the historical artifacts and collectibles up close: watch Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m. for your last chance to attend. Learn more here.

Friday, March 8

“Beyond the Rim: The Next 100 Years of the Grand Canyon” (10 p.m.)
Take a look at some of the changes facing Grand Canyon National Park as it enters its second century. We explore the vital role volunteers play in the daily operations at the park, how Native American voices are becoming more integrated, how the tourist experience is changing and what’s being done to shore up natural resources like the Colorado River and native plant and animals. An Arizona PBS production made possible by William and Susan Ahearn. Own the “Grand Canyon Serenade” package.

Saturday, March 9

“Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks” (5 p.m.)
In 1971, Penny Patterson began teaching sign language to a gorilla named Koko, unaware that this relationship would define both their lives. More than 40 years later, the now-famous Koko continues to redraw the line between people and animals. Koko died in June 2018 at the age of 46. Own the DVD, keepsake and book.

Monday, March 11

“A Conversation with Ken Burns” (7 p.m. with a replay at 10 p.m.) — New
Go behind the scenes with the acclaimed documentary filmmaker in this career retrospective. A comprehensive interview with the historian and storyteller whose works include The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The National Parks and The Vietnam War. Own the “Conversation with Ken Burns” DVD and Ken’s 7-disc documentary on the Roosevelts.

Tuesday, March 12

“Henry Louis Gates Jr. – Uncovering America” (7 p.m. with a replay at 10 p.m.) — New
Courtney B. Vance hosts this celebration of the renowned, respected and popular historian, author, filmmaker and “Finding Your Roots” host. Features appearances by distinguished guests seen in Gates’ work, including Jodie Foster, Ken Burns, Jelani Cobb and LL Cool J. Own “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross” 2-DVD set, “Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise” 2-DVD set, “Africa’s Great Civilizations” 2-DVD set, “The African Americans” paperback book, plus “Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise” book.

Saturday, March 16

“A Conversation with Ken Burns” (10 a.m.) 
Go behind the scenes with the acclaimed documentary filmmaker in this career retrospective. A comprehensive interview with the historian and storyteller whose works include The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The National Parks and The Vietnam War. Own the “Conversation with Ken Burns” DVD and Ken’s 7-disc documentary on the Roosevelts.

“Antiques Roadshow – Miami Beach, Hour Three” (7 p.m.)
Roadshow is coming to the Phoenix Botanical Garden on April 16. There’s one final way you can still secure a spot to have your antiques evaluated by “Antiques Roadshow” experts. Learn more here.