WRR101 Focus on the Arts: TACA awards $670k in Catalyst Grants to Dallas arts groups

TACA’s Donna Wilhelm Family President and Executive Director Maura Sheffer points out that this kind of support has always been critically important for arts organizations, but even more so now, as many try to return to their pre-pandemic vitality. She spoke with WRR’s Amy Bishop about the other work TACA has been doing recently to… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: A farewell interview with DSO’s Kim Noltemy

“The orchestra just keeps getting better and better, and the European tour demonstrated the depth of admiration in Europe for the Dallas Symphony, which is so special to see,” says Kim Noltemy, whose last day as President and CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra was June 28th. She has gone on to assume the role… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: This festival is a summer staple for Fort Worth’s classical community

“Some people think, ‘Oh my goodness, this is a classical concert. I might find it hard for me to get my head around.’ To them, I would say, ‘I want you to be in the front of the line,’” says Curt Thompson, founder and Executive Director of Fort Worth’s Mimir Chamber Music Festival. In this… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Basically Beethoven is back, but with a slight change

“The concerts I’ve been to since I’ve been an Executive Director there have been phenomenal and it’s such a pleasure to be able to offer something so wonderful at no cost to people who might otherwise not be able to see a concert in a whole year,” says Morgan Vaughan, Executive Director of Basically Beethoven.… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: What to expect at McKinney’s popular Independence Day celebration this year

McKinney’s Independence Day celebration started back when the city had a modest population of about 20 thousand residents. Today, their population is well over 200 thousand, but the city still strives to create a small hometown feel for their Red, White and BOOM event. In this feature, WRR’s Amy Bishop speaks with Ryan Mullins, Assistant… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: The joys and challenges as an actor during Shakespeare in the Park

From being stung by a wasp onstage, to having a heat stroke mid-performance, it takes a special fortitude to be an actor in a production of Shakespeare in the Park. In this podcast, WRR’s Amy Bishop speaks with Mikaela Baker, who plays Olivia in “Twelfth Night” and Adrian Godinez, who plays Odysseus in “The Odyssey,”… Read more »

The Contenders, Vol. 12: The songs we can’t stop playing this week

Our updated list of the year’s best songs includes a sweet reflection from beabadoobee, Nathy Peluso’s wildly infectious “Aprender A Amar,” the mind-blowing virtuosity of pianist Yuja Wang and more. Featured songs and artists:1. Nathy Peluso: “APRENDER A AMAR,” from ‘GRASA’2. Jakob Lindberg: “Musette” and “Tombeau” from ‘Robert de Visée: Theorbo Solos’3. Brijean: “Workin’ On… Read more »