CNN’s new series United Shades of America filmed host Kamau Bell with Coven Oldenwilde leaping cauldron fire, joining Mill Dance and Cakes & Wine, interviewing Lady Passion & *Diuvei.
See news article about CNN filming in Asheville:
- Asheville Citizen-Times, “CNN crews come to Asheville to film new series”: “According to a public Facebook event created by the Witches of Coven Oldenwilde, a Wiccan coven based in Asheville, the CNN network filmed the group for the documentary series.”
Lady Passion welcomes Kamau Bell into the Covenstead.
(All photos by Jeffrey DeCristofaro, jeffreydecristofaro-at-gmail-dot-com.)
To generate new audience interest between its live coverage of crises, the CNN network is launching the TV series United Shades of America, which “follows comedian W. Kamau Bell around the country in a thought-provoking, serious and humorous look at diverse cultures” from Alaskan Inuit to Asheville Witches.
A CNN producer who saw news coverage of our Samhain 2012 pro-marriage-equality Mass Public Handfasting emailed us — and within five days a camera crew from L.A. was in front of the downtown Vance obelisk filming Lady Passion & *Diuvei and other Asheville subculture celebs encountering host Kamau Bell.
Host Kamau Bell talking with Lady Passion.
The next night (April Fool’s Day 2015), our Covenstead was wired and lit and served as the set in which a CNN crew, producers, and director filmed us, Witch friends, and Kamau leaping a cauldron fire, and performing a traditional Mill Dance and traditional Cakes & Wine ceremony. The shoot climaxed with an intimate interview between Lady Passion and Kamau Bell in which the High Priestess answers the question of whether people should be afraid of Witches.
One of many impressive pieces of filming equipment used.
All were enthusiastic and respectful, and we’re glad that we took inspiration from the ancient Greek philosopher Ovid’s exhortation, “The Gods favor the bold.”
Ritual set-up.
Once the segment airs (possibly near Samhain/Halloween, 2015, or early 2016), we’ll post dozens of ghost pix snapped during filming — some 51 in orbs in all — so check back here and be amazed!