In 1987 the community-based Cabo Verde Television Productions, Inc. (CVTP) began in Boston, Massachusetts under the direction of Joao Rosario. CVTP produced Kontakt, a 30 to 60 minute television program. It was produced in Pawtucket, Rhode Island between 1987 and 1993. The weekly program was aired on the cable television system in Pawtucket and syndicated to various cable systems and WPRI TV-12 (the ABC Television Network affiliate of southern New England).
Kontakt focuses on the Cape Verdean community in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in a talk show with interviews and performances by politicians, artists, musicians, academics, activists, poets and storytellers. The dominant language is Ciroulo, with some episodes in English and/or Portuguese.
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Kontakt: Storytelling with Len Cabral, Part 1
Joao Rosario and Len Cabral
Storyteller Len Cabral on Kontakt tells the a story about Anansi (spider), and another about Nho Lobo and Tubino. There is a live studio audience of both children and adults. Mr. Cabral is a second generation Cape Verdean who would later be nationally recognized for his storytelling. His stories are collected from his own travels around the world.
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Kontakt: Storytelling with Len Cabral, Part 2
Joao Rosario and Len Cabral
This is part 2 of storyteller Len Cabral on Kontakt. There is a live studio audience of both children and adults. Mr. Cabral is a second generation Cape Verdean who would later be nationally recognized for his storytelling. His stories are collected from his own travels around the world. In this video he focuses on stories from his family.
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Kontakt: Interview with Dr. Anani Dzidzienyo (English version)
Joao Rosario and Anani Dzidzienyo
A half hour conversation with Dr. Anani Dzidzienyo of the Afro-American Studies Department at Brown University. The topic of the discussion is racial relations in Lusophone, African, Brasilian and American societies.
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Kontakt: Guest Joseph Costa, Director of P.E.P. at Rhode Island College
Joao Rosario and Joseph Costa
An interview by Joao Rosario with Joseph Costa, who was at the time the head of the Preparatory Enrollment Program at Rhode Island College. The program was founded in 1972 and is designed to give students an enhanced experience at their first year in college. The interview is in English, towards the end of the program Joao Rosario summerizes the interview in Crioulo.
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Kontakt: Our Lady of Fatima Procession (Boston)
Joao Rosario and Mindy da Graca
This 30 minute episode of Kontakt covers the Our Lady of Fatima Procession in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1991. A narration, provided by Mindy da Graca, tells the history of Our Lady of Fatima and it's connection to Portuguese and Cabo Verdean culture.
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Kontakt: Dr. Anani Dzidzienyo, Part 1 (English)
Joao Rosario and Anani Dzidzienyo
Dr. Anani Dzidzienyo speculates on the political future of Cabo Verde following the historic 1991 election. Two versions of this episode were made, one in English and another in Portuguese.
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Kontakt: Cape Verdeans: Black or White? Part 2
Joao Rosario, Anani Dzidzienyo, Claire Andrade-Watkins, and Thomas Elliot Skidmore
A discussion hosted by Professor Rhett Jones of Brown University. The panel consists of Claire Andrade-Watkins, Anani Dzidzienyo, and Thomas Skidmore. A discussion between audience members and panelists about Cape Verdean identity is the entirety of this episode. The discussion was filmed at the Rites and Reason Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island. This is part two of a two part series.
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Kontakt: Cape Verdeans an Analysis, Part 1
Joao Rosario, Virginia Neves Gonsalves, and Richard Lobban Jr.
This edition of Kontakt hosts a conversation with Virginia N. Gonsalves, Dr. Richard Lobban (Rhode Island College). Joao Rosario facilitates the conversation, The topics of the conversation include an analysis of Cape Verde's political climate, Cape Verdean's race, ethnicity and identity. This is part one (1) of a two (2) part conversation.
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Kontakt: Cape Verdeans: An Anaylsis, Part 2
Joao Rosario, Virginia Neves Gonsalves, and Richard Lobban Jr.
This edition of Kontakt hosts a conversation with Virginia N. Gonsalves, Dr. Richard Lobban (Rhode Island College). Joao Rosario facilitates the conversation, The topics of the conversation include an analysis of Cape Verde's political climate, Cape Verdean's race, ethnicity and identity, and Cape Verdean community structure in the United States.
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Kontakt: Cape Verdeans: Black or White? Part 1
Joao Rosario, Rhett S. Jones, Anani Dzidzienyo, and Claire Andrade-Watkins
A discussion hosted by Professor Rhett Jones of Brown University. The panel consists of Claire Andrade-Watkins, Anani Dzidzienyo, and Thomas Skidmore. Each panelist speaks for 5-10 minutes, and then there is a question and answer session with the audience. The discussion was filmed at the Rites and Reason Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island. This is part one of a two part series.
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Kontakt: Focus on Cabo Verde Conference at Rhode Island College; Grupo Acoustico
Joao Rosario, Richard Lobban Jr., Deidre Meintel, Vanessa Brito, and Mariana Rodrigues
This edition of Kontakt is comprised of two half-hour episodes edited into one full hour program. The first half of the tape features excerpts from a conference at Rhode Island College entitled "Focus on Cabo Verde." Speakers include former Rhode Island College Special Collections librarian Marlene Lopes, Rhode Island College Professor Richard Lobban, in addition to speakers from the Rhode Island-Cabo Verde community.
The second half is a re-run of a thirty minute episode of Kontakt featuring musical guest 'Grupo Acoustico.'
Note: Due to staff limitations we are unable to provide subtitles for non-English language material at this time.
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Kontakt: Eddie Soares, Jazz Musician
Joao Rosario and Edwin Jose Soares
A conversation with jazz musician Eddie Soares on Kontakt. The interviewer is Joao Rosario. The discussion is based around Eddie Soares' Cape Verdean heritage, but also covers his life and career as a Jazz musician in New England. Eddie played in the Jewels of Dixie in the 1960s, and performed with noted musicians such as Duke Ellington, among others. The last third of the show feature Eddie performing live with a jazz trio.
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Kontakt: Rhode Island Liberian Choir; S. Antonio Martins, Angloa Senior Government Official
Joao Rosario, Michael Hooke, and S. Antonio Martins
The Rhode Island Liberian Choir, lead by Michael Hooke, performs in the studio on this edition of Kontakt. After the performance by the RI Liberian Choir there is an interview with S. Antonio Martins, a Senior Government Official from Angola.
Note: Due to staff limitations we are unable to provide subtitles for non-English language material at this time.
