Inside PBS Blog

Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it uniquely American traditions, from backyard barbeques to Fourth of July parades. This week, PBS celebrates America in a variety of ways, from honoring the service of military men and women on Memorial Day, to exploring the country’s natural beauty, to showcasing a Broadway musical about an oft-overlooked New York neighborhood.

• On Sunday, the West Lawn of the Capitol building in Washington will be filled with spectators for the 20th annual Memorial Day concert. This year’s event is co-hosted by actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna and will be broadcast live on PBS, as well as on the American Forces Radio and Television network to those serving our country abroad. On the show’s web site, you can read and submit memories of loved ones who died in battle, get information about America’s conflicts, and see clips from previous years’ concerts.

• The latest project from prolific producer Ken Burns is an overarching look at America’s National Park system. The six-episode series, National Parks: America’s Best Idea, won’t premiere until the fall, but PBS will be broadcasting a preview episode next week. Share your vacation photos, memories of National Park adventures, and environmental preservation tips on the show’s Conservation Nation blog.

• It’s been said that the Broadway musical is one of the only purely American art forms, and the new production In the Heights certainly tells an American story. A glimpse into growing up in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, the show explores identity and coming of age with a cast of young, diverse actors, led by the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda. Don’t miss this exclusive broadcast on Great Performances.

Is a Broadway jaunt or a trek through a national park part of your summer agenda? Or is the economy limiting your travel? Share your vacation – or “stay-cation” – plans and ideas for thrifty summer travel below.