www.todoaustin.com
Pokémon No
VOLUME VIII / AUG 2016
Pokémon Go Tee-Double My Jerusalem Austin PRIDE
GET TO KNOW THE PRESIDENTS THIS MONTH ON
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS broadcast 18.1 / cable 9 klru.org
Get the complete list at klru.org
JFK: American Experience Part 1 on Aug. 8 at 8 pm; Part 2 on August 9 at 8 pm This biography provides a fresh look at an enigmatic man, who remains one of the nation’s most beloved and mourned leaders.
LBJ: American Experience Part 1 & 2 back-to-back August 10 at 7 pm From his visions of a Great Society to the Vietnam War, this biography tells the story behind his years in the White House.
OTHER PRESIDENTIAL BIOGRAPHIES AIRING THIS MONTH INCLUDE NIXON: American Experience on August 11 at 7 pm JIMMY CARTER: American Experience on August 15 at 8 pm
REAGAN: American Experience Part 1 on August 16 at 8 pm & Part 2 on August 17 at 8 pm
GEORGE H.W. BUSH: American Experience on August 18 at 7 pm
Also This Month
Mister Rogers & Me
Jackie Robinson
Christopher Cross & Friends
After Fred Rogers’ death, filmmaker Benjamin Wagner traveled around the country to discover more about the television icon. This deeply-personal journey explores the roots of Mister Rogers’ values and inspires Wagner to lead a simpler live.
Learn how baseball legend Jackie Robinson’s life-long battle for first class citizenship for all African Americans transcends his remarkable athletic achievements. KLRU will also feature a short documentary about Robinson’s time as a coach in Austin.
Celebrate the music of award-winning singer/songwriter Christopher Cross in this star-packed special. Joined by Michael McDonald and Mike Love, the Texas native performs his greatest hits.
August 22 at 8 pm
Part 1 August 23 at 7 pm Part 2 August 30 at 7 pm
August 27 at 7 pm
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is community supported. More than 85% of our funding comes from the public. PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING IN KLRU.
C E N T R O U R B A N O HABLA Austin
School supply volunteers needed Hindu Charities for America and Austin’s Jewish community raised more than $20K in June at the annual Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt event to go towards purchasing supplies to help 1,400 school children. Volunteers are required to help pack bags on Sunday, Aug. 14 at Dell Jewish Community Center. For info contact info@hc4a.org Voter ID law blocked On July 20, The Texas Voter ID law was blocked, meaning Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Greg Abbott, Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton and Texas Republicans’ losing streak in the courts continues. The conservativeleaning Federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Texas’s Voter ID law (Senate Bill 14) violates the Voting Rights Act and concluded it was discriminatory against minorities, such as AfricanAmericans, Latinos, elderly, disabled and rural Texans. Experts testified that more than 600,000 Texans lacked the identification required by SB 14. Wooldridge Square meeting Austin PARD, in partnership with consultant Landscape Architecture design firm DWG, will hold the second stakeholder and community engagement meeting Thursday, August 4, to discuss and collect feedback regarding program elements for the Wooldridge Square Preliminary Plan. The meeting format will include a presentation regarding input received through the engagement process so far, how that input has influenced the design, and two design concepts for community consideration. At the Mexican American Cultural Center, 6:30-8 p.m. KLRU conversation on civil rights In early July, KLRU hosted a community conversation regarding civil rights issues on the UT campus. The conversation did an excellent job of raising the level of awareness about issues that was both educational and motivational, according to Travis County Democratic Party chair, Vincent Harding, who co-moderated the event. “As many of you know, the push for these types of conversations from the (Democratic) Party began two and a half years ago,” said Harding. “The community conversations we
Delivering diversity in media to Austin
organized have resulted in improved relationships between government officials and residents, increased awareness of issues, built trust between the community and the Party, and led to policy reforms at the local and state levels.”
By Lesly Reynaga
For the past few weeks, I have felt the need to glance at people’s phones when I walk around places and see others holding a mobile device in their hands. Although somewhat intrusive, my curiosity for finding out who’s playing Pokémon Go is greater than my sense of containment. Travis Co. Dem. Party chair, Vincent Harding
Austin creative capacity summary Austin’s Cultural Arts Division recently completed the Building Austin’s Creative Capacity assessment that examined Austin’s individual creatives and nonprofit arts and cultural organizations support structures necessary to build capacity and financial sustainability. This assessment was instrumental in capturing the needs of the creative community and informing staff response to the Music and Creative Ecosystem Omnibus Resolution. The consultants received input from 718 individuals and 76 organizations to help inform Five Main Recommendations for growing and developing Austin’s creative capacity: 1) Establish ongoing creative sector dialogue; 2) Develop program delivery strategies; 3) Develop centralized online resource; 4) Address access to space; 5) Develop a physical space for the creative sector. Austin’s a Smart Gigabit community The City of Austin is one of 15 U.S. cities selected as a Smart Gigabit Community to be at the forefront of developing and deploying next-generation internet technologies to better serve residents. Austin joins other high-tech leaders to share and test these applications to provide advanced technology solutions to issues faced by each community. Each member will develop a total of two gigabit applications or gigabit public services annually that will be adaptable to other members.
Volume VIII, Number 4
for more than five years, TODO Austin
PUBLISHER/EDITOR // Gavin Lance Garcia info@todoaustin.com
printed journal, and TODOAustin.
ART DIRECTOR // Dave McClinton // dmdesigninc.com
com offer news, opinion, cultural
MANAGING EDITORS // Meredith C. Cox, Lesly Reynaga
arts and lifestyle stories written by, about, and for all ethnic communities in multicultural Austin.
Pokémon Go brings heterogeneous communities together
ASSOCIATE EDITORS // Sonia Kotecha, Liz Lopez, Monica Peña, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins, Yvonne Lim Wilson
Very few people have not yet heard about the new phenomenon that is Pokémon Go. Launched in most regions of the world in July-and developed by Niantic under the direction of CEO John Hanke, a University of Texas alum-Pokémon Go is an augmented reality mobile game based on the 1990s anime series. The show is centered on fictional creatures called “Pokémon,” which humans catch and train to battle each other for sport. The new locationbased game allows real humans to capture, battle and train pocket monsters, which appear CONTRIBUTORS // Alka Bhanot, Lauren Bruno, Roy Casagranda, Greg Casar, Cindy Casares, Lobo Corona, Nora De LaRosa, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Yadira Izquierdo, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ali Khataw, Ramey Ko, Harish Kotecha, Julia Lee, Isabel Lopez-Aguilar, Otis Lopez, Vanessa Maldonado, David Marks, Cristina Parker, Raul Rangel Uribe, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Blake Shanley, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Sergio Tristan, Blanca Valencia, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez, Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez
CONTRIBUTING STAFF // Cat Cardenas, Evelyn C. Castillo, Rose Di Grazia, Callie Langford, Genoveva Rodriguez, Diana Sanchez, Lesley Varghese
ONLINE EDITION // TODOAustin.com
PRODUCTION SERVICES // Anthony Garcia
TODO Austin // Multicultural Media for All of Austin. TODO
COVER // Political Evolution
on mobile device screens as though in real life.
What could have been yet another mobile game has turned out to be a huge success across various generations, cultures, race and genders within the first weeks of its release. Owning a third of the Pokémon Company, Nintendo saw market value gains increase by $7.5 billion two days after the game was launched. Pokémon Go has broken all kinds of records, from being installed on more than five percent of Android devices in the U.S. just within two days of its release (as reported by web analytics firm SimilarWeb) to surpassing the Candy Crush Saga as one of the most used smart device apps within days. Like most things in life, Pokémon Go comes with both advantages and disadvantages. The most positive aspect about the game is that it incentivizes users to walk around different areas in their cities and communities in search of Pokémon, Pokéballs and other items. Players must also walk a certain number of kilometers-yes, Americans are being forced to learn the metric system--to hatch eggs that contain Pokémon and other goodies. Yet Pokémon Go has also caused some controversy as some users are committed to doing whatever necessary to catch ‘em all--from playing and driving to venturing into private property. There have been some unusual stories related to the game, including a 19-year-old girl who found a dead body while searching for water Pokémon in Wyoming and armed robbers using the game to lure lone players in isolated places in Missouri. Ultimately, Pokémon Go has given us something fun to talk about in the middle of a period with predominantly negative news headlines-terrorist attacks around the world, shootings everywhere, violence against African Americans, dead police officers, Donald Trump’s negative campaign rhetoric and more. While it is critical that we continue to stay informed about the social issues that shape the course of history, there should always be time for a little distraction. After all, celebrating the things that unite us is just as critical as pointing out what needs to change to make this world a better place. Austin is a free print and online journal for all of Austin highlighting our multicultural heritage and promoting the concept of community in an ethnically diverse city. Circulation throughout Austin, from the Westside’s Pennybacker Bridge to the Eastside’s Montopolis Bridge. TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2016 Spark Awakened Publishing. All rights reserved. The views expressed here are the authors and should not be taken to represent those of Spark Awakened Publishing or of any of its associates or partners. ADVERTISING/SUBMISSIONS/EDITORIAL: info@todoaustin.com, 512.538.4115 TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03
“African American Texans’ Contributions to Pop & Soul: Produced by the Texas Music Museum” is an exploration of the major contributions African American Texans’ have made to Pop and Soul music. Early artist Jules Bledsoe’s rendition of Old Man River in the Zigfield production of Showboat in 1927 is considered an American masterpiece. Huey Long from Sealy played guitar and sang as a member of the Ink Spots and recorded many of their greatest songs such as: If Didn’t Care, and When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano. More recently, 20 time Grammy Award winner Beyoncé Knowles has been instrumental in defining the sound of a new generation. The exhibition runs from Thursday, August 4-October 1, 2016. Our current exhibition, “Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church: Spirited Journey,” takes us on an 85 year journey of a historically black church in Austin. The exhibition runs through September 10, 2016. At the Carver Museum, we collect artifacts that promote the rich and unique cultural heritage of African-Americans on a local, regional and national level. If you are interested in assisting the Collections Manager or if you are interested in donating contact our Collections Manager, Shellie Eagan.
VICTORY: Texas to stop denying U.S.-born, citizen children their full citizenship rights After year of litigation, immigrant mothers, State of Texas reach agreement on birth certificates case After more than a year of litigation, immigrant rights advocates reached an agreement on July 25 with the State of Texas to guarantee that all U.S.-born, citizen children born in Texas can receive birth certificates, including those born to undocumented moms. “In a big win for immigrant families, Texas will adjust its rules to ensure that all Texas-born babies can receive the birth certificates they are legally owed,” said Efrén C. Olivares, Regional Legal Director for Texas Civil Rights Project. “Without birth certificates, our clients lived in constant fear of having their families torn apart and their American-born children deported. They also struggled to get access to basic education, health, religious and childcare services. The settlement will be life-changing for them.” Juanita Valdez-Cox, Executive Director of La Union del Pueblo Entero, stated, “We all value the guarantee that our U.S.-born children will unquestionably be citizens of the United States of America and that they will have the constitutional freedoms and protections that citizenship entails. With this settlement agreement, the State of Texas has agreed to change 04 TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
ESB-MACC will display an exhibition organized by the National Museum of American History and organized for travel by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service through August 27. Bittersweet Harvest, a bilingual exhibition, explores the bracero program, the largest guest worker program in American history. Between 1942 and 1964, millions of Mexican nationals came to the U.S. on short-term labor contracts, which offered them much-needed work and economic opportunity. Their dramatic story reveals an important but overlooked chapter in our nation’s history—which remains highly relevant today. ESB-MACC proudly commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Peregrinación pilgrimage of the United Farmworkers from Delano to Sacramento led by Cesar Chavez. The Center will exhibit a unique collection of photographs portraying the historical march through Sept. 3.
Friday, August 12, 7:30-9 p.m., join the AARC in a free outdoor screening of “the greatest break-up story ever told.” “Sita Sings the Blues” is the vision of director Nina Paley presenting an animated version of the epic Indian tale of Ramayana interspersed with scene from her own life, set to the 1920s jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw. With remarks by Chale Nafus. Part of the City of Austin Museums and Cultural Programs’ new Planet Cinema series. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, food and drinks welcome. Saturday, August 20, 6-9 p.m. is TAP ATX Night Market. Sample a variety of food reminiscent of street snacks from Asian night markets such as Taiwanese fried chicken and boba milk tea. Food and drinks will be accompanied by a market featuring handmade local goods and night market games booths (with prizes). Local bands and dance groups will perform as you shop, eat, and enjoy the games. Free
“Taking to the Road: The Austin Migrant Farmworkers Connection” is a community photographic exhibit curated by historian Gloria Espitia. This exhibit highlights the seasonal pilgrimage by Austin and central Texas Mexican American residents who would migrate throughout Texas and other states to work as migrant farmworkers during the 1940s-1970s. The exhibit uses photo images, snippets from oral history interviews and artifacts to help illustrate the farm workers lives.
Department of State Health Services rules so that state policies governing issuance of birth certificates are in line with the Constitution’s 14th Amendment guarantee that children born in the U.S. are granted full citizenship. “This is a critical victory for immigrant families, but it is also a victory for the constitutional rights of all of us. Questioning the citizenship of U.S.born, citizen children of immigrant parents erodes our constitutional freedoms and protections, causes instability for parents and children, and undermines the guarantee that all of our children will unquestionably be citizens. “In Texas, that policy has officially ended, thanks to the courage of the immigrant mothers who spoke up against the state’s discriminatory policy, and thanks to the over 48,000 individuals who showed their support for these mothers by signing petitions to the State of Texas asking the state to cease this practice. “The courageous actions of these mothers should be an inspiration to us all. Their fight to obtain the birth certificates of their children is also a fight to protect the guarantee that all our U.S.-born children will unquestionably be citizens of the United States of America.” The case background: In 2013, Texas changed the rules regarding what forms of ID a parent may present to obtain a birth certificate for children born in the state and began refusing to accept the two forms of IDs that are most commonly held by undocumented immigrants in Texas: a matricula, which is issued by the consulate to Mexican nationals living in the U.S.;
admission, food and games available for purchase. Wednesday, August 24, 3-5 p.m. is CommUnity Care Asian American Health Diversity Forum. Learn about programs and services and share feedback for improvement. Snacks and refreshments served. Please RSVP by August 22: communityrelations@communitycaretx.org. Free.
and all foreign passports without a visa. The rule change was seemingly motivated by concern and anger over President Obama’s executive action to protect Dreamers from deportation as well as the influx of unaccompanied minors from Central America. Last year, with co-counsel at Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Texas Civil Rights Project sued Texas on behalf of dozens of babies and undocumented moms who could not get birth certificates after Texas changed the rules. TRLA and TCRP also represented LUPE on behalf of our many members unable to access the birth certificates of their U.S.-born, citizen children. Under the agreement, Texas will now accept: a Mexican voter registration card, which Mexican nationals living in Texas can obtain from their local consulate; official certifications of identification issued by the consulates for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras; and a wide range of supporting documents, including church records and some expired IDs. State officials pledged to undertake significant efforts to train local registrars on the new rules in the coming nine months. Additionally, the State will run a hotline for anyone who is wrongly turned away by local registrars. In the next nine months, immigration rights advocates will work with state officials to educate the public and train local officials on the new rules — and ensure that babies from immigrant families receive official recognition of their U.S. citizenship.
La Unión del Pueblo Entero photo
POLITICAL REVOLUTION
questions conventional order and future of politics
By Lesly Reynaga
Bernie Sanders (Photo by Daryl Ontiveros)
The presidential race built a great deal of momentum in July as the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention summoned in Cleveland and Philadelphia, respectively. It’s hard to deny that we are living a unique time in American history during this presidential election. For the first time, a female candidate has won the presidential nomination to a major political party in the U.S., with Hillary Clinton as the official runner for the Democratic Party. There is also the fact that this is the first time in years the two candidates in each major party—Clinton in the Democratic Party and Donald Trump in the Republican Party—have unusually high unfavorability ratings among voters. And, more importantly, there’s Bernie Sanders’ recordbreaking campaign for the Democratic primary election, which not only set fundraising records with a grassroots network of 2.5 million of small individual donations but also began a political revolution that’s now almost beyond Sanders’ control. When Bernie Sanders announced he was joining the presidential race last year, not even progressives expected his movement to go the distance that it went. A self-declared democratic socialist, the Vermont senator proved the political establishment, the media and much of the American people wrong when they thought
Larry Amaro (Photo by Bobby Villela)
of him as unrealistic. During his campaign, Sen. Sanders earned more than 12 million votes and won 45 percent of pledged delegates, arguably doing better than any such liberal candidate— although running in the Democratic Party rather than as an independent—in our country’s history. As Sanders has expressed many times now, this movement goes further than one candidate, one election cycle or even one political moment. The new political revolution is about millions of people coming together to demand progressive change in our society, economy and government with the purpose of a better future. It is precisely this ideal that brought together a large following of long-ignored progressive voters in support of a liberal agenda that includes free higher education, healthcare for all, raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, the separation of corporate money from politics, reforming Wall Street and combating climate change, among other issues. Work to advance these reforms has been happening for years, mostly through independent parties, yet it has gained momentum and power in the middle of this presidential race. Now that the primaries are over and Hillary Clinton is the official democratic candidate, one of Sanders’ new long-term strategies is to move forward progressive goals by continuing to push for a stronger platform and commitment to that platform in the Democratic agenda. This was made clear in his speech endorsing Hillary Clinton at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. “Together, we have begun a political revolution to transform America and that revolution continues,” he addressed a cheering crowd. “It is no secret that Hillary Clinton and I disagree on a number of issues... But I am happy to tell you that at the Democratic Platform Committee which ended Sunday night in Orlando, there was a significant coming together between the two campaigns and we produced, by far, the most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party.” During a breakfast meeting of the Texas Democratic delegation at the DNC, Sanders spoke about his plan to continue to fight for his progressive ideals. “The political revolution was not just about winning a campaign,” he said. “It was about transforming this country.
That struggle continues, and I look forward to working with you in the future.” In the same event, former Texas State director for Sanders’ presidential campaign Jacob Limon announced Revolution Texas, a political action committee seeking to influence politics statewide through the promotion of Sanders’ agenda. In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Limon stated that Revolution Texas is “going to be our effort to keep the revolution going” in the state. “We’re going to start by filling all the precinct chair vacancies and go from there,” he said.
Allegra Jade Fox (Photo by James Cano)
Sen. Sanders’ loud and clear post-convention message to elect Hillary Clinton and stop Donald Trump has created much discontent and frustration among passionate members of the political revolution. One of the products of such dissatisfaction is the “Bernie or Burst” movement that was vocal during the convention—mostly stirred by the leaking of convention staff emails reinforcing Sanders supporters’ claims that the party favored Clinton all along on the eve of the convention. Quite a few Bernie Sanders supporters haven’t come to terms with his defeat in the primaries, let alone his endorsement of Clinton for president. John Sanbonmatsu, a political philosophy and ethics professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, states his discontent with the election turnout. “The same Democratic elites who worked tirelessly for months to destroy Bernie Sanders and his campaign are now fondly patting him on his head... hoping to return him
as soon as possible to the relative slumber of the US Senate,” he wrote for The Huffington Post. “Before Sanders goes off into that good night, though, they’d first like him to sign his millions of passionate supporters over to Hillary Clinton, like a blank check made out to ‘CASH’.” Sanbonmatsu went on to express that he and other Bernie supporters in the Boston area are long-separated from the Democratic fold. “The Party has already lost its progressive base. It just doesn’t know it yet.” Some locals are more optimistic than Mr. Sanbonmatsu and “Bernie or Burst” devotees. San Antonio native and now-Austin-resident Allegra Jade Fox believes that those who truly support Sanders should run for office, as Sanders encouraged his supporters to do in a live television broadcast during his campaign earlier in June. “Be part of the solution and not the problem,” Fox conveys. “Change starts from the smaller offices and it continues to grow. Sitting around and pouting will do nothing but running for office and spreading these ideas is how we truly change the future of this country.” Retired social services planner Austinite Larry Amaro touches on a similar point. “Bernie Sanders is telling his followers to keep working at all levels—local, state, and national—to help elect candidates that will change the political and social landscape of the country,” he comments. “His followers will be wise to do this. The first step is to vote and get others to vote at this November’s national election for Hillary and Democratic candidates. The president can lead, but the laws are voted upon by Congress. If there is a Democratic Congress, we could see universal healthcare, living wages, immigration reform, etc. A Republican Congress will just continue to block progressive proposals.” It’s important to note that Bernie Sanders’ agenda resonated and was strongly supported by young voters nationally. If the two major party candidates continue failing to engage and attract a substantial millennial following, we could be closer than one would think to a turning point in government. The future of this country, especially after the next four to eight years, will strongly depend on these young voters and the course that they choose for American politics. TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05
He He can’t can’t eat eat an an apple apple aa day day because because he’s he’s one one of of the the many many children children in in Austin Austin who who don’t don’t have have access access to to healthy healthy foods foods where where they they live. live.
Even simple advice like "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is hard for some families these days. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call 512-974-3772 or 711 Texas Relay.
We know eating healthy food such as lean meat, fruits and vegetables leads to good health. However, many children in Austin just don't have access to apples or any healthy foods in their communities. The solution is providing support to local store owners to offer affordable healthy food and to build grocery stores in neighborhoods that need them. Healthy food financing can be the difference in your community. Get involved today by calling 512-338-2404 or emailing Brian.Bowser@heart.org.
Good Times at Güero’s For great tunes and great rita’s! Please join us for live music on our outside jardin stage, every Wednesday through Sunday. THANKS TO THE FANS & BANDS WHO SUPPORT US!!!
AUGUST Line-up
OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING” -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 8/3 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 8/4 LOS FLAMES @ 6:30 FRI 8/5 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 8/6 THE BREW @ 2:30 EL TULE’ @ 6:30 SUN 8/7 MCLEMORE AVENUE @ 12:00 THE RECUPERATORS @ 3:00
TACO BAR
WED 8/10 THU 8/11 FRI 8/12 SAT 8/13 SUN 8/14
KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 BEYOND THERAPY @ 6:30 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 THE TEXAS TYCOONS @ 2:30 WINK KEZIAH @ 6:30 THE SIDE MEN @ 12:00 & BLUE MIST @ 3:00
WED 8/17 THU 8/18 FRI 8/19 SAT 8/20 SUN 8/21
KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 GLEN COLLINS & THE ALIBIES @ 6:30 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 JIM STRINGER @ 2:30 AUSTIN HEAT @ 6:30 TRIO MUSICAL @ 12:00 MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES @ 3:00
WED 8/24 THU 8/25 FRI 8/26 SAT 8/27 SUN 8/28
KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 TEX THOMAS THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 THE PISS ANT FARMERS @ 2:30 TIBURON @ 6:30 TRENT TURNER @ 12:00 CHICKEN STRUT @ 3:00
WED 8/31 KDRP RADIO SHOW @6:00
1412 S. Congress Avenue • Austin, Texas 78704 Open Weekdays 11am-11pm; Weekends 8am-11pm
Get Your Tickets Today!
www.GuerosTacoBar.com
AUG. 24 – 28
FRANK ERWIN CENTER
TexasBoxOffice.com • 800-982-BEVO (2386) • Texas Box Office Outlets Including select H-E-B stores
TEE-DOUBLE PUSHES TO CHANGE AUSTIN’S HIP HOP COMMUNITY By Meredith C. Cox
For Austin, multitalented hip hop artist Terrany Johnson, also known as Tee-Double, is the city’s version of music royalty. He’s not only an emcee, but a producer, entrepreneur and community leader, as well. TODO Austin had the chance to sit down with Johnson to talk about Austin hip hop, the force of race in music and his passion for his new project, “Black Mics Matter.” TODO: Did you always know what you wanted to do with your life or did it just happen? Tee-Double: My house was filled with my Dad’s records, so I had a great starting point. I mailed my first demo to Warner Bros records at nine, and I have been making records ever since! TODO: What do you consider the most important cultural value for you and for those close to you? Tee-Double: To me, it’s music and how that brings family and friends together as one. Music is a secret weapon as it can stop wars or start them, depending on how you use it. I choose to make positive music as that is what I want to put out into the universe. Stories of pain, struggle and joy can be displayed behind melodic notes or tales more easily than if someone jut spoke it. TODO: Is there anything particular about Austin that inspires you? Tee-Double: Austin itself inspires me. The people are what give Austin the big city/small town feel. It’s a beautiful place to create and one of the many reasons I’m still here doing my art. TODO: There is an economic and equity divide in our community—the largest in the country— where a privileged few are able to get ahead while others struggle with the lack of affordable housing, choking traffic congestion, a lack of cultural amenities and health centers, and income inequality. Any thoughts on how we can help close the divide? Tee-Double: The starting point needs to be 08 TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
communication. In most cases one side is thinking about how to discredit your struggle before they even take the time to understand it. Families are being evicted from homes they’ve had all their lives as property taxes rise, education is no longer a priority with kids, and police enforcement is at an all-time high where if your skin is brown or black the odds of you being arrested, assaulted and imprisoned are extremely high. But if the issues don’t affect you then most don’t care until it’s at their door and right now the problem is walking up to ring the doorbell. TODO: African Americans make up a small percentage of Austin’s demographics. Still, the community is a powerful force in Austin economically, culturally, politically and otherwise. How do you see African Americans fitting into the larger Austin culture? Tee-Double: African Americans will be a driving force of Austin’s future because when a people are pushed to the side they become more inventive, more inspired, and more dedicated. With a constant focus on economic empowerment within our own communities we can build wealth that can then be used to effectively compete with larger businesses for contracts, land and government. This is what I teach with my nonprofit Urban Artist Alliance. I teach ownership and sustainability of revenue from their art to reinvest into the community or pass down to the
next generation. We hear plenty stories of how well we sing or rap but very few on the business minds and foundation being laid daily. TODO: Little has changed since the City of Austin’s African American Quality of Life Initiative revealed in 2005 that black Austinites lacked several of the social opportunities enjoyed by Anglos. As a leader in the African American community, can you see Austin one day actively creating an inclusive climate for all cultures? Tee-Double: Indeed. Austin has no choice but to get on board or it will crumble beneath its own ego. You can’t be the melting pot of ideas if you don’t embrace all the ideas and those creating them. There are more voices who deserve to be heard and respected, not just for votes but for the legacy of the city. The African American and Hispanic demographic are economic drivers for the city and without us the town would slow to a near halt. But I have faith and believe we are on a path of togetherness and growth. TODO: You’re also the founder of Black Mics Matter, a new project that will feature new and upcoming artists with stories of passion and
solutions for the black community. What was the catalyst for the creation of this project? Tee-Double: My inspiration came from just seeing what the world is broadcasting in the form of mistreatment of African Americans. As an artist and creative my weapon is my music and my voice. So I created Black Mics Matter as not only a way to ring in the bell of change but to unite our own hip hop community here in Austin, as every great movement starts locally on the ground floor before it goes national. Projects like these are far and between so hip hop artist feel we have to portray images and concepts that don’t fully reflect who we are. TODO: What kind of artists would you like to support with this? Tee-Double: For this project I have Sunni Soper, a great spoken word poet; Brother Robert Muhammad of the Nation of Islam; female emcee Anya who has been making a buzz; new artist Just Jarvas who has grown immensely since I first saw him and wanted to give him some shine. I am finalizing the track listing and it includes artists from Austin that the world needs to see and hear. TODO: What sort of stories and messages do you and the artists want to promote? Tee-Double: Growth and empowerment. Struggle breeds new ways of thinking and handling situations in productive ways and not always violently. We hope to teach and educate young, old, male and female artists and people of color while continuing to create new allies with those of other backgrounds. I believe in doing more than just talking or marching, instead creating a lasting document of audio to be shared for more days and years than a single day march. TODO: What sort of impact do you think it’ll have on emerging black artists in Austin? What about the impact on the general community as well? Tee-Double: I was told if anyone can bring Austin hip hop together it could be me. So I moved forward on trying. Our art forms and cultures are slowly slipping away and we need to reclaim the roots of what made it so spiritual and magical to begin with. The community at large will see that we have solutions as well and not spending all of our energy begging the city to please do something special for us as we have the tools and ingenuity to make it a reality ourselves as we’ve done many times before. I hope many will join us in this continued journey and build shorter bridges to each other where love and respect are the links to hold it together. ________________________________ The Black Mics Matter Compilation will be available on August 2. Learn more and donate at gofundme.com/blackmicsmatter. You can also learn more about Tee-Double at teedouble.com.
Indie band My Jerusalem embodies the intensity of real life By Cat Cardenas
When Austin-based rock band My Jerusalem started working on their most recent release, “A Little Death,” front man Jeff Klein came down with a case of writer’s block. His mother had just passed away and, searching for both closure and inspiration, he headed toward Brooklyn in his home state of New York, near where his mother had grown up. “A lot of the album is me coming to terms with my mother’s death,” Klein said. “I went back there and secluded myself from the world. I think in the change of the environment, I found my inspiration.” Before My Jerusalem, Klein spent time touring with different bands. When the band stopped to play in Israel, Klein noted he realized he
wanted to form his own group again. “I was walking around Jerusalem, and it’s just this heavy word that means so much to so many people,” Klein said. “I’m not religious at all, but I wanted the band to be my Jerusalem. I wanted people to feel like [the music] is a part of them. Like it’s this great goal. I wanted them to feel as intense as the city felt.” Since then, Klein invited what was at first a rotating cast of musicians, but evolved into the group it is today, with Jon Merz, Kyle Robarge and Grant Van Amburgh. With “A Little Death,” Klein said the band developed into more of a cohesive group, while retaining their trademark dark and gothic sound.
hop, I grew up on folk and punk rock, and I think it all comes together and eventually makes us what we are.” For Klein, much of his lyrical inspiration comes directly from his life, from his best experiences, to his worst, never shying away from grim realities. “I don’t write fiction,” he stated. “I’m sensitive to a fault, and I’m like a sponge, so I take in everything that’s happening to me and my
family and friends. The world is plenty fucked up for me to have enough to write about.” When it comes to their live performances, Klein enjoys playing their sadder songs, even though he admits it’s sometimes a bit selfish. “For us, we present the darker songs in an intense way live, and people react to it and grab onto it,” Klein said. “We play so everyone can enjoy it. I think people want to hear the darker material, but they also want to be shaken and punched in the gut a bit.”
“It’s gotten darker along the way,” Klein stated. “I think we’ve become more comfortable in the moods that we kind of create. We just write dark pop music at the end of the day with a little bit of feedback here and there. I was unlearning how to be a solo singer songwriter in the beginning and now it sounds like a brooding unit.” Though Klein writes all of the songs, he realizes his band mates are essential to the band’s overall style. “I write, but they bring their personalities to the songs,” he said. “If it was just me I’d be bored as fuck. Everyone in the band pulls things their own way, our drummer brings metal and hip-
My Jerusalem (Steve Gullick photo)
To Do Música By Liz Lopez
BROWN SOUND NEWS After a three-month hiatus, Latin at Heart returns to the stage at Austin’s iconic music venue, the Saxon Pub, on August 6 at 8 p.m. with a set featuring a new dance song. Bandmembers are Billy Wilson, guitar and lead vocals, Sefo, lead guitar, Stephen Zirkel, bass and vocals, Jeff Botta, drums and vocals, Jeff Bryant, keys and Bridgid Bibbens, violin. Reserved tables available at www.latinatheart.com Save the Date for Esquina Tango’s annual “fantastic” fundraiser marking a 10 year anniversary celebration which promises that “this year it’s going to be bigger and better than ever!” The event helps raise funds to keep Esquina Tango growing and thriving. Saturday, Sept. 24 from 6 p.m.-midnight. Texas native, Tim Gonzalez, has been nominated for Best Live Blues Performer by the Nashville Music Industry Awards. On his Facebook page he stated, “What a honor in the class of artists! Hope family, fans and friends can vote.” The link for more information about the awards is www. nimadigital.com and about this artist, www. timgonzalez.net.
Cecilia and the Broken Hearts
Rafael Castano-Garcia, also known musically as Yanuis, signed with Warbucks Music Group recently and will be headlining performances in August and September. His new single released in July, “Eres Tu,” from the new album, “Dedicado a Ti,” is available via digital download. It’s described as “fun, energetic, romantic Caribbean music, Hip Hop, Reggaeton.” For more see www. warbucksmusicgroup.com Congratulations to Ruben Garza, premier bajo player and conjunto vocalist, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, along with the late Gilberto Perez (and five other artists) at the 18th
Annual Conjunto of the Year Awards Show hosted by the South Texas Conjunto Association (STCA) last month. To see the full list of winners and learn more about this group, visit the STCA Facebook page and their website www.conjunto.org
special guests will join Gina Chavez and her full band for a benefit concert for Ninas Arriba scholarship fund on Saturday, Aug. 13 at Stateside at the Paramount. Doors are at 6 p.m. with show at 7 p.m.
Gary Hobbs has released a new CD titled “Recuerdos.” A CD signed by Hobbs can be ordered through Hobbs Mgmt (visit his official Facebook page). On August 5, he will be performing in Waco with the legendary Austin based Ruben Ramos band.
Graham Reynolds has been working on the “Marfa Triptych: Pancho Villa From a Safe Distance” project with a premiere set due this November. The project is set to roll out each week. A free show will be offered every Monday at Dive Bar, 1703 Guadalupe St., in August with three sets, starting at 8 p.m. Special Guests: 8/1 Paul Sanchez; 8/8 Ephraim Owens, Pat Harris;
Sara Hickman, Suzanna Choffel and other
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My perspective: thoughts of a mother living in today’s reality By Ora Houston
AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT ONE As the parent of an adult son and daughter, when a mother’s child is killed, regardless of their age, I am sad. I check in with mine, to hear their voices, tell them that I love them, make sure that they are okay and remind them to be ‘careful out there’. There is no way for me to feel the powerful emotions that parents, family and friends experience when told that their loved one has been killed. I can only imagine that a mixture of disbelief, pain, anger, numbness and heartbreak might be some of those emotions. The last weeks have been extremely difficult for me because of the number of individuals killed and the fact that their murders are replayed over and over on the 24 hour news cycle. The week began with the execution of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, followed by Philando Castile’s in Minnesota. Then five peace officers were executed in Dallas, 84 individuals killed in France and three in Baton
Rouge. I am numb at the total disregard for human life. I attend conversations and prayer services seeking answers and hope that this time, this time might be the time that people are willing to put aside the hate speech and seek the humanity in individuals that are ‘different’ than they are. Change starts with conversations and/or prayer, and moves to a commitment to get to know other individuals who have life experiences and perspectives that are different. Change happens when all voices are heard, respected and valued.
As I write this, I realize that in addition to my perspective as a mother, I have other perspectives that inform my feelings and thoughts today. I have lived in Austin for over 60 years, went to segregated schools,
knew the Black peace officers on the force because they lived in our community; they were role models who demonstrated respect for self, others and the neighborhood. I have the perspective of a person of faith, living out my faith in a denomination that is majority white and yet the Episcopal Church has acknowledged very publicly, the ‘sin of racism’ that infects the body of the faithful. I now have the perspective of the person elected to represent the people of the district to craft health and safety policies that ‘we the people’ must live by. Policies that must be administered fairly without bias. I want to share a non-violent example of a situation at my home that appeared to have been handled with bias: In the wee hours of the morning, a young white student was seen trying to climb over my neighbor’s fence. He then tried to climb over my gate and ended up asleep on my front porch. Police responded to my location, woke him up, called a cab, and sent him on his way. He was publicly intoxicated and trespassing. I want you to think about what would have happened to my son, Black, bald, physically fit, with several degrees, if he had attempted to climb over two fences and was found sleeping on someone’s porch in another part of Austin. I submit that if he was fortunate enough not to have been shot by a property owner, he would have been placed in a patrol car, NOT a cab, and taken to jail. I followed up with the police and the department justified
the handling of the incident. Was there bias? Can you see it? In recent years, I have witnessed unarmed children, women and men killed by people who are sworn to protect and serve. I continue to recognize the extreme actions of some in authority that reinforces the history I know and lived through. Generational history of trauma at the hands of individuals with legal authority to kill, has left lingering fear and pain that scar the psyche and souls of those of us who are seen as ‘the other’. When my son comes home to visit, he gets the same ‘talk’ about how to relate to the police that he got when he was a child. White parents don’t give ‘the talk’ to their children or their adult offspring. He gets ‘the talk’ even though he is in law enforcement. What can we do to make Austin a safe place for all people to live, especially those who have been marginalized by society? A suggestion is to acknowledge that Austin is geographically and economically segregated and resist stereotyping and making assumptions about ‘others’. A suggestion for my community is to re-engage in East Austin. Individuals with limited education, limited income, and my young people, need role models and mentors who reflect their faces (entrepreneurs, professionals, congregations, civic and fraternal organizations), to show up, shore up and be examples of what is possible.
Frontera Bugalú takes the stage at 10:30 p.m. and Kiko Villavmizar at midnight at Flamingo Cantina. Cover: $7 Frontera Bugalú: “Masters of the Border Sound” is a musical project founded by accordionist and composer Kiko Rodriguez.
Originally established to cover songs by border composers from Texas, it eventually became its own creative project with the release of its debut album in 2011. Kiko Villamizar was born in Miami to Colombian parents and was taken to the Andean city of Medellin, Colombia when he was small and raised there. He learned Latin American folk music through the oral tradition of his family and then went back to Miami to study jazz after high school. Then he began traveling the Americas collecting melodies and beats that he has formed into his own unique mix. A fusion of afro-colombiano with reggae, and other Latin world beats thrown in. His culture, agriculture, and life stories are put into his songs as he celebrates life and Mother Earth while lamenting the violence and inequality he has seen both in Medellin and in the U.S. --------Friday, Aug. 19, Atash and Macaxeira Funk team up with Korama Streaming Ancient Strings (Kora and Oud Duo) and DJ Jah Karma will be spinning in between sets. Korama Streaming Ancient Strings (8:30 p.m.), Atash (10 p.m.) and Macaxeira Funk 12 a.m. Doors 7 p.m., cover $10. Sahara Lounge. --------The Art Tijerina band will be performing on Aug. 19 at Tropicana Bar & Grill. Visit the venue and artist Facebook pages for details and updates at (512) 297-2326.
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8/15 Liz Cass, Alexis Ebbets Buffum and Henna Chou; 8/22 Adrian Quesada; 8/29 Paul Sanchez, Liz Cass and Adrian Quesada. RECOMMENDED SHOWS The Live Music Capital Foundation is a community-based organization presenting a 17-piece orchestra, and is host of a show with a night of passionate harmonies from Trio Los Vigilantes, as well as high-energy dancing with Isaac Peña’s Mambo Orchestra. Performing classic pieces are featured Austin singers: Juan Diaz, Luis Angel Ibáñez, Alexander “Mayito” Martinez, Daniel Nelson, Leticia Rodriguez, and Juliana Sheffield. La Frenetika will wrap up the night, Saturday, Aug. 6, 8 p.m. at One-2-One Bar. --------Cecilia and the Broken Hearts and Conjunto Los Pinkys will perform Friday, Aug. 12 at Cactus Café. $10 all ages/family friendly, doors 8 p.m. Tickets at cactuscafe.org. Conjunto Los Pinkys have been performing around the U.S. and in the Lone Star State since 1992. They are 2015 members of the Austin Music Hall of Fame. The group features longtime veteran of Austin’s conjunto music scene and an Austin Latino Music Association Idolos del Barrio Award recipient, Isidro Samilpa, award-winning Chencho Flores and Vicente Alonzo. Cecilia and the Broken Hearts is a collective of Austin musicians that have come together with a vision 10 TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
Latin at Heart - KTYarbrough Photography
of creating a unique style and blend of music which encompasses Afro, Chicano and Futurism genres. In their short time together, they have quickly made an impact on the Austin music scene specifically with their video entry to the NPR Music Tiny Desk Contest 2016. --------DJ Vanessa “La Bestia” will be spinning all night long on Thursday, Aug. 18 starting at 9 p.m. while
Rafael Castano Garcia
CELEBRATING
DIVERSITY
BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin
Yolanda B. presents the Sizzling Hot Summer R&B & Live Blues Show featuring Nellie Tiger Travis, Urban Mystic, Lady Audrey and Rebekah along with the Superior Band. Opening acts include Ms. Dre, Daddy I & The Blue Blood Band. Join this BYOB event Saturday, Aug. 6, at Doris Miller Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. with 8:15 p.m. show time. soulciti.com.
AUSTIN PRIDE WEEK PRIDE Week is back in Austin from Saturday, August 20 through Saturday, August 27. The colorful week will feature a variety of parties and events that celebrate the LGBTQ community in Austin. PRIDE Week kicks off with WERK Fashion Show at the ACL Live Moody Theatre on Saturday, August 27. The event features fashion from both local designers and designers from the hit TV show Project Runway. Designers include Daniel Esquivel, Emily Payne, Ari South, Alexander Pope, Casanova, Joshua Christensen, Christopher Straub, Rey Ortiz, Danny Nguyen Couture and Midi Soliz. Special appearances and performances throughout the night will include NSYNC’s Lance Bass, Cher impersonator and winner of TV show RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race Chad Michaels, Clinton Leupp impersonator Miss Coco Peru, Queen of Electro Luciana and bionic artist Viktoria Modesta. Doors open at 7 p.m. with show time at 8 p.m. The closing and largest event of Austin PRIDE Week, the PRIDE Festival and Parade opens doors at 11 a.m. and features games and carnival rides, drinks, food and over 150 booths of local non-profits organizations and businesses. The Parade kicks off at 8 p.m. from the Capitol, featuring two emcee stages, one on Congress Ave. at the Paramount Theatre and one on the roof top of Rain on 4th St., with over 120 entries, floats, special live performances and more. Additional events include OUT at the Movie on Monday, August 22 at ZACH Theatre; Greasy Ball Drag Bingo at Gourdough’s on Tuesday, August 23; parties at OCH and Highland Lounge on Friday, August 26 and more. Proceeds from Austin PRIDE Week are donated back into the community via the Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation’s Austin Pride Cares program. For tickets and more information on all Austin PRIDE Week events visit austinpride.org.
CAPITAL CITY BLACK FILM FESTIVAL AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER
Carnival, a heart-warming love story between two lonely souls and an exciting circus spectacular, is coming to the Rollins Studio Theatre Aug. 3-13. Based on the classic MGM musical “Lili,” a huge cast of talented singers, dancers and circus performers tell the story of a young French orphan who runs away to join the circus. Tickets available starting at $25. thelongcenter.org. Bring yourself, your kids, your neighbors and your dog to the 10th Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival on Saturday, Aug. 13, at Fiesta Gardens. Games, contests, live entertainment and frozen treats by Amy’s Ice Cream, Austin Scoops, Good Pops and dairy-free NadaMoo. Gates open at 10 a.m. and tickets are on sale online for $15–includes three complimentary ice cream tasting tickets. austinicecreamfestival.com. Saturday, Aug. 20 from 4 p.m.-midnight, the 12th Annual Bat Fest will bring the community together to witness 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging from under the Congress Ave. bridge at dusk. Entertainment will include three stages with live music, more than 75 arts and crafts vendors, food and drinks, fun children’s activities, a bat costume contest and more. $25 at the gate. batfest.com. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Circus XTREME, a 2.5-hour show provided by an international assembly of more than 300 cast members on Aug. 24-28 at the Frank Erwin Center. Extreme thrills, exotic animals and extraordinary performers add up to the ultimate family entertainment experience. Tickets start at $10. Children two and older must have a ticket to enter. uterwincenter.com. Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico’s free show “Noche de Folklor,” features the performing company and school of dance students. The family-friendly event showcases colorful costumes and lively dances that reflect the rich and traditional culture of Mexico. Make sure to bring your blankets and lawn chairs for the production at Zilker Hillside Theater on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m. balletfolkloricodetexas.com. The 3rd Annual RAS DAY, presented by KUTX and Loudmouth Rentals, brings headliner Sun Ra Arkestra to Kenny Dorham’s Backyard on Saturday, Aug. 27. The family-friendly festival seeks to cultivate community and inspire unity with food, interactive activities and eclectic artists RAS, Tameca Jones, Ruby Jane and The Reckless, The Tiarra Girls and more. Doors at 3 pm. $20 presale with kids under 12 free.
The Capital City Black Film Festival presents programming that celebrates and showcases films that are written, directed or produced by African American filmmakers, films which prominently feature African American actors, and films that address topics and issues relating to the Black community. In 2013, CCBFF kicked off its inaugural year with a two-day screening of independent films expressing the African American experience. The event grew bigger the following year and, in 2015, CCBFF’s reach expanded with year-round events and opportunities to experience the brilliant works of black artists and filmmakers across the globe. This year’s three-day festival begins on Thursday, Aug. 25, with a Filmmaker Welcome Reception (invitation only) in downtown Austin, followed by the event’s opening night celebration and feature film at the Austin Convention Center. On Friday, Aug. 26, and Saturday, Aug. 27, festival attendees will enjoy film screenings, premieres, talkbacks with film directors and casts, panel discussions, workshops, parties, a CCBFF Vendor Pop-Up Shop and the closing night Awards Gala. The weekend will culminate with a Filmmaker Farewell Brunch (invitation only) on Sunday, Aug. 28. The CCBFF special guest lineup includes actor, writer and producer Miguel A. Núñez Jr. (Juwanna Mann, Belle’s); April Reign, #OscarSoWhite creator, managing editor of BroadwayBlack.com and editor-at-large for Nu Tribe Magazine; Gil Robertson IV, co-founder and president of the African American Film Critics Association; Jamie Broadnax, creator of #BlackPantherSoLIT and @BlackGirlNerds; Maurice Moore, producer, director, screenwriter and CEO and founder of Anaik Films; Fran Harris, television personality, author and life and business coach extraordinaire; Tynicka Battle, founder of TBD; and Xavier Burgin, writer and director of On Time and Olde E, who recently landed a licensing deal with HBO. Festival passes and individual event tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at capcitybff.com. TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 11