TODO Austin April 2015

www.todoaustin.com Volume VI / APR 2015

INSIDE

One World (Not Three)

Bishop Daniel Garcia Lila Downs at Paramount Cine Las Americas Austin Fashion Week

ASIAN AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER

Ali Khataw’s ‘Faces of Humanity’

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PERFECT DATE NIGHTS START HERE. UPCOMING EVENTS: Carl Orffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Carmina Burana featuring Chorus Austin May 29 & 30

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C E N T R O U R B A N O HABLA Austin

Free soil testing for gardeners

Adler to make first annual address Mayor Steve Adler will make his inaugural annual address to the community on Monday, Apr. 13, at the AISD Performing Arts Center at 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd. The event is free of charge and open to the public. At the State Of The City, Adler will talk about what the new 10-1 Council has already accomplished and what he hopes we can get done in the future.

¡A Viva Voz! The 13th annual ¡A Viva Voz! presents “MIgraciones: An Evening of Latin@ Poetry and Spoken Word,” at LLILAS Benson Latin American Collection, Sid Richardson Hall on the UT campus, Thursday, Apr. 2. Live readings and performances sharing diverse perspectives around themes of migration and identity will include Ariana Brown, Marcos Cervantes, Las Krudas, Teresa Palomo Acosta, and moderator Celeste Guzmán Mendoza. Light refreshments provided. The event is free and open to the public.

As the temperatures in Austin warm, home gardeners begin to think about the many varieties of crops they’ll want to plant this spring. First, however, they’ll need to put some thought into the quality of their garden’s soil.

Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office, part of Austin Resource Recovery, is making this process easy by sponsoring free soil testing at the Soil Kitchen. The Kitchen will be open during part of this year’s Fusebox Festival, on Apr. 10-12 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at 1098 Jain Lane in East Austin.

ACC early college HS program ACC is launching a pilot program to provide an Early College High School pathway for independent learners starting this fall. The initiative allows students to earn a high school diploma, an associate degree, and as many as 60 transferable credits that count toward a bachelor’s degree during the same four years.

The college will host several informational sessions Apr. 1 at the Cypress Creek Campus and Apr. 2 at Pinnacle Campus.

COA open government symposium The City of Austin will host its second Open Government Symposium Apr. 9 featuring legal experts discussing open government issues including legislation, litigation, trends and the role of an ethics and compliance program in supporting government transparency. The free event will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Austin City Hall and open to the public.

Dr. Gregory Vincent at Symposium

Walk to Cure Arthritis

26th Heman Sweatt Symposium The 26th Heman Sweatt Symposium on Civil Rights is Saturday, Apr. 18, 6 p.m. at UT in San Jacinto, Multipurpose Rm, 309 E 21st St. The annual event organized by UT students, faculty and staff is named after the first African American admitted into the UT School of Law after the Supreme Court ruled in the landmark case of Sweatt v. Painter in 1950.

Delivering diversity in media to Austin for more than five years, TODO Austin printed journal, and

TODOAustin.com

offer

news, opinion, cultural arts and lifestyle stories written by, about, and for all ethnic communities in

multicultural

Austin.

The 2015 Walk to Cure Arthritis Austin is Saturday, Apr. 25 at 8 a.m. at Concordia University. The Arthritis Foundation - Central Texas will partner with Seton Healthcare Family for the next three years. The walk raises funds to find a cure for arthritis while educating the community about the invisible but serious disease and empowering those suffering from arthritis to remain active.

Volume VI, Number 12 PUBLISHER/EDITOR // Gavin Lance Garcia info@todoaustin.com ART DIRECTOR // Dave McClinton // dmdesigninc.com ASSOCIATE EDITORS // Evelyn C. Castillo, Paul Saldaña, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins SENIOR EDITORS // Lobo Corona, Sonia Kotecha, Diana Sanchez, Lesley Varghese, Yvonne Lim Wilson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS // Anthony Garcia, Mia Garcia, Harish Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Callie Langford, Genoveva Rodriguez, Monica Peña, Blake Shanley

Sticker Shock

By Gavin Lance Garcia

It seems that residents of Austin are faced with daily reports identifying us as a heartless collective. We are the most economically segregated city in America. Our children suffer from a lack of equal educational opportunities. Wait time for healthcare procedures is disgraceful for the less affluent.

Policing in Austin has issues with youths of color. Gentrification is causing hardship and displacement. The cultural assets we view as our treasures lack diversity.

In mid-March, while we were in the world’s spotlight during SXSW, someone placed stickers on various East Austin businesses associating them with racist practices.

“Exclusively for white people,” they read.

The City of Austin’s official seal was also part of the design, tying it to a fictitious “Contemporary Partition and Restoration Program.”

The reaction to the stickers was predictable.

Politicians condemned them as “appalling and offensive.” One state lawmaker seized the moment, reminding constituents that, “Racism is very much alive TODAY.” Mayor Steve Adler declared Austin, however, as a place, “...where respect for all people is a part of our spirit and soul.”

A number of community activists saw the act as satire – a work of art – and a springboard statement intended to open community dialogue about the harm of gentrification.

Coupled with February’s Piñatas Jumpolín incident, many also believe that Austin’s institutional racism is as prevalent as ever.

What of the next generation of leaders?

University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers responded to an off-campus UT Austin fraternity party (held a week before the sticker incident) where some students were dressed in costumes portraying Mexican immigrant racial stereotypes. An

act that was “hurtful and offended many. I deplore this behavior,” said Powers.

As for policing and the struggle for justice and equality, on April 6, a group called The People’s Task Force is hosting a gathering that will include a panel with the families of Larry Jackson, Jr., Byron Carter, Jr., and Nathaniel Sanders, Jr., each of whom were gunned down by APD. The discussion will center on these and other cases.

There are thousands of citizens seeking positive outcomes from similar community meetings. How effective they will be, of course, remains to be seen. There is hope at City Hall, where the new 10-1 city council members are busy responding to developments small and large. All agree that a discussion of ethnic inequity and the underserved is necessary. After all, racially offensive practices will not be tolerated in Austin.

New census bureau data shows that Austin’s metro area will soon reach two million. But, as Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt told the Austin American-Statesman, the Austin area has reached a point where growth is becoming a con. “From a governmental standpoint, there are many services that lag behind the growth, and when you’re growing this fast this long, we fall further and further behind,” Eckhardt said. “And, I think we see evidence of that in the gap between our rich and poor.”

We know there’s work to be done and that no one in particular is responsible for the poor state of things. Communities of color may never be reconciled to their condition, nor should they. More dialogue is needed.

Until then, Austin – our weird, tolerant home – will remain a city full of contradiction, exploitation and naiveté.

WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/ARTISTS // Güner Arslan, Alka Bhanot, Rebecca Callahan, Maria Cristina Gutierrez-Boswell, Adriana Cadena, Gabriela Candanoza, Roy Casagranda, Cindy Casares, Gabriela Castaneda, Priscilla Cortez, Nora De La Rosa, Rose Di Grazia, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Yadira Izquierdo, Korina Jaimes, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ali Khataw, Ramey Ko, Callie Langford, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Esteban Lopez, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, JoJo Marion, Shelley Metcalf, Caitlin Moore, Cristina Parker, Tatum Price, Raul Rangel Uribe, Esther Reyes, Jose Rodriguez, Marion Sanchez, Shubhada Saxena, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Blanca Valencia, Kristina Vallejo, Tara Veneruso.

TODO Austin // Multicultural Media for All of Austin. TODO 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.

WEB DESIGN // Mike Hernandez COVER // Ali Khataw photo

ADVERTISING/SUBMISSIONS/EDITORIAL: info@todoaustin.com, 512.538.4115

TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2015 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.

TODO AUSTIN // APR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03

Season of Easter: Getting to know Bishop Daniel Garcia

March 3 ordination

By Shelley Metcalf

CATHOLIC SPIRIT Shelley Metcalf: On Jan. 21, Pope Francis appointed you the first auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Austin. What does this appointment mean to you?

Bishop Garcia: First, I am very grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for appointing me to serve alongside Bishop Joe Vásquez in this diocese where I was born and raised. For me, serving as auxiliary bishop provides me the opportunity to be of assistance to Bishop Vásquez. He, of course, will continue to shepherd the Diocese of Austin, and now with my help, we can be present to even more segments of the population throughout Central Texas.

On a personal level, as auxiliary bishop, I am beginning to understand what it means geographically to serve a larger group of people. As a pastor for many years, I was accustomed to serving a local parish, which was very small geographically. Now, first as vicar general and even more so as auxiliary bishop, I am meeting more people and serving more people from across the diocese as I attend various events and serve on committees.

Metcalf: You have mentioned before that you value the advice and guidance of several priests, who you consider your mentors. Tell us a little about that.

is a small town in Milam County about 30 miles southeast of Temple. My family actually lived in Waco for five years until I got ready to start school.

My parents wanted me to attend Catholic school, so we moved back to Cameron so that I could start at St Anthony’s Catholic School, which was connected to St. Monica Parish. As a family we attended Blessed Sacrament Parish in Cameron, which was later destroyed by a fire. Our faith was central to us as a family. Our grandparents instilled in us the importance of our faith and of serving others. On a daily basis, they exemplified Jesus’ call to love God and to love our neighbor.

Bishop Garcia: In the 26 years I have been a priest, I have had wonderful examples of priests and bishops, young and old, living and deceased, who have modeled for me what priestly service is. They, as well as the people I have served, have enabled me to be the priest I am today. I am especially grateful for the love and support of all of my brother priests in the Diocese of Austin.

Over the years, I have worked with many priests, who I consider mentors. It’s probably kind of like when you become a parent for the first time and you turn to your friends who already have kids to ask questions and seek advice. Well, in many ways as a priest, I have often turned to my fellow priests for their advice and support. I have also been blessed to work closely with several bishops, all of whom have traits that I really admire. Each of them has modeled for me, in their own ways, the role of a bishop and how he serves his people. As I take on this new role as auxiliary bishop, I hope that I can glean from them a little bit of what I admired about them and I hope I can bring that to my role.

My extended family was very large, thus in happy times and in times of crisis family support was always present. Likewise, growing up in a small town like Cameron, the faith expressions of the various cultures –– German, Czech and Hispanic –– were a blessing to me.

Metcalf: Tell us about your childhood.

Bishop Garcia: Like every young person, I had lots of ideas of what I was going to do with my life.

I always said I wanted to become a doctor, and

Bishop Garcia: I was born in Cameron, which 04 TODO AUSTIN // APR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Metcalf: How long did you attend Catholic school?

Bishop Garcia: I attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School, which was run by the Divine Providence Sisters out of San Antonio, for five years from 1966-71 until the school closed. Then my sisters and I went to public school. It was a big change to go from Catholic school to public school. Since I had played baseball from the age of six, I knew a lot of my classmates, which helped to ease my transition from Catholic to public school.

Metcalf: Tell us about your discernment for the priesthood.

the idea of living a vocation in the church was not something I envisioned for myself. The priests who I knew well always encouraged me to consider being active in the church and open to God’s call. There were moments in my high school days when I remember priests asking, “Why don’t you go to the seminary?” or “Would you consider the seminary?” I quickly dismissed those questions because the priesthood was not on my radar at the time. After a couple of years of college and then returning home to work at the local hospital, at the age of 21 or so, I began to ask myself some tough questions. It was at this time, I realize that my heart was much more open to exploring the priesthood. I naturally became more involved with the church as a young adult. Undoubtedly, my pastor at that time, Msgr. Louis Pavlicek, helped me to seriously consider the possible call to the priesthood. I always admired how Father Pavlicek worked and served the people of various cultures.

He was a friend and a mentor who was always ready to listen to the questions I had as a young adult, including those I had on the priesthood.

I vividly remember the day I mentioned to Father Pavlicek that I was seriously considering the priesthood. It was very difficult to admit to myself that a possible call to the priesthood was stirring in my heart. I could no longer ignore the quiet yet persistent question from God, “Will you just give it a try?” After I finally admitted to myself that this desire was growing inside me, it was actually a relief to say, “I am not sure I’m going to be a priest, but I am going to give it a try.” And now, ironically, more than 30 years later, here I am. Obviously, God had a plan for me and ultimately I had to be open to God’s plan.

Metcalf: You have been a priest for 26 years. It’s obvious you enjoy your vocation. When you celebrate Mass, there is joy and love for the

Eucharist and for Christ. How do you maintain that?

Bishop Garcia: I think a priest must work to maintain a strong relationship with the Lord. This may sound funny, but my relationship with the Lord is no different from any other person who seeks a relationship with God. In fact, the priesthood does not guarantee a strong relationship with God. As a priest, I cannot help bring others closer to God if I don’t continuously work on my relationship with God –– I cannot give what I don’t have.

My relationships with the people I have served –– the laity –– have invited me to strive to be closer to Christ. Being a priest has allowed me to enter the lives of many wonderful people sometimes through moments of sadness and conflict but also in times of great joy. Through the loving presence of people, I have experienced the love of God. Metcalf: With the new role comes more responsibility. How do you prioritize your prayer life?

Bishop Garcia: It’s not always easy, as I stated before, I too have to carve time in my daily schedule in order to listen to God. I jokingly have said to other brother priests that I always thought I was a person of prayer yet when Bishop Vásquez asked me to be vicar general of the diocese last March, I quickly realized I needed to pray more!

As my responsibilities have increased, I find myself praying even more. I have always encouraged lay people who are so busy to make the time for a few minutes throughout the busyness of the day to sneak away and pray. I have learned the importance of making the time to be quiet and listen to God. Metcalf: What is your episcopal motto and how did you choose it?

Bishop Garcia: My episcopal motto is “Walk humbly with God,” which is from the book of the prophet Micah (6:8). This has always been a favorite passage of mine because God invites us to take on a sense of humility as we journey through life, thus adhering ourselves more and more to the ways and heart of God. We are all on a journey, and we must never forget that God is with us through thick and thin. We must also remember that everything we have is gift –– our lives, our faith, the people we encounter –– God has given all of this to us. A truly humble heart helps us to realize how awesome God is.

Reflecting upon these last few weeks prior to the ordination on March 3 has made me very aware of how I have been blessed –– particularly, in the relationships I have made over the years. I realize I am not deserving of the recognition I have been given, but for me this has been a true lesson in learning to receive. My desire is that what I have received, I can share with others. Through my ministry and my life, I pray I can emanate the love of Christ to whomever I encounter.

Celebrate Me! is a Global Cultural educational experience series exploring different cultures from around the world celebrating their similarity and diversity. On Saturday, April 11, 12-4 p.m., we explore Ghana. Our journey will open the door to Ghana’s communities through language, dress, food, costumes, history, music and more. Join us for this cultural exploration.

Adult Darkroom Sessions is an opportunity for professional and aspiring b&w photographers to use the darkroom at Carver.

Prerequisite is b&w photography and darkroom expertise. Must provide own paper for prints and develop own film prior to darkroom work. Dates are Thursdays, April 2 and 16, 4-7 p.m., and Saturdays, April 4 and 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $45 per session-resident. $50 non-resident.

On Friday, April 17, Folktales Book Club meets at 6 p.m., in the Classroom.

On Saturday, April 25, Metamorphosis Dance presents “Cinderella” at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Boyd Vance Theatre. The rich complexity of Prokofiev’s music brilliantly brings the characters to life and pulls you into the story. For more info and tickets visit www. metamorphosisdance.org The Genealogy Workshop is also Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m. in the Carver Genealogy Center.

IMMIGRATION Senate Bill 185 a distraction from real state business

By Sen. José Rodríguez

Chairman of the Senate Hispanic Caucus Even after March 16’s lengthy committee hearing, it is still unclear what problem SB 185 is attempting to solve. If it’s an attempt to address criminal activity along the border, then we need to better fund local law enforcement, not interfere with local governments’ ability to work with their respective communities. If it’s an attempt to address immigration issues, then that is clearly within the purview of the federal government, not the state.

This bill is a repeat of legislation that was defeated in 2011, and it’s simply bad policy and bad business for our state. I am concerned about the message SB 185 sends. Even if it’s not written exactly as Arizona’s SB 1070, the intent appears to be the same. The goal seems to be to encourage more local enforcement of immigration laws, and although it could affect anyone, it’s aimed at Texas’ immigrant communities.

With less than 11 weeks left in the legislative session, we have serious business that we need to attend, including passing the budget, school finance, infrastructure and other key governance issues. Yet here we are spending far too much time on legislation that is unwarranted and divisive.

Austin-based curators “Los Outsiders” Jaime Castillo, Michael Anthony Garcia, Robert Jackson Harrington and Hector Hernandez appear in the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery on Saturday, April 18, to celebrate the opening of “Gently Fried: An Exhibition in Three Parts.”

Upcoming free events at AARC include the Austin Housing Fair, Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn everything you need to know about buying a home from the experts. Presented by AREAA Austin in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi and Korean. Plus food trucks and performances.

The exhibition aims to foster a dialogue within the city and its art scene, to both activate voices that are part of an essential conversation and start a creative cross pollination in the Austin arts and culture that define “the scene.” The main themes explored in the exhibition are change, relationships, house/home and community.

GAACC Connect Forum: Professional Services, Wednesday, April 15, 3-5 p.m. Presented by the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce. Learn what large corporations and public agencies needs are and develop important relationships with these organizations and prime contractors.

April 11, the first component of this exploration is comprised of all performance-based works in conjunction with the Fusebox Festival, 12-2 p.m.

April 18, 7-10 p.m. Works of Austin artists Candace Briceño, Katelena Hernandez Cowles, Puro Chingón Collective, Jill Bedgood, Susi Brister, Deborah Roberts and others are on exhibit until June 13.

May 23, 12-2 p.m. A symposium includes Austin cultural producers and voices from other cities having similar changes transpiring across their creative landscape. This allows us to raise questions about cost of living and work spaces, limited representation of visual art mediums and the decline in racial diversity.

I hope that we will prevail as we did in 2011, and the Legislature will demonstrate that Texas is not a “show me your papers” state.

Six major points illustrate why SB 185 is bad for Texas: 1. It seeks to solve a non-existent problem. There is no indication that local law enforcement needs this authority, which is reserved exclusively for the federal government, to keep communities safe. Quite the opposite, as point number two illustrates.

2. It harms public safety. Today, El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles and El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal spoke out against this legislation because it would undermine law enforcement’s ability to work with immigrant communities and effectively combat cartel activity. Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo and many other local law enforcement leaders have made similar comments.

“The Train to Crystal City” Reading and Discussion, Thursday, April 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Author Jan Jarboe Russell will conduct a reading and discussion of her latest book, which tells the dramatic and never-before-told story of a secret FDR-approved Japanese American internment camp in Texas during World War II, where thousands of families—many U.S. citizens—were incarcerated.

CelebrASIA Austin: Asian Pacific American Food & Heritage Festival, Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Help decide the winner of the AARC’s second annual Battle of the Asian Food Trucks, with our theme ingredient coconut! Plus, cultural performances, free kids’ activities, games, educational food booths, merchant and community organization booths and more!

school officials, it includes school peace officers.

I’m not one who thinks it makes sense to punish children who are in our communities, regardless of documentation, by pushing them out of school and into the streets.

5. It has legal consequences that will inevitably lead to racial profiling, and violations of the Equal Protection Clause, the Supremacy Clause and the Fourth Amendment. In fact, the issue already came up in El Paso County, where the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department was sued for pulling passengers off a bus and asking them their immigration status; the lawsuit was settled when

the department agreed to establish a written policy and train its officers. Further, it places schools in an untenable position: If their peace officers do not ask immigration questions they could lose state funding, and if they do ask they could be sued in federal court.

6. It hurts families. So called “sanctuary cities” policies have the potential to divide mixed-status families in Texas. Leading leaders speaking against this legislation today, including the Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Anti-Defamation League, Evangelical Pastors, and numerous other religious orders and clergy members.

3. It’s bad business for Texas. Similar legislation in Arizona cost $5 million in lost taxes from SB 1070 and $135 million in lost economic output.

As President/CEO of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Richard Dayoub testified today, we can’t afford to lose current business or future investors. It also does not make sense to drive workers away from labor-intensive but critical sectors such as construction and agriculture.

4. It targets children. While S.B. 185 exempts

Sen. José Rodríguez at the border TODO AUSTIN // APR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

EDUCATION

kids for dual-language kindergarten are onto something. They recognize what many teachers, principals and policymakers do not: Knowing two or more languages puts you at an advantage.

Students should retain their bilingual heritage for its economic value

There are certainly significant social, psychological and cognitive benefits to being bilingual: higher test scores, better problem solving skills, sharper mental acuity and greater empathy. Good for the individual, good for society.

By Rebecca Callahan

But despite all we know, in the age of accountability and English-only laws, school districts across Texas continue to cut bilingual education. Why? Because what matters most in America is the bottom line. It’s almost as if educators and policymakers are blind to the advantages of bilingualism.

Every spring in Texas and across America, white, middle-class parents value bilingualism enough to line up in the early morning hours to sign up their children for a spot in next fall’s duallanguage kindergarten.

This is great because as a nation, we celebrate bilingualism, right? Well, sort of. Just not for those kids who already speak another language at home.

Economists find little, if any, benefit to bilinguals’ earning power using census data. However, census data is too blunt and too broad to understand the nuanced relationship between bilingualism and the economy.

Teachers frequently emphasize the importance of English above all else when they speak with immigrant parents. Even worse, many nonnative English-speaking parents are told not to speak to their children in the language they know best, depriving them of their richest source of social, emotional and linguistic support.

We now have better measures of bilingualism and individuals’ ability to read and write in non-English languages. We also have measures of employers’ preferences as they enter the Information Age. In this era of the Internet and global communications, companies rely more frequently on bilingual and biliterate employees

The reality is that these parents who sign up their

Vestido Rojo women’s conference

April 11, 2015

7:30 am - 1:00 pm Shoal Crossing Event Center

Join us for this FREE event, just for women!

Heart Disease continues to be the #1 cause of death for Latinas.The Vestido Rojo conference, being held in conjunction with Go Red Por Tu Corazon™, will provide heart health information, festive activities and a healthy lunch.

RSVP: Michelle Covarrubias 512.338.2410 | michelle.covarrubias@heart.org TM Go Red trademark of AHA, Red Dress trademark of DHHS.

Even when being bilingual is not a requirement, employers report a preference for both hiring and retaining bilinguals, all else held equal: buy one, get one free.

Currently, more than 20 percent of the U.S. population and 35 percent of Texans speak a nonEnglish language, and many of these speakers are children.

Our schools have the opportunity to ensure that potential bilinguals grow into bilingual, biliterate adults who are able to contribute to and participate in a stronger American economic base.

Following the horrible events of 9/11, the U.S. government found itself lacking in reliable Pashtun, Farsi and Arabic translators.

Even though many U.S.-born children of immigrants from Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran are educated in our schools, by young adulthood, they will lose their native languages.

Until we change how schools approach languages other than English, the state department will lose the potential of children of immigrants to translate and broker the two worlds for them.

Bengali New Year celebrations

™ localmente presentado por

06 TODO AUSTIN // APR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

to serve as liaisons with clients both local and global.

Two celebrations highlight the rich South Asian culture in Austin in April. Texas Bengali Cultural Alliance hosts Pohela Boishakh on Saturday, April 11 from 12-9 p.m. at Zilker Hillside Theater. The following week, the Bangladesh Association of Greater Austin hosts the colorful Bengali New Year Festival at Fiesta Gardens, Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Being bilingual doesn’t just benefit the individual; it benefits the community, the nation and ultimately, the economy.

Not only are bilingual young adults more likely to graduate high school and go to college, they are also more likely to get the job once they interview and remain employed during layoffs.

Ultimately, many of us intuitively grasp the cognitive, social and psychological benefits of knowing two languages. As a nation, we now need to recognize bilingualism’s economic benefits if we expect to remain a global leader into the next century.

Texas schools should help students maintain their home language — whether via bilingual instruction or encouraging the parents to develop their children’s home language skills.

As a K-12 educator, and now as a teacher of teachers, I assure you that immigrant children will learn English. Where we fail these children is in maintaining their greatest resource: their home language. It’s something we should cherish, not eradicate.

Rebecca Callahan is an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. moonwalk, face-painting and assorted games is also at the site, plus authentic South Asian cuisine and a marketplace with booths selling ethnic dresses, jewelry, crafts, henna and more.

All the ingredients to represent the rich tapestry of South Asian Culture.

The events mark the South Asian New Year, a date based on a solar calendar introduced in North India 400 years ago by the Mogul Emperor Akbar. Corresponding to the harvest and the beginning of the financial year, the New Year is a seminal event in South Asian social and cultural life. It is a time of happiness and joy, and for celebrations and feasting. In Central Texas, the rapidly growing South Asian community has enthusiastically kept its traditions alive, sharing its heritage with the community at large.

Texas Bengali Cultural Alliance’s Pohela Boishakh is an annual free celebration draws over 5,000 people each year to a showcase of the culture and diversity of South Asia. Now in its thirteenth year, its traditional open air cultural program features music, theater, dances, fashion and more with performers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, China and other native countries. A free kid’s entertainment with

Pohela Boishakh is organized by TBCA and other area South Asian groups to showcase the historically rich, colorful culture of South Asian countries and recreates the atmosphere of optimism and joy that characterizes the occasion for South Asians. For more information on the event, go to www.SAsianFest.com

LILA DOWNS on APRIL 12 at The Paramount Theatre

Lila Downs brings her dramatic and highly unique reinvention of traditional Mexican music and original compositions fused with blues, jazz, soul, and African roots to the Paramount Theatre.

BALAS Y CHOCOLATE TOUR | For tickets call

512.474.1221 or visit www.austintheatre.org

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ALI KHATAW’S ‘FACES OF HUMANITY’ As part of his ongoing commitment to photo philanthropy, Austin’s Ali Khataw’s “Faces of Humanity” exhibit is opening this month at the Asian American Resource Center. The exhibition, which opens with a reception on Friday, April 10, 6 p.m. with music by Ghulam Farid Nizami, will run through July 31, 2015.

The carefully selected photographs for the show will be available for purchase for the duration of the exhibition, with 50 percent of the profits of each work going to charitable organizations including Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Red Cross, Interfaith Action of Central Texas and AARC.

Khataw, an avid adventurer and world traveler whose work has appeared in National Geographic Magazine, says his greatest desire is to help others and use art as a vehicle for change. “I have a passion for photography and a belief in giving back to the community,” said Khataw, whose art reflects the socioeconomic issues of the countries he visits. “I have combined the best of both worlds into photo philanthropy.”

Khataw was born in Karachi, Pakistan and traveled to the U.S. where he earned a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin in 1984. He founded Encotech Engineering Consultants, Inc. in 1990. Parallel to his dedication

FEATURED APRIL 2015 EVENTS:

FREE

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz: A Tribute to Mexican Women Saturday, April 18, 3pm-6pm Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Poetry, Exhibit Opening, Musical Performances, and More 600 River Street - www.maccaustin.org

The Cisco Kid: Bad Guy Makes Good

New O. Henry Exhibit Opening April 1!

O. Henry Museum, 409 E. 5th Street - www.ohenrymuseum.org

Celebrate Me! Ghana

Saturday, April 11, 12pm-4pm, George Washington Carver Museum Live Music, Food, Costumes, History and More 1165 Angelina Street - www.carvermuseum.org The Train to Crystal City Reading & Discussion With Author Jan Jarboe Russell Thursday, April 23, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Asian American Resource Center 8401 Cameron Road - www.austintexas.gov/aarc 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.

08 TODO AUSTIN // APR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

to leading a successful engineering firm, he documents his experiences and interests through photography.

“I believe that a camera is an excuse to delve into a place that we otherwise would not search,” said Khataw. “Looking for a good shot forces me to seek out the unique features and scenic beauty of a location, to explore further, and to interact with his surroundings. When you press the shutter release, you’re making a personal connection to the place and its people. My lifelong passion is to strive for originality and excellence, which is a continuous effort!”

SOR JUANA INES DE LA CRUZ

AARC Young Actors Studio: Theater Art Camps for Kids Connect with Asian American cultures through theater and art!

A TRIBUTE TO MEXICAN WOMEN Saturday, April 18th AT 3PM Poetry Reading

Art

2-week sessions, Monday-Friday.

Begins June 15-August 7, ages 5 to 16

Musical Performaces

3 pm - Poetry Reading Southwest Canto Mundo poets featuring: Liliana Valenzuela Ire’ne Lara Silva Brenda Nettles Riojas Octavio Quintanilla José Antonio Rodriguez

Asian American Resource Center 8401 Cameron Road, Austin , Texas 78754 512-974-1700 Online registration now open! www.austintexas.gov/aarc

4 pm - Rebozo Exhibit Reception 4:30 pm - Musical Performaces Leticia Rodriguez Lourdes Perez and Eva Ybarra Interpreting Mexican Women Writers & Vocalists

SATURDAY, MAY 2ND 11AM TO 3PM

600 River St | Austin, TX | 512-974-3772| www.austintexas.gov/esbmacc The City of Austin is proud to comply 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 Relay Texas. La ciudad de Austin está comprometida al Acta de Americanos Incapacitados.

Si requiere asistencia para participar en nuestros programas por favor llame al teléfono número 512-974-3772 o 711 Relay Texas.

Help decide the winner of the AARC’s second annual Battle of the Asian Food Trucks, with our theme ingredient coconut! Plus, cultural performances, kids’ activities, games, educational food booths, artisan marketplace, community outreach fair, heritage showcases and more! FREE admission and activities.

The City of Austin is proud to comply with the American Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call 512.974.1700.

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!!!

APRIL Line-up

TACO BAR

2015

1412 S. Congress Avenue • Austin, Texas 78704 Open Weekdays 11am-11pm; Weekends 8am-11pm

spring festival

OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING” -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 4/1 KDRP RADIO SHOW 6:00 THU 4/2 LOS FLAMES 6:30 FRI 4/3 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW 6:30 SAT 4/4 THE BREW @ 2:30 AND EL TULE’ @ 6:30 SUN 4/5 CLOSED FOR EASTER -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 4/8 KDRP RADIO SHOW 6:00 THU 4/9 BEYOND THERAPY 6:30 FRI 4/10 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW 6:30 SAT 4/11 THE TEXAS TYCOONS @2:30 AND THE BANZAI PROJEC @6:30 SUN 4/12 EVE MONSEES @ 12:00 AND BLUE MIST @ 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 4/15 KDRP RADIO SHOW 6:00 THU 4/16 SON DE REY 6:30 FRI 4/17 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW 6:30 SAT 4/18 JIM STRINGER @2:30 AND TOM BEN LINDLEY @ 6:30 SUN 4/19 TRENT TURNER @ 12:00 AND MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 4/22 KDRP RADIO SHOW 6:00 THU 4/23 MIKE MILLIGAN 6:30 FRI 4/24 BOB FUENTES SHOW 6:30 SAT 4/25 THE BATIKUM @ 2:30 AND THE TAILGATORS @ 6:30 SUN 4/26 TRACIE LYNN @ 12:00 AND CHICKEN STRUT @ 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 4/29 KDRP RADIO SHOW 6:00 THU 4/30 HOOK HERRERA 6:30

www.GuerosTacoBar.com

Over 500 artists exhibiting and performing

FREE ADMISSION

SATURDAY, MAY 2ND (11AM - 10PM) SUNDAY, MAY 3RD (11AM - 8PM)

Lila Downs’ looks for the positives that unite

the Dead, Downs explained that because “we are able to celebrate our ancestors and have a complex and melancholic manner with the dead,” she can have a “personal dance with my partner’s possible death.”

As we discussed the new songs, she said her focus was to “try to look for the positive to unite us.” That led her to consider chocolate and the route chocolate has traveled throughout the Americas in the historical past.

“The song, ‘Bullets & Chocolate,’ is about how we come from countries seeing bullets and the ritual of cacao to the world. Historically, cacao represents excess,” said Downs.

By Liz Lopez

While Lila Downs’ eighth studio album, “Balas y Chocolate,” was still a “work in progress” in the summer of 2014, her native Mexico was in the grip of permeating violence.

Carnegie Hall, the Sacred Music Festival, the Latino Inaugural Ball for President Obama and the SXSW Music Festival, to name a few. She’s also performed multiple times at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center in San Antonio, the most recent to celebrate her 2013 Grammy award for Best Regional Mexican Album, “Pecados y Milagros.” The CD surpassed double platinum status in Mexico as did 2014’s “Raíz” CD. “Lila represents so much. She is what Esperanza is all about,” said the Center’s director, Graciela Sanchez. “She sings and talks about immigration, about poor people, women, women who are being killed, not just in Juarez but around the world. She makes you think.”

The CD’s overall theme also underscores the artist’s concerns over the erosion of civil rights and justice in Mexico, the still escalating Downs will perform songs from “Balas y threats to the country’s journalists, the excess Chocolate” and more on April 12 at the in modern life, lost love and more.

Paramount Theatre, presented by the Long Center. Tickets start at $38. For tickets go to The serious lyrical content of the songs does not mean they lack for danceable rhythms. thelongcenter.org.

Then, last September, the disappearance of 43 young student protestors in Mexico sparked controversy worldwide. Downs respectfully tapped into that tragedy and other Mexican issues with thoughtful compositions for her new album. A mastermind of traditional and popular Mexican music, Downs again incorporates indigenous Mexican influences on “Balas y Chocolate.”

Growing up stateside in Minnesota and across the border in Oaxaca, Mexico, Downs found many influences, including Mexican folk and ranchera music, South American, and American folk strains, jazz, blues, African and hip-hop. “Balas y Chocolate” is full of musical infusion, from cumbias, klezmer-like norteña, hip hop to pop.

Last month, parents and representatives of the missing youth traveled from Mexico to Austin on their way to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness of the case among U.S. citizens and government leaders. Downs’ tour, which brings her to the Paramount Theatre on Sunday, April were recorded for “Patria Madrina,” “Son de Downs has performed at many of the world’s Difuntos,” “Balas y Chocolate,” “Mano Negra,” 12, is not far behind. most prestigious festivals and venues including and “Cuando Me Tocas Tu.” The final tracking Well known for her lyrics and the music she of the songs were done in Mexico City along produces with her husband/partner, Paul with the rest of the album.

Cohen, Downs was moved to creative action by the suffering of her people. Many of the compositions on her latest recording focus on social issues, among them immigration and the violence in Latin America. “They are different subjects, but one is especially different,” said Downs, who I spoke with from Mexico City. “It speaks of the 43 young men (who disappeared).

It symbolizes something much larger in Mexico.”

Downs spoke enthusiastically about her high regard for Austin and the special connection she has with the city. “Michael and I had collaborated on an album, ‘La Cantina,’ and I got to know him. He is great and helpful. He lives in an area that is nice to work in. He also admires my band members.”

As for her experience working in Austin, she The Latin Grammy and Grammy winning gushed, “It was really fun to be there. I was very singer/songwriter began composing songs in happy to be in Texas – in mind, conscience 2012 for “Balas y Chocolate,” and by May 2014, and spirit. I feel more Tejano.” confirmed that she had started working on her eighth studio album. As Downs wrapped the The recording features the first single and tour for “Raíz,” a collaboration between Downs, accompanying epic scale-video, filmed on Argentinian singer Soledad Pastorutti, and location in Mexico, of “La Patria Madrina” Spanish singer Niña Pastori, the focus returned (My Home Country), a duet that features to continue work on the “Balas y Chocolate” internationally famous vocalist, Juanes. The song has been described as “a song of hope for production.

Mexico and Latin America” by Notimex/Terra.

In September, when Downs’ U.S. tour ended in San Antonio, she made her way to Austin to begin The 13-track CD includes eight original songs recording “Balas y Chocolate” at Austin musician produced by Downs/Cohen, including one Michael Ramos’ studio, El Brown Recluse. There, “written about the altar of the dead.” Inspired the initial tracks with engineer Joey Benjamin, by Mexico’s indigenous holiday, the Day of

LILA DOWNS DISCOGRAPHY: 2014

RAIZ / Sony Music Entertainment

2012

Pecados y Milagros / Sony Music (Latin Grammy / Grammy)

2010

Lila Downs y La Misteriosa en París Live À FIP / World Village HM

2009

El Alma de Lila Downs / Capitol-EMI

2008

Ojo de Culebra (Shake Away) / Manhattan-EMI (nominada al Grammy)

2006

La Cantina / EMI Records

2004

Una Sangre (One Blood) / EMI Records (Latin Grammy)

2001

La Línea (The Border) - EMI Records

2000

Árbol de la Vida (Yutu tata) / EMI Records

1999

La Sandunga / EMI Records

1996

Azuláo: En vivo con Lila Downs / Cloud People Music

1994

Ofrenda / Cloud People Music

TODO AUSTIN // APR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 11

To Do Música

By Liz Lopez

Austin music treasure, El Gato Negro-Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution, recently released a new CD, “El Idolo de Tejas,” produced

by Rick Fuentes. The release features several new tunes, “Soy Como las Palomitas,” “Mírala,” “Quemo la Vela a Dos Lados,” “En Mi Botella,” and more. The 13 track disc is available through local retailers.

Co-founders Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox host the ninth annual Squeezebox Mania, presenting Ruben Ramos

Grammy award winning accordionist, Sunny Sauceda and his Electric Cowboys, Los Aztex, Charles Thibodeaux and the Austin Cajun Aces, with special performances by Chris Ramirez, as well as the UTES Accordion Kids. Saturday, April 25, 8 p.m. at Threadgill’s World Headquarters, 301 W Riverside Dr. Tomas Salas is now the Big Squeeze Accordion Contest Coordinator at Texas Folklife. Salas has over 30 years experience in the performing and visual arts as a performer and an arts administrator.

Salas developed his love for accordion music at an early age as his grandfather was a promoter and organizer of conjunto dances in the Houston area.

Texas Folklife is hosting the ninth annual accordion contest featuring nine finalists of up-and-coming Texas musicians, 21 years of age or younger at the Bullock Texas State History Museum on Saturday, April 25, 2-6 p.m. Three Grand Prize winners will be selected with one winner for each category— polka, zydeco, and conjunto.

2015 Austin Music Awards Musician of the Year Gina Chavez is celebrating the official video premiere of her award-winning song, “Siete-D” with a benefit concert on Saturday, April 11, at Stateside at the Paramount. The event will include performances by Riders Against the Storm, Mother Falcon and Elizabeth McQueen’s

Cine Las Americas debuts ‘The Martini Shot’

By Tatum Price

The 18th Cine Las Americas Film Festival will present the debut screening of “The Martini Shot” (Dir. Demetrius Navarro) as its opening night film.

On Wednesday, April 22, the festival will hold inaugural ceremonies at the Marchesa Hall and Theatre, including a presentation at 7 p.m. of the independent U.S. Latino film.

A D Street Films production, directed by Demetrius Navarro and written by Enrico Natale, the dark comedy is the story of two small time producers who are threatened by their boss to make a successful movie. They then turn to the only way they can think of – kill one of the lead actors and the movie is guaranteed to make money. To succeed in this business … you have to make a KILLING! The talented cast and crew includes James Russo (“Public Enemies,” “Donnie Brasco,” “Django”), Valente Rodriguez (“McFarland USA,” “George Lopez Show”), Demetrius Navarro (“Friday,” “The Yardsale,” “187,” “ ER”), Daniel Lujan (“Collateral,” “Gone Hollywood”), Malcolm Danare (“Godzilla,” “Lords of Discipline”), and special effects artist Harvey Lowry (“Passion of Christ,” “Benjamin Button”).

The presentation of “The Martini Shot” marks the most recent collaboration between Cine Las Americas and D Street Films. Over the years, the D Street team and associates have been 12 TODO AUSTIN // APR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

integral supporters of Cine’s mission to showcase independent films with Latino creatives at the core, and audiences have really enjoyed their films.

Previous Cine Las Americas festival editions have included screenings of two films shot in Texas and featuring Texas-born film and TV star Valente Rodriguez: the romantic comedy “Gone Hollywood” (2011, Dir. Demitrius Navarro), and the young adult/adventure film “Los Scavengers” (2013, Dir. Valente Rodriguez).

Closing ceremonies for the festival is Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m. at the Marchesa Hall and Theatre. The closing film will be “Mr. Kaplan,” a Uruguayan film written and directed by Alvaro Brechner. Brechner is not new to Cine Las America’s audiences. His previous film “Bad Day to Go Fishing” took home both the Jury and Audience Awards for Best First or Second Narrative Feature at the 2010 Cine Las Americas International Film Festival.

Brechner’s new film “Mr. Kaplan” is a comedy and drama loosely inspired by the life of Brechner’s

RECOMMENDED BROWN SOUND SHOWS: “Salute the DJ Event” will be honoring all Tejano DJs, past or present, radio, TV, internet, mobile, or club, statin they “do not want any DJ left behind.” DJs attending the event will be recognized with live music performances

by Tierra Tejana, Devin Banda, Jess Lopez, La Sombra and others. Friday, April 3, at TX Club Bar & Grill in Austin. Doors open at 7 p.m. For more info, see manny@picanteradio.com Tomas Salas

new project EMQ and will benefit Niñas Arriba, a college fund Chavez co-founded for young women in El Salvador. Doors are at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. VIP Tickets ($60) and GA Tickets ($26) are available for purchase at www.austintheatre.org.

The Austin Tejano Music Coalition (ATMC) will host the first audition of the year for the Tejano Idol contest on Sunday, April 19 starting at 2 p.m. at El Gallo Restaurant, 2910 S. Congress Ave. In other Tejano news, Fusebox Festival is partnering with Crossroads Events to feature Big Band Tejano at 2 p.m. on April 11 and Robby G y Cañonazo on April 12 at 6 p.m. For info see www.fuseboxfestival.com own grandfather. The film follows an elderly Jewish man who has built a quiet life for himself in Uruguay after fleeing from Europe during WWII. But now at 76, he’s become convinced that he’s discovered a Nazi in hiding and plans to expose him. The cast stars Hector Noguera (“El Regalo,” “Lola”), Nestor Guzzini (“So Much Water”) and Rolf Becker (“Gloomy Sunday,” “Nevermore”).

“Both “Mr. Kaplan” and Brechner’s first feature “Bad Day to Go Fishing” were submitted by Uruguay to the Academy for consideration for best foreign-language film, and this will be a great way to wrap this year’s festival,” said festival director Jean Lauer.

For the 18th consecutive year, Austin will serve as host to a wide range of national and international films and filmmakers. The festival creates networking opportunities for industry professionals, and provides a rich cultural experience for statewide audiences. The festival will showcase contemporary films from the US, Canada, Latin America, and the Iberian Peninsula.

All films are presented in English and/or subtitled.

•••••••••••••••••••• Fiesta Latina with Morena Soul & La Frenetika should be a great Latin party with Brazilian and Colombian rhythms. Friday, April 10, 9 p.m. at Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville Rd, (512) 9270700.

•••••••••••••••••••• Una típica rumba Venezolana is a typical Venezuelan party with an intro Salsa class at 9:30 p.m. followed by Dj Put A Fyah at 10 p.m. on Friday, April 10 at Esquina Tango, 209 Pedernales St. There’s a small cover charge and you can bring your own beverage. FMI 512-5242772. On Friday, April 24, 9 p.m. to midnight at Esquina Tango, take an “Intro Oaxaca Class” with Edgar Yepez, followed by performances from Huerta Culture, Oaxaca Arte & Movimiento and Organización Kumbiambera.

•••••••••••••••••••• A terrific triple bill of Cilantro Boombox, Kiko Villamizar, Este Vato is Saturday, April 11, 9 p.m. at the Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co., 1305 W. Oltorf. Cilantro Boombox’s rock and Afro-Latin based sound organically integrates elements of hip-hop, funk, electronica and traditional Venezuelan music. Villamizar is a top purveyor of Latin American folk music, and Este Vato specializes in “Latin-Fusion.”

•••••••••••••••••••• “A Selena Birthday Celebration” w/ Bidi Bidi Banda is an all-star Selena tribute with Stephanie Bergara on lead vocals interpreting the hits of the “Queen of Tejano Music.” Among the artists are Vanessa Burden, Rene Chavez, Dave Farris, Marcus Morales, Frank Ramirez, Rocky Reyna, Steve “Rat” Silvas, Joshua Thomson, and Haydn Vitera.

Thursday, APR 16 at The ABGB, 1305 W. Oltorf.

•••••••••••••••••••• Music Way Latino presents Spanish singer/ songwriter Rosana Arbelo on Friday, April 17 at The Backstage. Tickets are at MusicWayLatino. com ••••••••••••••••••••

The Martini Shot

Hear a fusion of music, rhythms and worlds to dance to with Austin’s own Seu Jacinto and Atash sharing the stage. Saturday, April 25, 9 p.m. at ONE-2-ONE BAR, 1509 S Lamar Blvd Suite 600.

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS broadcast 18.1, cable 9 klru.org

KLRU honors Holocaust Remembrance Day with special programs

ARTS IN CONTEXT PRODUCING LIGHT

FRONTLINE MEMORY OF THE CAMPS

Thurs., April 16, at 7:30 pm & Sun., April 19, at 1 pm

Tues., April 14, at 9 pm

With unprecedented access to the dancers and staff on and off the stage, Arts In Context spends a month with Ballet Austin, as Artistic Director Stephen Mills and company produce a re-staging of the acclaimed Light/Holocaust and Humanity Project.

A landmark historical film discovered in a museum vault decades ago has been called “Hitchcock’s lost Holocaust film.” First broadcast in 1985, the documentary shows the first horrifying footage shot as Allied troops entered the Nazi death camps.

For a complete list of Holocaust Rememberance Day programs go to klru.org

Also This Month on KLRU

Independent Lens: The Homestretch

Arts In Context: A Light In The Dark

Follow three teens who brave frigid winters, high school pressures and homelessness as they fight to stay in school, graduate and build a future. Part of KLRU’s American Graduate initiative. Learn more at klru.org/americangraduate

Clothing designers and fashion photographers explore body image through their haunting stories of personal hardship.

Monday, April 13, at 9 pm

Thursday, April 30, at 7:30 pm

American Experience:

Last Days In Vietnam During the Fall of Saigon in 1975, a handful of individuals took matters into their own hands in a desperate effort to evacuate as many South Vietnamese as possible.

Tuesday, April 28, at 8 pm

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is community supported. More than 85% of our funding comes from the public. Please consider investing in KLRU.

Austin Fashion Week supports upcoming designers

By Monica Peña

Austin Fashion Week was founded in 2009 by event producer Matt Swinney of Launch787 as a platform to showcase local talent and the Austin fashion scene. Now thriving in 2015, AFW has created a vehicle to support emerging talent in the form of the Austin Fashion Fund, a grant that is given to at least one winning designer who will earn a package from Bernina and other partners to accelerate their design business. A significant portion of the proceeds from this year’s VIP ticket packages will go towards supporting the fund.

will be open for pre and post-show browsing, featuring over 40 stunning jewelry and accessories lines.

“Stars,” presented by Bernina, is Friday, April 17, at| Austin Music Hall, 6 p.m. Returning to AFW, eight prominent designers with runway shows will have the opportunity to meet some of the most popular designers from Lifetime’s hit television series, Project Runway. The Gallery will again be open for pre and post-show browsing.

The “Finale” is Saturday, April 18, at Austin Music Hall, 6 p.m. Formerly the Austin Fashion Awards, “Finale” is an exciting celebration of the talent in our area. It will include an abbreviated awards presentation along with some of Austin’s favorite designers showing collections on the runway. In addition, the ever-popular Mash Ups will come to life on the catwalk. As with previous nights, the Gallery will be open for pre and post-show browsing.

This year’s AFW exciting lineup kicks off on Friday, April 10, at Speakeasy, 7 p.m. Marvel at the hair and makeup and vintage style show inspired by decades from the 20th century while celebrating the stunning images submitted for a Mash Up competition. Online images will come to life printed on large canvases. Attendees can sip cocktails during the viewing.

(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County

VO LUN T E E R SP OT LI GH T

Erin Martin is the Executive Director at MEDICO, a nonprofit that provides healthcare and educational services in developing communities in Central America.

Erin attended grad school in New Zealand, where she and her husband Paul shared the birth of their daughter. Unfortunately, their home was severely damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. They moved back to the U.S. and lived with her parents in Bastrop to recover from the loss of their home, only to go through the September 2011 fires two weeks later. “We learned the life lesson of ‘stuff is not important’ repeatedly,” said Erin. She was really excited when they finally got back to Austin and got resettled. With two years of volunteering with CASA and having worked with five children, Erin has learned a lot about the child welfare system. “I guess I had a stereotyped image in my mind of burnt-out caseworkers. I realized that everybody at the department really cares about kids. Caseworkers feel as much for kids as anyone else does but they’re truly overstretched. Mostly, it’s brought to light how taxed the system is and how CASA has risen up as this additional agency to fill that gap.” Working with CASA, Erin says, “I feel like my volunteerism is inextricably linked with the mission of CASA and the outcome of where these kids end up. It’s really mission critical.”

Art City Austin celebrates vibrant creative culture An outdoor art fair of nationally recognized artists featuring work ranging in medium from paint and photography to fiber and wood, Art City Austin invites art lovers to meet more than 125 exhibiting artists on Saturday-Sunday, April 25-26, in downtown Austin on Cesar Chavez in between Guadalupe and Lamar.

On Saturday, April 11 at Searsucker, an 11 a.m. brunch benefitting the Rise School of Austin is an opportunity to nosh on a chef-created spread while viewing fashion presentations styled by local boutiques.

Adrienne Yunger

“Austin has a phenomenal selection of talent, both artists and curators, on par with other major cities in Texas and around the country,” said Art Alliance Austin Executive Director Asa Hursh. “This city has all the makings of a truly vibrant arts scene.”

With an annual attendance of 20,000 people, the juried art fair is now in its 65th year. New this year are a curated Austin-focused contemporary art area: the Austin Art Pavilion, presented by Tito’s Vodka. The pavilion will feature work produced by regional artists and is curated by local experts from Tiny Park Gallery, Pump Project, Camiba

Soirees take place Saturday, April 11 through Wednesday, April 15, hosted by boutiques, retailers, salons, spas, and gallery spaces where patrons can experience trunk shows, mini runway events, designer showcases and more. Most events are free and open to the public.

“Discover,” on Thursday, April 16, at Austin Music Hall, 6 p.m., features collections presented by the most promising emerging designers from around the country. The Gallery 14 TODO AUSTIN // APR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Lily & Raven

Art, Co-Lab and Wally Workman Gallery.

This year’s music line-up reflects the diversity and quality of the Austin music scene playing on the Black Fret Music Stage, presented by KUTX 98.9. The lineup will include a number of 2014 Black Fret grant recipients including Amy Cook, Elias Haslanger & Church on Monday, Elizabeth McQueen, Graham Wilkinson, Jonny Gray, Lincoln Durham, Jitterbug Vipers, East Cameron Folkcore and Erin Ivey. Other acts will include 2015 grant nominees.

Art City Austin’s outdoor art fair is built to encourage personal visits with the artists, an option to purchase original museum quality artwork and a chance to celebrate Austin’s vibrant creative culture.

There’s also some of Austin’s favorite food trucks on hand: Crepe Crazy, Coolhaus, Garbo’s Lobster Truck, and Whole Foods, plus interactive projects and entertainment for kids of all ages.

One day tickets are $10 general admission, or $75 for VIP. Children under 12 free.

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

AUSTIN REGGAE FEST AUDITORIUM SHORES

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

The 20th Sri Ramanavami Music Festival is presented by India Fine Arts, Saturday, Apr. 4, at Lanier High School, 1-8 p.m. The free event includes bhajans, kirthans devotional music, dance and more. On Saturday, Apr. 18, 6:30 p.m. at St. Ed’s Jones Auditorium, Vayu Vandanam features virtuoso Indian flutists Shashank and Rakesh Chaurasia with Sai Giridhar and Kousic Sen. AustinIFA.org.

HavenCon is the first LGBTQA geek and gaming convention in Texas, created as a fun, safe haven for geeks and gamers. Industry professionals and local talent will gather Saturday-Sunday, Apr. 4-5, at Holiday Inn Midtown for panels, a cosplay competition, an allgen gaming tournament and other contests. Janet Varney and Dante Brasco will also be present. Tickets $25 daily. HavenConTx.com

Reggae plays many roles in Austin, from helping fans define themselves to making a social impact by bridging cultural divides. The Austin Reggae Festival, Apr. 17-Apr. 19 at Auditorium Shores, plays an essential role in reflecting what makes our city distinct.

This year, headliners represent both reggae’s roots and next generation traditions with a lineup that includes producer Lee “Scratch” Perry, one of the pioneers in the development of dub music (Friday, Apr. 17), legendary dancehall deejay Yellowman (Apr. 17), Latin American dancehall sensation Alika (Saturday, Apr. 18), ska notables, The Slackers (Apr. 18) and Skatalites (Sunday, Apr. 19), U.S. reggae faves, New Kingston (Apr. 19), and Black Slate from the U.K. (Apr. 19). Check austinreggaefest. com for the full schedule of artists.

Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday, and at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. All patrons must enter at the main entrance gate off of Riverside Drive. Look for the big tent and banners. There’s a free shuttle to the event from 3rd and San Antonio St., and paid parking in nearby lots.

In addition to live music, the Austin Reggae Festival features a selection of foods representing a variety of cultures and traditions, as well as an eclectic arts and crafts market.

A portion of proceeds from ticket sales at the festival benefits the Capital Area Food Bank. In 2014, the event raised more than $160,000 for the charity, helping to feed more than 400,000 hungry families throughout Central Texas. Over the last 10 years, the festival has raised more than one million dollars for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Buy advance tickets for the 2015 Austin Reggae Festival and save on walk-up prices.

One of the most in-demand jazz drummers in the world, Jeff “Tain” Watts, joins the UT Jazz Orchestra as part of the Butler School of Music’s annual Longhorn Jazz Festival, Saturday, Apr. 11, 7:30 p.m. at Bates Recital Hall. Watts holds the unique distinction of being the only musician to appear on every Grammy Awardwinning jazz record by Wynton and Branford Marsalis. texasperformingarts.org In celebration of world spirit, Tapestry Dance Company brings together some of Austin’s finest artists for Esprit!, Apr. 16-26, at Rollins Studio Theatre. The production includes Anu Naimpally, Zein Al-Jundi & The Bint El Balad Bellydance Ensemble, The Irish Dance Company, Love of China, The Lannaya African Drum & Dance Ensemble and Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico. thelongcenter.org Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival, Apr. 2225, brings some of the funniest, wittiest and oddest world-class comics from around the globe to Austin.

100-plus artists will perform everything from stand-up and sketch to improv and musical comedy, ensuring options for every type of comedy fan; die-hards to those on a fun night out. Badges $129+. Find venues at Moontowercomedyfestival.com The music of Oliver Rajamani represents the multicultural musical landscape of Texas, blending Gypsy music (or Romani music) from its ancient roots in India, through the Middle East into Europe and into Texas. His blend of Indian, Gypsy and Texas country and blues, “Texas Gypsy Fire,” comes to the Cactus Cafe, Friday, Apr. 24, 8 p.m. With Joel Guzman featured on accordion. cactuscafe.org The beloved Eeyore’s Birthday Party epitomizes Austin’s springtime pleasures, Saturday, Apr. 25, at Pease District Park. The free event runs 11 a.m.-dusk (children’s area until 4 p.m.), with featured live music and non-amplified players, dancing, face painting, henna, temporary tattoos, Maypole, food and drink, contests and games. Free shuttle busses from Colorado between 16th and 17th Streets. eeyores.org

FUSEBOX FESTIVAL After a decade of activity, the annual Fusebox Festival has earned its reputation as Austin’s leading dynamic idea engine. It’s a space where artists and audiences collaborate to explore creativity in a multitude of platforms. Back for its 11th edition, the festival is discovering new ways to engage diverse patrons with over 12 days of unique programming from Apr. 1-12. Fifty-plus events take place at over 20 locations around the city. The festival, a hybrid art festival at its core, is designed to be part performance-film-music-visual art festival, part culinary and social event, part public art project and everything in between. It’s also a civic-minded endeavor with a heart.

As part of an 18-month community engagement and creative planning process focused on the development of thinkEAST, Fusebox will host a living charrette during the festival on a 24-acre site in East Austin which was once home to foul jet fuel storage containers. With a team of partners, an Artplace America grant and support from the City, the thinkEAST site will host a series of events as part of Fusebox – performances, workshops, public forums, and classes – to gather input from the community about what the site might eventually become.

Elsewhere around town, hundreds of local, national, and international artists in all disciplines will be on hand at performance venues, including Adrian Quesada, Arthur Simone, Brian Lobel, Chris Schlichting with Jennifer Davis & Alpha Consumer, Christine Sun Kim, Corey Dargel, Daniel Alexander Jones, Proyecto Teatro, Tanya Tagaq and more.

Fusebox is also in the early stages of launching a new series investigating the intersection of art, culture, and technology. Building on the success of last year’s Free Range Art initiative, the 2015 Fusebox Festival will be completely free to attend. Look for projects large and small throughout the city. Find updates at fuseboxfestival.com TODO AUSTIN // APR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 15

F I E STA GA R D E N S AU ST I N , TX

KINKY

MALA

M.I.S & TOY SELECTAH

MOTEL

COMPASS:

CECI BASTI DA

XIMENA Sariñana

RODRÍGUEZ E NJA MBRE MARÍA DEL PILAR

Boletos disponibles en las siguientes locaciones: Discoteca Sanchez

El Taquito

2223 Burton Dr. Austin, Texas 78741

130 Louis Henna Blvd.

Round Rock, TX 78664

7309 Cameron Rd. Austin, Texas 78752

1713 E. Riverside Dr. Austin, TX 78741

1601 Ohlen Rd. Austin, Texas 78758

CBella Hair Salon

Furia Western Wear

9063 Research Blvd. Suite 102 B Austin TX . 78758

2237 E. Riverside Dr. Austin, Texas 78741

Revolution Tattoo Studio

8716 Research Blvd.#270 Austin, Texas 78758

5309 S. Congress Ave. Austin TX. 78745