Black Fret Ball
Six years of supporting local musicians Superfรณnicos by Diego Donamaria
VOLUME XI DECEMBER 2019
Austin PBS, KLRU-TV broadcast 18.1 • cable 9 austinpbs.org
YT W E 'R E S O H A P P
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Learn more at austinpbs.org AI RI NG TH I S M O NT H
The Art of Home: A Wind River Story Two indigenous artists create new works reflecting on their tribal homelands, the Wind River Indian Reservation. By Austin filmmaker Mat Hames.
Dec. 16 at 10 pm
Special programming
Decibel
We’re in the midst of the holidays once again, and that means cozying up and enjoying family-friendly programming that helps make the season bright.
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City of Austin Music and Entertainment Division Save the date: Live Music Fund Community Forum Calling all Austin musicians and live music industry representatives to share ideas for how the newly formed Live Music Fund can support Austin’s Musicians and live music industry. On Monday, Dec. 16, learn how you to stay involved as grant guidelines are formalized in the coming pilot year at the Live Music Fund Community Forum, 2 - 4 p.m. City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street. 2019 Street Performance Program Coming to a Close The 2019 Street Performance Program is coming to a close. The Music & Entertainment Division hosted 32 live music performances on 2nd Street with support from Trammell Crow from November 2 to December 7. Applications for the 2020 Street Performance Program will open in the Spring of 2020.
City Hall Sessions: Mike Melinoe The City of Austin is incredibly proud of its local music culture. Live music is included at every regular City Council meeting. These selected performers are bestowed the honor of a “Proclamation Day” with an accompanying certificate. Mike Melinoe’s psychedelic aesthetic, vocal elasticity, and lyrical prowess is propelled by his desire to prove to the world that he’s a creative genius who stops at nothing to see his art evolve and inspire others. Drawing artistic influences from revolutionaries such as Basquiat, Andre 3000, and Lil Wayne, Melinoe’s music exists in a plane that defines him as one of hiphop’s most thriving idiosyncratic artists. Mike Melinoe discusses influences and more in the latest episode of City Hall Sessions. Join in at the next Music Commission Meeting We invite you to join us at the next meeting of the Music Commission on December 2nd at 6:30 PM at City Hall - 301 W. 2nd Street.
VOLUME XI, NUMBER 7 PUBLISHER / Gavin Lance Garcia / info@todoaustin.com EDITOR / Lesly Reynaga / lesly@todoaustin.com WEB / Nathalie Phan / nat@onvinylmedia.com ONLINE EDITION / EQAustin.org
EQ Austin Journal is an online monthly for “ALL of Austin” that highlights the local music and creative industry, mirroring our community’s demographic profile. Since its establishment in 2008 as TODO Austin, the publication highlights our multicultural heritage and stories covering every ethnic community.
© 2019 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 it associates or partners.
Black Fret to provide grants to 20 artists in 2020 Black Fret presents the sixth annual Black Fret Ball, the nonprofit’s yearly capstone event where nominated artists will each be awarded with a grant, this Saturday, Dec. 7 at ACL Live at The Moody Theatre. Doors for the event are at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m. With performances by over a dozen 2019 Black Fret Nominees, the Black Fret Ball is an open invitation to sign up for a Black Fret membership at blackfret.org, which grants entry for the member and a guest to the ball and all upcoming Black Fret events.
Ley Line by Nicola Gell
This year’s Black Fret nominees include A. Sinclair, Altamesa, Beat Root Revival, Black Pumas, Cari Hutson & Good Company, Cilantro Boombox, Dave Scher, Dr. JOE, Erika Wennerstrom, Go Fever, Good Field, Jonathan Terrell, Ley Line, Superfónicos, Sydney Wright, The Texas KGB, The Watters, Think No Think, Tje Austin and Western Youth. The organization’s mission is to empower musicians to create and perform great new music. Black Fret is an innovative evolution of the age-old symphony patronage model that is focused on supporting popular local music. To date, Black Fret has awarded almost $1.5 million in grants and direct payments to local Austin acts. Black Fret grant recipients unlock their grant dollars by writing, recording and performing new music and by providing community services to other area nonprofits.
Superfonicos by Anna Mazurek
Tje Austin by Nicola Gell In addition to their grants, all Black Fret Nominees have continued access to one-on-one mentoring from Black Fret’s Advisory Board, which consists of some of Austin’s top music industry leaders. Advisors include Mark Addison, Heather Alden, Codey Allen, Roggie Baer, Evan Blanc, Pat Cassidy, Reenie Collins, Mike Crowley, Jen Dalton, Wofford Denius, CJ Eiriksson, Jim Eno, Danny Gillespie, Tom Gimble, Will Hoffman, Terrany Johnson, Layne Lauritzen, Ted Lowe, Davis McLarty, Marsha Milam, Matt Noveskey, Tim Palmer, Michael Ramos, Peter Schwarz, Chris “Frenchie” Smith, Carlos Sosa, Joe Stallone, Stuart Sullivan, Heather Wagner Reed, Dick Reeves, Graham Williams, Kevin Wommack and Rusty Zagst. Last year, Austin nonprofit Black Fret awarded $250,000 to local musicians at the fifth annual Black Fret Ball at ACL Live at The Moody Theatre. The show featured live performances by 15 of the 20 grant nominees. More information at blackfret.org.
Music on the Lawn with Ginger Leigh Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. | All Ages | The Arboretum Presented by C4AC, join us for a free concert on the Lawn at The Arboretum. Music from Ginger Leigh and Love & Chaos! The event benefits HAAM, Superhero Kids and the Step Onward Foundation! Guy Forsyth’s Birthday Party Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m. | 21+ | Saxon Pub Join us for the 4th annual Guy Forsyth “Hoot night” where musicians come together to help celebrate this icon of Austin music. Ho-Ho Homie Holiday Show Friday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. | 18+ | Come and Take It Live Come out for music from Burning Years, Charlene Joan, Dozer ATX, Forever Starts Today, Insvrgence, Mt. Grey, Nominee, Purifier, Quiet Company and more, in memory of Anthony Morales and in support of HAAM. Advance tickets are $15, day of show tickets are $20. Rooftop Rink: Community Skate Night Monday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m. | All Ages | Whole Foods Market Lamar It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and CultureMap is spreading extra holiday cheer in Austin this season. Grab your family and friends and join for ice skating at the CultureMap Rooftop Rink at Whole Foods Market Lamar, presented by Frost Bank. 50% of the proceeds from this night will benefit HAAM.
Patricia Vonne
Join in for the final The House of Songs x Tacodeli Songwriter Sessions on Friday, Dec. 6 featuring Patricia Vonne, Tish Hinojosa, Beth Chrisman and Jesse Ebaugh at the new downtown Tacodeli location (301 Congress Ave.). The House of Songs ATXP2P series connects Austin songwriters from different genres, backgrounds and styles to create new music together. Every session will feature 4 artists performing solo works (20-minute sets) with transitions between artists featuring songs that the artists have written as a pair. Enjoy late night Tacodeli tacos with a percentage of sales benefiting performing artists, with complimentary Tito’s Vodka Distillery, Austin Beerworks and Rambler. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and music runs 6 -8 p.m. A $10 suggested donation to The House of Songs or pay-what-you-can for the artists is welcome. The House of Songs x Tacodeli Songwriter Sessions is an all ages event. RSVPs are not a guarantee of entree. Entree is limited to venue capacity. To RSVP and for more information, please visit thehouseofsongs.org.
Courtesy of Rachel Blair
United Sounds By Liz Lopez Patricia Vonne will be representing the State of Texas at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on January 8. She’ll be joined onstage by fellow music ambassadors Tish Hinojosa and Stephanie Urbina Jones. Vonne will also play Dec 15. with the Texicana Mamas at Armadillo Xmas Bazaar, 7 p.m. Visit the artist’s Facebook page for more. -----------------------------------------------The JR Gomez Toy drive will feature conjunto and Tejano music on Friday, Dece. 6--proceeds will be to help kids have a great holiday season. You can pay a $10 cover or take an unwrapped toy to The Barn, 6218 Brodie Lane, from 7 p.m.-midnight. jrgomeztoydrive.com. -----------------------------------------------Tejano Roots Hall of Fame Museum is host to their Induction Weekend Noche De Fiesta Tejana Class of 2019. The Kickoff dance is on Friday, Jan. 3. KC Hall in Alice, TX, 7 p.m. - midnight. $10 cover at the door. Induction Night Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 4. Call 361-765-3523 or 361-549-5269 for more information. -----------------------------------------------Lesly Reynaga will open for Sammy Johnson Friday, Dec. 6 at Empire Control Room & Garage. Tickets on Facebook event page. -----------------------------------------------Here is a unique holiday event featuring Stephanie Urbina Jones and her Honky Tonk Mariachi Christmas show. December 8, 7 p.m. El Mercado – The Backstage, 1302 S. 1st. -----------------------------------------------Trio Los Vigilantes (Angel Ibanez, Isaac Pena, John Pointer) will perform classic Boleros from La Epoca de Oro with String Quartet accompaniment at Esquina Tango on Sunday, Dec. 22. Doors 6 p.m./ concert 6:30 p.m. $15 (advance) $18 (door). 209 Pedernales St. equinatangoaustin.com. -----------------------------------------------Del Castillo will perform on Dec. 28 at 9 p.m. at Buck’s Backyard, 1750 S Farm to Market 1626, Buda, TX. Tickets at bucksbackyard.com. ------------------------------------------------
Trio Los Vigilantes Javier Jara plays Dec. 5 as a duo with Juan de Vallejo at the Lady in Red show, 7-8 p.m. (600 River St.); solo set Dec. 6 at Chamacos’ “El Puente,” 8 p.m.; and solo set Dec. 7 at Buenos Aires Café, 7-9 p.m. -----------------------------------------------Oscar Ornelas will be playing Monday nights in East Austin at Stay Gold with his trio. They kick off at 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., and it’s free. Ornelas was recently honored by the Austin Blues Society Awards with the Best Blues Artist 2019. Keep up with his 2020 calendar at oscarornelas.com. -----------------------------------------------It’s mariachi and cumbia time Friday, Dec. 13. The night features Leti Garza (9:15 p.m.); Enrique Legarreta & Mariachi Los Gallos (10:30 p.m.); and Grupo Xtenzo ATX (midnight). The Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville Rd. -----------------------------------------------Lady in Red, a Holiday Concert with Monique Dache’ and her trio, will feature Austin High School small jazz ensemble. Variety Show Holiday Concert (7-7:50 p.m.) and Austin Texas Wine Society Table Holiday Mingle (8-9 p.m). All ticket purchases support efforts to advance the performing arts for children at an early age with the Artistic Education Company.
Capital Area Halal Festival. Saturday, Dec. 7, 12 - 5 p.m. A family friendly festival featuring local vendors and artisans to celebrate the diversity of cultures and cuisines from the Muslim community. We live in a city made stronger by the different communities that call Austin home. Our Muslim neighbors collectively represent a diverse group of cultures, languages, traditions, and of course, cuisines. What better way to appreciate the beauty of that diversity than with a celebration of food, art, culture and tradition. The first Capital Area Halal Festival features local vendors and artisans offering authentic cuisines, unique arts and crafts, cultural experiences and more. Join us in breaking roti/khubz/ekmek/naan with your Muslim neighbors at this family friendly event! Free and open to the public.
On exhibit. “Reimagined:” Illustrative Explorations by Emerging Black Male Artists. Through Dec. 14.Brent Pheto, Lakeem Wilson, and Jonathan Cazares examine the political infrastructures of communal narratives in their mixed media works on paper, wood, and canvas. This exhibition is being hosted in conjunction with East Austin Studio Tours. On exhibit: “Future Inhabitants.” Billions of years of evolution have produced a world in which every organism’s welfare is intertwined with that of countless other species. The “willful” self-destruction of humanity by Earth’s most formidable species, humans, is the topic of New Orleans-born and Dallas-raised photographer Tia Boyd. Through a series of portraits, Boyd reveals a surviving race of godlike women warriors who have come to terraform the planet for future inhabitants.
Diablos, angelitos, y pastores – it must be December! Teatro Vivo presents La Pastorela 2019, adapted and directed by Teatro Vivo founder Rupert Reyes. A tradition since the 16th century, La Pastorela is an annual Yuletide play that has been performed all over Mexico and Latinoamerica. Passed from generation to generation, La Pastorela tells the story of shepherds as they embark on a journey and encounter angels and demons who will test their strength and faith along their pilgrimage. Join in celebrating the spirit with this community tradition December 12-22. Clemencia Zapata returns as music director for this production, with a special “pay-what-you-wish” preview night and a Friday night opening reception. This year La Pastorela takes a closer look at the refugees that seek the promise of a better life with humor and warmth.