A Christmas Story
Originally released in 1983, the film A Christmas Story was no more than a moderate success at the time. But hindsight has changed its reception. The noted critic Roger Ebert…
‘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.…
Socrates and Plato: Two New Handbooks
Since everything Socrates said, or is purported to have said, is contained in the works of Plato, distinguishing between the two has always been problematic. Thus, if you going to…
A PUFF OF EXPELLED AIR: Herder’s History of Mankind
“With the exception of the genesis of living beings, it is perhaps the greatest of terrestrial creation.” What was Johann Gottfied Herder referring to? The power of speech. “Everything human…
BLANK SPLENDOUR: Caught between Infinity and Finitude
““Never can there be anything more between us,” Lady Grace said passionately to Lord John, as she rebuffed his marriage proposal. “Never, no, never!” Aghast and defeated, he sank after…
The Rear View Mirror (1)
Since a certain country just elected the BIGGEST ASS in the world for its leader, SunNewsAustin is launching the first in a continuing series of photographs that will show off…
PEN Exhibit at Ransom Center
The Ransom Center at the University of Texas here in Austin is currently hosting an exhibit to celebrate PEN. That is short for Poets, Essayists and Novelists, an international organization.…
SCOTTISH MONTH in AUSTIN
Whether by chance or design, November became Scottish month in Austin. First came the Celtic Festival on the first weekend of the month, and this weekend the Austin Symphony Orchestra…
CINDERELLA at Houston Grand Opera
Since its premiere in Rome in 1817, Rossini’s opera Cinderella has been a fan favourite. It’s most recent staging at Houston Grand Opera was a sheer delight. Patrick Summers, artistic…
Manchurian Candidate and the cycle of History
Creators Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell won a Pulitzer Prize for their first opera, Silent Night. This was reviewed in SunNewsAustin in 2019 (see link below). They teamed up again…