I’ve been following with interest the evolution of Twin Cities Public Television’s cross-platform initiative – originally called Open Air and, in recent months, rebranded as Rewire. You may have noticed shorts from their delightful web-based video series, “Are You MN Enough?,” popping up in your social media feed from time to time. In the last year, they’ve kept up a lively online presence and partnered on occasion with like-minded outfits to produce a grab-bag of multi-platform, public TV-tie-in events: regional arts and pop culture one-offs, live-to-broadcast stuff like the “The Lowertown Line,” and a day-long event celebrating “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

http://youtu.be/jM0cCCkZKlA

And now Rewire (a Knight Arts grantee) is testing out its most ambitious programming yet, airing five consecutive weeks of “TV Takeover” programming on tpt2 through June. It’s a hybrid venture for which Rewire has partnered with five different Twin Cities arts organizations to create a series live broadcast events combining in-studio parties, on-site art-making and performances, artist interviews and a selection of pre-recorded video content. The pilot season’s partners are: Springboard for the Arts (May 30), Northern Lights.mn (June 6), MPLS.TV (June 13), Works Progress Studio (June 20), and Saint Paul Almanac (June 27).

Content selection for each hour of “TV Takeover” is steered by the partnering arts organization’s activities and interests. The in-studio event for live audience members is a ticketed affair, and the hour-long broadcast is framed by that social event happening all around: there’s food and drink; guests are seated on couches, scattered in conversation-friendly arrangements around the space; even during the broadcast, you’ll see people chatting, turning to watch the projected video shorts, milling around to check out the on-site performances and various hands-on activities happening in the studio.

In the studio for the Springboard for the Arts’ iteration of “TV Takeover” last Friday.

I was on hand at last Friday’s “TV Takeover” debut, put together by (Knight Arts grantee) Springboard for the Arts. As you’d expect, given Springboard’s ongoing efforts as an artists-first, service-minded resource, the episode highlighted projects funded through organization’s various placemaking arms, pro tips for creative types and a smattering of charming video profiles of artists with day-jobs, all on the theme “Your Secret Art.” (You can watch the episode in full in the YouTube clip embedded up top.)

Airing Fridays through June on tpt2 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

I’ll be candid: the behind-the-scenes party is a bit awkward, but fun. If you’re game, it’s a cheap date, too. Tickets to attend the in-studio event for each “TV Takeover” episode are a mere $10 a piece, and include a food and drink ticket. If you’d prefer to watch from the comfort of your own living room, each program will be broadcast live on tpt2, every Friday in June from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. (CST). Find more information on the website, www.tvtakeover.net.