"Anybody who likes 'The Nutcracker' is going to see a lot of elements in it... this is a darker rendition of those elements," says Geoff Henley, author and producer of 'Nightmare Before Nutcracker,' a new ballet premiering in Richardson. In this feature, he chats with WRR's Amy Bishop about the unique story of a ballerina coming to terms with life's travails, all set to an eclectic music score of old and new tunes.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Nightmare Before Nutcracker premieres in Richardson in time for Halloween

“I think it’s the only dance company that I know of, that’s constantly working in South Dallas. People have come and gone and I’m still there,” says Loris Anthony Beckles, Artistic Director of Beckles Dancing Company, which is planning a very special celebration of its 30th anniversary May 30-31, 2025. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Loris gives a sneak peek of the program, which includes an adaptation of a Donald McKayle classic. 


WRR101 Focus on the Arts: 30 Years of Dallas' Beckles Dancing Company

“It’s such a special ensemble because it carries on the legend of the great jazz pianist, Dave Brubeck, led by two of his sons," says Kira Goidel, the Artist Experience Manager at Windmills Craftworks in The Colony. The venue will welcome the Brubeck Brothers Quartet June 7th and 8th, 2025 in a dining setting reminiscent of New York's Birdland or Blue Note.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Brubeck Brothers are North Texas-bound this weekend

"We tell them, 'You're going to get emotionally involved and it's going to be hard - or it's going to be glorious,'" says Adelaide Leavens, chair of the Cliburn's host family committee. Every four years, thirty local households open their homes to competitors in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth. Here are a few who are hosting this year.

A day in the life of the Cliburn host families

"Her rediscovery has really been the biggest rediscovery of a composer," says Maestro John Jeter, referencing the music of 20th century African-American composer Florence Price. Jeter is the only music director who has recorded Price's repertoire in its entirety, and his new album on Naxos includes her concerti for violin, piano, and orchestral snapshots of Southern life. In this interview with WRR's Brooke Scholl, Jeter gives a sneak peek into the new recordings and shares why he is drawn to Price's music. 

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: John Jeter discusses his new Naxos release of works by Florence Price

Every summer, Shakespeare Dallas offers two very different shows during their Shakespeare in the Park series. This year, they're presenting a classic Shakespeare tragedy paired with a lighthearted "rom com" by Oscar Wilde. In this podcast, Shakespeare Dallas' Interim Executive & Artistic Director Jenni Stewart joins WRR's Amy Bishop for a deep dive into each production.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: The Wilde side of Shakespeare in the Park 2025

During its 28-year history, Fort Worth's Mimir Chamber Music Festival has become a destination for classical music lovers every summer.  In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Mimir Founder and Executive Director Curt Thompson shares some of the highlights this year, which includes a bonus concert in collaboration with the Amon Carter Museum.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Mimir Fest returns with 7 concerts + 1 bonus program

“When we’re talking about local musicians, we’re talking about high level local musicians,” says Morgan Vaughan, Executive Director of Basically Beethoven, which is opening its annual summer festival of free chamber music performances in Dallas on Sunday, July 13, 2025. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Vaughan joins the organization's Production & Education Manager Jeff Tullis for an overview of the festival and the impact they're having on local music education.


WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Why Basically Beethoven is a summer staple in DFW

“These two people lift up the arts ecosystem and they are the ones that deserve recognition," says Mike Dilbeck, Deputy Director of The Arts Community Alliance, commonly known as TACA. "A lot of the times, it’s the people behind the scenes that you don’t see, don’t hear about, but they are the ones that are most deserving.” This year's honorees are Gayle Halperin and Jim Nugent, who have been pillars of the North Texas arts community for decades. In this feature with Amy Bishop, Gayle and Jim share stories of receiving the news - and how they've seen the arts in Dallas flourish through the years.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Meet TACA's 2025 Silver Cup recipients

"Twenty five cellists all playing together is a really unusual, beautiful sound," says Joseph Kuipers, Creative Director of Texas Cellos. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Kuipers gives an overview of the group's upcoming series of concerts, which includes a rousing rendition of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" and a marathon performance of the composer's complete sonatas for cello and piano.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Nightmare Before Nutcracker premieres in Richardson in time for Halloween

Classical 101 WRR

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