Etgar Keret to read at Katherine Porter House
Hailed as the voice of young Israel and one of its most radical and extraordinary writers, Etgar Keret is internationally acclaimed for his short stories. Born in Tel Aviv in 1967 to an extremely diverse family, his brother heads an Israeli group that lobbies for the legalization of marijuana, and his sister is an orthodox Jew and the mother of ten children. Keret regards his family as a microcosm of Israel. His book, The Nimrod Flip-Out, (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2006), is a collection of 32 short stories that captures the
craziness of life in Israel today. His other published books include Bus Driver Who Wanted to Be God; Missing Kissinger; Gaza Blues; and Suddenly a Knock on the Door. Keret will read at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Wittli? collections, Alkek Library seventh floor at Texas State University. He will also read at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center in Kyle. Both events are free and open to the public.
“The Palestinians asked for a state, nicely. Did they get one? The hell they did. So they switched to blowing up kids on buses, and people started listening. The settlers wanted a dialogue. Did anyone pick up on it? No way. So they started getting physical, pouring hot oil on the border patrolmen, and suddenly they had an audience. In this country, might makes right, and it doesn’t matter if it’s about politics, or economics or a parking space.”
– From Etgar Keret’s “Suddenly, A Knock on the Door,” published in the short story collection of the same name
Starlight Symphony Orchestra kicks off 2013-14 season
The Starlight Symphony Orchestra opens its new season with a performance at the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center (PAC). The performance features four significant composers, Mozart, Sibelius, Mendelssohn, and Dvorak and will be conducted by the group’s new Music Director David Oertel. Starlight Symphony is a regional community orchestra whose mission includes providing Central Texas musicians with a cultural and social gathering opportunity where players can meet and work together. The season opening concert is at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at the PAC. This concert and all SSO concerts are free and open to the public; donations are appreciated.
Improv Dance Festival this weekend
The Texas State University Theatre & Dance Department will host the Fifth Annual Texas Dance Improvisation Festival this coming weekend. The festival celebrates improvisational dance in Texas and beyond, coming together as dance/music artists to share, inspire and challenge our improvising arts community across the state and the nation. On Thursday night, catch a jam from 6:30-10 p.m., followed by two days of classes, performances, and jams with well-known instructors. Saturday night will feature performances by Keith Hennessy and festival faculty at 7 p.m., followed by a jam from 9-12 p.m. The festival will be held Oct. 3-5 at Jowers Center.
San Marcos celebrates Fire Prevention Month in October
The San Marcos Fire Department will host its third annual Open House from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Oct. 5 at Fire Station 5, 100 Carlson Circle in San Marcos, to kick off Fire Prevention Month. Residents of all ages are invited to attend the free event to enjoy clown shows, safety house demonstrations, fire engine rides, a rescue helicopter landing and a vehicle rescue demonstration. Hotdogs, chips, fire hats and fire prevention information will be available. Child identification services will also be available for interested parents. A digital picture and thumbprint along with height, weight, description, allergies, the child’s name and parent contact information will be collected and printed on cards for the parents to carry. The cards can be shown to police and provide vital information if the child is lost. Call (512) 805-2660 for more information.
