Adriana Retamozo-Gamborino

Austin Pictures Spotlight: The Blanton Museum of Art

The Blanton Museum of Art is a cultural treasure of Austin.  On the UT campus, the gorgeous Blanton Space hosts some of the most interesting and spectacular exhibits and events in Austin’s art world and beyond.

We were just thrilled when they offered to be our visual art partner for Austin Pictures!

“Why a visual art partner?” you say?  Because, in addition to presenting some incredible music on October 1^st with Jorge Caballero, the Miró Quartet and Maestro Peter Bay, Austin Pictures has a strong visual art component!

Jorge Caballero will do the impossible on the guitar on October 1^st.  He will play a piece best-known as a symphonic work on a solo classical guitar.  The piece?  Modest Mussorgsky’s beloved Pictures at an Exhibition.

Mussorgsky’s masterwork has 11 musical themes.  The first, and most famous, is the Promenade, which illustrates gallery goers moving through an exhibit of ten paintings – the remaining ten musical themes!  We thought this would be a perfect opportunity to get visual artists involved.  We commissioned 11 distinguished high school visual artists to each paint their own versions one of the 11 musical themes (meet them here)!  The paintings will all be on display at Austin Pictures, and will also be the subject (along with the young artists) of a short film shown that evening.

We sat down with our friends at the Blanton to learn a bit more about this marvelous institution.

Matthew Hinsley: I cannot thank you enough for partnering with us for Austin Pictures!

The Blanton Museum of Art: The Blanton Museum of Art is proud to be a part of Austin Pictures. Not only does the event promise to provide some of the season’s most outstanding performances, but we are particularly pleased to join forces with the Austin Classical Guitar Society because their educational initiatives so closely resemble our own.

MH: We truly believe the core of our programming is about education.  What kinds of programming do you have for young people?

BMOA: Like the ACGS, The Blanton is committed to providing exceptional cultural experiences for K-12 students, particularly those from underserved communities. Through our Art Central program, Story Time Tours, Holiday Family Days and other programming, we hope to impact and inspire the next generation of leaders in this community.

MH: The Blanton is always offering world-class exhibits and programs.  What’s coming up?

BMOA: This fall, we are pleased to present two exhibitions that will engage young minds, as well as those from the University and greater Austin communities: We will serve as the only Southwest venue for El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You about Africa, a career-retrospective of the celebrated Nigeria-based artist hailed by the New York Times as an “international art star.” Also on view this fall is Storied Past: Four Centuries of French Drawings from the Blanton Museum of Art, a wonderfully rich selection that highlights the social and material history of drawing in France.

MH: Wow.  Those both sound not only gorgeous, but thought-provoking, educational and richly culturally significant!  Is there anything else you’d like to share?

BMOA: We congratulate the ACGS on Austin Pictures, and invite everyone to come and experience pictures “live and in person” in our galleries this fall.

MH: Thank you so much Blanton Museum of Art!  And I’d like to encourage everyone to check out the Blanton’s website where you can learn more about their exhibits, their programming for young people, and so much more.

by Adriana Retamozo-Gamborino

Matt Talks with Peter Bay about Austin Pictures!

I had a wonderful time sitting down to talk about Austin Pictures with Peter Bay recently.  We were in the Long Center's Kodosky Lounge looking north at downtown Austin.  Beautiful!

View the video here!

by Adriana Retamozo-Gamborino

Austin Pictures: KMFA Live Broadcast, a Talk with Joan Kobayashi

For Austin Pictures, KMFA Classical 89.5 is not only a Media Sponsor, they have also joined us as a production partner to broadcast the evening live simultaneously with the show!  So if it turns out you can’t come down to see the show at ACL Live on October 1^st… you can still tune in your radio, or listen online, to the whole production.

This is actually not the first time we’ve played together like this.  Do you remember the last time they broadcast a show live for us?  It was for the opening of Austin Goes Classical last summer at the Long Center when Pepe Romero played his dazzling, sold-out show at the Long Center.  What a night that was!

We love KMFA.  And we wanted to sit down with KMFA’s General Manager, Joan Kobayashi, to learn a bit more about the station.

Matt Hinsley for Austin Pictures: What are some core principles or values that define KMFA?

Joan Kobayashi for KMFA: We include excellence of content, fiscal responsibility and community collaboration as some of our most important core principles.  All of our principles require a constant focus on community trusteeship and stewardship.  Staff, board, listeners and donors alike are all trustees and stewards of this community asset we call 89.5, KMFA – an all-classical public radio service for Austin and Central Texas.  We consider the station and its resources as a trust we must preserve and enhance – and we operate with a sense of stewardship on behalf of the communities we serve, consciously working to honor the trust placed in us.

MH: Why do you feel it's important to give back to our community?

JK: We are part of, sustained by, and serve our community.   Giving back is an inherent part of our mission and community responsibility.  KMFA has long considered gifts in support of our station as gifts for Central Texans.

MH: Why are you supporting Austin Pictures?

JK: We feel strongly that our programming should be reflective of our community - and live broadcasts of locally based performances are the epitome of that reflection.  Having successfully collaborated with the Austin Classical Guitar Society in the past, we accepted without hesitation when asked to be part of Austin Pictures.  Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition is described as a monumental masterpiece -  so, too, is this amazing collaborative event that you - Matt Hinsley  - have put together.  We’re thrilled to extend its reach to as many people as possible through our broadcast!

MH: Tell me about the live broadcast you're planning?

JK: Our broadcast will begin at 7:30pm on October 1st and will be co-hosted by Dianne Donovan (KMFA mid-day announcer and Classical Austin producer) and Keith Neisler (KMFA Program Director).  Content will include feature interviews with the performers before the concert and during intermissions.  We will also have an online component where the performance’s multimedia images will be displayed on our website.

MH: Is there anything else you'd like to share?

JK: That we can’t wait!  We particularly love working with you and the Austin Classical Guitar Society (ACGS).  We’re also proud to collaborate with KUT and ACGS in presenting “Classical Cactus,” a new program that features the Austin Classical Guitar Society’s series of the same name at the Cactus Cafe.  Our first program airs September 6^th, and the remainder of the series will air throughout the year.  More great Classically Austin programming!

by Adriana Retamozo-Gamborino

Pictures Spotlight: Pisco Portón, Opening Night Dinner

We are busy planning the opening night dinner that will directly precede Austin Pictures on October 1^st.  Doors open for Austin Pictures at ACL Live (just north of City Hall, in the W Hotel) at 6:30PM, AV/previews begin at 7:30 and the show starts at 8.  But across the street in Silicon Lab’s east building, beginning at 5:30, we’re having our opening night dinner!

Jorge Caballero, the genius guitarist who is our centerpiece guest performer for Austin Pictures, is from Peru.  We learned this summer that chef Julio, head chef of our new favorite cuisine partner, La Sombra Bar and Grill, is also Peruvian!  So it seemed like the perfect fit to ask La Sombra to create a Peruvian feast for opening night!

Our friends at La Sombra introduced us to Pisco Portón.  These distillers of premium Peruvian Pisco are not only brilliant at what they do, but they are also very generous and community-minded.  They have joined in as a sponsor of our opening night dinner.  Thank you Pisco Portón!

“What is Pisco?” You ask?  I thought you might!  I had a conversation with the good people at Pisco Portón to learn a bit more (ooh, and there’s even a recipe below!).

Matt Hinsley: We are so grateful for your support of our opening night dinner and of our Austin Pictures project.  I’m sure that I’m not alone in wanting to know more about Pisco and, specifically, Pisco Portón.  Can you help?

PP: Pisco Portón is a new, ultra premium white spirit that is versatile in cocktails and offers complexity with a delicate finish when savored on its own. Born from grapes that grow in the shadows of the Andes Mountains, Pisco Portón is artisanally crafted at Hacienda La Caravedo distillery in Ica, Peru. Building on the heritage and traditions of this distillery, which was founded in 1684 and is the oldest in the Americas, Pisco Portón combines centuries-old methods with state-of-the-art and eco-friendly technology to create a “mosto verde pisco” of unmatched quality.

MH: I understand we’ll be mixing up some special Pisco Portón drinks at our opening night dinner, but could you share one of your favorite recipes with us now?

PP: Sure!  This is the recipe for “The Portonero”:

2 oz. Pisco Portón

1 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 tsp. simple syrup

1 slice of fresh ginger

1 dash of Angostura™ bitters

Top off with ginger ale

Fresh lime wedge

Pour Pisco Portón, lime juice, simple syrup, ginger and bitters into a tall glass with ice. Top off with ginger ale. Stir ingredients and garnish with a lime wedge.

MH: We’re very grateful for your support of Austin Pictures and our opening night dinner.  Why do you feel it’s important to give back to the community?

PP: Pisco Portón has a commitment to being a good neighbor and to practicing business sustainably. Pisco Portón’s new state-of-the-art distillery was built with the environment in mind, incorporating design features and technology to reduce water and energy waste, as well as carbon dioxide emissions. In the United States, Pisco Portón is proud to support a number of worthy causes including Austin Pictures.

MH: I’m sure there are many great causes seeking your support.  Is there something about Austin Pictures that made you want to support the project?

PP: Austin Pictures shares the best of music, film and art with its community and Pisco Portón was elated to hear you selected legendary Peruvian guitarist Jorge Caballero as the centerpiece. As a product based in Peruvian heritage and tradition, Pisco Portón is honored to be a part of Austin Pictures, creating the perfect Peruvian evening where music, cuisine and cocktails are paired together just as they would be in Peru.

MH: Are there other artistic causes you’ve supported recently, that you’re excited about?

PP: We recently sponsored Dan’s Paper Art Exhibition, an event that supports New York area artists.  Although a new brand that launched this year, Pisco Portón is excited about supporting more arts organizations that do great work for their communities such as Austin Pictures.

MH: Is Pisco Portón available all over the US now?

PP: Pisco Portón is currently available in Texas, California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Louisiana, Ohio, Minnesota and South Carolina and will become available in more states very soon.

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They also sent a great shot of Master Distiller Johnny Schuler at their distillery in Hacienda La Caravedo, in Ica, Peru.  Cheers!

by Adriana Retamozo-Gamborino