EVENT: The Harry Ransom Center hosts public programs.
WHEN: Various dates throughout April.
WHERE: Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin, 21st and Guadalupe streets; Jessen Auditorium in Homer Rainey Hall at The University of Texas at Austin, 21st and Whitis streets; Auditorium at Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Library, 2313 Red River St.
BACKGROUND: Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. The Harry Ransom Center’s Charles Nelson Prothro Theater has limited seating. Line forms upon arrival of the first person, and doors open 30 minutes in advance. Free tickets are required for the two April 21 events, and more information can be found at www.hrc.utexas.edu/watergate.
Poetry on the Plaza: “Spring into Spring”
Wednesday, April 6, noon, Harry Ransom Center
The Ransom Center presents the Poetry on the Plaza event “Spring into Spring.” Readers present poems that celebrate spring, a time of renewal, of optimism, of romance, when all is fresh and new and bluebonnets are in bloom. Readers include University of Texas at Austin Department of English faculty members Tom Cable and Oscar Casarez and Michener Center fellows in poetry Laura Dixon and Carolina Ebeid. Refreshments will be served.
“Tennessee Transforming: Endings for ‘Summer and Smoke'”
Thursday, April 7, 7 p.m., Harry Ransom Center
Austin Shakespeare presents “Tennessee Transforming: Endings for ‘Summer and Smoke,‘” portraying Tennessee Williams’s struggles to revise the play he ultimately re-titled “The Eccentricities of a Nightingale.” Materials from the Ransom Center’s Williams archive form the basis of this performance with Ann Ciccolella as director and Christina Gutierrez as dramaturge. This event is held in conjunction with the exhibition “Becoming Tennessee Williams,” on display through July 31.
Gallery Theater With Austin Shakespeare
Sunday, April 10, 2 p.m., Harry Ransom Center
In conjunction with the exhibition “Becoming Tennessee Williams,” actors from Austin Shakespeare perform selections of Tennessee Williams’ play “Not About Nightingales” in the galleries of the Ransom Center. A docent-led tour of the exhibition follows.
Celebrate the release of David Foster Wallace’s “The Pale King”
Friday, April 15, at 7 p.m., Jessen Auditorium in Homer Rainey Hall
To celebrate the release of David Foster Wallace’s “The Pale King,” join the Ransom Center for readings from the novel, followed by a reception and book sale. Wallace’s archive resides at the Ransom Center. Readers include Kevin Brockmeier, Doug Dorst, Julie Orringer and Jake Silverstein. This event is held in conjunction with the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation’s New Fiction Confab and BookPeople. The program will be webcast live at www.hrc.utexas.edu/webcast. Materials from the David Foster Wallace archive are on display in the Ransom Center’s exhibition “Culture Unbound: Collecting in the Twenty-First Century,” including a book Wallace used for research while preparing to write “The Pale King.”
Screening of “All the President’s Men”
Saturday, April 16, 2 p.m., LBJ Library Auditorium
The Ransom Center and the LBJ Presidential Library present a screening of “All the President’s Men” (1976). The Woodward and Bernstein Watergate papers reside at the Ransom Center, and materials related to the film and Watergate scandal are on display as part of the Center’s exhibition “Culture Unbound: Collecting in the Twenty-First Century.” Starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, the film follows the story of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they uncover the details of the Watergate scandal that led to President Nixon’s resignation. No ticket is required for this screening.
“Could the media break a story like Watergate today?”
Thursday, April 21, at 2 p.m., LBJ Library Auditorium
The Ransom Center and the LBJ Presidential Library present a panel of prominent journalists and commentators as they ask “Could the media break a story like Watergate today?” Panelists include Peter Baker of The New York Times, Dana Priest of The Washington Post, Mark Miller of The Texas Tribune, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. The panel will be moderated by Glenn Frankel, director of the School of Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin. Free tickets are required for this event, and more information can be found at www.hrc.utexas.edu/watergate.
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein and Robert Redford: “All the President’s Men”
Thursday, April 21, at 6 p.m., LBJ Library Auditorium
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein and Robert Redford discuss the film “All the President’s Men” (1976) and its legacy in celebration of the 35th anniversary of its release. The Woodward and Bernstein Watergate papers reside at the Ransom Center, and materials related to the film and Watergate scandal are on display as part of the Center’s exhibition “Culture Unbound: Collecting in the Twenty-First Century.” Free tickets are required for this event, and more information can be found at www.hrc.utexas.edu/watergate.
Harry Ransom Lecture: United States Poet Laureate W. S. Merwin
Monday, April 25, 7 p.m., Harry Ransom Center
In celebration of National Poetry Month, W. S. Merwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, essayist, translator and United States Poet Laureate, reads from his work. A book signing follows. This program will be webcast live at www.hrc.utexas.edu/webcast. The Harry Ransom Lectures honor former University of Texas Chancellor Harry Huntt Ransom and highlight the Ransom Center’s vital role in the university’s intellectual and cultural life. The program brings internationally renowned writers, artists and scholars to Austin for public events and conversations with students. The lectures are made possible by the support of the University Co-op.
High-resolution press images are available for all events.
