Category Archives: news

KLRU, the PBS Video Game Challenge, and East Austin College Prep

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This week, KLRU hosted the first of two workshops to explain to middle school students how to create games for the PBS portion of the National Video Game Challenge. We met in a game design class at East Austin College Prep Academy with students, their teachers, Laura Minnigerode of World Wide Workshops, Anne Fertitta of AMD (a fellow national sponsor), Michael Mayrath of GYLO, a local startup in educational gaming, and two guest speakers: Prof. Susan Empson of UT-Austin and Vicki Smith, a national finalist in last year’s Video Game Challenge.

For the competition, students are creating math games that help elementary-age students solidify essential math concepts. We had Prof. Empson, our elementary math expert, and Ms. Smith, our award-winning game designer, help connect mathematical thinking to solid game construction. As part of the workshop, we had students present games in progress and all of our experts then chimed in commentary on how to beef them up for submission.

Our next stop: Travis HS on Tuesday, Jan. 31! If you’d like to help mentor students in their submission, either in person or via distance, contact Ben Kramer at 475-9050 or bkramer@klru.org.

KLRU Celebrates Black History Month

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KLRU-TV, Austin PBS Celebrates Black History Month

KLRU announces an expansive slate of events and programs profiling the rich history, culture and contributions of African-Americans in honor of Black History Month. The programs air as part of KLRU’s celebration of Black History Month, February 2012.  With new programs that delve into the archives of history, this year’s schedule provides an in-depth look at a variety of historical events from the post-Emancipation era to the rise of the black power movement.  Additionally KLRU will host two free community events. Information is listed below.

Events:

KLRU Community Cinema
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Location: Windsor Park Library, 5833 Westminster Drive
KLRU and the Windsor Park Library present monthly film screenings and discussions afterwards. The February event is in conjunction with Black History Month. Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a 29-year-old African American filmmaker, is on a cross-country campaign to end Black History Month.  Through this tongue-in-cheek journey, More than a Month, investigates what the treatment of history tells us about race and equality in a “post-racial” America.  Join us for a free screening and discussion afterwards.

Arts In Context: The Relatives with The Isaac Sisters
Saturday, February 11 at 8 p.m. Doors at 7 p.m.
Location: KLRU Studio 6A, 26th and Guadalupe
Free, but RSVP required. RSVP now
Join us for this very special taping of Arts In Context.  Formed in the early 1970s by the Rev. Gean and Tommy West, the Relatives’ cut three genre-bending singles during their decade-long run that were too freaky for the church and too righteous for R&B radio. Though pioneers of an utterly singular sound, the Relatives never made a splash outside of Dallas and have remained virtually unknown even among serious record collectors. But all of that is changing with recent performances at ACL Music Festival in 2010 and backing Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears on the PBS television series Austin City Limits last year.  Joining them will be The Isaac Sisters in their very first television appearance.

On Air:

Below is a list of programs on KLRU (18.1) during February to commemorate Black History Month.  All programs are broadcast on KLRU 18-1 unless otherwise noted.

more →

Preview Screening: Downton Abbey 1/5

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Join KLRU and other Downton Abbey fans as we preview the first hour of the second season of this beloved Masterpiece Classic series.

The screening will be January 5th in KLRU’s Studio 6A. Doors open at 6:30 and the screening will start promptly at 7. The event is free, but an RSVP is required. RSVP now

Downton Abbey season two starts airing on January 8th on PBS, but we’re giving our fans a chance to see the first hour before anyone else. We’ll have Downton Abbey items to give away and light refreshments will be served. RSVP now

KLRU brings students and developers together to create new educational games

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National contest challenges students and professionals

Austin, TX — KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, is one of 12 stations nationwide chosen to participate in the National STEM Video Game Challenge grant. KLRU will bring local middle school and high school students together with game developer mentors and education experts to create new games to compete in this national contest.

Inspired by the Educate to Innovate Campaign, President Obama’s initiative to promote a renewed focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, the National STEM Video Game Challenge is a multi-year competition whose goal is to motivate interest in STEM learning among America’s youth by tapping into students’ natural passion for playing and making video games.

In early 2012, KLRU will bring mentors from Austin’s vibrant gaming community together with youth from one area middle school and one high school. The teams of students will work to create games to be entered into the national contest. KLRU will also document the creative process on the station’s blog. Game developers who would like to participate in the mentoring project should contact KLRU at 471-4811.

The National STEM Video Game Challenge has four categories — Middle School, High School, Collegiate, Educators — and is open to any U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident  To participate in the challenge as an individual or a non-KLRU team, please see the rules and guidelines for each level on the competition’s website at stemchallenge.org. Deadline to enter is March 12.

About KLRU:
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, presents quality multimedia content that engages people in the thoughtful exchange of ideas, the expression of the arts, and enjoyable lifelong learning opportunities, resulting in a more vibrant community and a higher quality of life. 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 OVERHEAD WITH EVAN SMITH and documentaries like CITIZEN ARCHITECT and LAST BEST HOPE. Get more information about KLRU at klru.org.

Austin High School students meet Jim Lehrer at Overheard taping

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Jim Lehrer from PBS NewsHour with Austin High School students

Guest blog by Laura Laufer
senior media arts student at Austin High School

Having been involved with the PBS Student Reporting Labs for the last year as a junior, it was a real treat to be able to tour the KLRU studio and view one of the tapings for Overheard with Evan Smith with Jim Lehrer as the guest. It was only a year ago when my teacher was showing me a video clip of Mr. Lehrer addressing me and my classmates about the journey we were about to take working with the PBS NewsHour Extra website. Having only seen a high school media studio it was mind blowing to walk around the maze of KLRU’s office to see studios the size of our classroom and a control board that looked like something off of a spaceship. It was not only the size that was impressive, but the staff of KLRU is truly amazing; being able to watch them in their element was enjoyable and enlightening. (See photos from this taping on KLRU’s Flickr page)

The taping was my favorite part, listening to Jim Lehrer crack jokes about all of the politicians he’s interviewed was the highlight of my day. My parents were also jealous that I got to sit in on such an influential political figurehead which made the gloating that much more enjoyable. It was a learning experience as well. Being the youngest crowd there Overheard gave insight to the class about the inner workings of political interviews, a process that had never been explained to us. more →

Nelson Puett Foundation Supports KLRU

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The Nelson Puett Foundation has just granted KLRU $20,000 to support the Inspiration Fund and Friends of Austin City Limits.

The Inspiration Fund is a mechanism to sustain comprehensive services at our station: local productions, outreach and education activities including Ready To Learn, Community Screenings, Community Cinema, Spark at The Moody Theater:  KLRU’s Engaging Speaker Series, and more.  Each of these elements frames KLRU as a trusted window to the world with universal access to educational and creative content in and beyond Austin.

Austin City Limits has presented audiences with the most diverse, original, cutting-edge talent that music has to offer for more than three decades. ACL airs nationally on 97% of the country’s PBS stations.  In addition, select episodes are available to view online.

The Foundation’s investment in our mission will help bring pioneering programs, authentic engagement and meaningful acquisitions to the citizens of Central Texas.  On behalf of all who will benefit, thank you!

Celebrate Vme in Austin through Hispanic Heritage Month Activities

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This summer, we brought Vme to Austin in an effort to provide rich content and Spanish programming for Hispanics in Central Texas. Now, join KLRU and Vme as we celebrate Latinos’ contributions to American culture during Hispanic Heritage Month at Barton Creek Square Mall.
Vme

Enjoy a preview of Vme programming throughout the week and special festivities planned on select weekends beginning Saturday, Sept. 24, through Oct.15. Children and their families are invited to participate in several fun activities, including taking part in arts-and-crafts, learning new songs, meeting popular PBS characters, and joining in on puppet shows, face painting and balloon sculptures.

Schedule of Events

September 24th • 12:30pm-3:30pm

Join Vme and Mexic-Arte in creating Papel Picado, a traditional form of Mexican folk art that children can create and bring home.

September 25th • 1:00pm-2:30pm

Sing and learn Spanish words and songs through “Aprende Cantando” a 45-minute music class hosted by Heartsong Music. Two sessions will be available starting at 1:00pm and 1:45pm.

October 8th • 11:00am-3:00pm

Meet and greet the popular PBS characters Maya and Miguel.

October 15th • 12:00pm-2:00pm

Enjoy a bilingual puppet show, balloon sculpturing & more with Fonzie the Clown.

* All activities will take place at the ground level of Barton Creek Square Mall by the Macy’s entrance.

About Vme:
Vme is the newest Spanish-language addition to Austin’s KLRU lineup and features drama, sports, current affairs, documentary, food, educational preschool content and lifestyle programming. Austin viewers can watch Vme shows on KLRU channel 18.4 and Time Warner Cable channel 610.

For more information about KLRU and Vme, please visit http://www.klru.org/2011/06/klru-adds-vme-to-digital-broadcast-channels/.
Vme

KLRU adds Out in America to 6/12 schedule

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Watch the full episode. See more PBS Specials.

KLRU has added the documentary Out in America to the June schedule. This program will air on Sunday, June 12, at 7pm.

Out in America is an uplifting collection of unique, transformative stories and inspiring personal narratives told through the lens of the country’s most prominent LGBT figures and pioneers, as well as many average, yet extraordinary, citizens from Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities. The program weaves together diverse stories – from urban and rural America, from the heartland to New England, from San Francisco to Harlem. Deeply moving and often humorous, viewers will get a glimpse of awakenings, first crushes, unlikely soul mates, intimacy and liberation. While separated by circumstance and upbringing, the film’s subjects are all united in their shared experiences of self-discovery, coming out, pride and love as well as a triumph over adversity and a true sense of belonging. Against the backdrop of historical events, each also traces their own hopes, struggles, influences and contributions towards advancements in equality and broad social change.

Also airing is  Montrose, Texas: The Transformation of a Neighborhood. This thirty-minute documentary airs at 8:30 pm Sunday and 10:30 p.m. Monday.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker shot into the national spotlight this year when she was elected the first openly GLBT mayor of a large city. Hers is one of the many voices featured in the documentary, Montrose, Texas: The Transformation of a Neighborhood. This program features community leaders Suzanne Anderson, Marion E. Coleman, John Danielson, Ray Hill, Jimmy Carper, Brandon Wolf, and City Council Member Sue Lovell, among others. Rare footage from The Gulf Coast Archive and Museum of GLBT History brings back fond memories.

Other shows airing as part of Gay & Lesbian Pride Month include:
Stonewall Uprising:  American Experience airs Monday, June 13th at 8pm
Emile Norman—By His Own Design airs Monday, June 13th at 9:30 pm
Independent Lens “Two Spirits” airs Tuesday, June 14th at 9 pm
Find out more these programs here