by Phil Houseal | Jul 16, 2025 | All Articles, Events, People of the Hill Country
July 16, 2025 “It’s a lot of emotions happening all at once, and your adrenaline is pumping. You feel grief and the shock of destruction contrasted with gratitude for the community support and pride to be in a position to help. Only after you get back home do you feel...
by Phil Houseal | Jun 25, 2025 | All Articles, Events, Music, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
June 25, 2025–You know you’re not in Kansas anymore when you look into a box full of bags labeled “Fiona’s Noses.” You would be in Shrek’s Swamp. And yes, I know I mixed metaphors, but the magic of Fredericksburg Theater Company’s production of Shrek rivals the Land...
by Phil Houseal | May 22, 2025 | All Articles, Education, Events, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
May 21, 2025–“Great music makes our lives better.” While the Lone Star State is revered for its western swing, outlaw country, Tejano, blues, and the whole Austin music scene, Joseph Kuipers is on his way to making it known for cello. Kuipers’ TexasCellos is launching...
by Phil Houseal | Feb 19, 2025 | All Articles, Events, Music, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy, Venue
Feb 19, 2024–It’s always about the song. What makes a good song, I asked Gary Nicholson, the prolific songwriter you might not have ever heard of, who will perform at the Hill Top Café north of Fredericksburg on Feb 27. “What makes a good song is a song that people...
by Phil Houseal | Feb 12, 2025 | All Articles, Events, History, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy, Venue
Feb 12, 2025–I must admit to a feeling of guilt that I have never visited the great museums and cathedrals of Europe. I have not gone on safari in Africa, nor ridden on the Orient Express. I haven’t waddled with penguins in Antarctica nor left REI gear on the slopes...
by Phil Houseal | Dec 4, 2024 | All Articles, Education, Events, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
Dec 4, 2024–When we put a violin in our granddaughter’s hands last year, I would have been happy to listen to her saw away at endless Suzuki songs. But unexpectedly, and due to encouragement from her instructor, Theresa Britt, she has developed an affinity for fiddle...
