April 13th, 2009

WE SHALL REMAIN: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Part 1 airs tonight at 8pm

I’ve always been interested in the story of Thanksgiving. It seemed as though that was such a perfect story of the hope of friendship between pilgrims and Native Americans, that just never fit in with what the rest of history told us. First they’re the good guys, next we’re at war for centuries.

In this first episode of We Shall Remain, American Experiences’ sponsored history of American Indians from Thanksgiving to today, producer Sharon Grimberg delves into that first feast – exploring the friendship that began and what went wrong.

The episode, “After the Mayflower,” uses great cinematographic reenactments along with expert interviews to explain to viewers how it all began, giving, as it says in the beginning of the episode, an epic history of America through native eyes.

What I loved about it, though, was the fact that it gave background information not only for American Indians, but also the Pilgrims and other Europeans, clearly defining the motives behind decisions that ultimately lead to a war between the two peoples.

The main focus of this episode is Wampanoag sachem Massasoit and his tribe, advocates of the English until the 1670s. Grimberg really tells the story of Massasoit well, revealing documents about his struggle to compromise with the English as they populated his land by the thousand, as well as examples of his faithfulness to them until his death.

I can only anticipate what the next four episodes will be like, but I’m sure that they will be shot beautifully and supported wonderfully by interviews, documents and rare footage, and by the amazing reenactments that tell the story without distracting from it.

This film completely represents what PBS documentaries are about – truth, teaching and a great story, and I am excited to see how it progresses.

– Maggi Davis

Maggi Davis is a University of Texas student, who has worked at KLRU for three years primarily in the communications department. She will graduate in May.

March 11th, 2009

Conspirare: A Company of Voices
Wednesday, March 11
7 p.m.
Additional air times: Sunday, March 13, at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Watch a preview of this inspiring concert:

“What If” by Conspirare from KLRU / Conspirare on Vimeo.

Austin Chronicle review of Conspirare: A Company of Voices
Austin American Statesman article about the TV special

February 5th, 2009

Building on the widespread acclaim of African American Lives (2006) and Oprah’s Roots (2007), African American Lives 2 journeys deep into the African-American experience to reveal the triumphs and tragedies within the family histories of an all-new group of remarkable participants. Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. returns as series host, guiding genealogical investigations. Part one of African American Lives 2 airs Sunday, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m.; Part two airs Sunday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.

In conjunction with the rebroadcast of this series, KLRU’s Michael Emery will be blogging about his own genealogical experiences. Here is part one of his journey.

My dear mother kept several photograph albums that spanned decades of family relations. Always the patient parent, she would sit with me and my siblings in order to explain what the many pictures were about and who was being therein pictured. This was better than her reading us storybooks, because these were not made-up: these were real events and real people, frequently my own relatives. And so it went for me as a boy, my attraction to genealogy began as photos of my family and oral histories. (more…)

February 2nd, 2009

Local writer and cartoonist Austin Kleon made these while watching the Wiseguys and Satire/Parody episodes of Make Em Laugh. A repeat is not currently scheduled, but you can visit the series’ web site for videos and more: pbs.org/makeemlaugh. And be sure to visit Austin’s blog at austinkleon.com.

January 26th, 2009

Local writer and cartoonist Austin Kleon watched the first two episodes of Make Em Laugh on Groundbreakers and Slapstick and made these sketches. Be sure to watch this week’s episodes of the series on Wiseguys and Smart-Alecks airing Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. or Sunday, Feb. 1, at 4 p.m.

Be sure to visit Austin’s site at austinkleon.com to see more of his work.

January 14th, 2009

Did you hear the one about PBS airing a comedy series? It’s no joke, but it is funny. Tonight, KLRU will present the first episode in the series MAKE ’EM LAUGH: The Funny Business of America, (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/makeemlaugh/) a six-hour comedy epic showcasing the most hilarious men, women, and moments in American entertainment and why they made us laugh. Hosted by Billy Crystal, the documentary series explores the currents of American comedy throughout a century of social and political change, illuminating how comedy has tackled and poked fun at our political system, race relations, gender issues, and the prevailing American standards and taboos in everyday life.

The series premieres tonight at 7 p.m. on KLRU.

Melding performance, biography and history, MAKE ’EM LAUGH features interviews with over 90 comedians, writers, producers, and historians including Judd Apatow, Roseanne Barr, Anne Beatts, the Smothers Brothers, Carol Burnett, Sid Caesar, George Carlin, Larry David, Will Ferrell, Leonard Maltin, Cheech Marin, Steve Martin, Chris Rock, Mort Sahl, Dick Van Dyke, and many, many more.

Each one-hour episode focuses on a distinct genre of American comedy – from the most ingenious physical schtick, to those fast-talking wiseguys, to the most incisive satire and parody – re-acquainting viewers with some of their favorite classics. Billy Crystal will introduce each episode and Amy Sedaris (Strangers With Candy) will narrate throughout.

November 21st, 2008

Program: Great Performances
Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 6 p.m.

Each month, KLRU identifies a Family Choice program from our schedule that will interest and engage family members, ages 7 and up. This month’s Family Choice program is Great Performances “Peter and the Wolf” at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23.

The musical tale Peter and the Wolf is given new life in this innovative new animated interpretation. Those coming to the story for the first time will be delighted with this comic modernization. This Academy Award-winning animated short personified instruments in the orchestra to tell the story of young Peter and his animal friends - the Duck, the Bird, and even a mischievous Cat (represented by an oboe, flute, and clarinet respectively).

November 11th, 2008

Program: Monarchy - The Royal Family at Work (part 1 & 2 back-to-back)
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 12
Time: 7 p.m.
Part 3 & 4 airs Wednesday, Nov.19, at 7 p.m.
Part 5 & 6 airs Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m.
Preview the show: pbs.org/monarchy/

A new PBS series, Monarchy - The Royal Family at Work is about to debut on KLRU. Although I didn’t see the actual Royal Family doing much work in the first episode of this inside glimpse of the British Royal Palace, it was very interesting and sometimes comical to see how much work is done by others to accommodate the Queen and her entourage.

The first episode begins with an American photographer learning the rituals and formalities of royalty while attempting to keep a photo shoot of the Queen on schedule. (more…)

November 3rd, 2008

I have worked for KLRU for nearly two years and certain things remind me why I love being a part of the station. The most recent is the KLRU programming department deciding to re-air Frontline’s recent episode “The Choice” the night before the election. The episode takes a closer look at the unique stories of Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s histories and eventual roads (although one road will be stopped short) to the white house in the most comprehensive and unbiased presentation of the subject I’ve seen.

With an even handed approach, Frontline re-introduced me to two men I thought I knew very well, since they’ve spent the last year or so in the national spot light. I’ve heard the “personal story” segments of each candidate’s stump speeches, but this program digs deeper - something that co-writer, co-producer, and UT professor, Paul Stekler has shown a talent for in his many projects dealing with Texas politics. Now on a national level, he has worked with a team to bring to light many details the candidates choose to leave out of the speeches, and most of the media chooses not to cover.
(more…)

October 6th, 2008

KLRU and Conspirare announce that together they will bring the exquisite sound of the Company of Voices to national television. In a one-hour concert to air nationally on PBS in March 2009, contemporary music will blend seamlessly with the classics, taking the audience on a journey of innovative sound, vibrant images and thought-provoking ideas.

The concert will be performed and taped on Sunday, October 12 at 7 p.m. at Austin’s Long Center for the Performing Arts before an audience. Free tickets will be distributed to the public at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at KLRU-TV. Tickets will be distributed two-per-person on a first come, first served basis until they are gone. KLRU is located at 2504-B Whitis Ave. 76712 (at the corner of Dean Keeton and Guadalupe).

Under the leadership of founder and artistic director Craig Hella Johnson, Conspirare was born out of a love for singing and a belief in its power to enrich the lives of all who hear it. Now in its 17th performance season, Conspirare is well known for emotionally resonant performances and an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences, providing listeners with an evocative and often transformative cultural experience.

Conspirare in Concert is a production of KLRU-TV, Austin PBS,  with executive producers, Dick Peterson and Marion Lear Swaybill and director, Karen McLaughlin.

About Conspirare
Conspirare combines outstanding vocal artistry with innovative programming to create a unique and dynamic choral art. Under the artistic leadership of Craig Hella Johnson, Conspirare is comprised of three performing ensembles. Conspirare has produced 3 CDs and received two Grammy® Award nominations (Best Choral Performance and Best Engineered Album, Classical). The newest recording, “Threshold of Night,” was released internationally on September 9, 2008. Conspirare has performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and this past July represented the United States at the Eighth World Symposium on Choral Music in Copenhagen.