www.todoaustin.com
Digital The Live Music Capital of the World
VOLUME VIII / JULY 2016
City Mobility Efforts Chulita Vinyl Club TODO Música Art of Rap Fest
GET COOKING THIS SUMMER
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS broadcast 18.1 / cable 9 klru.org
ON
Get the complete list at klru.org
GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW
SATURDAY AFTERNOON COOKING SHOWS
Fridays at 8 pm and 9 pm
Saturdays starting at 12:30 pm
Follow the trials and tribulations of passionate amateur bakers whose goal is to be named the U.K.’s best. Each week, the bakers tackle a different skill, the difficulty of which increases as the competition unfolds.
Each Saturday, KLRU presents the best cooking shows on TV. Don’t miss Mexico: One Plate At A Time With Rick Bayless, Kitchen Wisdom Of Cecilia Chiang, Martha Stewart’s Cooking School, Lidia’s Kitchen, America’s Test Kitchen, Jacques Pepin: Heart & Soul and much more!
Also This Month
Munich ‘72 And Beyond
Mosaic: The Deep Eddy Mural
PBS Newshour Convention Coverage
An act of terrorism shocks the world: Palestinian extremists invade the Summer Olympics and murder 11 Israeli athletes. This documentary investigates the Munich massacre, its aftermath and its relevance today.
Watch as a team of teachers, art therapists and students from all over Austin complete a handmade 1,200 square foot mosaic mural at historic Deep Eddy pool.
Veteran journalists Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff anchor complete live coverage of the Republican & Democratic national political conventions.
Tuesday, July 12th at 9 pm
Thursday, July 14 at 7:30 pm
Republican Convention July 18–21 at 7pm Democratic Convention July 25–28 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
GAACC Connect Forum for Minority Business A workshop for small business owned, managed, and controlled by minorities and/or women who wish to work in local, state, and federal government contracting is at the Asian American Resource Center Ballroom, Wednesday, July 13, 1:30-5 p.m. The program includes certification workshop conducted by the City’s Small & Minority Business Resource Department; Successful stories from Aztec Promotion Group; Roundtable Networking Session. Free, but register online at AARC. Aquatic Master Plan Stakeholders and the general public are invited to attend and provide feedback on the Aquatic Master Plan for the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department. Wednesday, July 20, 6-8 p.m. at the Asian America Resource Center.
No-Kill coloring book In celebration of Austin’s five years of being the largest No-Kill City in the country, the staff and volunteers of the Austin Animal Center created a first of its kind coloring book for children and adults. The book highlights a wide variety of all types of animals that enter the shelter daily and also educates the community on what it means to be a No-Kill city. “This coloring book is not
Delivering diversity in media to Austin
only a celebration of lifesaving, but a great tool for teaching kids about No-Kill animal shelters and why they’re important,” Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer Kristen Auerbach said. “There are 22 of our one-of-a-kind animals featured in book and under each illustration is a story about that pet and how it got to the shelter.”
National Arts Marketing Project The City of Austin Economic Development Department/Cultural Arts Division invites arts & culture professionals who live and work in the Austin-area to apply for scholarships to attend the National Arts Marketing Project Conference in Austin, November 11-14, 2016. Up to 10 scholarships will be awarded to cover registration to the main conference. The deadline to apply is July 20, 2016. Austin will host the 2016 NAMPC November 11-14. Veterans internship program On June 23, the City of Austin launched a new partnership with Fort Hood representatives that places veterans in an internship program for exiting soldiers who are within 180 days of leaving service. Mayor Steve Adler presented a proclamation to Fort Hood Garrison Commander Col. Todd Fox, declaring June 23 Municipal Veterans Internship Day in Austin. “This internship program provides soldiers with an incredible opportunity to transition out of the military to civilian life,” said Fort Hood Garrison Commander Col. Todd Fox. This is the first time Fort Hood has partnered with a local government to provide an internship program for veterans to help them transition to civilian life. Austin Water reaches 1MM customers Austin Water has been providing safe, clean and reliable water services to the Austin community for more than 100 years. Just recently Austin Water reached a milestone of servicing more than one million customers. “Austin Water is always strategically planning to keep pace with a rapidly growing customer base through developing innovative programs, engaging stakeholders and by embracing new technology,” said Greg Meszaros, Director of Austin Water. Successfully serving a million plus customers is no small feat. Austin Water staff is made up of committed professionals all providing their expertise to ensure excellence in water services.
Volume VIII, Number 3
for more than five years, TODO Austin
PUBLISHER/EDITOR // Gavin Lance Garcia gavin@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.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS // Sonia Kotecha, Liz Lopez, Monica Peña, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins, Yvonne Lim Wilson
Bridging community gaps through City mobility efforts By Lesly Reynaga
For decades, infrastructure has been a major factor reinforcing racial divides, particularly in urban cities. The effects of local and federal segregationist zoning laws from the 1900s’ are still visible in Austin, with a large number of Hispanic and African American households residing east of I-35. Considering the booming numbers of incoming residents to the city combined with the housing, affordability and mobility issues we face, segregation of communities of color is likely to worsen unless quick action is taken. The City of Austin has been exploring ways to improve mobility, and Mayor Steve Adler responded to the issue by introducing the Smart Corridor Resolution in June. The corridor plan will help decrease traffic congestion, improve transit, increase transportation options and build sidewalks and bike lanes. This approach will include installing smart traffic lights that can be timed remotely to adjust for weather, accidents, big events and traffic congestion; implementing access management tactics such as turning lanes, driveway consolidation, turning bays and raised medians; installing bus pullouts and queue jumps; and building safe sidewalks and protected bike paths. The streets incorporated in this plan have been strategically selected based on extensive research. They include Airport Boulevard, East Riverside Drive, North and South Lamar, FM969 and MLK and Burnet. Although many of us would like to see other city areas included in the corridor initiative, it is also true that almost 50 percent of Austin’s total population lives within a two-mile radius from the selected streets. We can’t ignore the fact that, without the implementation of such a project, key intersections in our city will continue to be a nightmare to navigate during rush hour traffic. 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
WEB DESIGN // TODOAustin.com
PRODUCTION SERVICES // Anthony Garcia
TODO Austin // Multicultural Media for All of Austin. TODO
COVER // Original photo by Pennie Smith, 1979
This will be no easy task, and it will require consensus among Austinites to use their tax money to fund the initiative. The estimated total costs for the corridors is projected to be around $2.3 billion, a significant figure that many of us might want to see invested in education, health or other community programs. Yet, there are implied benefits to the corridor resolution that can benefit our communities of color as well as everybody else who lives here.
On June 24, the proposed $720-million bond that will be the project’s starting pint was moved forward by an 8-3 City Council vote. Language for the ballot will be brought up for discussion and approval in August before Austinites can vote in November.
The way I look at this initiative goes beyond my aversion to spending hours of my day commuting. Yes, it’s true that most Austinites believe transportation is the worst part about living in Austin, as reported by the Austin Monitor. Yet, the resolution can do more than improve traffic flow. It can also help bridge communities by improving means of transportation within urban areas. It can provide a way to navigate our city for people who don’t have the resources to afford a car but are willing to walk, take a bus or invest in a bike. It’s important to think about the bigger picture here. This project would be a good starting point towards improving mobility from segregated areas in our city. It’s only fair that the City and we, as Austin residents, promote and support projects that fight the community divides that have been created throughout the decades. 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 // JUL 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03
Texas voters embrace border wall, Muslim bans in UT/Texas Politics Project Poll A majority of Texas voters support stricter immigration laws, including building a wall between the United States and Mexico and disallowing Muslims who are not citizens from entering the U.S., according to the latest poll conducted by The University of Texas at Austin. Fifty-one percent of respondents agreed that undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. should be deported immediately. However, 49 percent supported a comprehensive immigration plan that would provide a pathway to citizenship, while 47 percent supported a plan that would provide a pathway to legal residency. Opposition to these immigration strategies hovered around 40 percent. When asked about presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump’s signature proposal on immigration, 52 percent of Texans polled somewhat or strongly support the idea of building a wall between the United States and Mexico, compared with the 40 percent who somewhat or strongly oppose the idea. Texas occupies 1,254 miles of the 1,900-mile U.S.-Mexico border. The internet-based statewide poll was conducted between June 10 and June 20 by the market research firm YouGov. The sample included 1,200 self-declared registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.83 percentage points. Of the respondents, 38 percent were Democrat, 46 percent were Republican and 16 percent were independent. UT pollsters also found that 53 percent of Texans polled somewhat or strongly supported banning Muslims who are not U.S. citizens from entering the U.S., while 37 percent somewhat or strongly opposed the notion. “The partisan patterns in support for a wall on the border between the U.S. and Mexico, and for banning noncitizen Muslims from entering the United States, are likely shaped by politics in the current presidential campaign,” said James Henson, co-director of the poll and director of 04 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
the Texas Politics Project at UT. “The majorities in support of these proposals are made up largely of Republicans who support positions taken by their presumptive presidential nominee.” When asked which groups faced the most discrimination, 23 percent of Texans pegged Muslims as the most discriminated against group. In a separate item, 73 percent of respondents noted that Muslims face “some” or “a lot” of discrimination. Christians were identified by 21 percent of respondents as the most discriminated against group, followed by African Americans, at 14 percent; transgender people, at 12 percent; and gays and lesbians at 11 percent. Seventy percent of respondents believed transgender people experienced “some” or “a lot” of discrimination, and 69 percent thought similarly about gays and lesbians. Fifty-three percent of Texans polled were concerned about the issue of transgender access to public restrooms, and 52 percent believed access to public restrooms should be determined by birth gender, rather than gender identity, which received support from 29 percent of respondents. When questioned on who should determine transgender students’ accessibility to public school facilities, respondents were split in their decision: 25 percent chose the authority of the federal government; 21 percent chose state governments; 34 percent chose local school districts; and 20 percent answered “don’t know/ no opinion.” “There are many cross currents in attitudes on transgender access to public facilities,” Henson said. “The poll results show conservatives, as is often the case with public education issues, leaning strongly toward leaving decisions to local authorities, while liberals follow a common tendency to place more trust in the federal government to shape policy.”
Blue-collar training in high school leaves women behind Vocational training without a strong collegepreparatory focus in blue-collar community high schools led some millennials to face wider gender employment and wage gaps than their peers, according to sociologists at The University of Texas at Austin. Education leaders have clashed over how to prepare high schoolers for jobs in the 21st century, debating whether high school curricula should focus more on college preparation or vocational training, especially training linked to blue-collar jobs. In a study published in the American Sociological Review, researchers considered whether high school graduates in blue-collar communities — those in the top 25 percentile in the research sample for the number of blue-collar laborers — benefit from an emphasis on vocational training in high school. The study showed that blue-collar training without a strong college-preparatory curriculum leads to blue-collar job opportunities for men but penalizes women, who end up earning 78 cents to a man’s dollar. “This has been a real blind spot in the public discussion: the assumption that men and women would equally benefit from high school training for local blue-collar jobs,” said lead author and UT Austin sociology alumna April Sutton, a Frank H.T. Rhodes Postdoctoral Fellow at the Cornell Population Center. Sutton, along with UT Austin Ph.D. candidate Amanda Bosky and sociology professor Chandra Muller, began their investigation using U.S. Census data and 10 years of U.S. Department of Education data, which tracked 60,000 high school sophomores from 2002 through early adulthood. Data suggested that a stronger focus on vocational training in blue-collar community high schools reduced students’ likelihood of
enrolling in a four-year college and increased gender disparities among millennials in this labor market. Furthermore, men who attended high school in these communities enrolled in greater numbers of blue-collar-related vocational courses in high school, had higher rates of blue-collar employment, and earned comparable wages relative to men who attended high school in non-blue-collar communities. However, women were less likely to be employed, let alone work in professional occupations, and earned far less than their female counterparts from non-blue-collar communities. “We rarely see such a clear snapshot of how gender differences emerge and are linked to what high schools teach,” said Muller, research associate in the UT Austin Population Research Center and associate faculty member in the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies. Women who did obtain blue-collar jobs often found themselves still peering through the glass ceiling. Among high school graduates ages 2528 in blue-collar jobs, the hourly gender wage gap was 22 percent, with women making 78 cents for every dollar men make — a striking disparity for a millennial cohort of women for whom the average pay gap has substantially narrowed, Sutton said. “Earning a college degree is especially important for young women because they are left out of so many good jobs without it,” Muller said. “Our team has been surprised about the absence of gender in the recent political debate about the value of a four-year degree over technical training. The debate is more than an intellectual one — it’s one that school boards consider each year when they prioritize funding certain courses and teachers over others. Opportunities for women must be part of the discussion.” The study, “Manufacturing Gender Inequality in the New Economy: High School Training for Work in Blue-Collar Communities,” was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
The George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center is dedicated to the collection, preservation, research and exhibition of African-American historical and cultural material. The museum is housed in a 36,000 square-foot facility that includes four galleries, a conference room, classroom, darkroom, dance studio, 134-seat theatre, and archival space. The galleries feature a core exhibit on Juneteenth, a permanent exhibit on Austin AfricanAmerican families, an Artists’ Gallery, and a children’s exhibit on African-American scientists and inventors. The museum offers gallery exhibits, programs, classes, springbreak and summer camps, theatre productions and a genealogy center. Classes available include: Keys of Life with Daphne McDole - Piano Lessons. Tuesday: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday: 7-9 p.m. If interested, contact Daphne McDole at missmcdole@gmail.com. Rhythms African Drum Workshop. Fourth Saturday thru August, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Dance Studio Instructor: Tonya Lyles. To reserve a drum or for more information please contact Tonya Lyles at sistadrums@yahoo.com Capoeira Kids Class Tuesday & Thursday. Kids 8 yrs-12 yrs, 4-5 p.m. and Teens 13 yrs-17 yrs 5-6 p.m.; Dance Studio Instructor: Feijao, supervised by Contra Mestre Esquilo. Fee: Kids Class $45 per month / Teen Class $55 per month. If interested please contact Feijao at 512-636-8665
Austin immigrants demand moratorium on deportations as Supreme Court fails to end partisan attack on DAPA After a June 4-4 tie in the Supreme Court, Austin immigrants call on local government to end collaboration between local police and federal immigration agents. In response to the Supreme Court decision in Texas vs U.S., the case of 26 Republican governors suing to block the deferred action programs announced in November, 2014, immigrant communities in Austin are calling on local leaders here to go as far as possible to end deportations in Austin and Travis County. They join immigrant communities around the U.S. in calling for President Obama and DHS to take further action to stop deportations and for his potential successors to take up their call.
Current exhibition in the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery: Solo mía deconstructs the possessive rhetoric that is used to talk about the female form. Through a series of portraits, Paloma Mayorga demands that we reconsider that language as a means to give women back ownership over their own body. Paloma Mayorga is an interdisciplinary artist whose work primarily focuses on issues of identity and explores the ways in which the body relates to its natural and constructed environments. After earning her B.A. in Painting from Southwestern University in 2010, she has dedicated her time to curatorial projects, illustrating children’s books, and working with nonprofit arts organizations in Austin. Current exhibition in the Community Gallery: As part of the program for our annual event celebrating Sor Juana Ines de La Cruz, the ESB-MACC will be opening the exhibition “Petro-Poems” by Venezuelan artist Mery Godigna Collet. For the last 20 years, Collet has been working with Crude Oil. She uses crude oil and its byproducts as her creative medium. Through a process based in morphogenesis concept, she allows the material to create the image and then she stabilizes the hydrocarbons. For this occasion, she created “Petro-Poems.” DAPA/DACA yet have not acted locally. “What good is it now that local politicians have shown support for DAPA/DACA knowing that their local support would not affect the final decision?,” said Carmen Zuvieta from the ICE out Campaign. “If they want to show actual support they need to do everything in their power to stop the deportations here locally. We need our politicians to take a practical step forward to end deportations locally and not just support in a politically convenient way.” With local police collaboration with ICE continuing, the Travis County Sheriff’s department continuing to participate in Priority Enforcement program, as well as the spectre of a possible Trump Presidency, national groups are saying it would be reckless for President Obama to pass the current immigration system onto the next President whoever that will be without taking major steps to halt deportations and address abuse.
With the news of the ruling, the ICE out of Austin campaign reaffirmed its call for the separation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Austin Police Department. APD does not have official policies preventing officers from asking people about their immigration status and for several years Travis County had one of the highest rates of deportations in all of the U.S. Local politicians can take action to separate themselves from this disappointing Supreme Court ruling and the administration’s shameful lack of action on deportations. Many politicians have shown support to the immigrant community be saying they support
Grassroots Leadership photo
Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Troubadours Studio: Storytelling Youth Camp, Session III. Explore varied and rich Asian storytelling traditions. Parents invited to enjoy a showcase of student-produced storytelling projects. Early drop off and late pickup options available. $270 resident, $300 non-resident. Tuesday, July 12, 3-5 p.m. CommUnity Care Asian American Health Diversity Forum Learn about CommUnityCare programs and services and share feedback for improvement. Snacks and refreshments served. Please RSVP by July 8: communityrelations@ communitycaretx.org. Free. Ballroom. Friday, July 15, 6-8 p.m. AARC Community Exhibit Reception. View works by Teruko Nimura, Marlon Chen and Lynne Brotman and listen to the artists speak about their exhibits. Refreshments served. FREE. Ballroom, Foyer, Hallways and Great Lawn. Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. District 1 Town Hall Meeting Quarterly Town Hall meeting hosted by Council Member Ora Houston. Light brunch available. Free. Ballroom. Monday, July 25 through Friday, August 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Asian Adoptee Teen Camp Engage in leadership and identity building activities in this new camp for teen adoptees. $225 resident, $250 non-resident. Wednesday, July 27, 6-8 p.m. NAAO Board Meeting. Monthly meeting of the Network of Asian American Organizations. Free. Community Room 8.
“Today, Austin and Travis County residents are more angry than fearful. We are tired of waiting to have justice in this country, we are tired of being used as political pawns. We are joining the national call on the President and his potential successor to stop the deportations. He needs to take real action towards immigration before he leaves office or his legacy will be forever be as Deporterin-Chief,” said Alejandro Caceres, manager of the ICE out of Austin campaign. As part of the #Not1More campaign, ICE out of Austin has launched a petition to the President available at https://action.mijente.net/ petitions/no-dapa-no-deportations. Marisa Franco, #Not1More campaign director, reacted, “The way to keep communities from living in fear is to put a freeze on deportations. It doesn’t take a new program for the President to direct his agents to investigate civil rights violations as vigorously as it currently hunts our loved ones. With the courts also taken over by the party politics that have ruled the immigration issue for more than a decade, President Obama has a responsibility to pursue alternatives to make his policies more humane.” “It is never enough to divide our community into those who deserve relief and those who don’t,” explained Tania Unzueta, Legal and Policy Director for #Not1More. “Under President Obama we have witnessed the creation of a parallel mass incarceration system strictly for immigrants. The relief offered by expanding deferred action is desperately needed and entirely constitutional. But even with DAPA, only a fraction of us would be protected. With it now blocked, many more of us still face the threat of the deportation machine that it is incumbent on President Obama to begin to dismantle.” TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05
Building Austin’s music empire through tech
Economic Development Department’s Music and Entertainment Division in 2015. This was the firstever census of its kind to be conducted in our city, incorporating the input from 4,000 local musicians and music industry operators.
By Lesly Reynaga and Lauren Bruno
If Austin could be described in a few words, most people wouldn’t miss these two—music and tech. Both of these industries are key to our city, contributing millions of dollars to our local economy every year. It is no secret that music and tech go hand in hand everywhere in the world and, as the years go by, these two industries continue to grow even closer together. The question is, what would happen if our city were to find ways to support initiatives to integrate our prominent music scene with the many tech companies settling in Austin? The music industry is ever-changing, and it now exists mostly on the internet through technology. In a fast-growing city like Austin, this can no longer be ignored and must be embraced with open arms. Not only is music fully integrated with technology today, but the audiences who support it are aligned with it as well. Of course, there are also many challenges that our local music scene faces.
The Census found that 50 percent of Austin musicians with a secondary source of income take home less than $25,000 annually and almost 70 percent of total musicians make less than $10,000 a year. Taking into consideration the many affordability challenges that not just musicians but the entire Austin community faces, it is critical for our city to respond to these alarming figures with innovative action.
identify needs and gaps to then be addressed by the City and potential partners and collaborators. In February, Austin Mayor Steve Adler released his unprecedented Austin Music and Creative Ecosystem Omnibus Resolution as a response to this study. As stated in the resolution, “… in spite of the City’s significant contribution to the music and creative industries, a new business model is needed that integrates new technologies, marketing and Consider some of the discoveries of the Austin export strategies, and, builds its commercial music Music Census, released by the City of Austin One of the main goals of the Music Census was to and creative industries, to tackle the challenges for the future of the City’s $4.35 billion creative industry, generally, in the face of an unprecedented affordability crisis, an outdated land development code, and ill-fitting permitting process.”
FEATURED APRIL 2015 EVENTS:
JULY 2016 : FEATURED EVENTS
FREE
Bittersweet Harvest : Exhibit Opening Saturday, July 9th, 3pm-8pm
A partnership with the Smithsonian and the Cesar Chavez Foundation 3pm- Film: The Harvest, 5pm: Q& A, 6pm: Opening
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center 600 River Street - www.maccaustin.org
#NOFOMO
Saturday, July 9th, 1pm-4pm With the top under 18 musicians, slam poetry, snacks, and street art!
Dougherty Arts Center
1110 Barton Springs Rd - www.austintexas.gov/dac
Community Exhibit Reception Friday, July 15th, 6pm-8pm
View works by Teruko Nimura, Marlon Chen, and Lynne Brotman
Asian American Resource Center
8401 Cameron Rd - www.austintexas.gov/aarc
Meet Her Hands : Jenn Hassin
Thursday, July 28th, 6:30pm-8:30pm Women artists discussion their work, process, and inspiration
Elisabet Ney Museum
304 E 44th St- www.austintexas.gov/elisabetney
Visit our Facebook page for all upcoming events! www.facebook.com/ArtsInParks The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities, please call 512-974-4000.
06 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
Development. The report proposes several great measures, such as an entertainment license that will streamline the permitting process for live venues, the creation of an Austin Music Walk of Fame honoring Austin musicians and an export initiative to promote our music industry around the world. Nonetheless, there is very little to no mention whatsoever of innovation and technology in the report. Austin is at the forefront of music and technology, and the city must find ways to support a mutually beneficial relationship between the two that will help both industries thrive. The city has unique advantages with many possibilities to grow its economy and the creative sector. Local artists and technologies are being born every day, but the lack of resources and opportunity is driving them away from the town. In fact, the Music Census found that there has been a decrease in economic impact of the music industry of 15 percent and a loss of 1,200 jobs in the last four years.
More music sales are occurring online every day. According to a Nielsen study, 15 percent of the money spent on music in the U.S. in 2014 came from digital sales, second only to concert ticket sales. The same study also shows that two out of three U.S. music listeners stream music online each week, and 39 percent of U.S. smart phone owners purchased music on their devices in 2014, up five percent from 2013. These numbers show how This statement touches on fundamental concerns digital music sales are redefining new sources of that are addressed on a city staff recommendations income for musicians. report that was released on June 27. The report, titled “Music & Creative Ecosystem Stabilization With almost extinct revenues from record sales Recommendations,” is a 68-page document with today, artists are being pushed to diversify their several recommendation items from which City income sources. Some of the main ways in which Council will be able to pick to be voted into action. musicians make money today include instant concert recordings, YouTube, digital sales (iTunes, A total of 10 focus areas were identified in the Amazon), streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Google report—Affordable Space; Agent of Change Play), merchandise sales, movie and TV licensing Principle; Cultural Tourism; Entertainment License; and sponsorships. Of course, to make money Incentives, Tools & Loans; Land Use Regulations; through most of these also requires large exposure Music Genre Development; Permitting and to wide audiences and a bigger-than-average fan Licensing; Professional Development; and Revenue base. Cont. on Page 8
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!!! JULY Line-up
TACO BAR
1412 S. Congress Avenue • Austin, Texas 78704 Open Weekdays 11am-11pm; Weekends 8am-11pm
Get Your Tickets Today!
OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING” -----------------------------------------------------------------------FRI 7/1 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 7/2 THE BREW @ 2:30 / EL TULE’ @ 6:30 SUN 7/3 TOM BEN LINDLEY @ 12:00 / THE RECUPERATORS @ 3:00 WED 7/6 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 7/7 LOS FLAMES @ 6:30 FRI 7/8 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 7/9 AMANDA CEVALLOS @ 2:30 / TEISCO DEL REY @ 6:30 SUN 7/10 PAULA RUSSELL @ 12:00 / BLUE MIST @ 3:00 WED 7/13 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 7/14 BEYOND THERAPY @ 6:30 FRI 7/15 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 7/16 JIM STRINGER @ 2:30 / AUSTIN HEAT @ 6:30 SUN 7/17 ERIN JAMES @ 12:00 / MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES @ 3:00 WED 7/20 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 7/21 GLENN COLLINS & THE ALIBIES @ 6:30 FRI 7/22 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 7/23 TED RODDY @ 2:20 / MC & THE MYSTIXX @ 6:30 SUN 7/24 TRENT TURNER @ 12:00 / ANTHONY RAY WRIGHT @ 3:00 WED 7/27 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 7/28 TEX THOMAS & HIS NEW DANGLIN’ WRANGLERS @ 6:30 FRI 7/29 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 7/30 PAULA ORTA & THE KINGPINS @ 2:30 / TRACIE LYNN @ 6:30 SUN 7/31 EL TRIO MUSICAL @ 12:00 / CHICKEN STRUT @ 3:00
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
Female DJs raise their voice through Chulita Vinyl Club By Cat Cardenas
When the DJs of Chulita Vinyl Club perform, it’s personal. The music they play for their audience comes from a vinyl collection they’ve been building for years, comprised of albums they might have inherited or records they play daily in their rooms. “The songs literally come from our personal collections,” founder Claudia Saenz said. “We might have listened to a record the night before in the living room or at a party with friends.” Saenz founded the all-girl vinyl club in Oct. 2014, as a space for women of color to bond and share their passion for vinyl and mixing. “We promote women empowerment and togetherness — we stand together and bring
the community of vinyl-loving girls together,” Saenz said. Before founding Chulita, Saenz said she never saw many female DJs in her community. While the first chapter originated in Austin, the club expanded to cities across Texas and California. But, no matter where they are, Saenz said the girls are all “Chulitas.” “In Spanish, it’s a term of endearment that I think we all grew up hearing,” Saenz said. “It’s like when you’re a little girl wearing a nice dress and your grandma comes up and calls you chula. It’s cute and adorable, but now, as women, we use it as a sense of pride and confidence. We can call ourselves chulas and chulitas to show a sense of self love for ourselves as women.”
Castro said. “I used to bring my records to Bring Your Own Vinyl nights and have other people spin them for me, but now I do it myself. It’s really empowering and exciting once you get it. “ When she heads to a gig Castro packs her records into an old Shiner beer case, then grabs a handful of albums given to her by her father. After she joined the DJ collective last February, she approached her father, hoping to get a few
more records to bring to her first performance. Recently given a terminal diagnosis, he instead offered Castro all of his records. Together, crowded around his hospice bed, she listened as he taught her about each album’s songwriters and producers. He sang and brought to life the music he first purchased in catalogues after immigrating to the U.S. When she goes out and performs Castro shares those albums with her audience, mixing them with her own punk rock records. “Going through the records with him and having him tell me so much I didn’t know made it that much more special,” Castro said. “So getting to play that music for my friends and strangers is a really amazing experience.”
By now, the girls are something of a sisterhood. Across each state, the “Chulitas” go to each other for advice, to share music and to learn more about mixing and spinning. For San Antonio member Isabel Castro, the club is where she first learned how to be a DJ.
Castro said one of the best things about being a Chulita is the fact that she now has a group of friends to share a love of music with.
Castro had been collecting vinyl for years, but felt nervous about DJing because she said she felt the scene was dominated by men. Eventually, she met Saenz, who introduced her to Chulita members who could show her the ropes.
“Before [collecting vinyl] was a very solitary thing,” Castro said. “With Claudia or another Chulita, we’ll buy each other records or listen to each other’s collections. I used to get so excited about records but have no one to share that with. Now there is.”
“[The vinyl club] really felt like a safe space,”
Cont. from Page 6
It is true that Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, but unfortunately, live music venues are seeing their consumer numbers approach a critical state. Austin’s immersive music festivals are thriving on the new music consumption trends brought about by globally popular technology. However, these same consumers do not possess a vehicle to be introduced to emerging Austin artists. While it is important that we find ways to sustain our live music scene—as addressed in most of the items on the recommendations report—it is also evident that technology is creating new revenue sources and even jobs for musicians. The answer to expose local talent beyond city limits lies right before us—exploit our tech resources.
Imagine integrating multiple technologies that are already available to our city into one website with the purpose of creating a music marketplace where local artists can gain visibility and sell tracks, albums, merchandise and share videos online. This website would remove the high competition found in similar global technologies, where millions of artists compete for a hot track. Placing this tool in millennials’ hands could be an effective means for supporting Austin artists not just locally but at national and international levels. Millennials use new tech to discover emerging bands and artists, especially as streaming platforms have completely redefined the ways through which new generations consume music. With the ease of a click, millennials are able to purchase and listen to tracks and full albums on a computer, whether it’s a desktop, tablet or phone. To add yet another layer to this project, it also provides an opportunity to integrate Austin’s music diverse genres and sub-genres. The development of a business support infrastructure that invests in new markets and promotes new emerging talent opens a door for musicians from all backgrounds to be showcased. From indie rock to hip hop to punk rock to Latin pop, our music scene is home to very diverse acts and we must do our best to include and promote all talent. City government funding is essential to the
08 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
creation of such a centralized website/app. Increasing exposure of local musicians to new audiences can have a subsequent effect in demand for live performances. Beyond generating track sales revenue for the artists, this tool would build up anticipation for live performances by the most-played bands. This could benefit local venues as bigger crowds would be drawn to the nightclubs where increasingly popular local bands perform. New job opportunities would arise for other creatives in the music industry such as producers, film and video makers, record labels, publishers, etc. The good news is that we don’t have to start from scratch. Instead of creating new competing technologies, partnerships with existing resources would be a smarter investment. From big names such as Apple, Dell, Microsoft, AT&T, Google and Samsung to smaller-scale companies such as Duo Security, Rackspace and OnPrem Solution Partners, there are plenty of well-established prospect tech companies in Austin. Austin is also home to a variety of music tech apps, which could be critical to help this project and its musicians succeed. Take, for instance, Solstice Live, which provides a service that connects artists and venues for bookings. Solstice Live has already created an extensive talent database that could potentially be a good starting point for this project.
The opportunities for new partnerships are endless, yet it’s crucial that City Hall takes the first step to make this initiative happen.
Austin is a proud community that takes much of its pride from its identity with an incomparable music culture and the weirdness that comes with a wide variety of creative expression. As the Live Music Capital of the World, it is the community’s responsibility to highlight and provide every resource possible to continue to build a strong music empire that can continue to evolve with the rest of the world in the most efficient and technologically updated way. The growth of the creative industry depends on how quickly Austin can adapt to new technology.
To Do Música By Liz Lopez
BROWN SOUND NEWS The A–T Boyz released a new CD in late June through Hacienda Records, titled “Este Es Mi Barrio.” The CD contains 10 tracks, eight of which Raphael Rodriguez wrote. Cacy Savala also sings some duets with the singer/ songwriter. Raphael posted a live video on Facebook on June 27 thanking Rick Fuentes, Mario Vigil, J. R. Gomez, among others, for their varied contributions in the making of the CD. For more information about the group, call Martha Rodriguez at 512-929-0538. The rock band, The Krypteia Collective, is now known as Rival Waves. The multitalented members are Joel De La Garza, Marc Schulz, Erik Salinas, Frank Ramirez and Jim Shields. Listen to their first single, “Amputee,” soundcloud.com/rivalwaves/amputee to hear their brand of “guitar-driven rock and roll fused with a modern and relentlessly disruptive post-punk aesthetic.” They will be performing on Saturday, July 9, at 7:30 p.m., with Steamroller at 9 p.m., followed by MC Overlord at 11:30 p.m. at One-2-One Bar. Ten-piece Austin soul band, The Nightowls, will celebrate the release of their new EP, “Royal Sessions,” on Friday, July 15, at the Historic Scoot Inn with Magna Card and Cari Q. Dança Coração are a group of Kizomba & Semba (Afro dance) instructors in Austin. They’re hosting a big Kizomba Social the First Friday of every month starting at 10:30 p.m. To learn more about the Kizomba, two instructors will be presenting new material at a workshop from 9-10:30 p.m. There is a $10 fee for each event at Esquina Tango.
“The Home of the Blues,” Antone’s, will be hosting a celebration of their 41st anniversary from July 1-16 with a variety of music and musicians daily. Most days are ticketed events ($5 and up), but there are also “Customer Appreciation” days with no cover. On Saturday, July 16, “A Tex-Mex Conjunto Dance,” tribute to legendary bassist Keith Ferguson with Conjunto Los Pinkys, featuring Isidro Samilpa, and some special guests is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Colombian Independence Day will be celebrated with music, food, art and more with a family friendly event including artists Kiko Villamizar, Salero, La Frenetika, Favian Bustos’ Salsa Show, Ensamble Gaiteros, Ensamble musica Colombiana and DJs on Saturday, July 23, 1-7 p.m. at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard. PreSale: $10 and door $13.
------------Leticia Rodriguez performs Pan American music, celebrating both new and old traditions with a world inclusive sensibility. Rodriguez has been featured on PRI, The World, and has played on taste maker radio stations, KEXP, as well national and world syndicated radio programs. Catch her Friday, July 15 at 9:30 p.m. at Iron Cactus, 10001 Stonelake Blvd. -------------
Locos Por Juana performed this past March at SXSW, and will return this month to Flamingo Cantina, along with Kiko Villamizar and DJ Vanessa La Bestia, Saturday, July 23 at 9 p.m. ------------Devin Banda and Angel Gonzalez Y Grupo Vimana will be performing on Sunday, July 31 from 6 p.m. at the Tropicana Bar and Grill, 1141 Airport Blvd.
Conjunto Los Pinkys
Jose A. Velasquez will celebrate his birthday this month with a benefit for the non–profit, Latinitas. Bidi Bidi Banda performs at the Hard Luck Lounge, Saturday, July 23 from 8 p.m.– midnight. Door $10. Tejano Sundays are held every third Sunday and holidays, with July 3 the next scheduled date to hear DJ music at Maverick’s in Pflugerville. Doors open at 9 p.m., $5 cover. RECOMMENDED SHOWS Alejandro Escovedo stated on his Facebook page that he is looking forward to being “home for two nights” and so be sure to catch his show on Friday, July 1, 10 p.m. at The Continental Club. ------------Robert Johnson’s Soul, an Austin Rock/Blues band composed of members: Robert Johnson on guitar, vocals, Silas Parker on bass, vocals, and Andre’ Avelar on drums, will be performing for the First Fridays at Giddy Ups starting Friday, July 1 at 8:30 p.m. ------------Nagavalli, Atash and Huerta Culture will be providing high energy performances at the One2One Bar on Saturday, July 2. Cover $10 ------------The “Salsa Explosion” features two great Austin bands, Timberos Del Norte and La Vida Buena, plus DJ Grafyto spinning the tunes (8:30-10 p.m.), as well as dance instruction by Austin Casino Salsa at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard on Saturday July 2, 7 p.m. Cover: $10; kids under 12 free. ------------Yayo Castillo y Grupo Rumores will feature accordion player, Alejandro, and Bad Boy Pulido in the Mix, on July 9, 8 p.m. at KC Hall in Taylor. For more info call 512-352-5911. ------------Trio Musical, composed of Joe Ramos, Art Martinez and Jorge Tamayo, are performing every other Thursday at Casa Arandinas, 9001 Brodie Lane. ------------Buzz Guerra is performing a solo acoustic guitar set at The Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa (dining/bar area) every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m.
Classic rocker Steve Miller comes to the Skyline Theater July 26, 7 p.m. at Statesman Skyline Theater at the Long Center. Tickets from $49. By Meredith C. Cox
Steve Miller was a mainstay of the San Francisco music scene that upended American culture in the late 1960s, but his career extends far beyond that era. With albums like “Children of the Future,” “Sailor” and “Brave New World,” Miller and his band perfected a psychedelic blues sound that drew on the deepest sources of American roots music and also articulated a compelling vision of what music — and, indeed, society — could be in the years to come. In the 1970s, Miller changed gears and began crafting a brand of pop that was polished, exciting and irresistible. His music also dominated radio in a way that few artists have ever managed before or after. His hits were frequent and numerous: “Take The Money and Run,” “Rock’n Me,” “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Jet Airliner” and “Jungle Love,” among them. Even today, these songs are instantly recognizable when they come on the radio and impossible not to sing along with.
Running through Miller’s distinctive catalog is a combination of virtuosity and song craft, as explained by his upbringing. His parents were jazz aficionados, so as a budding guitarist, Miller absorbed valuable lessons from that musical tradition. When the family moved to Texas, Miller deepened his education in the blues. He eventually moved to Chicago, where he played with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy and Paul Butterfield. Most recently, his distinguished career has led to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. Musically, Miller has re-immersed himself in the blues once again, making records that are at once immediately accessible and more than able to stand the test of time.
TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 09
National Black MBA Awards By Monica Peña
The National Black MBA Association, Austin Chapter’s Awards and Scholarship Gala recently celebrated 10 years of positively impacting the community through various charitable, educational and professional development acts. The theme, “VIS10N: Celebrating Our Past, Building Our Future,” highlighted the contributions many local trailblazers and organizations have made to pave the way for the creation of educational opportunities and economic growth for African-Americans. American investor, Robert F. Smith of Vista Equity Partners was one of the guests honored. The second wealthiest African-American, he mentioned how “complete digitization of every industry is key to this new economy.” Marilyn Johnson of the International Women’s Forum was the “Legacy of Excellence Award” recipient. The International Women’s Forum advances leadership across cultures, careers and continents. She expressed how important the recognition was from an organization like NBMBAA, “making the world a better place for people that look just like my dad.”
Visionary Award recipient was founding member, Deone Wilhite, with the Travis County Commissioner’s Office. He has devoted his community efforts to better connecting minority students with colleges. Deone reminisced on when Leaders of Tomorrow mentorship program was just an idea.
Women’s Entrepreneurial Luncheon
NBMBAA 10th Anniversary Awards and Scholarship Gala raise funds for NBMBAA Austin Chapter Leaders of Tomorrow mentorship program, which awards African American students that demonstrate academic excellence, exceptional leadership potential, and whom are actively involved in their local communities through service to others.
This year’s annual Women’s Entrepreneurial Luncheon organized by City of Austin, Small Business Program, showcased a panel of local successful entrepreneurial women excited to share their business experience, insights and practical advice.
By Monica Peña
Scholarships were awarded and Nikeesha Fletcher’s legacy was remembered for her work with the group.
professional with vast experience in radio and television production and broadcasting. Garcia-Baab is also a business and community leader dedicated to advancing opportunities for women and serving the needs of our children. The diverse panel was made up of an award-winning playwright who is also the founder of JW Hill Productions LLC, Jeanette W. Hill, financial expert for non-profit and governmental accounting and auditing, Rosie Mendoza, and co-founder of Feathers Boutique with high-end designer goods, Masha Poloskova, of GARMENT Modern, Vintage and Moss Designer Consignment.
The moderator was Lolis Garcia-Baab, a talented bilingual communications
Discussion involved great points for the future of businesses’ wanting to improve, such as getting the word out. “Tell everyone you know what you are doing as you never know where your help is going to come from,” said Garcia-Baab. Hill said she sold out her first play within two weeks after opening night. She explained to the audience to “double down on strengths and outsource weaknesses” as a mentor had explained to her about getting a team because she couldn’t do everything. Poloskova explained, “Know when to do things yourself and where to hire people,” while Mendoza raised the point of “knowing what your real worth is.”
$20K raised for area homeless children
and Manor ISDs. Del Vale ISD, due to floods, has a bump in the numbers. HC4A approaches the schools and identifies specific supplies per student by grade level.
Diana Sanchez photo
By Harish Kotecha
DON'T LET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE BE A STRANGER TEXT "HBP AUSTIN" to 97779 Take advantage of our new heart health texting program and get personal health messages that will help you live a healthier life. When you enroll, you will get health tips, recipes, blood pressure recommendations and more. Live a healthier life for those who have your heart. Enroll today and make a change in your heart health.
10 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
Hindu Charities for America, with the Jewish and other communities, came together for the 4th Annual 2016 Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt event to raise funds for school supplies for homeless children in the Austin metro area. The event featured a magician, Bollywood, Mexican and Jewish folk dances, food and tea sponsored by area Indian restaurants and desserts donated by the Jewish community. A homeless family, recipient of schools supplies, moistened the eyes of many when the mother told their story. They have been living in homeless situation for over two years, taking care of two children who go to Manor ISD. We sometimes find it difficult to understand that such poverty exists, until we see someone tell their story. HC4A and its volunteers, which serve families who cannot afford to buy school supplies, determine where the needs are by working with the Texas Homeless Education Office. They list ISDs with the highest to lowest homeless children. This year, the top two were Austin
Rama Tiru photo
School supplies will arrive at Dell Jewish Community Center before August 14 where they will be inventoried, sorted and prepared for an assembly line to kit the supplies. Volunteers are needed and children ages four years to elders are encouraged to participate. HC4A thanks all the volunteers who were involved in the event and the Jewish Community Center for their ongoing support for this worthwhile cause to serve the Central Texas needy communities.
CELEBRATING
DIVERSITY
BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin
Pan American Hillside Concert Series By Liz Lopez
The Oswaldo “A.B.” Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center may be just one of many City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department’s community centers, but it’s one with long ties to a people’s heritage. That legacy is on display every Tuesday evening in July during the Hillside Concert Series. According to the City’s website, the “Latin-American Center” was constructed at 3rd and Comal Streets in 1942 and “was run under the auspices of the Federated Latin-American Club and directed by the Austin Recreation Department.” A hillside stage was “built and completed in June 1958” and the amphitheatre has been used since. This year will be the 58th year of free hillside entertainment. Steve “Rat” Silvas, the musical director and keyboard player for the Austin based band, Cañonazo, will be performing at this year’s first show in concert series on July 5, returning after their debut at the locale in 2015. Silvas, who has been in the Tejano music industry for over 40 years, recalls performing at the Hillside Concert Series in his youth. “I think the first gig at Hillside back then was with Gilbert Alba & Benny Munoz and The Impressions. It really was my first amphitheater experience.” Rosendo “Ross” Gomez Jr., who has presided over and currently serves as Vice-President of the Austin Tejano Music Coalition, is a life-long resident of Austin. Historically, he recalls the series was strictly a community event for Eastside residents. “It is very good for the children 12 and under. For many, it is their introduction to Tejano,” said Gomez. East Austin demographics have vastly changed, of course, with gentrification often tangling with the area’s Latin heritage, but the Hillside concert series remains a great opportunity for all residents and tourists to enjoy a free evening of music. For the complete line up of entertainment for the Hillside Concert Series, visit the Facebook page for the A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center Community Advisory Board.
“The Counseling Session,” written by Tarik Daniels and directed by Luis Armando Ordaz Guitierrez, will be presented July 2 at 3 p.m. at the Boyd Vance Theater. It’s the story of one young man’s struggle with sexuality and suicide. Tragedy forces Lionel to seek help from Dr. Michelle, a therapist who challenges him to alter the reflection of the mirror in which he views his life. Free. whatsinthemirror.org Asian American Resource Center is the site of two festive events this month, each free. Chaand Raat Festival is Sunday, July 3, 7 p.m. Enjoy Eid shopping, henna, nail art, food, kids’ activities, games and more. Food and other goods available for purchase. On Saturday, July 30, 12-4 p.m., Pista Sa Nayon celebrates Filipino culture with music, dances, product showcases, palaro and food. austintexas.gov/aarc The Austin Reggae Festival, one of the largest supporters of The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, recently suffered a $100,000 loss of donations for the cause due to inclement weather the weekend of the event. In response, the community is invited to make food and monetary donations at the Summer Jam Remix on Saturday, July 9, 1-6 p.m. at Space 12 to help the food bank prepare for summer service. Saturday, July 9, 6–8 p.m. in the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery, ESB-MACC will display the National Museum of American History and Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service’s “Bittersweet Harvest,” a bilingual exhibition exploring the bracero program, the largest guest worker program in U.S. history. Also, “La Cosecha” screens in the Black Box at 3 p.m. austintexas.gov/esbmacc AFA’s 21st annual Bastille Day Celebration, Saturday, July 9, at French Legation Museum features a 150item blockbuster silent auction, a snazzy French photo booth, 1930’s jazz with Los Pescados, and iconic French chansons with Julie Slim & Rendez Vous. Enjoy Pétanque, volleyball, jugglers, face-painters, balloon twisters and fine French wine, food and treats for purchase. $8/$12 door. afaustin.org Rhythm on Stage is back for its 5th year. Join in Austin’s only instructional dance series that invites you to take center stage in the Long Center’s Dell Hall. It is come and go, so stay the entire time and dance, or stay as long as you’d like. No experience necessary. Free. Thursday, July 28: Bollywood Dance with Prakash and Divya ; Thursday, August 11: Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” with Jenny. thelongcenter.org Zilker Hillside Theater will be a little swampy this summer as Zilker Theatre Productions brings the smash Broadway hit “Shrek: The Musical” to the stage. Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre. Shrek will delight, thrill and entertain over 40,000 hillside audience members of all ages during its six- week run during July and August. zilker.org/shrekthe-musical
THE ART OF RAP FESTIVAL AUSTIN 360 AMPHITHEATER
“SiriusXM Backspin Presents The Art of Rap Festival,” a nationwide tour featuring an extraordinary lineup of legendary rappers and hip-hop artists, makes a stop in Austin on Sunday, July 17, at Austin360 Amphitheater at Circuit of The Americas. The festival follows Ice-T’s critically acclaimed 2012 documentary, “Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap.” Last year, the veteran artist created the inaugural festival which played to massive crowds in Orange County, California and the Bay Area. The fest celebrated hip-hop culture with spray-painted murals, car shows, and freestyle battles in addition to epic sets from some of the genre’s founding fathers. True to the documentary and the 2015 festival, this year’s lineup includes many of the architects of hip-hop in what is billed as “the most prolific and essential hip-hop festival ever.” Fans can expect impressive performances by Public Enemy, Ice-T, Naughty By Nature, Mobb Deep, Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio, EPMD, The Sugarhill Gang and Kurtis Blow, with host Chiefrocker Busy Bee. “Hip-hop is the most powerful and influential cultural movement since rock and roll. A true art form that deserves respect,” said Ice T. Backspin is SiriusXM’s channel playing classic hip-hop from the 80s and 90s.”‘SiriusXM Backspin Presents The Art of Rap Festival’ gives SiriusXM an opportunity to celebrate hip-hop music with events featuring some of its most influential powerhouse artists,” said Ross Zapin of SiriusXM. “We are thrilled to present this tour to hip-hop fans everywhere and SiriusXM listeners across the country. ‘The Art of Rap Festival’ is going to be one to remember.” The Art of Rap Festival is the brainchild of Ice-T and Mickey Bentson (Hip Hop Entrepreneur) and produced by festival producer John Reese and his company Synergy Global Entertainment. “Hip-hop is crucial to many people’s lives and ‘The Art of Rap’ is the true game of hip-hop,” said Mickey Bentson of Pay Up Management. Tickets are available at austin360amphitheater.com. TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 11