TODO Austin December 2015

Black Fridays Don’t Matter

www.todoaustin.com Volume VII / DEC 2015

DAPA Stand with Refugees Fair City Fire Tejano Hero Fred Soto

Austin Bazaars Herald Holiday Cheer Blue Genie Art Bazaar’s Chris Coakley

Saturday Dec. 5th, Time: 7:30pm-11:00pm GAMA Event Center, 8801 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758 PHOTO BY LINDSEY BEST © 2015 BLUE MAN PRODUCTIONS, LLC.

First of a kind South Asian Service Event All Proceeds to fund Vocational Scholarships for Economically Disadvantaged Austin Area Students     

 

Vendor Booths, with raffle!

Bollywood Dances by Austin’s talents Bollywood Songs Veg and non-veg food from Tempura Grill Open Dance Floor with Live Singers!

Tickets: $25 per person Table (Seats 10) Sponsorship: $500

Scholarship will be awarded in Table Sponsor’s name (in 2016) Recipient will send Thank You note to Table Sponsor!

All Donations are Tax Deductible For Tickets Call 512.994.4638 or Visit http://hinducharitiesforamerica.org/

FEATURED DECEMBER 2015 EVENTS: UNIVISION Noche Navidena

FREE

Saturday, December 5, 4pm-8pm ESB-Mexican American Cultural Center - 600 River Street Mariachis, Folkloric Ballet, Ornament Making and more! www.maccaustin.org

Austin Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert

Wednesday, December 16, 11am-12pm Asian American Resource Center - 8401 Cameron Road A musical performance of holiday classics! www.austintexas.gov/aarc

Little Red Riding Hoodie

Monday, December 7, 10:30am Dougherty Arts Center - 1100 Barton Springs Road The Young People’s Theatre presents an all age performance which follows Little Red on an compelling journey of fantastical proportions! www.austintexas.gov/dac

Events at the George Washington Carver Museum: Festival of Trees Kwanzaa Celebration of Unity

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 6:30 - 8:30pm Music, Cookies, & Beautiful Trees!!

Saturday, Dec. 26, 1pm - 3pm

DE C 26 –27 at the An unforgettable multi-sensory experience that has captivated 35 million people worldwide. Don’t miss Blue Man Group — enemy of monotony, remedy for boredom, promoter of overjoy and elation. DARE TO LIVE IN FULL COLOR. THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS

Storytelling, Performances, & Refreshments

1165 Angelina Street - www.carvermuseum.org 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.

TheLongCenter.org | 512.474.LONG (5664) | TTY: (800) 735-2989

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

are now active in their schools’ PTAs, Advisory Councils and other school leadership positions.

Shop local During the holiday season, Austinites should know that their dollars make an impact beyond the smiles on the faces of the recipients of the gifts they purchase. Mayor Steve Adler encourages shoppers to seek out locally owned businesses when gift buying. “It’s better to give than receive, and it’s even better to buy that gift locally,” said Adler. “Shopping at local businesses keeps that money where the heart is—at home, right here in Austin.” Retailers depend on the holiday season for nearly one fifth of their entire year’s sales.

Austinites can help by spending their money at the local businesses that form such a crucial pillar of support for Austin’s economy.

Red River Cultural District New street banners were recently unveiled on downtown lampposts along Red River Street identifying the cultural district. Businesses on the strip between East 6th and 10th Streets are part of a new City initiative called Soul-y Austin that aims to empower businesses in Austin’s unique commercial areas and corridors towards the formation of a single merchants association. The lamppost banners serve as a message that the district businesses are working together to create a unified vision and promote the district to the community and visitors.

Austin NAACP banquet The Austin NAACP will host its 50th Annual DeWitty/ Overton Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, Dec. 5., 6 p.m. The event at the Austin Convention Center will feature keynote speaker Dr. Paul Butler of Georgetown University Law School. Free valet parking is available for guests at the 4th & Trinity entrance. Individual tickets are $75 each; group/ table rates available.

PARD Lamar Beach Master Plan Austin Parks and Recreation Department will host its second public meeting for the Lamar Beach Master Plan on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 6:30–8:30 p.m. in Austin High School Cafeteria. The purpose of the meeting will be to present design concepts for Lamar Beach with an emphasis on how public input has shaped the plans and to solicit more input to generate additional ideas from the alternatives presented.

Parent Ambassadors at Eastside schools Eight AISD schools make up the Eastside Memorial Vertical Team of schools located in East Austin. The Austin Project and Austin Voices teamed up this year to identify and train 20 Parent Ambassadors to support the success of children in the central East Austin area. TAP began working with Eastside Memorial High School and area schools that feed into Eastside to promote community, parent engagement, and access to support services offered through TAP’s Family Resource Center at Martin Middle School. Many of the Ambassadors trained

Delivering diversity in media to Austin

Mission Capital honors nonprofit leaders On Nov. 17, Mission Capital’s Party for Good event saw nonprofit leaders, funders and philanthropists come together to celebrate Austin and the people who make the city a place where everyone can prosper. The winners of this year’s Nonprofit Excellence Awards were Jeff and Deanna Serra for the Libby Malone Community Leader of the Year, Karen LaShell of Creative Action for Nonprofit Executive of the Year, Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin for Excellence in Collaboration, Foundation Communities for Excellence in Impact, and Sustainable Food Center for Excellence in Innovation.

Volume VII, Number 8 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, Alejandra Cueva, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins

arts and lifestyle stories written

ASSOCIATE EDITORS // Sonia Kotecha, Liz Lopez, Monica Peña, Genoveva Rodriguez, Yvonne Lim Wilson

communities in multicultural Austin.

By Gavin Lance Garcia

With last month’s terrorist attacks in Paris, America is experiencing a spike in anti-Muslim sentiment. Greater Austin is no exception, with one reported incident at the Islamic Center of Pflugerville involving feces and crumpled pages of the Quran tossed at the entrance of the mosque.

That type of vandalism is rare in Austin but the message is clear that a wave of fear has set in our community. I sit on the board of an interfaith group, the Dialogue Institute Southwest, whose Austin chapter was founded by a group of Muslims from Turkey. My colleagues feel the backlash and anti-Islamic rhetoric following every major act of violence perpetrated by a selfproclaimed Muslim. I see it in their faces and hear it in their voices.

welcomed three Syrian refugees in the past two years with another on the way.

Meanwhile, over on the University of Texas campus on Nov. 13 (the day of the Paris attacks), an incident occurred in a classroom that drew national attention. Media reported that a professor was giving a lecture on the history of Israel’s military when he was interrupted by protesters who are part of a Palestinian student organization. As one student began delivering a speech about how the Israeli military had forced his family to become refugees, the professor apparently called him a terrorist. A formal civil rights complaint has been filed.

Despite these demonstrations of our volatile times, Austinites seem to maintain a sense of optimism. No individual exemplified that confidence more than Davy Jones.

They’re moved to public apologize for other’s actions, such as this latest response: “(we) strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in Paris . . . We stand united with the people of France and with people around the world in mourning the loss of innocent lives and offering our deepest condolences to the families. We honor the victims by strengthening our commitment to peace, tolerance and mutual respect.”

for more than five years, TODO Austin

by, about, and for all ethnic

So, what direction are we taking?

CONTRIBUTING STAFF // Cat Cardenas, Evelyn C. Castillo, Alexandra M. Landeros, Callie Langford, Vanessa Maldonado, Diana Sanchez, Blake Shanley, Lesley Varghese

We live in a world where a guy like Donald Trump’s ugly rhetoric – suggesting a database of Muslims living in the U.S. to protect us against terrorism – is met with approving nods. Trump and Co. also would consider shutting down mosques for safety reasons.

Following the Paris attacks, we saw refugees become the first and easiest target. Our esteemed governor instructed Texas-based refugee resettlement organizations to refuse serving Syrians.

Austin, to its credit, won’t cooperate with such nonsense. Mayor Adler boasted that Austin PRODUCTION SERVICES // Anthony Garcia CONTRIBUTORS // Alka Bhanot, Roy Casagranda, Cindy Casares, Jimi Calhoun, Lobo Corona, Nora De LaRosa, Rebecca Gomez, Rose Di Grazia, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Yadira Izquierdo, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Christopher Kennedy, Ali Khataw, Ramey Ko, Harish Kotecha, Liam Kozma, Julia Lee, Esteban Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, Susan Nold, Cristina Parker, Raul Rangel Uribe, Jim Rigby, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Dani Slabaugh, Jeremi Suri, Corey Tabor, Sergio Tristan, Blanca Valencia, Juanita Valdez-Cox, Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, Tara Veneruso WEB DESIGN // TODOAustin.com COVER // Holidays in Austin

Davy Jones photo Austin Chronicle

Davy was a distinctive musician whose physical, fervent guitar prowess helped spark Austin’s alternative music scene in the 1980s. He left us on Nov. 25 after battling cancer. From the city’s punk heyday to the present, Davy was a formidable talent, handling guitar duties for the Next, the Ideals, the Hickoids and other bands.

He defined unconventionality and his shadow looms large over every Texas musician who plays with integrity. I had the privilege of his friendship, some treasured performances and with love and respect, dedicate this issue to our brother.

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.

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.

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It’s up to the people of Austin to make meaningful change out of the ‘10-1’ system

By Susan Nold & Christopher Kennedy

A recent report studying public views about the Austin City Council’s move to geographic representation shows that most Austinites are optimistic about a more representative and more inclusive city council.

That’s great news, but delivering on that optimism requires collective actions from leaders and residents to seize this moment of opportunity and translate it to a lasting benefit for our city.

And, frankly, for any change to be meaningful, the people in our community must do their part to engage, which means showing up at the polls to vote — something that is not happening.

November of last year was a historic election for Austin. The City Council, then composed of six atlarge council seats and one at-large mayor, was replaced by a new system of 10 single-member City Council seats and one at-large mayor.

After the first election under the new “10-1” system, So what do we do? we teamed up with Leadership Austin to study We need to create lasting improvement in civic public sentiment regarding the historic transition. engagement by creating frequent and meaningful We found three trends: Austinites had “cautious contact with constituents. We might need to reoptimism” that the promise of a 10-1 system would examine how we hold elections. And we must improve representativeness and responsiveness of recognize that the responsibility for engagement city government; that the new structure would help rests with the voters. close socioeconomic, racial and political divides; With council districts now containing a tenth the and that there is a need for urgent action by city number of city residents of the previous system, leaders to be sure this moment does not pass us by. voters expect to have more interaction with The good news is that Austin city leaders their district council members. Therefore, it will be important for the new council members to appear to appreciate the importance of civic prioritize time spent in their districts, constituent engagement. District town hall meetings across outreach, and responsiveness and accessibility to the city are occurring; a committee structure was the residents. implemented to increase community engagement before a decision is in front of the council; and a This is not them stepping away from thinking about Task Force on Civic Engagement is in place, with what is best for Greater Austin; it is about having a recommendations due to the council next spring. clear understanding of their district needs and how that voice is represented in the solutions for our These are signs this moment of civic opportunity community. After all, the goal of 10-1 was to have has been a priority for Mayor Steve Adler and the more voices at the table.

Austin City Council.

Although these recent changes to our system But optimism about the 10-1 system is tempered by clearly have value, they are only part of the action the reality of low and uneven levels of voter turnout that is needed. The first step was changing the way across the city, particularly in runoff elections, and the electorate places representatives in office. The a belief that more time is needed to judge the second step is the commitment of those elected ultimate impact of the governance change. officials to seek community input. Now it is time

for individuals — not institutions — to assess their involvement in civic affairs and take responsibility for their part.

Real lasting change coming from the 10-1 system will come only if Austinites acknowledge their personal responsibility. That includes getting more information about issues, expressing views about those issues of public interest, working to understand the reasoning behind a final decision even if it disagrees with their wishes and ultimately, actually going out to vote.

Until voters in Austin own up to that obligation, the new system should not to be judged too harshly.

Nothing will change if we do not acknowledge and act on our responsibility to participate.

If our city’s most recent elections are any indication, with a total of only about 11 percent of registered voters in Travis County showing up, there is much work to do. And now it’s up to the residents of Austin to do it. The betterment of our city depends on it.

Susan Nold is the director of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life in the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin. Christopher Kennedy is Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Austin.

Austin City Council

Ten steps toward peace

By Jim Rigby

Almost every one of us wants peace, but most of us also love things that make peace impossible.

Here are 10 steps we can take every day that will make us agents of a more peaceful world: 1. We must learn to live in the whole world. We need not love our own nation less, but we must learn to love humanity more. Our children’s children share a common fate with those people our leaders call “enemies,” so we must learn to become citizens of the world. We must demand that our own nation abide by the Nuremberg 04 TODO AUSTIN // DEC 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

principles, the Geneva Conventions, and the only our own nation’s story. We must also learn the meet everyone’s needs.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, history of the one’s our leaders call “enemy.”

9. To work for peace we must learn to discipline 2. We must work for a fairer world. We must 5. We must learn to act out of our hopes rather our wants as well as our hates and fears. Conflict come to realize that future violence lies hidden in than our fears. is as likely to come from greed as from hatred. discrepancies of power and possession.

6. We must end the illusion that our enemy is 10. We must learn that gentleness takes courage 3. We must dedicate our thought and speech fundamentally different than ourselves. too. We should hold as many parades for to peace. We must strive to keep our language ambassadors, teachers and diplomats as we do rational and communicative. Every time we lapse 7. Working for peace does not mean ignoring the for soldiers. We must become as willing to risk into ridicule and insult we have allowed our minds cries of the oppressed. To work for peace, we our lives for peace as we are willing to risk them cannot be naive. There are dangerous people and for war. to drift toward violence. dangerous situations. Peacemaking is not based on 4. We must learn that history did not begin when groundless credulity but mutual accountability.

Jim Rigby is a Presbyterian Minister in Austin. In our own nation was attacked. Every nation has its 2007, he was named “Texas Public Citizen of the wounds and its fears. Those wounds will either 8. Peacemaking does not mean avoiding conflict, Year” by National Association of Social Workers lead us to a mutual commitment to healing or into it means seeking to communicate through conflict for his work on gender, economic, and racial a spiral of ever increasing pain. We must not live in to non-violent resolutions that, as far as possible, issues.

Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble’s original ballet honors the timeless classic, “The Nutcracker.” “The Nutcracker: Suite Dreams” will be performed Dec. 11-13 at the George W. Carver Museum Theater. This is the third season the company has performed “Suite Dreams,” and it never tires of making the story fresh and irresistible to the audience. Come see what has made this ballet a family favorite, but with a new twist on the story. Woven together through its’ characters, this story has something for everyone. $20 pre-sale on Eventbrite; $25 at door. Senior discounts available.

Santa stops by the Carver on Saturday, Dec. 19, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The George Washington Carver Ambassadors and the George Washington Carver Museum Cultural and Genealogy Center present free photos. Call 512-974-4926

by Wednesday, Dec. 16, to RSVP. The principal of Umoja focuses on the interconnectedness of people from the African Diaspora and encourages us to strengthen our affection for family, friends, teachers and neighbors. Join us in a recommitment to unity in our community, featuring performances by Elizabeth Kahura.

Saturday, Dec. 26, 1-3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to 512-974-4926.

Despite court ruling, we will win DAPA and an immigration system that upholds the dignity of all

By Juanita Valdez-Cox Executive Director of La Union del Pueblo Entero

The appeals court hearing the lawsuit blocking President Obama’s new immigration programs that would shield hundreds of thousands of undocumented Texans and millions of Americans from deportation ruled on November 9 to continue blocking the implementation of the programs.

We are outraged by the court’s decision, but the decision only strengthens our resolve as a community to continue our fight for justice for immigrant families. We are disappointed at the court’s willingness to deny the respect and dignity of immigrants, but we are confident that these policies are on solid legal ground. Thankfully, the Obama administration has already announced that it will appeal this decision to the Supreme Court, where we hope that justice will prevail.

Flor de Nopal reading performance is Friday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m.

The purpose of Flor de Nopal is to promote the work of Mexican American poets and writers, to create and nourish ties between writers, and to offer writing workshops to writers from all walks of life, and to aspiring poets and writers from our diverse community.

Univision and ESB-MACC present “Noche Navideña,” a Christmas event featuring posada, ornament making, musical acts with Latin American music traditions, folkloric ballet and Mariachis on Saturday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m.

The 2015 youth exhibit, “Figúralo: Figurative Art,” is curated

by Austin artist and art educator Pilar Castrejon, sculpture and papier-mâché expert. Figúralo features the exploration of artistic mediums through figurines, figurative images and figurative narratives. Dec. 12 through Jan. 16, 2016 in the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery.

“3 the Hard Way - Urban Art from artists Sloke, Bonifacio, and REI” is three urban artists, specializing in aerosol paint, oils and acrylics. In their work you will see vibrant color, movement, humor, and unique style. Running the gamut from portrait to abstract, the works are street inspired diversity at its best. In the Community Gallery.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6:30-9:30 p.m. | “The Wanted 18” film screening and Q&A with Director Amer Shomali. The 2014 animated documentary tells the story of Palestinians in Beit Sahour who start a small local dairy but are then forced to hide the 18 dairy cows when the herd is declared a “threat to the national security to the state of Israel.” Doors 6:30 p.m.; film 7 p.m. Free. Ballroom Saturday, Dec. 12, 1-3 p.m. | Ikebana Class, Session III: Holiday Arrangement. Ikebana, which means “give life to flowers” in Japanese, is a contemplative practice of expressing gentleness and elegance through the art of simple flower arrangement.

Create your own Ikebana arrangement with Gregory Gaiser. $20 per person. Community Room 8 Wednesday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Austin Symphony Orchestra Holiday Community Concert. Free. Ballroom Wednesday, Dec. 23, 6-8 p.m. | Meet the Author: Selena Sage, “Meditative Questions: Zen + Tao Inspired” guides readers through thought provoking questions in 140 beautiful full color pages leading readers to a deeper spiritual awareness. Sage will provide an overview of her creative process, detailed discussion of the book and Q&A. Free. Ballroom

again when the President announced the Deferred Action for Parents and Expanded DACA programs in November of last year. We won in 2012 and again in 2014 because our nation is a nation with a rich cultural diversity and heritage that prides itself on welcoming the stranger. We won because our immigrant brothers and sisters have stood up for their own dignity and shared their stories with the nation, touching the hearts of countless Americans.

We won because as a nation, we care about practical solutions to a problem that separates families and divides communities.

being said now. And we will do it all while holding calling for the implementation of the programs. in our hearts a deep commitment to respect and dignity for every human being.

Wherever you are and whoever you are with, you can join our movement and make a We call on all those who believe in an America difference. Register to vote; collect signatures of opportunity, where all are created equal, to from businesses in your area; sign and share join our movement. Already, over one thousand petition; ask your city and county leaders to pass Valley residents have signed our petition to Texas a resolution in support of immigrant families.

Governor Greg Abbott in support of the programs.

Over three hundred RGV businesses have joined Use your voice to call on our political leaders at LUPE and our partners in the Equal Voice Network every level to support practical solutions to our and signed letters to the governor in support of the immigration system that allow new Americans to programs. Already, Dallas, Travis, El Paso, Hidalgo contribute to our country and economy to their Despite this ruling, we will continue winning. We will and Cameron counties have passed resolutions fullest potential. continue inching our way toward an immigration system that upholds the dignity of all. We will win because the Deferred Action programs are practical and in line with our values as a nation. We will win because the alternative—the deportation of 11 million immigrant Americans—violates our values as a nation and is as unworkable as it is inhumane. What would be the impact on the forest of uprooting 11 million trees? We cannot uproot 11 million mothers, fathers, workers, business owners from our families and communities without devastating them and devastating our very definition of what it means to be an American.

Our eventual victory will not come easy. No great victory has ever been won without great sacrifice.

We will register. We will vote. We will organize, speak up, and stand up for our communities and core values under siege. We will make our voices We must remember that our movement won heard at the ballot box in March 2016 and then Deferred Action for DREAMers in 2012 and we won again in November. We won’t forget then what is TODO AUSTIN // DEC 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

Admitting refugees will help defeat ISIS

By Jeremi Suri and Liam Kozma

The United States had a secret weapon in the war against Nazi Germany. Many of the best minds from Germany and occupied Europe fled fascist hatred and came to our shores.

Despite immigration restrictions, the United States took these refugees in, and they helped us to win the war. People such as Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi and Edward Teller built the first atomic bomb and prepared American society to understand and defeat the enemy.

our neighborhoods who understand the value of democracy and free enterprise better than many American-born citizens, because they experienced the pain of its absence before coming here.

One of us writing this piece, a veteran of the Iraq War, recently met his former interpreter, a Kurd, while shopping in a Texas supermarket.

What could be more American?

against the need to continue attracting talent to has made America a world leader. our communities.

Openness, innovation and diversity are the Much of that talent will come from Syria, Iraq, historical recipe for freedom and success in Yemen, Libya and other countries. Middle the United States. They are the most potent Eastern immigrants provide vital knowledge of weapons against all forms of hatred, violence the cultures and societies with which America interacts in our struggle to defeat violent and intolerance. We must emphasize our values in all of our policies, and we must stand extremism. against cowardly efforts to depart from who A plan that excludes all refugees from these we are as Americans. areas diminishes our ability to defeat the people who most imperil our safety. If we do that, we We are the society of Einstein, Fermi, Kissinger, will become a closed and fearful island rather Albright, Assim and so many other mixed than the open and innovative society that has recent arrivals. We are the frontier of change. out-performed all adversaries.

We must bring the hungry, suffering and hardAs was true when fighting Nazi Germany, the working to our frontier, and we will always win.

Assim, the Kurdish interpreter, immigrated to the United States to escape the violence and hatred in Iraq. He brought valuable language and cultural skills to the United States, a strong work ethic, and a love for the promise of the American dream. Assim is one of thousands of Middle Eastern refugees who attest to the power of freedom and provide crucial assistance to refugees are our secret weapon for defeating our efforts to protect that freedom. We are all the advocates of hate. stronger, as Americans, for his presence and his Imagine if the United States had not admitted patriotism.

Einstein or Fermi or Kissinger because they We have always valued security and taken came from enemy countries and were not measures to screen and monitor recent arrivals, “good Christians.” American society would have been poorer and weaker because of such but we have also frequently voiced attitudes of restrictions. We also would have had a harder racial, religious and ethnic intolerance, which we time winning the Second World War, containing are hearing again today. Nonetheless, in every communism and generating the prosperity that generation, from the Einsteins to the Kissingers and now to the Assims, these immigrants have been the engine for our innovation, growth and improvement.

After the war, a younger generation of immigrants — including Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski and Madeleine Albright — helped to contain and defeat Soviet aggression.

Tens of thousands of immigrants built the businesses, universities and community institutions that contributed to America’s unprecedented prosperity, including diverse Simply put, the United States will continue houses of worship. to prosper and defeat its enemies because it A similar process is at work today, especially attracts freedom-loving people from around the world. That has been our source of success in Texas. since Sam Houston came to Texas more than Our state is filled with hardworking men and 180 years ago. The good guys have come to women who came to the United States for America to defeat the bad guys back in their old opportunity after fleeing repression in their homes. And the good guys have won. countries of birth. These are many of the best students at our universities who make our Of course surveillance of potential terrorists and restrictions on immigration are necessary society the most innovative in the world. to protect against violent attacks on our society.

These are the men and women we meet in But these legitimate actions must be balanced

Austin stands with refugees

By World Vision staff

SYRIA CRISIS: FAST FACTS • 12 million Syrians have fled their homes because of conflict; half are children.

• 4 million Syrians are refugees; most are in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.

• Children affected by the Syrian conflict are at risk of becoming ill, malnourished, abused, or exploited. Millions have been forced to quit school.

• More than 700,000 Syrian refugees and other migrants risked their lives this year to travel to Europe.

WHY SYRIANS ARE FLEEING: 3 REASONS Violence: Since the Syrian civil war began, more than 240,000 people have been killed, including 12,000 children. One million more have been wounded or permanently disabled. The war has become more deadly since foreign powers joined the conflict.

Collapsed infrastructure: Within Syria, healthcare, education systems, and other infrastructure have been destroyed; the economy is shattered.

An estimated 4.8 million people are in areas of

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

Jeremi Suri is the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs and holds dual professor appointments in the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and the Department of History at The University of Texas at Austin. Liam Kozma is an officer in the U.S. Army and a master’s candidate at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

Syria that are difficult to access because of the conflict. It’s hard for aid groups to reach them.

Children’s safety: Syrian children — the nation’s hope for a better future — have lost loved ones, suffered injuries, missed years of schooling, and witnessed violence and brutality. Warring parties forcibly recruit children to serve as fighters, human shields, and in support roles, according to the U.S. State Department.

4 RISKS THAT CHILDREN FACE 1. Children are susceptible to malnutrition and diseases brought on by poor sanitation, including diarrheal diseases like cholera.

2. Many refugee children have to work to support their families. Often they labor in dangerous or demeaning circumstances for little pay.

3. Children are more vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation in unfamiliar and overcrowded conditions. Without adequate income to support their families and fearful of their daughters being molested, parents — especially single mothers — may opt to arrange marriage for girls, some as young as 13.

4. Between 2 million and 3 million Syrian children are not attending school. The U.N. children’s agency says the war reversed 10 years of progress in education for Syrian children.

African American Cooperative Economic Series The City of Austin is growing, but its black population is in decline. As the city has grown, so too has economic inequality, which has disproportionately affected black communities. For generations, African Americans have experimented with cooperative economics in order to survive and thrive. This December, Cooperation Texas is hosting a unique three-part series exploring and celebrating cooperative economics in historical and contemporary African American communities.

The series will highlight the efforts of black communities to establish alternative, cooperative economic enterprises in response to systemic inequality. The community is invited to the following events.

CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN AMERICAN COOPERATIVES: FILM SHORTS Dec. 2, 7 p.m. at Huston-Tillotson’s Dickey-Lawless Auditorium (free parking) What: Get an inside look at thriving worker-owned cooperatives in black communities with these two mini-documentaries featuring Cooperative Home Care Associates and Mandela Foods.

Worker-owner, Adrionna, will join us from Oakland, CA to share about the experience of working at Mandela Foods.

Historical African American Cooperatives: An Evening with Jessica Gordon Nembhard

Documentaries ‘Masala Yatra,’ ‘Vietnamerica’ embrace cultural diversity Two documentaries screening in Austin this month highlight the rich cultural tradition of two of the city’s fastest growing communities.

Do you feel India is highly misrepresented in media? Are you tired of all the clichés and stereotypical notions about India? Do you believe India is much more than slums, swamis, snake charmers, Bollywood, the Taj Mahal and curry? And are you eager for the world to see the beautiful, endearing, vibrant and colorful facets of India?

Dec. 9, 7 p.m. at Huston-Tillotson’s Dickey-Lawless Auditorium (free parking)

If you answered yes to any of these, then catch “Masala Yatra,” a unique documentary series showcasing India as a food centric travel destination. Every food has a recipe but most importantly every food has a story. Masala Yatra is story of Indian Food through the recipes.

And the story of India is best told through food anecdotes. Some go to India on a spiritual journey, some go for holistic healing, some go to learn about ancient civilizations... Regardless of what they go for, they all find great food, savor cuisine that changes every few 100 kilometers and have a fantastic meal. Sunday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. at Southwest Theaters – Lake Creek 7 Discount Theater (13729 Research Blvd.). $10.

Also on Sunday Dec. 13, “Vietnamerica” shows at 3 p.m. at AISD Performing Art Center (1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd.). $20. The Vietnamese American Heritage Foundation screening includes a Q&A session with the producer, director and crewmembers. The documentary concerns the aftermath of the Vietnam War, as 40 years after the war martial arts Master Hoa Tien Nguyen returns to Southeast Asia to search for the graves of his wife and two children. Having escaped on a boat with 75 of his family and friends, Hoa is the lone survivor. Throughout his return, Hoa and a diverse group of Vietnamese survivors as well as historical scholars explore the reasons for the Vietnamese diaspora.

What: Jessica Gordon Nembhard, author of the groundbreaking book “Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Thought and Practice,” joins us to share her research, insight, and vision for a sustainable economy where black lives matter.

CELEBRATION: DANCE PARTY WITH DJ SHANI Dec. 18, 9 p.m. at Sahara Lounge (free parking) What: DJ Shani will serve up tunes to groove to all night on the dance floor in celebration of the rich legacy of black economic cooperation.

FIGÚRALO Youth Exhibit

Saturday, December 5, 2015 | 4 - 8pm This free family event will have activities for children, traditional music, dance, food, and a beautiful afternoon to celebrate the beginning of the Holidays.

Opening Reception December 12, 4-6pm Exhibit runs through January 16, 2016

IN THE SAM Z. CORONADO GALLERY

I n t he C om m u n it y 3 the HARD WAY G al l e r y : SLOKE + BONIFACIO + REI

Free and open to the public! For more information, visit www.austintexas.gov/esbmacc

ESB-MACC | 600 River St, Austin TX, 78701 | 512-974-3772

Observe Austin roots and rejoicing this holiday season Step out this holiday season for diverse holiday activities taking place all across the city. December offers many new attractions celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa customs, complimented by long-time favorites like from Ballet Austin’s “Nutcracker” and Austin Trail of Lights in Zilker Park. Here are just a few events to choose from this season.

Ballet Austin ‘The Nutcracker’ From the scrumptious sets and costumes to all of the colorful characters and Divertissements you love, Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker is the longestrunning production of the seasonal classic in Texas. Stephen Mills’ take on this timeless tale features a cast of hundreds of dancers, including the charming and talented students from the prestigious Ballet Austin Academy who share the spotlight with our professional company of artists. Celebrate the magic of the holidays by experiencing this sweet treat with your family and friends. Dec. 5-23 at the Long Center.

Austin Music Chamber Music Center’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ This is the perfect holiday tradition, with all the music from the original TV holiday classic performed live. Featuring Michelle Schumann, piano, Utah Hamrick, bass, and David Sierra, drums. Saturday, Dec. 5, 3:30 & 7:30 p.m. at Stateside at the Paramount.

Conspirare presents Conspirare Christmas with Matt Alber Experience the enchantment of one of Austin’s most treasured holiday events. With a variety of music unlike anything else, this concert will warm your heart and kick off the holiday season in grand fashion. Matt Alber returns as our special featured guest. Monday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. at the Long Center.

Austin Symphony

Tapestry Dance Company ‘Of Mice and Music: A Jazz Nutcracker’ Tapestry’s unique and highly popular take on the holiday classic. With an original score and live jazz music, this one-of-a-kind evening includes all aspects of Tapestry Dance Company and Academy including the Professional Company, the organization’s pre-apprentice company Visions In Rhythm, TDC’s adult amateur company Visions in Motion and members of the Youth & Adult Academy in a high energy “Austintatious” look at Tchaikovsky’s classic! Tickets start at $23, Dec. 10-20 at the Long Center.

Chanukah in the Hood!

There’s dreidels and chocolate Chanukah gelt for all at Chanukah in the Hood at Central Market North Café, celebrating the Festival of Lights. Fun activities, arts and crafts, latkes and more, with live music from Yidish Cowboys noon-2 p.m., and community choirs from 2-3:30 p.m. See www.shalomaustin. org/chanukah for updates.

Kwanzaa Family Celebration African native and educator Elizabeth Kahura will bring Kwanzaa to life with storytelling, music and art for all ages on Saturday, Dec. 26, at Carver Branch Library, 1161 Angelina St. Kahura shares the importance of cultural values, how they influence our identities, and the interdependence of the individuals with the community. The Austin Public Library event is free.

Austin Symphony ‘Christmas in the Community’ ASO’s continues its new annual concert series featuring different ensembles of the orchestra playing familiar holiday music throughout the city at 10 locations from Dec. 4-23. Performances are free and open to the public with no tickets required.

Dec. 4, 2 p.m. at Macy’s Lakeline Mall; Dec. 5, 12 p.m. at Montopolis Recreation Center; Dec. 5, 3 p.m. at Macy’s at Barton Creek Mall; Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m. at George Washington Carver Museum; Dec. 11, 10 a.m. at Gus Garcia Recreation Center; Dec. 11, 3 p.m. at Macy’s at the Domain; Dec. 16, 11 a.m. at Asian American Resource Center; Dec. 18, 3 p.m. at Macy’s at Barton Creek Mall; Dec. 22, 12 Ballet Austin p.m.at Macy’s at State Capitol; Dec. 23, 6 p.m. at song, sounds, and instrumental improv in the style Symphony Square. For additional info visit www. of an old time radio hour. 3 & 4:30 p.m. at First austinsymphony.org Presbyterian Church, 8001 Mesa Dr. ($5-15).

Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble ‘The Nutcracker: Suite Dreams’ Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble presents the perennial Christmas favorite Dec. 11-13 at the Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St. For the third season, Clara will travel through a dream before returning to reality and along the way will meet irresistible characters that will dance their Robert Earl Keen’s ‘Merry Christmas from the way into your hearts.

Fam-O-Lee’ Keen will make a stop at ACL Live on Saturday, Dec. Kelly Willis and Bruce Robinson’s Holiday 19, 8 p.m., for a very special holiday show. Now Shindig three-decades on from his debut album, Keen Robison & Willis are often described as one of the remains as committed to and inspired by his muse finest roots duos working in Texas with organic as ever. The evening also includes an appearance by harmonies that can only come from a whole the Doyle & Debbie show. lotta life lived together. This annual family-friendly tradition puts concertgoers of all ages in the holiday spirit with a warm celebration. The only place where Carolyn Wonderland and Guy Forsyth number one hits like George Strait’s “Wrapped” are Roast the Holidays and Toast the New Year! Two played alongside classics like “Santa Baby,” this award-winning Texas artists, Carolyn Wonderland Texas country staple is now a syndicated television and Guy Forsyth, are joining forces and combining their bands to bring the special irreverent magic show! Saturday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. of their annual holiday show to the Long Center.

The holiday show will feature these two legendary A Child’s Christmas in Wales Celebrate the solstice with Dylan Thomas beloved Austin music icons performing songs of the season holiday tale and Texas music, Saturday, Dec. 19. in the style of blues, folk, rock, country and big band, The live reading of Thomas’ beloved holiday tale all combined for a completely unique and engaging is illuminated by Austin jazz artists Alex Coke, Suzi experience. Dec. 22-23 at the Long Center.

Stern, Rich Harney, and Evan Arredondo, heralding the season with a splendid performance of story, A Gospel According to Jazz Christmas Grammy-winning tenor saxophonist, Kirk Whalum, returns to One World Theatre with his much celebrated series, The Gospel According to Jazz, on Sunday, Dec. 20. He combines the stylistically sounds from his Memphis youth with the natural, expressive spiritual waves jazz embraces. With Gerald Albright, Norman Brown & Shelea.

Kwanzaa Celebration of Unity Carver Museum and Cultural Center will celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa, Umoja/Unity on Saturday, Dec. 26 from 1-3 p.m. The principal of Umoja focuses on striving daily to engage in practices which build bonds of affection and attachment to our family member, teachers, and neighbors. Join us in a recommitment to unity in our community. Free and open to the public.

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

Austin Trail of Lights What began as a small gathering in 1965 as the “Yule Fest,” as a gift to the city of Austin from Austin Parks and Recreation Department has grown to be a community-wide celebration of the unique spirit and people that make Austin the place we love to call home. In 2014, more than 400,000 people attended the Trail of Lights. Today, the Trail of Lights is one of the three largest events in Austin and receives national accolades. But it remains a deeply cherished local tradition that brings us together to connect and reflect. Dec. 8-22.

Kwanzaa

Holiday bazaars are the shopping alternative

By Meredith C. Cox

Depending on what kind of person you are, shopping for gifts is either the best or the worst part of the holiday season. No matter which side of the fence you fall on though, pretty much everyone can agree that finding interesting, unique and affordable gifts for people in your life in a few short weeks is a challenge. Luckily, you live in Austin, and during the winter holidays there’s no shortage of shopping alternatives to the mall.

Here are TODO Austin’s best recommendations for bazaars this December.

market highlights that heritage. Look for handmade, imported crafts, traditional German Christmas music, a visit by both a historic American Santa Claus and the traditional German Sankt Nikolas with gifts for the children, plenty of Glühwein (hot spiced wine), coffee, apple cider and gingerbread cookies, and lots of Germanstyle baked goodies for purchase.

Budafest f Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 5-6, 10am dusk; free at City Park in Buda.

Head down south for Buda’s annual holiday festival. There will be over 125 craft vendors, antiques, local food, live music, and a parade 10 am on Saturday. Santa & Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance.

Downtown Christmas Fair f Saturday, Dec. 12, 10am - 5pm; free in downtown Hutto.

The next weekend head north to Hutto for their outdoor fair and market. The night before, you The 6th Annual Allies Against Slavery can catch the movie “Elf” in the park (and meet Christmas Market f Saturday, Dec. 5, 9am Buddy) with a choir and train rides, then the next 4pm; free at the For the City Center.

If you’re looking to keep your shopping local and day have breakfast with Santa and shop their fair. socially conscious, this is the spot. This market will They even promise snow. feature art, jewelry, music, clothing, bags, toys, cosmetics, coffee, paper goods, house wares, Cherrywood Art Fair f Saturday and Sunday, photo prints and more, all of it local, fair trade or Dec. 12-13, 10am - 5pm; free at Maplewood Elementary School. direct trade.

This is a two-day art fair that showcases local artists, live music, kids’ activities and great food The Annual German Christmas Market f in a family-friendly environment, now in its 14th Saturday, Dec. 5, 10am - 4pm; free at the year. As a bonus, proceeds benefit “Little Artist German Free School.

Germans have a long history in Texas and this BIG ARTIST,” a mentoring program that pairs

East Austin elementary school children with professional artists, so you can get your shopping done plus do a little good for the community at the same time.

Armadillo

Blue Genie Art Bazaar f Friday, Nov. 27 Thursday, Dec. 24, 10am - 10pm; free at the Marchesa Hall & Theatre The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a multi-week shopping extravaganza that has become a fixture of the Austin holiday season. All items at this bazaar are handmade and include paintings, photographs, prints, sculpture, jewelry, clothing, glassworks and more, from over 200 local and regional artists. if you’re truly looking for a gift unique to this area, this is the place to find it. A portion of the proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well.

Blue Genie

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar f Sunday, Dec. 15-Thursday, Dec. 24, 10am - 10pm, $8.00 per day at Palmer Events Center.

This bazaar is actually an art fair and music festival in one, in true Austin style. There will be goods and crafts from 160 local artists, including ceramics, glass, home furnishings, leatherwork, mixed media, textiles, woodwork and more. The Armadillo Bazaar asserts that, “hot music, fine art, and cold beer,” are what set this market apart from the others in Austin, and that just may be true. Check out their website for a full list of musicians and performance dates for this year.

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!!!

DECEMBER Line-up OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING”

TACO BAR

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 12/2 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 12/3 LOS FLAMES @ 6:30 FRI 12/4 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 12/5 THE BREW @ 2:30 / EL TULE’ @ 6:30 SUN 12/6 TRENT TURNER @ 12 / THE RECUPERATORS @ 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 12/9 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 12/10 BEYOND THERAPY @ 6:30 FRI 12/11 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 12/12 THE TEXAS TYCOONS @ 2:30 / LOS AZTEX @ 6:30 SUN 12/13 THE MEAGLES @ 12 / BLUE MIST @ 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 12/16 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 12/17 SON DE REY @ 6:30 FRI 12/18 THE BOB FUNTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 12/19 JIM STRIMGER @ 2:30 / AUSTIN HEAT @ 6:30 SUN 12/20 D & O TRIO @ 12/MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES @ 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 12/23 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 12/24 CLOSED FRI 12/25 CLOSED SAT 12/26 THE SIDE MEN @ 2:30 / MICHAEL MILLIGAN @ 6:30 SUN 12/28 TIBURON @ 12 / CHICKEN STRUT @ 3 THU 12/31 TOM BEN LINDLEY BAND @ 6:30

www.GuerosTacoBar.com

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

KLRU celebrates THE BEST OF AUSTIN-MADE TV!

Austin City Limits JAMES TAYLOR

CIVIC SUMMIT Stop the Drop

Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 pm

Thursday, Dec. 17, at 9 pm; Sunday, Dec. 20, at 1 pm

Iconic singer-songwriter James Taylor performs beloved classics and selections from his chart-topping new album Before This World.

This townhall discussion of students and educators explores why some youth drop out of school.

Also This Month

Banjo Romantika:

Get the complete list at klru.org

American Bluegrass Music & The Czech Imagination

Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis’ Holiday Shindig

Inspired by classic American bluegrass sounds, an assortment of musicians from across the formerly communist Czech Republic have melded the past, the political and the present into a lively musical tradition entirely its own.

Join Texas country music’s first couple for this warm, wonderful holiday celebration. Singer-songwriters Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis—partners in life, love and parenthood— perform holiday favorites.

Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 pm

Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 8 pm; Thursday, Dec. 24, at 7:30

Call the Midwife Special Join the revels as Poplar readies itself for Christmas 1960.

An unexpected surprise for a grieving mother brings the holiday magic home. Get a complete list of special programming at klru.org/holiday

Friday, Dec. 25, at 8 pm; Sunday, Dec. 27, at 10 pm

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

Austin’s Fair City Fire catch a spark

By Cat Cardenas

In the year since forming their band, Austin-based rock group Fair City Fire has released their debut EP “Say It Loud,” embarked on their first tour and began recording their first full-length album.

Before the four piece band formed in July 2014, guitarist and vocalist Brian Wolff, bassist Brett Winning and drummer Joe Valadez got to know each other while playing with an Austin-based cover band. After leaving the band, Wolff invited friend Derik Kroeze to join what would become Fair City Fire.

being musicians in Austin,” Wolff said. “We can see of the ceiling at Lambert’s, Kroeze said the band great music any night, but the drawback is everyone gives it their all during each of their shows. has a million options. It becomes difficult to try and capture their attention.”

“When people tell us that they enjoyed our show, they usually give one word as their reason — energy,” The group has collaborated together on more than Kroeze said. “Playing live in front of people is one of 20 original songs, and play a different mix of them the best feelings in the world. There’s nothing quite at every one of their shows that Wolff said keeps the like it, and that’s why we keep doing it.” crowd on their toes.

With three of the band members acting as “It’s hard to say what you can expect from every songwriters, Wolff said their influences came from show because we try to keep it different every time,” their own personal experiences, giving each song Wolff said. “We like to mix up our sets and play all an individual style and different inspirations ranging original songs — you’re not going to find any covers from relationships to experiences performing on at our shows.”

6th Street. Koreas said as they’ve grown together and written more songs as a collective group, their If there’s one thing the band can almost guarantee band’s overall sound developed with them. their listeners it’s a high energy show. From jumping off equipment to accidentally breaking off a piece “Initially, we had three different songwriters and

no matter how you spun it, you could tell who it was,” Kroeze said. “Now, we’ve kind of honed our sound, we’re developing through this collaborative process that gives Fair City Fire its own sound as a band.”

The band wrapped up their first tour in September, traveling around the country and making stops in Cleveland, New Orleans and New York. After returning, they finished their last recording sessions, anticipating the release of their first full length album in the spring.

“Everything seems to move really quickly with this band,” Valadez said. “We already have our EP out and we’re looking forward to this new album. You can expect a little bit of a darker tone from these songs — they take you to a different place than our older songs.”

Photo by Dos Mundos Creative

Though none of the members were Austin natives, they had moved here to pursue their careers in music. Kroeze said upon arriving, he thought getting a group together in the live music capital wouldn’t be a problem.

“I think the hardest part of being a musician in Austin was forming a band in the first place,” Kroeze said.

“There are so many singer-songwriters or other bands out there, that it’s hard to get started.”

Now that the band performs regularly at venues such as Lambert’s, Blackhearts and Rattle Inn, Wolff said setting themselves apart in Austin’s highly saturated music scene has become their biggest challenge.

“There’s a lot of good and bad that comes with

Stargazing:

SIMS Celebrates 20 Years

By Erica Stall Wiggins

On December 5, the SIMS Foundation will celebrate its 20-year anniversary with a musical celebration that will surely be one to remember.

Local legends, upcoming stars and long time Austin music community leaders will come together, much as the community galvanized when the Foundation was born, to celebrate in the musical tradition of the Live Music Capital.

The Austin music community was rocked to its core after beloved Austin musician Sims Ellison lost his battle with depression in 1995. Sims’ father Don Ellison, together with Austin Rehearsal Complex (ARC) co-owners Don Harvey and Wayne Nagel, recording

artist Alejandro Escovedo and attorney Walter Taylor shortly thereafter created the SIMS Foundation to offer mental health assistance to Austin musicians.

Since then, the Foundation has provided access and financial support for mental health and addiction recovery services to Austin musicians and their families, changing countless lives and offering hope and support for those that give so much to our community.

The line-up of Austin luminaries, curated by musical director Michael Ramos, promises to sparkle. Stargazing performers include Patty Griffin, Chris Layton, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Tito Larriva, Lolita Carroll, Fastball, Nakia, Peter Stopschinski, Elias Haslanger, Kyle Ellison, Jeremy Nail, David Garza, Nina Diaz, The Peterson Brothers, and Hunter Sharpe.

The all-star house band includes Grammy award winner Adrian Quesada, David Garza, Michael Ramos, George Reiff, Conrad Choucroun, Grooveline Horns, Sonia Moore, Jazz Mills and Seela.

For more information, see https:// simsfoundation.org/events/stargazingtickets/

“Over the last 20 years, SIMS has become a vital support system for Austin musicians in need of mental health and addiction recovery services. SIMS has served thousands of musicians with quality care and our impact can be measured in the many clients who report healthy relationships, relief from depression and anxiety, recovery from substance abuse, and return to productive music making,” said Heather Alden, managing Director of SIMS. KUTX radio personalities Jody Denberg and Elizabeth McQueen will serve as masters of ceremony, and the evening will be hosted by Austin Chronicle Editor Louis Black and long time Austin arts supporter, Sandy Boone.

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

To Do Música

Time Warner and Grande on channel 16, or on AT&T Uverse, channel 99. Certainly glad to have the community shows again.

By Liz Lopez

“#BAD4U,” the newest, sexiest, hottest electro pop single from Omar Phoenix is available now for purchase on iTunes. Sultry lyrics and polished beats expose a naughtier side of a polished artist who, although once known more as a violinist for international world music acts like Benise and Dreamsound Orchestra, has unleashed his true self as an eccentric and eclectic pop performer.

BROWN SOUND NEWS Austin treasure Carrie Rodriguez is set to release “Lola,” the follow-up to her critically lauded 2013 LP “Give Me All You Got,” February 19 via her own Luz Records, distributed by Thirty Tigers. Inspired by 1940s-era recordings of her San Antonioborn great aunt Eva Garza, the bilingual album presents a collection of ranchera-inspired originals

by Rodriguez in English, Spanish and “Spanglish,” coupled with Spanish songs written by some of her favorite Mexican composers. Rodriguez will tour widely in support of the album—tour dates to be announced. Produced by Lee Townsend (Bill Frisell, Loudon Wainwright III, Kelly Joe Phelps), the album features an all-star band dubbed “The Sacred Hearts,” including internationally acclaimed composer/guitarist Bill Frisell, Viktor Krauss on bass, Luke Jacobs on pedal steel and guitars, David Pulkingham on nylon string guitar and electric guitar and Brannen Temple on drums and percussion. Vocalists Raul Malo and Gina Chavez and Grammy Award-winning bajo sexto player Max Baca also make appearances.

As days grows shorter and midweek excursions out-on-the-town take some forethought, one of the best options is C-Boy’s Heart & Soul (2008 S. Congress) on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. as Rey Arteaga holds court at a cozy, happy hour show. Arteaga and his band will have you swaying to classic 1950’s Cuban dance music with Rey on vocals and congas, backed by some of the finest groove-twisters around including Russell Scanlon on guitar, Scott McIntosh on saxophone, Léo Gauna on trombone, Ben Bradshaw and Angel Roman on bass, Carmelo Torres on timbales, and Nick Litterski on piano.

“Alma Rendida” is the debut single by 2013 Tejano Idol winner, Mario Macias, featuring the legendary Little Joe Hernandez and produced by Bob Galarza.

The number is already on rotation in San Antonio on KXTN 107.5FM (what say you Austin airwaves?).

The track is also available on Itunes. Macias says to “stay tuned” for more releases.

The Austin Tejano Music Coalition is hosting their annual Toy Drive/Dance on Friday, Dec. 4 at the H&H Ballroom, 4404 Brandt Rd. in Austin. The organization’s aim is to help brighten the life of a child as the gift donations will be handed to Brown Santa for local distribution. Last year, the Coalition delivered no less than five barrels to Brown Santa, and organizers anticipate there will be more kids in need this year after the recent flood disaster. The challenge out to the community is to help them surpass their six barrel goal. Donations will also be accepted at other locations, should donors not be able to make the event. For more information, call Christina at 512-577-2638. Austin-based act Canoñazo will be performing, with DJ Hollywood spinning, along with a few special appearances.

Cover is just $5 and don’t forget an unwrapped toy.

12 TODO AUSTIN // DEC 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

RECOMMENDED SHOWS Here’s something that proves world-class music abounds in Austin seven days a week. Patricia Vonne and Rosie Flores will double bill on Saturday, December 5 at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul at 10 p.m. Talk about a birthday bash! Cover $10 Esquina Tango’s Brazilian Night begin Friday, December 4 with an intro “forró” class at 9:30 p.m. followed by Seu Jacinto Live until 1 p.m., with a DJ on breaks. Cost is $8 and you can bring your own beverage. Seu Jacinto is a group chiefly interested in introducing and developing traditional Northeastern Brazilian culture to Central Texas. The grassroots collective shares aspects of Brazilian culture that are generally overshadowed as a means to share their passion with the public, establish a Brazilian vibe in the community and add yet more flavor to our funky city. Seu Jacinto members are Gina LaMotte, Tommy Ward, Lauren Rochell, Michael Longoria, Jan Flemming, Mehdi Boudra, Frank Almendra.

Carrie Rodriguez photo by Sarah Wilson

Angel Gonzalez y Vimana released “Soy Quien Soy” recently, now available for download. This is the second single from the band’s upcoming sophomore album, “La Coronación,” expected to be released in late December.

Tropicana Bar and Grill has opened at 1141 1/2 Airport Blvd. in North Austin and their hours of operation will be 5 p.m.–12 a.m. Wednesday through Friday, Saturday from noon–1 a.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m.–12 a.m. The restaurant could out turn out to be a vital stage for local music as management have already started hosting a Sunday “tardeada” (afternoon show).

For updates on their December shows, visit their Facebook page.

Hilary Larry Amaro announced that the Eddie Arevalo’s Spotlite TV Show, formerly on Channel Austin, is scheduled to be back on the air starting Tuesday, December 1 at its regular time slot of 7-8 p.m. Amaro, Dan Arrellano and Rebecca Trimble host the show with news/public affairs, as well as plenty of local music activities. Channel Austin is now called Austin Public Access Television under new management that took effect in recent months. The show is available for viewing on www. austinpublicaccess.org by logging on the site’s home page, click on “Watch” at the top left corner of the page, and then click on “Streaming APA 16” to tune into channel 16 live. Austin area viewers can see the show on Austin area cable companies

Skyline Theater at the Long Center In Mid- November, the Long Center for the Performing Arts announced that Nederlander Concerts and TAG Presents LLC, a local independent promotion firm, had entered into a new partnership, Paragon Presents.

Headquartered in Austin, Paragon Presents will program and produce live events throughout Austin and the surrounding markets, including Skyline Theater at the Long Center, the newly developed outdoor venue at the Long Center.

“This partnership expands Nederlander’s footprint nationally in one of the fastest growing cities in the country, sharing Paul Thornton’s vision enhancing Austin’s music scene,” said Alex Hodges, CEO of Nederlander Concerts.

“Alex and I have worked together for nearly 15 years and Nederlander’s expertise in the music industry is the perfect match to bring live music back to its roots,” said Paul Thornton, President of TAG Presents LLC. “Live music should be focused on connecting with the fans hearts, not connecting with their wallets. It is about the creativity, joy and connection fans feel.”

Skyline Theater at the Long Center will open in the spring of 2016. As exclusive promoter for

Mario Macias

Macaxeira Funk announced their last show of the year, Friday, December 11, and look forward to closing it with a bang. They plan a special set of some deliciously infectious Samba-Funk grooves.

They have a cool promo video out now for their show: “The Force awakens...” and “Good times will return when the Macaxeira Funk gang strikes back at the Sahara Lounge” and most definitely, “Bring your clones with you” as “Star Wars costumes encouraged.” Afro Caribbean Soul Collective is opening the night at The Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville Rd. Los Skarnales announced their end of the year tour dates for 2015, with stops in Texas including Austin. Their high-energy show will have you dancing all night. As they say, “Start shinning up them calcos and put those chelas in the icebox for a Pachuco Texas Good Times.” They touch down December 12 at Flamingo Cantina on 6th Street. productions at the venue, Paragon Presents will produce music spanning all popular genres during the concert season at the 7,000-plus capacity theater.

“Skyline Theater at the Long Center will be a spectacular complement to Dell Hall, the indoor theater where the Long Center has hosted concerts and events in addition to serving as the home for Austin’s Ballet, Symphony and Opera,” said Jamie Grant, President and CEO of the Long Center. “In the last four years, we have focused on providing exceptional and memorable outdoor experiences as well. Events like Trailer Food Tuesdays, Bubblepalooza, Sound & Cinema and citywide watch parties for the 2014 FIFA World Cup have attracted thousands of people to the Long Center. We’re quite confident that Skyline Theater at the Long Center will help us fund even more free outdoor community events and activities and continue to maximize the use of this iconic community gathering place.”

Fred Soto’s musical chops lead to Tejano Roots Hall of Fame

By Liz Lopez

The majority of musicians with extensive careers will echo the same refrain when asked about commercial achievement. That in reality, there is little truth behind the term “an overnight success.”

Fernando Bustamante Soto, known to friends as “Freddy” or “Fred,” knows that reality all too well through his travels on a musical path of hard toil and persistence which has led to recognition for his unique talent. Starting out in Gonzales, Texas, his birthplace, the noted saxophonist started playing professionally at the age of 12 with bands in the area, from Tejano to R&B. During the course of a 46 year career, he has received recognition and awards including being inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame next month in Alice, Texas, as well as being the recipient of a lifetime achievement award, Idolos del Barrio, from the Austin Latino Music Association Award for his many contributions to the local Latino music scene.

Being inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame is “an honor and a blessing,” said Soto. “It’s recognition that I’ve worked hard for my entire life in my music career, a dream come true.”

Born to migrant farmers, Julio and Julia B. Soto, Soto states, “technically speaking,” there were no musicians on his father’s side of the family, but several uncles played guitar on his mother’s side.

Julia and all his aunts sang corridos and rancheras as the uncles played their guitars at family gatherings.

He attributes this as his first music influence.

Complimenting that background were his sisters, brother and neighbors, the Canales family, who possessed a vast collection of Tejano albums which Soto immersed himself in, exploring varied styles of polkas, rancheras, cumbias, valsiadas, chotis and canciones romanticas.

This informal education in music led him to learn to play the saxophone. “I was primarily self-taught and played by ear,” explained Soto. “Once I got into private lessons and formal music training and education, my whole world opened up to a higher level. Education is a wonderful thing and we never stop learning. Increased knowledge is crucial in advancing your career.”

Soto turned to the blues for more inspiration and to a black gospel choir from a church in his humble barrio, as well as an unknown blues guitarist in the neighborhood. His first break was gaining the attention of award-winning band directors, Herb Karnau and Randy Kohlenberg, who recognized his

LATIN BREED

talent and “took me under their wings.” Through this association, Soto was able to take private saxophone lessons and attend music camps that helped him earn many distinguished honors, awards, medals and accolades.

Although Soto began playing with Tejano bands in his youth, La Raza Incomparable, La Buena Vida and Amistad Mexicana, he also played with a variety of funk, soul and R&B bands in the area.

After receiving music scholarship offers to attend the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Miami and other colleges, Soto settled on a fouryear ride at Texas Lutheran University where he advanced his saxophone studies with the late Dr. Roy E. Norton, who he credits much of his learned proficiency to. He also started his early training in jazz studies through the school’s jazz band and played professionally with Die Grosse Capella, a popular Big Band from New Braunfels at the time. He took the opportunity to also perform at area military bases in addition to dance halls and ballrooms.

“I was and am self-driven, with dedication in everything I do,” said Soto. “Music is more than a priority, it’s a passion I instill, not only in the things I have to do, but also in the things I love to do in life.”

After undergraduate years in Seguin, he decided to look further into more advanced jazz studies and received a music scholarship from the world renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he attended from 1979-1981, routinely making the dean’s list. He studied harmony, arranging, composition, chord scales, jazz saxophone, ear training and counter-point with noted world famous instructors Phil Wilson, Andy McGhee and Steve Prosser. Learning as much as possible in the classroom, he was also “rubbing

elbows” with world-class musicians such as Branford Marsalis, Walter Beasley and Donald Harrison, drummers Marvin “Smitty” Smith and Jeff “Tain” Watts, the late, great Kenny Kirkland on piano, guitarist Kevin Eubanks and trumpeter Terrance Blanchard.

He returned to Texas after his university studies to follow his heart and music, winding up in Austin to join outfits including Salero Salsa, El Tiburon and Big Band Tejano, AJ Castillo, Ben Marines & Salaman, Lo Nuestro, Dino Lee and The White Trash Review, Guitar Wizards Glen Rexache and Chris Duarte, Jump Start and The Pictures.

That led to recognition as a three-time Grammy nominee for recordings with Ram Herrera, Bob Gallarza. Soto more recently was part of the band that performed with Manuel “Cowboy” Donley, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. when Donley was the recipient of the 2014 National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.

There’s been a lot of highlights along the way.

“My performance in front of 10,000-plus people in Houston with The Latin Breed in 2009 when we individually received a proclamation from the late Senator Mario Gallegos was a highpoint,” Soto recalls. “My performance with country legend Ray Price in Stafford in 2010 and my performance with ‘Cowboy’ Donley were also memorable.”

The list of performers and recordings on his resume is extensive, with Ruben Ramos, Roger Velasquez and the Latin Legends, Rick Vasquez and Bandango, coupled with music festivals and dance hall performances playing with Jerry Lopez, Sunny Ozuna, David Marez, Little Joe and Johnny Hernandez, Elsa Garcia, Joel Guzman, Humberto Ramon, Gilbert Alba and Super City, Steve “Rat”

Fred Soto

Silvas, Rick Fuentes, Fandango USA, Augustine Ramirez, Balde Muñoz, Beto de La Cruz, Carlos Guzman, El Charro Negro, Tony “Ham” Guerrero & Tortilla Factory, Gilbert Velasquez, Jimmy Edward, Robert Dorantes and Azizzo, Lorenzo Antonio and Grupo Sparx, and Gary Sutton and the System.

Soto, the proud father of three sons and a daughter, will be inducted in the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in January in the category of Million Dollar Band Saxophone, joined by Austin residents Isidro Lopez (Broadcasting), and Steve “Rat” Silvas (Million Dollar Band Keyboards), among others.

There will be a free public induction ceremony and dance on Friday, January 8, with “El Primo,” Roberto Pulido y Los Classicos and Robert Ray and the Midnight Rodeo at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds Pavilion.

TODO AUSTIN // DEC 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 13

Blanton Museum of Art hosts Texas Choral Concert

Unite and serve youth from all walks of life

Texas Choral Consort (TCC) is bringing back its popular Rocking Holiday Extravaganza concert for the 2015 holiday season. The vocal power of TCC’s chorus joins with the irreverence of rock innovators Invincible Czars, resulting in electrified mashups of holiday music and ampedup sing-along classics.

There’s a chill in the air and the pools are nearly empty, which can mean only one thing … winter is upon us. As the year draws to a close and we look forward to 2016, the Amala Foundation is eagerly anticipating its most impactful year of service yet.

“It was such a blast collaborating with the Invincible Czars last year,” said TCC Artistic Director Brent Baldwin. “And we are thrilled to be invited by the Blanton Museum of Art to share our eclectic take on holiday madness and be part of the Beat the Rush concert series. This won’t be your grandma’s caroling concert.”

The program will take place at the Blanton on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 5:30 p.m. The Blanton is hosting Rocking Holiday Extravaganza as part of its innovative Beat the Rush series, which is in turn part of the museum’s Third Thursday programs. On the third Thursday of each month, the museum stays open until 9 p.m., with special events taking place in the museum environs throughout the day. Rocking Holiday Extravaganza is scheduled to give attendees a fun and festive alternative to being stuck in outbound traffic. Admission is free.

The Blanton Museum is located on the University of Texas campus, at 200 E. Martin Luther King Blvd. Immediately following the TCC performance, Conspirare will host their Big Sing, also at the Blanton.

The mission of Texas Choral Consort is to provide non-auditioned singers with performance and educational experiences that nurture personal enjoyment, friendship, musical growth, and excellence in the choral art; and to enrich the music lovers of Central Texas with innovative performances of traditional choral works, unique collaborations with a variety of creative groups, and premieres of newly-commissioned works by contemporary composers.

CASA of Travis County VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY

“I always thought I was going to work in juvenile justice,” Kimbla Newsom explained. “I have a passion for working with young people and less advantaged or delinquent youth.” Kimbla began her life’s work by volunteering with at-risk youth in her home state of Arkansas. She moved to Texas to work for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, where she ensures children are provided with educational treatment, rehabilitative services and other programs so they can successfully transition back into the community. When Kimbla learned about CASA through the State Employee Charitable Campaign, it was a perfect fit and the five hours a month the state provides for CASA volunteers helped it fit her schedule. The skills she honed at TJJD, like balancing communication with many stakeholders, helped prepare her for CASA, but the skill she values most is compassion. “We always have challenges and struggles,” she says. “You probably had someone else you could lean on.” For Kimbla, her work with TJJD and her CASA cases feel different. She invests in each child but finds it more emotional when she isn’t getting a paycheck.

And when things on her cases get difficult, she said, “I rely on my faith to keep me focused and centered. I know if I’ve given my all, I’m able to rest with that.” She paused, then added, “Retail therapy doesn’t hurt either. That’s my backup plan.”

Siena Ristorante Toscana

14 TODO AUSTIN // DEC 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

By Rose Di Grazia

If you’re like me and you prefer a cozy, dimly lit, intimate, restaurant with spectacular ambiance and out of this world cuisine, then Siena Ristorante Toscana is for you. Proprietor Stan Adams designed the restaurant like a villa in Italy, with a menu featuring seasonal antipasti, handcrafted sauces, homemade pasta, and a wide selection of organically raised meat, fish and fowl. The elegant establishment is tucked away off N. Capital of Texas Highway, just behind Waterloo. In my mind, the setting is as if God is Italian and opened up heaven to drop this gem of a place out of the sky. If no other restaurant existed in the area but this one, after you’ve dined here you may not want to dine anywhere else.

which serves 150 students weekly in 11 Austin schools.

The fundraising campaign is also a chance for Austin to rally the community around our youth and create even more meaningful opportunities for connection and growth.

During this effort, Amala hopes to raise funds to support the Global Youth Peace Summit in Kenya, Circle Up in Austin, and its growing work in California.

Over the next month, Amala will launch an end-of-year fundraising campaign. Since 2001, Amala has offered over 4,500 youth a unique blend of Social Emotional Learning programs and cross-cultural connection aimed at providing the next generation of leaders with a model of inclusion, compassion, commitment and service to their communities.

Amala’s programs focus on young individuals including refugees and immigrant youth, many of whom have experienced war, abuse, neglect, extreme poverty, child labor, and gang violence; and provide them the opportunity to unite with peers from vastly different backgrounds and participate in meaningful dialogue, community building exercises, and leadership development.

Two exciting firsts marked 2015: the first-ever international Global Youth Peace Summit in Kenya and Amala’s newest program, Circle Up, As for the seasonal Tuscan plates, for starters, the dishes are superb and so is the extensive wine list and service. Need I say more?

Speaking of wine, try one of their outstanding wine dinners.

The night I dined here this fall, I had the pleasure of indulging in one of these special events. The selection was presented by Josh Price, of Terlato Wines International, who opened the evening with a talk about the wines of Angelo Gaja. Guests at the wine dinner also had the opportunity to meet Stan Adams and his lovely wife. Stan is warm and friendly and makes you feel as if you were a guest in his lovely restaurant and home. It felt as if one was attending a holiday family dinner minus the family disputes.

Guests were sat at long tables in a romantic, private room. Dinner began with a Guido Berlucchi, Cuvee 61 Brut. Being a champagne person at heart, it was my favorite. Next, we were served a wonderful white wine with a sweet pear taste. The dinner continued with an antipasto of Sea Scallop crudo, and grilled pear with a hazelnut salsa was also offered. A Risotto with roasted pheasant and black truffle pheasant sugo followed, with cheese laid before us. It was all delicious. The main course was Braised Angus Short ribs. They were so

If you feel inspired to help us jump start this campaign and say “yes” to Amala’s work in the world, go to amalafoundation.org. As a token of their appreciation and to celebrate the fundraising campaign launch, enjoy a free track, “If You Ain’t Got Love,” from Amala’s newest One Village Music Project album. tender you practically needn’t use teeth to eat them. The ribs were infused with a Blackberry demi-glace and served with a vegetable hash.

Everything was absolutely wonderful. The wines kept being poured throughout the meal with the finale being an assortment of Italian cheeses for dessert.

Siena Ristorante Toscana offers about one wine dinner a month. It is like a supper and wine club and offers something for people of all ages. Please check the restaurant’s site for wine dinner pricing and holiday hours.

Everything at this place is superb! For more info go to www.sienaaustin.com

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

Ballet East Dance Company and Rodolfo Mendez present “Nueva Mezcla” at the Dougherty Arts Center, featuring choreographers Sharon Marroquin, Lindsey Taylor, Andrea Ariel, Esther Bramlett, Danny Herman and Miguel Marroquin. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 3-5, curtain at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. GA $15 adults, $12 students, $10 children/seniors. Tix at 512-385-2838 or www.balleteast.org.

Vic Mathias Shores As the City of Austin website touts, residents may want to stay in town for New Year’s Eve this year. Promoters of Austin’s New Year line-up have upped the ante with a musical line-up featuring Grupo Fantasma, Golden Dawn Arkestra, and Carolyn Wonderland.

“We are thrilled about this year’s entertainment line-up,” said Bill Manno, Special Events Program Manager for the City of Austin.

“Austin’s New Year will be special experience for residents and visitors.”

The annual alcohol-free celebration will showcase a variety of art, food trucks and live music on three stages.

Grupo Fantasma’s fifth studio album, “Problemas,” was recently released on Blue Corn Records. The recording has been a year in the making and the new material transcends easy classification, blending international flavors from both far and wide. Produced by Steve Berlin, the sound is contemporary and edgy while also drawing on Latin roots music at its core.

The Golden Dawn Arkestra is an avant-garde Afrobeat collective combining deep grooves and cinematic textures. Adorned in shimmering regal robes reminiscent of—as their website describes—“intergalactic kingdoms of yore” and featuring go-go dancers, the 10-piece group aims to keep bodies moving on the dance floor while raising cosmic consciousness.

Wonderland’s 2015 release, “Live Texas Trio,” underscores her take-no-prisoners approach to the stage. Shining brightest in live performance, the amazing blues guitarist, singer and songwriter has earned the reputation as a favorite daughter of Texas music.

Other confirmed performers include The Statesboro Revue, Big Cat, Vallejo, KP and the Boom Boom, Shawn Nelson, and Kalu James.

The free event begins at 4 p.m. at Vic Mathias Shores (formerly Auditorium Shores), South 1st Street and Riverside Drive, with a fireworks finale at 10 p.m.

La Pastorela ESB-MACC

Latin psych-funk collective Brownout’s alter ego, Brown Sabbath, delve deep into reinterpreting the catalog of metal godfathers and remain true to the darkness, bombast and fuzz of Sabbath’s sound, while re-imagining the music with greasy Afro-Latin horns, hypnotic percussion and psyched-out, rare-groove improv. With Yuna, Thursday, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. in Bass Concert Hall. texasperformingarts.org Mexic-Arte Museum’s “Mix ‘n’ Mash” group exhibition and art sale runs Friday, Dec. 4 through Jan. 3, with original works of art created by over 100 local, national, and international artists. The theme, Austin Lotería (a card game similar to Bingo). In the Annex, “Nacimientos: Traditional Nativity Scenes from Mexico,” a visual amalgam of indigenous representations, is also on exhibit. mexic-artemuseum.org Join Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance for “Mi Tierra Boricua,” a refreshing blend of fun and adventure that brings oral history to life through theater, traditional music and dance. The drama tells the story of a mountain tobacco community in the 1940s and the adventures they face in search of a better life. Saturday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec, 6, 3 p.m. at Carver Museum Boyd Vance Theatre. prfdance.org Chula League’s 14th annual Cherrywood Art Fair on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 12-13, delivers on its promise to appeal to all ages and interests. In addition to 88 artisans showcasing their wares, there’s performances, family-friendly activities, photobooth, arts and crafts workshops, food vendors and a line-up of live music including Taylor & the Wild Now, Waking Fable, Sons of Santos and more. cherrywoodartfair.org Heard + Quest of … presents Break Yo Self VII on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Empire Garage. Hosted by Chaka (Ras), sign up at 6 p.m. to compete in all styles of breakdance, with music by ATX All Stars (live breaks band directed by Dario Aravena), Terminator Dave and Cerebral Cortez. Plus live graffiti, 1 v. 1 cash prize, beatbox and MC battles, celebrity judges and more. After party begins at 10 p.m. $5. empireatx.com Get ready for Blue Man Group to thrill Austin with its high-octane theatrical experience. Escape the ordinary and surround yourself in the wildly popular show, an explosion of comedy, music and technology. With an act described as one of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged, the world-famous group performs five shows at the Long Center, Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 26-27. thelongcenter.org

Get ready to laugh and celebrate Hispanic culture this Dec. 3-20. Teatro Vivo presents “La Pastorela” Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River Street).

The traditional play, an adaptation by Rupert Reyes, is centered on the pastores (shepherds) as they travel to Bethlehem in order to witness the birth of Jesus.

Pastorelas are one of the oldest and most enduring Christmas traditions in Mexico. Originally, the Mexican pastorela was a religious theater created for the purpose of converting “heathen natives.” Once appropriated by popular theater, it was never the same. Pastorelas take many forms and are vigorously influenced by invention and improvisation from the talent participating.

Pastorelas may be religious, folk drama, theater, or even urban folk drama, but a very particular structure is maintained.

The bilingual play resonates with both Spanish and English speaking audience members and incorporates traditional music and dance from various regions of Mexico. The Teatro Vivo production is an entertaining way the whole family can enjoy the Christmas classic.

Teatro Vivo (Spanish for “live theater”) has produced more than 25 bilingual plays since JoAnn and Rupert Reyes founded the company in 2000.

Tickets are available at pastorela.bpt.me. Admission is $15 for general public and $20 for reserved seating. Student, senior and teacher discounts are $12. Opening night, Thursday, Dec. 3, is free admission to the public courtesy of the ESB-MACC. A Vino y Chocolate reception will take place Friday, Dec. 4, 6-7:30 p.m. and will include donated local pastries and complimentary wines for attendees to enjoy before doors open. Thursday, Dec. 10 and 17 are “pay what you wish” one hour before performance time.

For more information, see www.facebook.com/ teatrovivoaustintx/ and twitter.com/teatrovivotx.

TODO AUSTIN // DEC 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 15

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Los Lobos performs with Ballet folklorico mexicano, february 11 at Bass Concert Hall.

v a il a b le n

Th e Pe rfe cT Gi fT !

Concerts — Broadway — Dance texasperformingarts.org/holiday

Classical music programming is made possible by a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

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3-Show Mini SubScriptionS & gift certificateS

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Tex a s Per f or m i n g arTs