Category Lifestyle

When Austin Metropolis Limits taped its first present inside UT’s Studio 6A in 1974, a grand home piano sat firmly on the stage below the spell of musician Bobbie Nelson, whereas her famed brother Willie’s voice wailed. Because the present grew and totally different artists together with Ray Charles, Lyle Lovett and Fat Domino graced the present’s airwaves, one instrument — the 1911 Steinway and Sons piano — by no means moved. 

Nonetheless, when ACL relocated manufacturing to The Moody Theater after 36 seasons in 2011, producers left the hefty ivories behind, fearing the piano wouldn’t survive the experience downtown. It remained in storage for 12 years, till longtime govt producer Terry Lickona stated he had a imaginative and prescient — caring for the piano himself. 

“I didn’t count on them to present it to me, as I couldn’t afford to purchase it as a result of frankly, it’s priceless,” stated Lickona, a 45-year ACL veteran. “When Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters noticed it, he stated it must be within the Smithsonian, however I’ve this factor about placing devices below glass instances. It’s nice to take a look at, but it surely’s unhappy — it’s not nonetheless alive.”  

Now, because of Lickona, the century-old piano, with some scratches however limitless character, fills his high-ceilinged, music memorabilia-filled residence with a perfectly-tuned ring, proving the instrument stays vigorous. 

Making good on a promise, Lickona hosted the ACL workforce final week to showcase the resonant 88 keys and invite others to play. Properly-respected Austin musician Henri Herbert delivered a poignant set, and stated inserting his arms on these keys particularly culminated his dream. 

“A few years in the past, I used to be residing in an English seaside city and I watched DVDs of ACL. … That was a part of what led me to come back to Austin,” Herbert stated. “It feels magical, form of mystical and religious. I’m not spiritual myself, however I think about that it seems like one thing otherworldly.” 

The piano’s historical past could possibly be as majestic as its sound, however a lot stays unknown, in addition to that UT gave it to ACL on the present’s inception. Station archivist Liz Antaramian found most of the stars who performed the instrument, however stated she continues trying to find clues about its pre-ACL story. 

“I’m hoping that from 1911 to 1974, possibly a pupil who wasn’t positive about whether or not music was for them performed it, or it was used for theater or choir the place it introduced pleasure,” Antaramian stated. “I’m hoping individuals attain out after they learn this text, and possibly say, ‘I used to be a pupil at UT in 1965, and I received to play on the piano throughout my lunch break.’” 

Butler Faculty of Music professor John Mills stated he remembers the piano properly. The acclaimed jazz musician made appearances on ACL, even alongside Willie Nelson, and stated the piano’s second likelihood serves as a testomony to UT, the music franchise’s birthplace. 

“The coed inhabitants had quite a bit to do with the character of the music scene … at a time when Austin on any given night time didn’t have a pair hundred venues,” Mills stated. “The power on campus, and definitely ACL, was a really particular factor.” 

Honoring ACL’s particular legacy, Lickona introduced a $25,000 donation to the station on the reception. He stated the piano’s rediscovery marks solely the start of a memorable fiftieth anniversary season, as historical past’s longest-running music collection charts its future.

“I don’t need to get too carried away, but it surely’s like being born once more. We’re not solely giving individuals an opportunity to rediscover the piano, however uncover extra in regards to the present’s historical past,” Lickona stated. “Fifty is a giant milestone, and it’s a bridge to the longer term.”

Ryan Ranc, Senior Movie Columnist
April 19, 2023

“Beau is Afraid,” the most recent movie from author and director Ari Aster of “Hereditary” and “Midsommar,”, follows Beau (Joaquin Phoenix) as he takes a journey house from his metropolis house to his household’s gorgeous house to see his mom whereas combating obstacles thrown at him from all instructions. The journey takes him to unusual settings through which he meets folks that both assist him or hurt him as he not solely travels to see his mom, however displays on why he behaves the way in which he does.

This film appears like Aster’s work in its purest kind — undamaged by the hand of government energy. Aster clearly acquired the inventive freedom and excessive finances to make a flick that feels totally like him. That’s the place the fantastic thing about “Beau is Afraid” lies: a filmmaker taking complete management of a challenge to make it precisely as they need. The movie reveals off not solely within the expertly crafted set design and shot constructions, but additionally in its three-hour runtime that makes audiences really feel with each second. But, by some means, it leaves audiences wishing it was longer.

Aster clearly needs audiences to dissect this film body for body as a result of, upon first watch, it feels as if the viewers turns into collectively misplaced in a maze of chaos and confusion because the story unfolds throughout the silver display. Audiences will seemingly go away not understanding a lot of the film besides what’s blatantly said to them. Aster manipulates his world and viewers to permit just for comprehension of surface-level plot elements. One, and even a number of rewatches, would assist the movie’s deeper meanings turn into considerably clearer. Aster’s inventive voice feels very Kaufman-esque on this romp, whereas nonetheless crafting his personal uniquely sick and twisted Freudian narrative, all within the identify of constructing himself chuckle.

“Beau is Afraid” feels deeply extra jovial and darkly comedic in comparison with Aster’s earlier works that are seemingly way more horrific. That being mentioned, although, “Beau is Afraid” pulls no punches and injects distinctive horror into each crack and crevice of its story. Visible parts information this terror, from a “Wizard of Oz”-like narration sequence made to appear like a stage play to a mouthless humanoid that scolds Beau as he walks by means of woods. The movie’s complicated parts and eerie story beats really feel unrelenting and make for an expertise that’ll have audiences leaving the theater totally confused, but in awe.

Joaquin Phoenix provides an excellent efficiency because the titular character Beau, who lives in a world of terror because of the approach his mom raised him. Due to this, Beau behaves in a approach that appears to showcase that whereas his physique ages, his thoughts stays childlike. All of his choices fall onto these round him. His anxiousness and “mommy points” make themselves ever-present by means of his arc and permit audiences to really feel empathy and a connection to the journey he takes, not solely to see his mom, however in his personal thoughts. By no means as soon as do audiences discover themselves unsupportive of Beau, which aids this hero’s journey.

This Freudian voyage feels episodic in construction, very similar to an epic which advantages from its elongated runtime. The movie’s ending begs viewers to self-reflect and virtually forces audiences to both rewatch or dive deeper into the movie as an entire to grasp the storybook ending of Beau’s Odyssey.

“Beau is Afraid” marks a turning level in type for Ari Aster contemplating the inventive freedoms he loved for this challenge. The film will enchantment to all audiences, however those that can sit by means of it — and even rewatch it seeking a deeper that means — will discover a substantial amount of worth in Aster’s nightmarish creation.

4 rewatches obligatory to grasp out of 5

Excited cheers and Latin music crammed the Important Mall because the Chavo del Ocho piñata hit the grass. Alina Almaraz gazed gleefully on the crowd of smiling faces, admiring the payoff of her onerous work. 

A piñata breaking and a forest inexperienced bouncy fortress had been a part of the Día de los Niños occasion organized by the Mexican American Tradition Committee. Quite a lot of Latin American nations have fun the vacation, which acknowledges and commemorates youngsters. Kayla Moncada, a member of MACC, mentioned the group is within the course of of fixing its identify to the Latin American Tradition Committee to be extra inclusive of all Latin American cultures. 

Although Almaraz, an utilized motion science freshman, simply joined MACC this semester, she eagerly signed as much as be an occasion coordinator for Día de los Niños. 

“My favourite half (of organizing) was making an attempt to suppose again (to) …  how I grew up within the family that I’ve, within the tradition that I’m (part of), and considering of all of the nostalgic items that I actually miss and that I really feel different folks may connect with,” Almaraz mentioned.

Quite a lot of childhood video games like Lotería and Jenga introduced again candy recollections for Ellie Garcia, a radio-television-film freshman who attended the occasion. She mentioned the celebration helped her really feel linked to her dwelling in Brownsville, Texas after going away to high school. 

“Now I’m going into (Día de los Niños) with a giant appreciation as a result of it is part of my tradition,” Garcia mentioned. “Particularly being so distant from dwelling, it’s good to reconnect with that, particularly right here in my school.” 

The nice and cozy embrace of nostalgia lingered in Moncada’s thoughts as she labored alongside Almaraz to plan the occasion, the place the radio-television-film sophomore introduced the Chavo del Ocho piñata straight from Mexico. 

“I instantly began making a playlist and I used to be selecting songs that I bear in mind from my childhood, and I might ask different folks for options,” Moncada mentioned. “I particularly needed Latino-type songs to point out our tradition. I knew that when we had the music taking part in, it was going to set the temper for the entire occasion.” 

Paulina Nájera, a provide chain administration senior and president of the Latino Pan-Hellenic Council, volunteered at a sales space together with different LPHC members on the occasion to assist different folks of their group. 

“I didn’t have fun (Día de los Niños) right here, however my mother used to have fun it at any time when she was youthful,” Nájera mentioned. “She would inform me that (the adults) would at all times give them little sweet luggage on that day, or simply one thing to point out a token of appreciation.” 

Sweet luggage, elote and recent fruit allowed college students to destress and join with their interior little one. Dantes Martinez, a linguistics and anthropology freshman, mentioned he didn’t plan to go to the occasion, however was drawn in by the bouncy fortress. 

“(Occasions like these are) a great way to uplift the spirit a bit,” Martinez mentioned. “In case you’re having a busy day finding out, … it’s a enjoyable break and escape from every little thing else for a bit.” 

MACC will proceed to host a wide range of occasions, all targeted on bringing Latin American tradition to campus. 

“Our foremost aim is to offer a way of group and a way of belonging for Latinos by placing on the occasions,” Moncada mentioned. “It’s a chance to … produce other folks expertise part of our tradition.”

Instructing a bunch of youngsters in foster care to bounce in a Costa Rican arts faculty, Gabriella Gonzalez’s curiosity in emotional help blends together with her artistic skills. After working internationally as a dance therapist’s assistant, she plans to maneuver up within the well being care business, with one membership specifically helping her journey.      

Based in 2008, the Liberal Arts Pre-Med Society primarily fosters neighborhood for liberal arts college students desiring to pursue medical faculty. Members like Gonzalez, Ritesh Soule and Shaan Jani joined the group as college students seeking to discover non-STEM pursuits throughout their journeys as future physicians. 

Gonzalez, LAPMS treasurer and volunteer coordinator, mentioned she started her medical involvement as a dance therapist working primarily with kids in foster care. Nonetheless, Gonzalez mentioned when she transferred as a sophomore to UT’s School of Liberal Arts, she confronted difficulties to find assets to information her into the medical area.

“I used to be behind to go to medical faculty, and I used to be scared,” psychology junior Gonzalez mentioned. “As a non-STEM pupil categorized (below the School of Liberal Arts), … I didn’t know who to speak to.”

Nonetheless, after becoming a member of LAPMS, Gonzalez mentioned she might discover steerage on beginning a pre-med observe. 

“It was a really messy schedule originally,” Gonzalez mentioned. “Then, in my second semester, I heard about LAPMS (from) a COLA pal (who informed me) UT has liberal arts pre-med.”

Jani, LAPMS social and occasions coordinator, mentioned he cemented his pre-med pathway this yr. After dabbling in numerous pre-health golf equipment, Jani mentioned he determined LAPMS finest suited his wants.

“Numerous the organizations felt too giant to the purpose the place I didn’t really feel like I might discuss to anybody,” psychology sophomore Jani mentioned.​​ “Once I joined LAPMS, I discovered that I might discuss to everybody and ask questions, and they’d have time to reply.”

Though Jani solely just lately recognized his ardour for drugs, his profession motivations lengthen far earlier than younger maturity. Jani mentioned his main and medical faculty plans stem from a need to assist others impressed by his personal experiences with bullying.

Jani mentioned his friends made enjoyable of his weight as a baby, and he additionally felt that he didn’t slot in his largely white neighborhood as somebody with Indian heritage. His emotions of self-doubt compelled him to analysis on-line about discovering happiness, which translated into his future profession path and present main in psychology. 

“I wished to learn to develop myself, and I might spend plenty of time on Google … studying learn how to make myself happier with who I’m,” Jani mentioned. “I figured if I’m spending a lot time specializing in (happiness), possibly I could make it my profession path and hopefully assist different those who is likely to be in an identical boat.”

Soule, LAPMS president, mentioned his inspiration to pursue drugs got here from assembly his pals’ doctor mother and father as a baby. He mentioned whereas advisers usually describe his main as distinctive for a pre-med pupil, he cherishes his diploma’s emphasis on tender abilities. 

“You see physicians (who don’t) perceive their affected person from a humanistic perspective,” historical past junior Soule mentioned. “A liberal arts background helps with understanding the (affected person’s) tradition and getting a normal really feel of what their expertise is likely to be earlier than in search of medical help.”

With a school as giant as COLA, LAPMS supplies alternatives for college kids to thrive in a tight-knit surroundings amongst friends with equally distinctive educational careers, Jani mentioned.

“(LAPMS) provides us a great way to seek out folks from this enormous pool which have associated pursuits,” Jani mentioned. “Hopefully we will construct a pal group and undergo this gorgeous tough activity collectively.”