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Media Release

January 7, 2010

New Television Specials Focus on Local Arts Community

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, announces an unprecedented new series of arts specials that will present performances from some of Austin's leading artists and cultural organizations. The five-part series will be special presentations of the Lonestar Emmy Award-winning series IN CONTEXT and will capture Austin's creative community at its best. Shot and edited in high definition, the series will highlight choral and jazz music, visual artists, dance and more.

"As part of KLRU's commitment to reflect life in Central Texas, we are thrilled to be able to bring these artists into people's homes. Opening these aspects of Austin's culture to a broader audience is key to the mission of public broadcasting," said Bill Stotesbery, CEO of KLRU. In recent years, KLRU has worked with Austin Lyric Opera, Blanton Museum of Art, Conspirare and other arts organizations to bring local art to television. The IN CONTEXT specials will continue established partnerships with Austin cultural icons like Ballet Austin, while establishing new collaborations with other arts organizations.

Each IN CONTEXT special will celebrate Austin's artistic community in programs broadcast on KLRU (18-1) to a viewing area of 1.5 million people in 18 counties across Central Texas. In addition, program content will be made available online at klru.tv and klru.org/incontext.

IN CONTEXT, now in its fourth season on KLRU, reflects the arts culture in Central Texas while exploring the creative people behind the scenes - from established musicians to unsung heroes, from the celebrated auteur to the starving artist. Through video segments, IN CONTEXT provides a glimpse in the lives of people who follow their dreams, the poets of form and function, the obscure, the inspiring, the strange and the beautiful.

Programs scheduled to air as part of this series include:

IN CONTEXT: Voices of Light - This special features songs by Austin Chinese Choir, Trio Los Vigilantes and Capital City Men's Chorus and the choirs from East Austin Baptist, Abiding Love Lutheran Church, The Lakeway Church and Barton Hills Elementary School. The diverse lineup illustrates that regardless of differences, the desire to express the experience of life through music is a common goal. This special airs Monday, January 11, at 8 p.m.

IN CONTEXT: Jazz in Austin -- The Jazz genre is experiencing a revival in Austin and IN CONTEXT goes behind-the-scenes to explore local talent. Performances include the stalwart of the Austin jazz scene--pianist James Polk, vocalist Pam Hart, the gypsy-jazz inspired Paris 49 and more in this one hour special that will air on Thursday, January 28 at 8 p.m.

IN CONTEXT: The Bach Project by Ballet Austin - A new contemporary ballet from Stephen Mills, The Bach Project utilizes music both composed and inspired by J.S. Bach. This world-premiere dance work includes a variety of movement styles and interactive media. Broadcast date to be determined.

IN CONTEXT is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division.

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 Snakebit and Tattooed Under Fire. Get more information about KLRU at klru.org <http://www.klru.org>.