Posted on August 12th, 2011

If you’ve already given a gift or shared why you love KLRU this August, thank you for your support! In just one week, you have helped raised $90,000 towards our goal of $240,000! We’re not done yet – tonight and Saturday we’ll be live in the KLRU studios with really exciting programs and thank you gifts!

Tonight is our regular Friday public affairs line up starting at 6pm with PBS Newshour, Washington Week at 7pm and Need to Know at 7:30pm. If you call in to support any of our public affairs programs you’ll be entered in a drawing to win season tickets to our engaging speaker series, Spark at the Moody.

Following public affairs at 8:30pm is American Masters: Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides, an incredible portrait of the life, career, and creative journey of a very talented actor, artist and musician. Jeff Bridges just taped his Austin City Limits performance this week (airing in November), and we’ll be giving away his signed, limited edition posters and also tickets to the Big Lebowski quote-a-long at the Alamo Drafthouse this month – you’ll have to watch to win, so don’t forget to tune in!

PBS Preview: American Masters: Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides

The highlight of Saturday afternoon is 90 minutes of Central Texas Gardener starting at 4pm. We’ll be live in the studio with all the CTG folks who are eager to hear from the garden-lovers out there. We have a great fall preview show lined up (read more about it at the CTG blog!), a special gift package to give away from Eastside Cafe, Go Local Austin businesses answering the phones,  and  an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience for fans to see an actual taping of a CTG episode! It’ll be CTG-super-sized and not to be missed!

Central Texas Gardener Saturday Special Promo

Stick around KLRU into the evening for the next live pledge event: Austin City Limits, Season 37 Preview. See next season’s performances and backstage interviews before anyone else does! And if you’re a fan of Arcade Fire, you will have an opportunity to receive tickets to their ACL taping in September – tickets will go fast, so don’t miss your chance! Give now and watch the preview tomorrow for more ACL goodies!

Austin City Limits Special: Season 37 Preview

Posted on July 14th, 2011

Rarely seen Austin City Limits footage will be shown in a special screening series at Alamo Drafthouse theaters this summer! KLRU and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema have teamed up for a series of screenings of classic ACL performances beginning Monday, July 25th.

The first screening of the Reel Rarities: Handpicked Gems from the ACL Vault series will be the Austin City Limits pilot episode featuring Willie Nelson, followed by highlights from the ACL archives. The performance that started it all was taped in 1974 and includes hits such as “Whiskey River” and more. Monday, July 25th at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz and Monday, August 1st at the Alamo Drafthouse Village.

The Alamo Drafthouse wrote: Is there anyone on earth who doesn’t love Willie Nelson? He is one of those Texans we can all look at and say, “Yep, that’s our guy.” And he was the only fitting choice to kick off a little TV show that originated here to showcase the best of Texas and other roots music to the whole world through long-form live concerts. Alamo Drafhouse will screen the full pilot episode of ACL as well as selected clips of other great performances from the show.

Tickets to attend Reel Rarities: Handpicked Gems from the ACL Vault screenings are $5 each and all proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Learn more about HAAM here: myhaam.org Tickets can be purchased at: drafthouse.com.

Posted on July 14th, 2011

Posted on June 16th, 2011

Rarely seen Austin City Limits taping footage to be shown in special screening series at Alamo theaters this summer

KLRU-TV, producing station of the famed PBS series Austin City Limits, and the Alamo Drafthouse announced today a new series of screenings of classic ACL episodes. Reel Rarities: Handpicked Gems from the ACL Vault begins on Monday, July 25th. In addition to presenting a vintage episode, highlights from the show’s 37 years of legendary performances will be featured. Tickets to attend Reel Rarities: Handpicked Gems From The ACL Vault screenings are $5 each and all proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Tickets can be purchased at drafthouse.com.

“I always knew that Austin City Limits would make it to the big screen some day, and the Alamo Drafthouse is the perfect partner to make it happen,” said ACL Producer Terry Lickona. “The Alamo has always offered the best quality, not to mention most fun, movie-going experience possible, and now they’ll do the same with some of the best shows from the ACL archives. Their amazing digital projection system and state of the art sound should make these classic shows ‘larger than life’ in more ways than one, and we look forward to digging even deeper into the archives in the months to come.”

“We were thrilled when Guerilla Suit’s James Moody brought the idea of a partnership between the Alamo Drafthouse and Austin City Limits,” said Alamo Drafthouse Chief Creative Officer Henri Mazza. “Partnering up with an institutional icon like ACL makes perfect sense to us. And personally, I’m just excited to get a chance to watch these incredible shows in a theatrical setting with fans of the series and the artists. We’re gonna crank up the volume and do everything we can to take the audience on a time traveling trip back to these legendary performances.”

For more than three decades Austin City Limits has presented audiences with the most diverse, original, cutting-edge talent music has to offer with over 800 performances taped.

The first screenings in the series will be:

July 25: Willie Nelson Pilot followed by highlights from the ACL archives at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
August 1: Willie Nelson Pilot followed by highlights from the ACL archives at the Alamo Drafthouse Village
Willie Nelson recorded the pilot episode of Austin City Limits in 1974. The performance that started it all features “Whiskey River” and more.

August 29: Tom Waits followed by highlights from the ACL archives at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
September 5: Tom Waits followed by highlights from the ACL archives at the Alamo Drafthouse Village
A classic Tom Waits performance from 1978 is one of Austin City Limits most requested episodes. This intimate performances features songs “Burma Shave,” “Annie’s Back in Town,” “On the Nickel,” “Romeo Is Bleeding,” “Small Change,” and more.

This screening series is one the many ways you can Experience Austin City Limits, an initiative to spread awareness of the acclaimed PBS television series. Now the longest-running music series in American television history, ACL showcases popular music legends and innovators from every genre. In addition to being honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum as a rock and roll landmark, ACL is the only television program to ever receive the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest award for artistic excellence.

These showings are only in select theaters and have limited seating.

All ticket proceeds will go to benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Learn more about HAAM here: myhaam.org
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Posted on June 8th, 2011

A Note from Gary Menotti, Director of Austin City Limits

These are new and exciting times for Austin City Limits and the production crew of ACL. Not only do we have a brand new venue to work in, we also have new, state-of-the-art equipment for recording. As much as I miss 6A, the “original ACL studio,” the new ACL Live at the Moody Theater is a welcome challenge to try and keep that same, “intimate feeling” the tapings have always had.

There has been a quick, fast, acclimation to the new space by all of the crew members, including growing accustom to the Downtown “vibe.” Overall, I feel the first five artists we’ve taped have been seamless. With the new skyline, a slightly taller stage, new audio equipment, bigger audience configuration and the addition of a 7th camera, ACL is well on its way to becoming “a better than ever” TV show.

Speaking of cameras, you might have noticed a strange looking camera on a track, moving in an arc around the mezzanine floor wall. This is the new Sony Trac-Cam controlled by a single operator from a station located in the corner of the mezzanine. It takes great skill to operate this camera as it’s operated by remote control. The Trac-Cam is replacing the giant crane camera in the original studio that took a five-person crew to operate. The previous crane, and now Trac-camera is key for the ACL production as it captures our famous “signature tree shot,” which, along with the skyline, gives the viewer the perspective that the show is taped outdoors. We have had countless letters and emails asking if there is a KOA campground nearby, to camp and listen to the music. Oh well, at least we fooled some people.

Lastly, I want to tell you about our new way of recording the show. In years past, we would record with cameras using tape. Now, with new technological innovations, we are shooting digitally and are able to send a fiber optic signal of all the audio and video, directly from the Moody Theater back to KLRU’s editing suite and Avid servers located on the UT campus. Buck Rogers would be proud!

Anyway, I am very excited on this transition from ACL 1.0 to the new ACL 2.0. Thank all of you for your support. Don’t forget, when you’re in the audience, please smile and applaud loudly, I will be watching you from the control room.

Gary has been Director of ACL for the past 29 years

Posted on December 15th, 2010

KLRU gets lots of visitors to our Austin City Limits studio 6A each week during our 10:30 am Friday tours. Occasionally we have special guests during the week who want to see the legendary studio as well including Gina Pero and Audrey Douglass of the Radio City Rockettes.

The Radio City Rockettes are in town for a performance of Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Presented by Broadway Across America Austin and Texas Performing Arts, the 2010 edition of The Christmas Spectacular will play the Bass Concert Hall from December 17–26. Tickets are available at the Bass Concert Hall box office, all Texas Box Office Outlets, by phone at (512) 477-6060 or online at texasperformingarts.org

Posted on December 6th, 2010

KLRU-TV, AUSTIN PBS, ANNOUNCES OPENING NIGHT AN EVENING OF MUSIC & FOOD TO BENEFIT PUBLIC TELEVISION & AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

EVENT CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF MOODY THEATER & UNVEILING OF NEW STAGE & BACKDROP FOR ICONIC AUSTIN CITY LIMITS TV SERIES

STEVE MILLER BAND HEADLINES EVENING

Austin, TX — KLRU invites Austin to a world-class celebration on Thursday, February 24, 2011 for the grand opening of the Moody Theater’s AUSTIN CITY LIMITS Stage. City leaders, cultural icons, community philanthropists, business executives and music fans, will join together as the legendary KLRU-produced, PBS series moves to a new state-of-the-art venue.

Opening Night ushers the legendary show to its new stage with a special performance by Steve Miller Band and the unveiling of a newly created Austin city skyline backdrop.

Lauded rock guitarist Steve Miller and his band have been inspiring fans for more than four decades with Miller’s unique brand of rousing American rock ‘n’ roll. His catalog includes 17 studio albums and multiple hit singles including “The Joker,” “Take The Money and Run,” “Jet Airliner,” “Abracadabra” and more.

The new stage backdrop is a much-anticipated modernized rendition of the television series’ previous backdrop which brought the Austin skyline into viewers’ homes since its adoption in 1981. According to series Executive Producer Terry Lickona, the new backdrop represents Austin’s current skyline while still highlighting the celebrated University of Texas tower and Texas State Capitol that have always been integral to the show’s look. It was designed and constructed by a host of Austin-based craftsmen: artist Ellen Lampl, Custom Creation, set painter Tim Dingle, and Olden Lighting, alongside series production company LickonaVision.

The evening will kickoff with a performance by Austin’s own Carolyn Wonderland, representing the new generation of Texas blues-rock guitar slingers. Wonderland made her national television debut on the show in 2008.

Accomplishing what no other show has done in the history of American television, AUSTIN CITY LIMITS has presented audiences with the most diverse, original, cutting-edge talent music has to offer. The series will take this same spirit of creativity into the new venue giving more of Austin a seat to the next stage of legendary performances.

The Moody Theater is a state-of-the-art live music venue.   Developed by Stratus Properties, the new home of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS will enable more fans to watch future live tapings and provide an enhanced experience while maintaining the intimacy, character and integrity that have been the hallmark of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS for more than three decades. In addition to ACL tapings, it will host 60-100 concerts a year as ACL Live at The Moody Theater.  Nestled next to the W Austin Hotel & Residences™, it is the premier destination in Austin for live performances as well as private events and only one of two dedicated live music venues in the country built to USGBC LEED rated standards.

In 2009, the Moody Foundation of Galveston, Texas gave KLRU a $2.5 million contribution to help equip the new state of the art AUSTIN CITY LIMITS production facility.

Two levels of tickets are still available to this special night:

Dinner-By-The-Bite + Performance Tickets – $500 per ticket
Arrive early and enjoy cocktails and amazing cuisine provided by W Austin on the Gallery of the Mezzanine Level. Take your reserved seat on the Mezzanine Level for the show after the reception.

Performance Tickets – $150 per ticket
Performance tickets include Balcony Level reserved seats to the show

Following the performance, the entire theater will open up for the Encore Reception with sweet & savory snacks and your chance to tour every seat in the house.

For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.klru.org/openingnight.

KLRU’s Opening Night committee is chaired by Berry Crowley.  Honorary Chairs are Bobbi and Mort Topfer.  Committee includes Linda Benge, Laura Beuerlein. Susie Dudley, Mary Margaret Farabee, Jordan Herman, Mary Herman, Cindy Hill, W Austin, Carrie Holt, AMLI, Jenny Miller, Ross Moody, Elizabeth Nash, Claire Pinkerton,  Laurie Swan, Stratus Properties,  Dwight Thompson, Trisa Thompson, Tomi Winstead, Sandy Youman.
KLRU’s Opening Night is made possible by the generous support of our lead sponsors: The Moody Foundation, W Austin, and Stratus Properties.
About KLRU:
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, reflects, celebrates and inspires Central Texas through creative excellence, community engagement and lifelong learning. In addition to providing locally produced and quality national television programming, KLRU is also a non-profit organization helping to build a stronger community through educational workshops, community engagement projects and public events. Known as the producing station of the longest running live music television show AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, KLRU has also worked on several other national productions including the documentaries Tattooed Under Fire and Citizen Architect. Get more information about KLRU at klru.org.

Posted on December 6th, 2010

Fun in the studio continued all weekend long as Central Texans showed their support for Austin City Limits and Masterpiece Mystery.

Saturday night KLRU aired the Pearl Jam episode in the regular time slot with special guests ACL producer Terry Lickona and photographer Scott Newton. We heard great behind-the-scenes stories of their many years with the show. Phone volunteers for the evening were veteran ACL volunteers. No one needed to tell them where the restrooms were located, they know their way around the studio as well as we do!

Show your support for Austin City Limits and receive an autographed copy of “Austin City Limits: 35 Years in Photographs.”

Sunday in the studio revolved around “A Study in Pink,” the Masterpiece Mystery episode voted for by KLRU viewers. Members of the Sherlock Holmes Society of Austin (aka Waterloo Station) and the Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Chapter graciously answered phones and helped us with Sherlock trivia. Artist and Sherlock Society member Trish McCracken brought a beautiful print reproduction of Sherlock Holmes’ residence at 221B Baker Street, London which was included in the 2009 book “The Sherlock Holmes Companion: An Elementary Guide.” One lucky viewer who knew their Sherlock trivia was able to take home the print after answer a trivia question correctly. Thank you Trish! Austin mystery writer Janice Hamrick shared information with viewers on her upcoming book and why supporting KLRU is important to the Austin community.

It’s not too late for you to donate to KLRU for Masterpiece Mystery, thanks for your support.

A big thank you goes to local writer and actor Owen Egerton who had us laughing all night long. To see more of Owen, catch his Master Pancake Christmas show happening the next couple of weekends at different Alamo Drafthouses.

Posted on November 16th, 2010

KLRU invites Austin to a world-class celebration for the grand opening of the Moody Theater’s Austin City Limits Stage. Opening Night celebrates Austin City Limits’ move to a new studio located in downtown Austin. The new Austin City Limits studio, developed by Stratus Properties as part of the Block 21 development project, will enable more fans to watch future live tapings and provide an enhanced experience while maintaining the intimacy, character and integrity that have been the hallmark of Austin City Limits for more than three decades.

Individuals can enjoy this once in a lifetime evening by purchasing tickets to KLRU’s Opening Night at klru.org/openingnight

Posted on September 16th, 2010

Waterloo Records (6th and Lamar) will host a booksigning to launch AUSTIN CITY LIMITS: 35 YEARS IN PHOTOGRAPHS on Tuesday, September 21st from 6-8:30pm. Both photographer Scott Newton and ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona will be on hand to sign books. Additionally, 5% of Waterloo’s sales that day will be donated to HAAM so come on by and get your copy!