Our favorites from Austin that have been making serious newsworthy strides.
By Alison Stoos
Bill Powers’ Last Day
University of Texas current president, William Powers Jr., will serve his last day as leader on June 2. Later this year, the board of regents will appoint his replacement, the 29th president in the university’s 132-year history.
Grammy Award for Austin-Based Conspirare
A decade and five Grammy nominations later, Austin-based choral ensemble Conspirare took home an award in February for Best Choral Performance for The Sacred Spirit of Russia. Watch the winners perform April 18, when they, along with Austin Classical Guitar, premiere How Little You Are. For more information, visit conspirare.org.
Texas Standard Connects Texans
On March 2, Texas Standard, the new hour-long NPR-style program broadcasted on public radio stations throughout the Lone Star State. The show aims to highlight the impact of Texas news and events throughout the country and even the world. The show can also be heard weekdays at 10 a.m. on KUT 90.5 FM and streamed via kut.org.
Alice in Austin
From Feb. 20 to July 6, the Harry Ransom Center celebrates 150 years of Lewis Carroll’s beloved novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, with an exhibition for all ages. Visitors can learn about the author, the real Alice and even have a tea party. Just don’t be late. (It’s a very important date!)
Accolades for The Long Center
Austin’s creative home, The Long Center for the Performing Arts, took home the most prestigious honor from Paciolan Inc.’s 2015 PACnet conference, the Star of the Year Award. The annual award recognizes organizations that go above and beyond in both expectations and results in ticketing, marketing or fundraising.
Former Footballer’s Future
Former college football player Tyler Campbell and his father, NFL Hall of Famer Earl Campbell, have joined MS Inspiration, a new initiative from Biogen Idec. Tyler Campbell’s diagnosis of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) has only strengthened the bond between father and son, and the MS community is encouraged to visit msinspiration.com to read inspiring stories about living with MS.
Ransom Center Acquires Nobel Prize-Winning Work
UT’s humanities research library and museum, the Harry Ransom Center, acquired the archive of Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel García Márquez (1927 – 2014). The archive documents the life and work of García Márquez, an author who achieved nearly undisputed critical acclaim, along with a worldwide readership. Included within the archive are original manuscript materials, predominantly in Spanish, from 10 books, including One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) and Love in the Time of Cholera (1985).
Jimmy Kimmel at Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M)
The joint fundraising team of ESPN analyst and time-honored football coach Mack Brown, Academy of Country Music award-winning recording artist Jack Ingram and Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey announced Jimmy Kimmel will perform April 17 before the Jack & Friends concert at ACL Live at the Moody Theater as part of the MJ&M festivities. Also that day, Michelle Smith will debut her latest fashion collection at an exclusive show at the W Hotel, hosted by Camila Alves McConaughey. For more information on the event, visit mackjackmcconaughey.org.
Photo credits: Bill Powers photo courtesy of Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman; The Long Center photo courtesy of The Long Center; Conspirare photo courtesy of conspirare.org, MJ&M photo courtesy of mackjackmaconaughey.org
