NOVA

Sometimes, survival makes for an astonishing story.  Living creatures have an incredible way of overcoming obstacles, even when the world around them  presents constant challenges.  This week on PBS, meet a mysterious Turkish family that makes scientists question the evolutionary timetable.   Visit a New York City hair salon busy with customers and workers making ends meet in tough economic times and catch up with an old friend that has grown from tiny foal to powerful leader of his wild band.more

It’s time to celebrate on PBS this week.  In three new shows, we honor the origins of a vivacious and emotional genre of music, rejoice in the power of art on one couple’s life and mark the repair of a telescope that has built the dreams of American kids for generations. 

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• Move to the beat with Latin Music U.S.A. on Monday, October 12^th (check local listings).  The four part series explores the origins of Latin music and its influences on American music and culture.  The documentary covers a range of musical genres, including Chicano Rock, Mambo, and Tejano and includes performances from Juanes, Los Lobos, Daddy Yankee and more.  Join the discussion about the show and tune in for a live chat with historian and musician Bobby Sanabria. Watch a preview:

Hollywood has been glamorizing the work of spies and detectives for decades. This week, get a look at real-life intrigue and investigations, from the animal kingdom to outer space.

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Whether it’s reaching the top of the acropolis or the heights of royalty, this week PBS highlights things at the top --  or falling from it.

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As human civilization has evolved, so have its weapons - from arrowheads carved from stone, to nuclear missiles and biowarfare. This week PBS provides insight into the art, history, and effects of weaponry throughout the ages.

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Music has a profound effect on the human brain. Dr. Oliver Sacks, an acclaimed neurologist and author, has witnessed the therapeutic effects of music first-hand in his treatment of patients with a range of debilitating medical conditions. His findings are featured in tonight’s episode of NOVA, called “Musical Minds,” which asks: What can music tell us about our minds? And what can our minds tell us about music?more

PBS always encourages you to “be more,” and this week, we explore who we’ve become, highlighting the science of humanity itself both in our broadcasts and on the Web.more

Learn about a unique social experiment in America, jam to rocking guitar beats, investigate aliens on Earth and then watch it all again online next week on PBS.

Americans have a long history of challenging social norms. One little-known example: During the hard economic times and immigration boom of the 1920s and 30s, a small group of Jewish garment workers in the Bronx called the United Workers' Cooperative Colony home. At Home in Utopia, the next film airing as part of indie film series, Independent Lens explores this experiment in communism and racial equality.more