November 30th, 2009

On December 7, 2009 The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer will re-launch with a new look, a new correspondent and a new program title: PBS NewsHour.

Jim Lehrer, recently shared his thoughts about the upcoming changes in a short question and answer session.

How does the new PBS NewsHour fit into what you and Robert MacNeil originally envisioned?
The goal of “MacNeil Lehrer journalism” has always been to give our audience the news beyond the headlines – more in-depth reporting, thought-provoking analysis, engaging newsmaker interviews and more international news.

We plan to continue that mission, only expand it.  Originally, the program was created to supplement the evening network news programs.  Now, each week night we will be a key on air and online destination for a deeper dive into the most important news of the day presented in a thoughtful and objective way. Our goal is to be THE source for the best journalism available anywhere, anytime – on line, on air, morning, noon or night.
(more…)

November 10th, 2009

Earlier this year, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum designated Austin City Limits an official rock and roll landmark. University of Texas workers installed the official plaque marking the show as part of music history onto the outside of Communications Building B on the University of Texas campus on November 10.

November 6th, 2009

Rock legend John Fogerty will star on the Emmy Award-winning live music series, Live By Request at 8 p.m. Saturday. Fogerty will perform music requested by the show’s viewers. It is the only television program where viewers actually create the artist’s set list and have the chance to personally talk to their music idol.

November 3rd, 2009

KLRU’s Community Screenings presents the Independent Lens documentary “Power Paths” and a panel discussion on energy issues on Tuesday, November 17, at 7 pm. RSVP here

It’s time to cut our dependence on fossil fuel and pursue renewable energy. But how can it be done? Native American tribes turn to solar and wind sources to provide clean sustainable energy for cities across the West. Their traditional values toward conservation and the earth offer real solutions to America’s energy crisis. A panel discussion on energy issues will immediately follow this screening.

The free screening starts at 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. A panel discussion and audience Q&A will immediately follow the screening. RSVP for the event here

KLRU Community Screenings made possible with support from Austin Community College

October 23rd, 2009

Please join Evan Smith and KLRU’s Texas Monthly Talks as we interview three authors from this year’s Texas Book Festival: novelist Jane Smiley, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and historian Taylor Branch. You’re invited to these special tapings at the Texas State Capitol on Saturday, October 31. Each taping will last approximately 45 minutes, including audience Q&A if the guest’s schedule permits. Once taping begins, no entry or exit will be allowed.

Jane Smiley
Taping room doors close at 9:10 a.m.
*PLEASE NOTE: The Capitol does not open to the public until 9 a.m. To reach the room in time for the taping, you will need to be at the Capitol door by 9 a.m.
Pulitzer-winning author Jane Smiley is known for her novels and essays about relationships, animals, politics and modern life.
RSVP for the Smiley taping here

Buzz Aldrin
Taping room doors close at 10:00 a.m.
Just over forty years ago, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong became the first humans to set foot on the moon – a fact known to virtually anyone who hears his name.
RSVP for the Aldrin taping here

Taylor Branch
Taping room doors close at 11:30 a.m.
Historian and author Taylor Branch earned a Pulitzer Prize for Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63.
RSVP for the Branch taping here

LOCATION

Capitol Annex, Room LCC-E2.002 on Level E2.

Take any Capitol elevator to level E2 and proceed down the hallway. Keep walking, and Room LCC-E2.002 will be on your right (LCC stands for Legislative Conference Center).

October 20th, 2009

Watch The Newshour tonight for a story on Austin City Limits’ 35th anniversary. The segment is scheduled to air during tonight’s (10/20) episode which airs at 6 p.m. on KLRU.

Check out The Newshour’s coverage online at pbs.org/newshour

October 16th, 2009

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the first taping of the award winning PBS series AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, Mayor Lee Leffingwell has declared October 17 “Austin City Limits Day.” The date recognizes the show’s very first taping, which took place on October 17, 1974 and featured the iconic Willie Nelson. To mark the honor KLRU and ACL will stream the original episode in its entirety for one month. For more information visit the newly launched austincitylimits.org. And, on November 15, ACL will again present a very special episode with Willie Nelson, in a joint performance with Austin legends Asleep at the Wheel.

Watch the proclamation ceremony:

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS: “Great Music. No Limits.” 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, AUSTIN CITY LIMITS is the only television program to ever receive the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest award for artistic excellence. Still to come in this exciting anniversary season are shows with Kenny Chesney, Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello, The Avett Brothers, Mos Def and more.

October 12th, 2009

Join KLRU in the studio for a Texas Monthly Talks taping with Francisco Cigarroa, the Chancellor of The University of Texas System. Evan Smith talks about the state of education with Cigarroa at 3:15 p.m. on Monday, October 19. Doors open at 2:45 p.m.
RSVP here

October 10th, 2009

On Monday, October 12th, KLRU presents music programming that will make your heart sing. Latin Music USA and The Big Squeeze by Austin’s Hector Galan start it all off. And the week also includes a special visit to the White House for a spectacular performance from a star-studded line-up.

Latin Music USA airs Mondays at 8 pm October 12th & October 19th.
Latin Music USA is a film about American music. Fusions of Latin sounds with jazz, rock, country, rhythm and blues - music with deeper roots and broader reach than most people realize. It’s a fresh take on our musical history, reaching across five decades and across musical genres to portray the rich mix of sounds created by Latinos and embraced by all. The four-part series will be presented over two nights—Oct. 12 & 19.

Latin Music USA episodes:
Episode 1—Bridges: Traces the rise of Latin jazz and the explosion of the mambo and the cha cha cha as they sweep the US from East to West. Featured on October 12th at 8 pm.

Episode 2—Salsa: Puerto Ricans and other Latinos in New York re-invent the Cuban son and the Puerto Rican plena, adding elements from soul and jazz to create Salsa. Featured on October 12th at 9 pm.

Episode 3—The Chicano Wave: Mexican-Americans in California, Texas and across the Southwest create their own musical voices during the second half of the 20th century. Featured on October 19th at 8 pm.

Episode 4—Divas and Superstars: Focuses on the Latin pop explosion of the turn of the century and the success of artists like Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Shakira in the English-language market. Featured on October 19th at 9 pm.

The Big Squeeze is a joyful leap into the heart of Texas music. And where there’s music there’s usually some grilling going on. That’s why Herminio Ramirez builds a stage right in the tiny kitchen of their Houston home for his son John. From the urban barrios of Houston to the colonials along the U.S.-Mexican border, legacies fueled by the passion-stirring combination of family, friends and food, is being passed along. In The Big Squeeze, we follow 16 year old John Ramirez and other young musicians as they do battle at the statewide accordion throw down. This film was produced by Hector Galan from Austin. Airs Monday, October 12th at 10:00 pm & Wednesday, October 14th at 8:30 pm.

Voces “Tito Puente:The King of Latin Music” airs Monday, October 19th at 10 pm.
Bill Cosby, Marc Anthony, Geraldo Rivera, Jimmy Smits, Paquito D’Rivera and other family, friends and colleagues pay homage to the late mambo and Latin jazz legend Tito Puente. Archival footage, interviews and excerpts from one of Puente’s last concerts piece together the life of the popular bandleader, percussionist and composer.

American Masters “Joan Baez” airs Wednesdays at 7 pm on October 14th.
Told from her perspective, and supported by a rich performance and historical archive, the centerpiece of this film is Baez’ many years as a musician, her power as an artist, those who influenced her and those she influenced. From her earliest recordings, Baez introduced ever wider audiences to the songs of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Johnny Cash and, of course, Bob Dylan — before she began writing her own music. Follow Baez through her story, to see her as she sees herself: human being — first, pacifist — second, and folk-singer — third.

In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina on Thursday, October 15th at 7 pm.
A star-studded talent roster will perform for President and Mrs. Obama. Performers include: Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Los Lobos, Jose Feliciano, Sheila E (leading the house band), Thalia, Tito “El Bambino” and Aventura. George Lopez and Jimmy Smits will be hosting this very special program.

— Maria Rodriguez, senior vice president of programming

October 8th, 2009

Refuel with contemporary art. Bring your brown bag lunch to the Austin Museum of Art for screenings of the PBS documentary Art in the Twenty-First Century.

Thursday, October 8, 12-1 pm, EPISODE 4: Systems
Artists invent new processes to convey the attitudes of today’s supercharged, information-based society, examining why we find comfort in some systems while rebelling against others. Systems features artists Julie Mehretu, John Baldessari, Kimsooja , and Allan McCollum who realize complex projects through acts of appropriation or accumulation. In some instances, they create projects vast in scope, which almost elude comprehension.

Friday, October 9, 12-1 pm, EPISODE 3: Transformation
Whether observing and satirizing society or reinventing icons of literature, art history, and popular culture, the artists Yinka Shonibare MBE, Cindy Sherman, and Paul McCarthy capture the sensibilities of our age while at times inhabiting the characters they have created.

All screenings at AMOA-Downtown, 823 Congress Ave. Free admission to screenings. www.amoa.org
Co-presented by KLRU. Art 21 airs on KLRU on Wednesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 9 pm CST.