An African American Homage to Divine Song
It is disheartening to learn that Spectrum Theatre Company, one of Austin’s most significant and vibrant theatrical organizations, has remained a hidden gem for over twenty years. This could be…
Tango Reimagined with JP Jofre
What comes to mind when you hear the word tango? Tango music has been closely linked to its traditional forms, characterized by dramatic rhythms, distinctive melodies, and an unmistakable longing…
The Gift of the Guitar with William Kanengiser
Austin Classical Guitar outdid itself, yet again. This time, Austin audiences had the extreme delight of hearing the modest William Kanengiser, one of the world’s most dynamic and influential classical…
Returning Classical Music to Its Roots
Classical music has long been perceived as a domain of quiet, formal concert halls, where hushed reverence and stiff seating dominate the experience. But a groundbreaking approach in Austin is…
SXSW 2025: Keynote Speakers
South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals has announced the addition of new Keynotes and the third round of Featured Speakers for the 39th edition of its annual Conference, which…
Orchestral Exotica: Tucson Symphony
Tucson Symphony Orchestra last week offered a concert of mostly 19th-century music composed in France, but the standout piece with guest soloist Jing Xia (pictured) was from China. Xia, who…
FOR CHRISTMAS: The Messiah
Handel’s Messiah is now so closely associated with Christmas that the annual arrival of the holiday itself is naturally preceded by a performance of Handel’s most famous work. But it…
How to Ruin the Holidays, Graham Reynolds Style
I’ve written about Graham Reynolds, the virtuoso pianist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, arranger, and jokester. That last bit is new to me as I discovered his wit as a raconteur at…
WOMEN IN JAZZ
Pamela and Kevin Hart, an iconic couple empowering jazz vocalists by entertaining Austin audiences with the best female jazz musicians, have done it again. The holiday concert that took place…
‘Twas The Night Before: Christmas with the Austin Gay Men’s Chorus
The Aluminum Christmas Tree stole the show. For those (like me) who are too young to remember, Christmas trees made of aluminum were all the rage in America from 1960-65.…