Artwork has arrived! See it now...
I can hardly believe how beautiful and inventive the 11 pieces are that the high school artists created for Austin Pictures.
I just now posted all 11 in one place - check 'em out here!
Wow.
Austin Pictures Spotlight: FG Squared
FG Squared is a fantastic and innovative Austin-based Web Design and Interactive Marketing firm in Austin led by one of our favorite people, Steve Golab. I met Steve years ago, but we first had an opportunity to work together when he and FG Squared offered generous assistance building the event website for Austin Goes Classical (the giant 2010 community-wide music festival we presented at the Long Center surrounding our hosting of GFA). With around 2,000 people a night for a full week for our evening presentations at that festival, we sold thousands and thousands of tickets, and the vast majority of the patrons learned about the event, and got connected, through the web site that Steve and his team deigned and built for us!
Since then we’ve been working together quite closely. FG Squared recently redesigned our international curriculum website at GuitarCurriculum.com, and they are also the developers of our next major education project (a substantial online training program for classroom guitar teachers).
Why talk about FG Squared right now? Because they have donated their services to us again, this time to build the event website for Austin Pictures! We love the site, and not only did they build something grander than we imagined, they added complete Facebook integration this time around… meaning our AustinPictures.org site lives not only in it’s own domain, but also – fully functioning – on the Austin Classical Guitar Society’s Facebook Page.
I sat down to talk with FG Squared owner Steve Golab to learn a bit more about this remarkable Austin business.
Matthew Hinsley: What are some core principles or values that define FG Squared?
Steve Golab:
The first is: Follow your passion. In the grand scheme of things, you need to be disciplined and work just a little harder than the average person to become a thought leader in an area that you presently hobby in. However, at some point, you must commit yourself completely to your journey if you are going to achieve total mastery. True commitment means that you will spend extra time, money, and other resources to meet your promises even if when you are not guaranteed to directly benefit as a result.
The second is: Establish a clear sense of purpose. Manage your time obsessively. You can't do everything at once, nor should you. Once you have clarity of purpose, it is easier to prioritize how you spend your time. Focus your time on matters related to your purpose and passion.
The third is: Details. The small things add up. It's important to double-check and consider even mundane items. Spell check? Does your math add up? Are you using the correct format? Has anyone beside yourself looked at this and provided comments?
The fourth is: Be agile. If first you don't succeed, call it version 1.0. By keeping a flexible mindset, it will be easier to adapt and respond to major changes in your industry and endure the ups and downs that you will inevitably encounter.
And finally: Celebrate the Journey. Get some perspective and give back to your community. Live by example and become a mentor to others. Find a mentor and commit yourself to a lifelong learning.
MH: You have been remarkably generous with us, and others, in Austin. Why do you feel it's important to give back to our community?
SG: Community is the structure of belonging that fosters abundance thinking, the realization that we already have everything we need to survive and thrive even through the hard times. I've lived in Austin for over 20 years now, and my wife Shawna and I are will raise our daughter Ava here. The health of our community is important to our family.
MH: You and your team were a big part of our success at Austin Goes Classical, and we’re extremely grateful to have your help again with Austin Pictures. Is there anything in particular about Austin Pictures that led you to wish to sponsor it?
SG: It's going to be a once in a lifetime celebration…. so many creative geniuses at a premiere local venue for an important cause - community outreach and education. Education is at the forefront of local economic development. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be affiliated with ACGS and Austin Pictures.
MH: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
SG: I'd love to hear from your patrons – especially – 1: Visit our Facebook Page, "Like" our page, and leave us a comment. 2. Think about whether you know any small business owners who would benefit from selling their products on Facebook. That is an exciting area that we are particularly learning to specialize in.
Matt talks with Alamo Drafthouse Founder/CEO Tim League
I had a blast sitting down with Tim League of the Alamo Drafthouse to talk about Austin Pictures recently. Tim and the Alamo have simply transformed and, indeed, come to help define, the cultural landscape of Austin. They helped us greatly for GFA last summer when they brought out their Rolling Roadshow and Master Pancake Theater to the Long Center city terrace following the LAGQ show. Here Tim and I talk a bit about what's in store for Austin Pictures!
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 1st 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 1st. 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.
Doubles Tennis Match vs. Hinsley & Caballero, 10/2 @ 11am!
New ebay auction is live!
Proceeds benefit ACGS Education. Bid online here.
You and your tennis partner will meet Matt and Jorge on Sunday morning, October 2nd, at 11am at Barton Creek Country Club in Austin for a doubles tennis match followed by lunch! Matt and Jorge (4.0-4.5) are happy to have a friendly game, or a fierce-and-ruthless match. It's up to you! (so long as you don't choose "fierce-and-ruthless" until we start winning and then change your mind... Matt & Jorge have a hard time switching gears!).
This tennis and lunch date is the morning following "Austin Pictures" at Austin's spectacular new 2,200 seat ACL Live space. Matt is producing the event through the Austin Classical Guitar Society, and Jorge is starring in it! The concert will be broadcast by KMFA, filmed for TV by KLRU, and involves the Miro String Quartet, Maestro Peter Bay and over 100 student art, music and film collaborators from over 1,000 miles away! Learn more at http://AustinPictures.org. If you win this auction, you get two premium seats to see the concert on October 1st too!
All proceeds from this auction go to supporting the Educational Outreach Program of the Austin Classical Guitar Society. The program currently operates in over 25 schools locally, has served thousands of diverse young people, and has developed a curriculum that is in use internationally.
What is Austin Pictures?
Austin Pictures, Saturday, 10/1 at 8PM, ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Can you imagine one guitarist playing an entire symphony?
Supremely gifted guitar wizard Jorge Caballero will play Pictures at an Exhibition – one of the most famous orchestra pieces of all time – on solo guitar at the spectacular new ACL Live space on Saturday, October 1st.
The evening will be filmed for TV by KLRU, and broadcast live by KMFA.
And that’s just the beginning…
Pictures at an Exhibition has 11 evocative musical themes. 11 distinguished high school artists are each painting their own Austin versions on canvas. Bringing their work to life at ACL Live will be a short film about the artists and their experience painting in response to music. Meet the artists and filmmakers online.
And imagine this: to open the show, a new musical work about Austin will be premiered by the Miró String Quartet and over 100 young guitarists - from over 1,000 miles away - with Maestro Peter Bay conducting.
Austin Pictures is art, music, film and inspiration. Tickets and information for this uniquely Austin celebration at AustinPictures.org or 877-435-9849.
Austin Pictures, behind the scenes:
The Alamo Drafthouse is a partner for the vast AV elements of Austin Pictures. Here's an interview with Tim League, the Alamo’s founder and CEO, about creativity in Austin and at the Alamo, their role in the production, and Tim’s own guitar history.
Watch an interview with The Austin Symphony’s Maestro Peter Bay about Austin Pictures, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, and getting young people involved in the arts.
Learn about the new 5-movement musical work, “Austin Pictures”, in an interview with composer Joe Williams.
Young guitarists are coming from as far away as Brownsville, Albuquerque, and Oklahoma City to participate. Here’s an article in The Oklahoman about a group of kids excited to participate and working to make it happen.
Austin Pictures is a presentation of the Austin Classical Guitar Society, creators of the multi-award-winning 2010 Austin Goes Classical Festival. Presenting sponsors are: HEB, Austin Asset Management Company, The Kodosky Foundation, Michael Fields with Ameriprise Financial, Carolyn and Marc Seriff, and Silicon Labs. Media sponsors are: The Austin Chronicle, FG Squared, KMFA, KUT, CultureMap, and Univision. Presentation Partners are: KLRU, The Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Blanton Museum of Art, MindPOP, 2nd Street District, and the Alamo Drafthouse.
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!
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 1st… 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 6th, and the remainder of the series will air throughout the year. More great Classically Austin programming!
ACGS Fall Concert Guide!
This fall will be the most exciting ever for ACGS. Our centerpiece is, of course, Austin Pictures on October 1st, but much more is in store. Between Austin Guitar Salon, Classical Cactus, our International Series, our Community Concert Series and the International Concert Series… there’s something for everyone! Here’s a chronological listing of the biggies:
Don’t forget, if you’re a member of ACGS you can get tix to our entire International Concert Series (5 events), including Austin Pictures, starting at just $95! (Benefit Concert, Opening Night Dinner, Guitars Under the Stars, Austin Guitar Salon and Classical Cactus are sold separately).
Buy ACGS Season Tickets online here.
Thursday, September 8th at 8PM: Classical Cactus with David Conger and Steve Kostelnik. Classical Cactus has also brought about a new, 1st-ever, collaboration with KUT and KMFA. The first broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6th at 7PM on KMFA hosted by Jeffrey Blair – broadcasting our August 11th show that featured Thales Smith and Jonathan Dotson. $5.
Saturday, September 17th at 7:30PM: Benefit Concert at the home of Jeff and Gail Kodosky featuring Thomas Viloteau. Parisian virtuoso Viloteau dazzled us when he last appeared on our International Concert Series. We can’t wait to have him back, and in such an intimate, beautiful setting. Reception by Kurrant Events. $100.
Saturday, October 1st at 8PM: Austin Pictures. Jorge Caballero, Peter Bay, the Miró Quartet, over 100 student art, music and film collaborators. Our most ambitious single evening ever at the 2,200-seat ACL Live Theater to be broadcast live by KMFA and filmed for TV by KLRU. $25-$75 – AustinPictures.org
Thursday, October 20th at 8PM: Classical Cactus featuring Joseph Palmer and the Gabriel Santiago Quintet. $5.
Saturday, October 22nd at 7:30PM: Austin Guitar Salon returns! Intimate concerts in historic homes with wine and cheese receptions… We know the place and it’s amazing. But we’ll be announcing all the details next week! $50.
Saturday, November 5th, at 8PM: International Concert Series featuring Isaac Bustos. A supremely gifted guitarist, we are delighted to present Isaac for the first time on our ICS. $25-$50.
Thursday, November 10th at 8PM: Classical Cactus. Having just wrapped up a 10-concert stint in school programs through our Community Concert Series, flamenco guitarist Juanito Pascual will headline our show at the Cactus Café following a set by marvelous talent Jay Kachereski. $5.
Saturday, November 19th at 7:30PM: Austin Guitar Salon. Details next week! $50.
Texas Performing Arts: Special Offer for ACGS Fans!
I'm super excited that our friends at Texas Performing Arts are offering us a special discount on ALL their non-Broadway shows this year! Follow the link below and enter our ACGS discount code.
Their season begins on September 8th with Michael Feinstein.
If you call, please make sure you say “season performances” as they’re not able to offer the discount on Broadway events or concerts.
Follow this link and enter code: GUITAR2012