DOWNTOWN

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2008 News

DOWNTOWN Receives Four EMMY® Nominations
September 22, 2008

“DOWNTOWN,” a co-production of the Downtown Austin Alliance, Action Figure and KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, has received four nominations for the 66h Annual Lone Star EMMY® Awards. This 10-week series, which airs on KLRU, features unique stories of the people and places that make “DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets.™”

DOWNTOWN Receives Envision Central Texas 2008 Community Stewardship Award
May 2, 2008

Envision Central Texas recognized the DOWNTOWN TV show, produced by the Downtown Austin Alliance, KLRU-TV and Action Figure, with the "Raising Public Awareness" Community Stewardship Award. Throughout the past three seasons, DOWNTOWN on KLRU has tackled issues facing the country's fastest-growing city of its size: Austin, Texas. From segments on sustainability, to others celebrating the local businesses that help shape the city, the show aims to educate the 18-county area on the economic and ecological impacts of a dense urban core. The show reaches over 1.5 million viewers.

2007 News

“DOWNTOWN” RECEIVES THREE LONE STAR EMMY® AWARDS

Austin’s Popular PBS Series Feature the Stories that Make DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets™

Austin, TX (Oct.28, 2007) “DOWNTOWN,” a co-production of the Downtown Austin Alliance, Action Figure and KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, won three awards at the 5th Annual Lone Star EMMY® Awards on Saturday, October 27. This 10-week series, which airs on KLRU, features unique stories of the people and places that make “DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets.™”

Since the inception of the series in 2005, “DOWNTOWN” has received six Lone Star EMMYs. This year, the series received awards in the following categories:

  • Arts/Entertainment – Program Feature/Segment – Episode 302 “Slam Poets,” highlights the poetic brilliance, alliteration and friendly competition of the Austin Poetry Slam;
  • Texas Heritage – Program Feature/Segment – Episode 304 “The Magi’s Gift’s Before He Was O. Henry,” traces the famous author’s Austin connections to the modern-day “O. Henry Pun-Off;”
  • Public/Current/Community Affairs Feature/Segment – Episode 303 “Experience Caring” highlights the mission of Caritas of Austin, a downtown service organization that works with businesses to help people from all over the world build new lives.

“With all of its unique people, places, folklore and historical landmarks, downtown Austin makes for great television,” said Kent Collins, chair of the Downtown Austin Alliance. “We’re proud to be one of the co-producers of this wonderful series that paints a picture of what we treasure most about our city.”

“DOWNTOWN” has been widely recognized for its depiction of what makes Austin unique. In addition to winning seven Lone Star EMMYs®, “DOWNTOWN” has also been awarded the Austin Chronicle’s Reader’s Choice Poll for the “Best Locally Produced TV Show,” and the 2007 Liveable City Vision Award.

2007

DOWNTOWN receives Five Lone Star EMMY® Nominations, 9/17/2007

Austin, TX (Sept.17, 2007) “DOWNTOWN,” a co-production of the Downtown Austin Alliance, Action Figure and KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, has received five nominations for the 5th Annual Lone Star EMMY® Awards. This 10-week series, which airs on KLRU, features unique stories of the people and places that make “DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets.™”

For the third year in a row, “DOWNTOWN” has received more EMMY® nominations that any other program produced in Austin, Texas. The series received nominations in the following categories:

  • Arts/Entertainment – Program Feature/Segment – Episode 302 “Slam Poets,” highlights the poetic brilliance, alliteration and friendly competition of the Austin Poetry Slam;
  • Texas Heritage – Program Feature/Segment – Episode 304 “The Magi’s Gift’s Before He Was O. Henry,” traces the famous author’s Austin connections to the modern-day “O. Henry Pun-Off;”
  • Magazine Program – Feature/Segment – Episode 310 “Hip Hop,” features Austin’s thriving Hip-Hop scene and introduces MCs with a message and B-Boy City;
  • Arts/Entertainment – Program/Special – Episode 301 “Urban Transportation, Downtown’s ‘Wilder’ side, The ‘Rite’ Playhouse,” looks at the importance of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, exposes Austin’s unique urban wildlife, and celebrates the Scottish Rite Theatre, one of Texas’ oldest theatres;
  • Public/Current/Community Affairs Feature/Segment – Episode 303 “Experience Caring” highlights the mission of Caritas of Austin, a downtown service organization that works with businesses to help people from all over the world build new lives.

Winners of the 2007 Lone Star EMMY Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Dallas on Oct. 27, 2007.

DOWNTOWN wins Liveable City Award, 4/27/2007

We're very pleased to announce that DOWNTOWN, television series, has been given a Liveable City Vision Award. According to Liveable City, DOWNTOWN "has contributed to preserving the special character of our community and has helped to make Austin a more livable city." www.liveablecity.org.

Emails to the DAA

I saw the episode last night, just wanted to say that it's incredible, and thank you. I've seen a lot of pieces like this done on slam and this one is, no question, the best I've ever seen. It meant a lot to me and I know it did to the slam community as well. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and you made me tear up a bit sitting on my couch. Thank you. Mike

Saw the show - very well done. Barb

The show was fabulous! Thank you so much for including Caritas- it was a great segment - and the whole show was really good! Beth Atherton

2006 News

DOWNTOWN wins two EMMYs ® ! 11/ 15/2006

"DOWNTOWN" TV Show Awarded Two Lone Star EMMYS

Austin's Show about the Stories that Make "DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets™" Wins for the Second Consecutive Year

Austin, TX - The 4th Annual Lone Star EMMY® Awards were announced on Saturday, October 21, 2006, at the Verizon Center in downtown Houston, Texas. With over 1,200 nominations the competition was fierce, but the news was great for Austin's popular show "DOWNTOWN," which airs on KLRU, Austin's PBS station. "DOWNTOWN" received two EMMY® Awards--more than any other single show.

"DOWNTOWN" is a co-production of the Downtown Austin Alliance, Action Figure and KLRU. This 13-week series features the unique stories of the people and places the make "DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets.™"

"DOWNTOWN" received EMMY® Awards in the following categories:

• Arts/Entertainment - Program Feature/Segment - Featured in Episode #204 "22 to Watch," about the emerging artists exhibit at the Austin Museum of Art.

• Public/Current/Community Affairs Feature/Segment - Featured in Episode #203 "Art from the Streets" is a poignant piece offering insight into Austin's homeless art show.

Austin Business Journal, 9/25/2006

Five for five: 'Downtown' lands EMMY ® nominations

Things are heating up for "Downtown." The popular PBS documentary, which airs on KLRU-TV, received an EMMY ® nomination for every call for entry submitted.That means the show landed five EMMY ® nominations, more than any other single show.

The annual Lone Star EMMY ® Awards will be awarded at a ceremony at Houston's Verizon Wireless Theater Oct. 21. The Lone Star Emmy Chapter, which has been around for four years, is part of the National Television Academy.

Austin American-Statesman 4/27/2006

KLRU’s ‘Downtown’ zeroes in on news, By Diane Holloway

Toot! Toot! Toot! That’s me calling attention to my colleagues, business editor Kathy Warbelow and business reporter Shonda Novak, who are featured in tonight’s installment of KLRU’s “Downtown” at 7:30 p.m. In the second of three segments tonight, “Roll the Presses” follows the American-Statesman duo as they track down a story, cover a story and toss the final product on your doorstep. Filmed last fall, the unfolding story by Novak is about commercial development in Austin’s Second Street district. Next week, “Downtown” will feature American-Statesman fashion writer Jean Scheidnes on a similar reporting venture.

Austin Chronicle 4/14/2006

TV Eye Stealing Ideas , By Belinda Acosta

Watch This! Season two of the critically acclaimed, locally produced TV series Downtown premieres this week. By the time you read this, the snappy public premiere party will have taken place. I'll be sure to fill you in on the festivities in next week's "TV Eye." Downtown airs Thursdays at 7:30pm with additional show times on subsequent Fridays and Wednesdays on PBS. Check local listings.

Emails to the DAA

I've been meaning to write or call you with kudos on the show. Just want to let you know that DOWNTOWN is great!! My wife and I TIVO it every week that it's on..I truly enjoy it.great to get the complete story out there on all the downtown happenings, people, etc. Great work indeed..you and the rest of the crew deserve a lot of thanks for
all the hard work on this!!! Roland Galang

I saw the feature tonight and was most impressed. Many thanks to you and your staff for a great show. The attention to detail and the visualizations of the narrative were perfect. I thought the entire show was very good. Regards, John

I did watch it and enjoyed doing the show. Would be glad to do something again if you ever need it. Thanks, Bob

I saw the piece you did on Art From The Streets last week and was delighted! I was very pleased that you integrated Layton's film with our project. The video you shot of the artists was excellent (even sweet). We've already had one woman who wants to volunteer after seeing your show. Thank you so much and congratulations on a job well done. Christi Pate

I'm hooked... I watched my first episode of DOWNTOWN last week and loved it. Great job! It makes me love being an Austinite even more. All the best, Chris

What a beautiful job you all did in tonight's presentation of DOWNTOWN which featured the Paramount Theatre and so many other wonderful organizations that make Austin what is is - a cultural boiling pot that has affected millions of people over 90+ years. I loved the segment on the Vicotry Grill, the East Austin revival, the Texas Book Festival and more. Thank you for honoring the Paramount as one of the jewels in the crwon of Austin arts. Best wishes, John Bernardoni. P.S. I think Tony's part in the Paramount segment had the most visceral effect on the piece. He is the kind of person who truly brings the humanity to a project like this.

2005 News

The Kudos Keep Coming: DOWNTOWN Takes Home the EMMY ® , 10/15/2005

Austin, TX – The “kudos” keep coming….DOWNTOWN, the new series about downtown Austin that premiered this past spring on KLRU, Austin’s public television is making quite a name for itself. First there was rave reviews and fan comments to the stations, then the fabulous Austin Chronicle’s Critics Choice “Best Of” Award. Now, the Downtown Austin Alliance, the show’s co-producer is pleased to announce that DOWNTOWN has been awarded a Lone Star EMMY ® in the Program Achievement Category for Best Magazine Program Format.

Downtown was one of 104 recipients from field of more then 1,050 entrants statewide. The EMMY ® winners were announced Saturday evening at a gala awards ceremony held in Dallas, Texas. Winners were selected by a panel of peer judges from major television markets from across the country.

Austin American-Statesman (4/7/05)

"'DOWNTOWN,' a new 13-episode series on Austin PBS station KLRU, is a gorgeously filmed love letter to our city," writes Diane Holloway of the Austin American-Statesman. "There are lovely aerial shots... and brief 'profiles' of people and places that make up Austin's urban center. It's a sparkling video postcard-lots of eye candy."

Austin Chronicle (4/14/05)

"Kudos to the Downtown Alliance, Action Figure, and local PBS affiliate KLRU on the launch of Downtown. This new, locally produced series celebrating downtown Austin gets it right by finding the stories and storytellers that make Austin Austin. Downtown airs Thursdays at 8pm on broadcast Channel 18, 9pm on cable Channel 9. A Spanish-subtitled version of the show airs Wednesdays at 9:30pm on cable Channel 20."

Downtown Planet (3/31/05)

“Thanks to a unique local partnership, a new television show that profiles Downtown life premiers next Thursday on Austin’s PBS affiliate, KLRU. ….’It fit with KLRU’s goals, said Maury Sullivan, KLRU’s Vice President of Marketing and Communication. We’re committed to programming that reflects the diversity of Central Texas, which is exactly what the new show does.’”

Austin Business Journal (4/1-7/05)

“The Downtown Austin Alliance wants residents and visitors to know that Petula Clark’s 1964 hit ‘Downtown’ which sang the praises of a bustling metropolis, was right on the money. The alliance’s new television project, ‘Downtown’ hopes to generate the same kind of admiration for Austin’s downtown as Clark’s tune did for all downtowns….’The purpose of the show is to highlight downtown and all that it has to offer – to show it as the rich, dynamic and creative environment it truly is,’ says Molly Alexander, associate director of the alliance.”

The Daily Texan 4/7/05

Series Spotlights Downtown. “A new documentary series titled ‘Downtown’ will feature downtown Austin’s people, places and legends. The series created by the Downtown Austin Alliance and Action Figure is scheduled to begin today…..Production for ‘Downtown’ began in November and finished in April. This month’s 30-minute long episodes will cover a variety of topics including downtown’s comedy scene, urban density, music and galleries.”

Voice Mail at KLRU

Stan, a viewer last night (4/7/05), called into KLRU said "It is a great show and I hope it is a series, it brings me back to downtown. I really feel drawn to downtown. It was really well produced, interesting stories and for those folks who have been in Austin for a while it shows them a side of things they might have taken for granted about downtown. It is a great show, keep up the good work."

Emails to the DAA

WOW!!!!!!!!! So impressed! Amazing show. I must say- BRAVO!!!!! Everyone that I have talked to that saw it was blown away tonight. Very tasteful and artful. Austin needed a show like this! Great work! Hats off to everyone! Thank you for letting me be a part of the show. I am so proud to be in the first episode. Let me know if you need me again for any other topics. With much admiration- Sincerely, Tracey Overbeck Stead

I just watched the show -- I LOVED IT! The production...the topics...the juxtaposition of historian and Red River music enthusiast...PERFECT! Congratulations to all! Teresa

The show was great! I've had out-of-towners ask me if it's available online?

Congrats on a great production, Dave

I’m in San Antonio but would really like to see this program. Is it available on any Time Warner On Demand channels or on dvd?

I watched this,think it is great, and commend you all for doing this. David

I love the show! I saw it for the first time the other night. It’s fabulous! What a great production...how exciting for Austin! Great job. Kelli

Someone in Bastrop told me they saw the show this past week. They said they were planning to come into town for the Farmer's Market, and watch for other shows to learn more about what is going on downtown.

I've been amazed at how many people say they saw me on TV. The show must be getting good viewership. Thanks for the updates, Dave

This is Really Good work. You should be very proud! I look forward to upcoming shows! David Tripoli

I’ve caught two segments, and they are fabulous. I really appreciate the emails reminding us of when they air. I’d probably miss them otherwise. You guys must be so pleased. Congratulations. Sharmyn Lilly

I had the chance to watch the downtown show last night, and I just wanted to tell you, that is one of the most beautifully produced and edited shows I have ever seen. When you mentioned y'all were doing it, I knew it would be good, but I have no idea how good. Congratulations and well done! JJ

Kudos to all for bringing "Downtown" to life! During a recent sabbatical in Chicago, I got hooked on WTTW's "Check, Please". It's premise: Three Chicagoans from disparate occupations and neighborhoods each offer up his/her favorite Chicago restaurant. The three lay reviewers dine separately at each of the three restaurants and convene on air with their respective reviews. The show was fabulous (and additive) for several reasons. It brought Chicago to life by relying solely on voices of Chicagoans themselves. It motivated neighborhood exploration and reignited curiosity. And most importantly, the show made you fall in love with Chicago all over again. "Downtown" does the same for Austin. Thank you, thank you. This is why I love public television. Viewer & donor, Gretchen Olson

I want to state that the Downtown Austin tv show is excellent. Not only is it a good show for Austin, I highly recommend it be repackaged to be delivered by the Chamber or Hotel Sales Managers and the like, to send to people interested in knowing something about Austin. Sincerely, Gary Wilson

I have enjoyed your downtown series when I have been able to catch it. Thank you for all your efforts thus far. This series would be of great interest to my ESL students, and I was wondering if the series were available on video for schools and such. I work for Austin English Academy. It is a private business, not a public school, and if the series might be purchased, I would like to lobby my employers to attain copies for the school. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Marta Pelrine Bacon

I love this show. Not only is it well produced, the topics are interesting and diverse. It reminds me of how wonderful it is to live and work in Austin. Laura Huffman

I've been meaning to write you on this, but am now just getting the time. I wanted to let you know how very exceptional this show is. I think it shows so many aspects of downtown Austin, many of which are unknown even to those of us here! Congratulations to you all for this tremendously smart/interesting/funny/dynamic show. Sam

Not sure if this was the initial broadcast of "Downtown" but I wanted to let y'all know I really enjoyed it. I thought the segment on Harvey Kronberg's Quorum Report was very well done - and very interesting. The first segment about the retired teachers from Wisconsin was a lot of fun as well. Bravo! John Lyon

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