Alkek Library News

Climb your family tree: genealogy 101

Wimberley Valley Genealogy Society and the Wimberley Village Library are offering a FREE Genealogy class.

As Americans, our ancestors came from diverse national origins. Discover your own personal roots and grow your own family tree through this fascinating hobby. The Wimberley Valley Genealogical Society and the Wimberley Village Library will be presenting FREE genealogy classes for the beginner and not so new genealogist, beginning the third Monday of January (January 17th.)

Classes will feature the basics of research, utilization of the best free and commercial internet resources, and the use of DNA testing as the newest tool in genealogical research. Instructors will be Harold and Bobbie Hudnall, Cindy Forman, and Linda Kaye Rogers. Classes will be held form 6:30 to 8:00 PM on Monday evenings at the Village Library.

Late-comers are welcome. Light snacks will be provided for those who rush from work to attend. Attending every class is NOT necessary. Space will be limited. Your RSVP is appreciated (but not mandatory), it will help plan the food and handouts.

In order to RSVP just call the Wimberley Village Library, 512-847-2188, EX 6, and leave a message.

January 17th - Getting started: The Who, When & Where of Genealogy
January 24th - Records and Where to Find Them
January 31st - DNA and other Tools
February 7th - Documenting Family Histories and Genealogical Records
February 14th - Online Genealogy: Free Sites
February 21st - Online Genealogy: Subscription Sites

Diane Lunow, Wimberley Valley Genealogy Society

Texas State’s Fifth Annual Archives Month Celebration

October is National Archives Month, and on Friday, October 1 the Wittliff Collections and University Archives at the Alkek Library will co-host a panel called “Know Your Audience: Tips for Successful Writing,” on the seventh floor of the Alkek Library. A catered, hors d’oeuvres reception will follow.

This year’s event is not just for archivists or librarians. Anyone interested in hearing expert advice on successful, professional writing will want to attend. Each panelist will give a short presentation about a specific type of writing, followed by a moderated discussion. There will also be time for questions and/or comments from audience members.

Dr. David B. Gracy II, editor of Libraries and the Cultural Record, will speak about scholarly writing; Kris Toma, co-editor of Southwestern Archivist, will cover newsletters; Pat Hawthorne, Director of Research and Learning, Alkek Library, will discuss press releases; and Anne Peters, Communications Coordinator, UT-San Antonio Libraries, will present on social media.

The panel starts at 1:30 p.m. at the Wittliff Collections on the library’s seventh floor, with the reception starting at 3:30. Both activities are free and open to the public. Panel attendance is not required to attend the reception. Guests are asked to RSVP to [email protected] or (512) 245-2313.

While in the Wittliff Collections be sure to take time to enjoy the fall exhibits: Cormac McCarthy: Selections from the Permanent Collection; Painted Light: Photoworks by Kate Breakey; and Revisiting Goodbye To a River: A 50-Year Anniversary. Also, on permanent display: The Lonesome Dove Collection and selections from the Wittliff’s music collections.

Celebrating Edwin "Bud" Shrake at the Southwestern Writers Collection

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 — BOOK LAUNCH Land of the Permanent Wave An Edwin “Bud” Shrake Reader By Bud Shrake Edited and with an introduction by Steven L. Davis Foreword by Larry L. King

The best works by one of Texas’s most influential writers take center stage in Land of the Permanent Wave: An Edwin “Bud” Shrake Reader, the newest volume in the Southwestern Writers Collection Book Series published by the University of Texas Press.  The series originates from The Wittliff Collections, literary and photographic archives at Texas State University in San Marcos. The public is invited to the book launch, Saturday, April 26, which will feature a book signing with Shrake and acclaimed actor G.W. Bailey reading from the author’s work.

Admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP either by phone (512) 245-2313 or email [email protected]. The Wittliff Collections are located on the seventh floor of the Alkek Library, Texas State University-San Marcos. Directions online: www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu.
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Texas Music at the Library: Reading & Live Music (Tuesday, April 22)

TUESDAY, APRIL 22  The History of Texas Music by Gary Hartman 3:30 – 5:00 pm

The Southwestern Writers Collection presents Texas State professor Gary Hartman discussing The History of Texas Music, with a book signing to follow. The event also celebrates The John and Robin Dickson Series in Texas Music, which is co-sponsored by the Center for Texas Music History and Texas A&M University Press.

Don’t miss live music by the popular band Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones! Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Books will be for sale courtesy of the University Bookstore.

Southwestern Writers Collection
The Wittliff Collections
Alkek Library, Seventh Floor
Texas State University-San Marcos
http://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/
(512) 245-2313

About The History of Texas Music

Texans aren’t the only ones passionate about the music of their home state. In fact, Texas music is popular throughout the world. Despite this, many fans don’t fully understand the history behind Texas music, or why the Lone Star State has such a rich and colorful musical heritage.

Looking to change that, Gary Hartman, Professor of History and Director of the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State, has just released a new book, The History of Texas Music, which explores in detail the many social, cultural, and historical factors that have helped define the music of the American Southwest. A musician himself, Hartman draws on both academic and non-academic sources to give a more complete understanding of the state's remarkable musical heritage. He looks at influential musical figures who have come from the region, and the list is long and impressive: Scott Joplin, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lead Belly, Sippie Wallace, Lightnin’ Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Bob Wills, Gene Autry, Dale Evans, Tex Ritter, Ernest Tubb, George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Tanya Tucker, George Strait, the Dixie Chicks, Van Cliburn, Charlie Christian, Ornette Coleman, Lydia Mendoza, Flaco Jiménez, Selena Quintanilla, Emilio Navaira, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Janis Joplin, ZZ Top, Stephen Stills, and Don Henley.

The History of Texas Music incorporates a selection of well-chosen photographs of many of these prominent and lesser-known artists, and describes not only the ethnic origins of much of Texas music but also the cross-pollination among various genres that have mixed and mingled throughout the state, creating vibrant new hybrids that have reshaped the American musical landscape. Today, the music of Texas—which includes Native American music, gospel, blues, ragtime, swing, jazz, rhythm and blues, conjunto, Tejano, cajun, zydeco, western swing, honky tonk, polkas, schottisches, rock & roll, rap, hip hop, and more—reflects the unique cultural dynamics of the Southwest.

More from TAMU Press:
http://www.tamu.edu/upress/BOOKS/2008/hartman.htm

Labels: live music, southwestern writers