TODO Austin February 2015

Volume VI / FEB 2015

INSIDE

Another Facet // todoaustin.com

Dr. Eric Tang Expo Mujer Street People Indie Meme Film

Photo by Rama Tiru. (L-R): AARC staff Gregg Lee, Eric Oeur, Hanna Huang, Rani Arni, Bianca Xoyamayagua-Galvan, Taja Beekley, Yvonne Lim Wilson, Melody Chang, Claire Cella, David Nguyen, Surja Rai and Michael Miyasaki.

ENGAGING A THRIVING COMMUNITY:

Asian American Resource Center

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center

1165 Angelina Street - www.carvermuseum.org - 512-974-4926

FREE

Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center

NEW GALLERY EXHIBIT In the Community Gallery

Austin Children’s Choir Performance

Saturday, Feb. 7 from noon-2pm, Boyd Vance Theatre More information: www.austinchildrenschoir.org

Mommy, Daddy, and Me Bookclub

Saturday, Feb. 7 from 3-4pm, Carver Classroom

Children’s Author, Yolanda King, will lead discussion of Anna Hibicus, by Atinuke. Mommy, Daddy, and Me is a bookclub for youth 1st-3rd grade and their parent/guardian(s). This is free and open to the public, and will be held on the first Saturdays of the Month starting in February-May. To RSVP, email gaila.sims@austintexas.gov.

Let's Talk About Selma

Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6-9pm, Boyd Vance Theatre

A collaboration with Huston-Tillotson University where the community has the opportunity to openly discuss the film and where we are as a nation with civil rights and social justice issues.

Sankofa - Screening and Discussion

(Traveling Through Time)

Saturday, Feb. 14 from 2-5pm, Boyd Vance Theatre

Presenting in association with the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American studies: Sankofa-Screening and Discussion. Sankofa is a groundbreaking film directed by Haile Gerima centered on the Atlantic slave trade and is a pioneer of its genre. UT Professor Daina Berry, a lead Slavery Historian, will facilitate discussion after the screening. Light refreshments will be served at conclusion of the event.

To RSVP, call 512-974-4926.

More info on Black History Month events: www.facebook.com/CarverMuseumATX

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 512-974-4926.

Summer Camp Registration Opens Saturday, March 7 at 10 AM

NEW – Register online!

1991-2014: A Través del Tiempo

Campamento de Verano El 7 de marzo a las 10 am comienza el registro NUEVO – ¡Regístrese en línea!

Financial Aid available, visit: AustinTexas.gov/SummerCamp

A Retrospective of Sandra C. Fernández’s Works on Paper

In the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery

600 River St., Austin, TX 78701 | 512-974-3772 | macc@austintexas.gov Please visit www.austintexas.gov/esbmacc for more information.

Exhibits run through April 4, 2015 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 512-974-3772 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 512-974-3773 o 711 Relay Texas.

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

New TCJC public policy website

Latino Healthcare Forum/COA outreach Mayor Steve Adler joins the Latino Healthcare Forum in encouraging Austin residents to sign up for health insurance by Feb. 15. The Latino Healthcare Forum and the City will hold a rally to promote the Insurance Marketplace on Feb. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at Austin City Hall. The event and program is aimed at encouraging area residents to sign up for health insurance through the Insurance Marketplace.

Many families have learned to make do with less as a result of the economy and the City has decided to be a partner in the efforts to get all qualifying residents insured in the Marketplace.

PublicPolicyCenter.TexasCJC.org offers the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition’s full Texas 84th Legislative agenda, as well as specifics about various policy solutions within four project areas: Youth Justice; Pretrial, Defense & Innocence; Safely Reducing Incarceration; and Confinement & Reentry. The pages include links to specific solutions with background info, key facts, legislative materials and news. As relevant committee hearing dates become available, they’ll be posted in a calendar, and as the session progresses there will be a comprehensive library with fact sheets and testimony. It will also offer info for those less familiar with the legislative process.

Text alert system up for legislative session MALC/Senate Hispanic Caucus Latino Education Task Force launched a text alert system to send quick announcements, polls, etc. related to educational issues impacting the Latino community during the 84th Legislative Session. To receive periodic text alerts, text @TxLatinoEd to 23559.

Interfaith Academy panel series

Cuauhtli Academy launches The Cuauhtli (Eagle) Academy was inaugurated on Jan. 17 at the new AISD Performing Arts Center.

The Saturday academy is a language and culture revitalization project for 4th grade students from Metz, Sanchez, and Zavala Elementary Schools in the Austin Independent School District. The Academy is providing Mexican American and Tejano history instruction every Saturday through May 2015. The free classes are taught in Spanish.

The Academy is a collaboration of Nuestro Grupo, UT’s Texas Center for Education Policy, the Tejano History Curriculum Project, the National Latino/a Education Research and Policy Project, AISD and the City of Austin’s Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center.

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 Dialogue Institute of the Southwest Austin Chapter is hosting a series of interfaith panels at various locations. On Feb. 25, the meaning of charity is discussed at St. James’ Episcopal Church.

Mar. 4, St. George’s Episcopal Church hosts the topic of hospitality in Christianity and Islam. On Mar. 11, mysticism is examined at St. James’ Episcopal Church. All events begin at 6:30 p.m.

Camp Fire CenTex honors citizen Gigi Edwards Bryant is the recipient of the 2015 Camp Fire Promise to Children Award. Bryant, an Austin consultant, business owner and role model for youth, will receive the award at a ceremony on Feb. 4. The award honors an extraordinary individual in the local community who shares Camp Fire’s passion for helping children find their spark and foster the skills and knowledge to develop a growth mindset and become leaders in their communities.

Volume VI, Number 10 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

AISD Trustees appoint Cruz Superintendent

• Twilight Schools, which is an after school program to support high school completion;

• Learning Support Centers to reduce discretionary placements to the Alternative Learning Center; At the regular board meeting on January 26, Austin ISD Trustees appointed Paul Cruz as • Youth Service Mapping; and superintendent of the district’s 85,000 students • REACH, which is a program designed and and 12,000 staff members. developed to recruit and retain the best principals and teachers for AISD schools.

“Committed to continuing our dedication to rigor, relationships and resources, I am honored to be named superintendent,” Cruz said. “I look Cruz has worked as a teacher, campus forward to continuing the communication of administrator and central office administrator the district’s successes; working with staff and in Corpus Christi, San Antonio and south Texas. community members to address areas of needs; He was also a superintendent of schools in Laredo ISD, a district with approximately 23,500 and carrying out the will of the Trustees.” students. He served as the deputy commissioner Since Dec. 15, 2014, when Cruz was named for dropout prevention at the Texas Education sole finalist for superintendent, he has been Agency. Cruz also has taught a graduate-level engaging the community by sharing his vision course in curriculum and instruction. and allowing the public to ask him questions at Dr. Paul Cruz several public events. Through seven community forums and more than 20 presentations to community organizations, Cruz discussed the district’s focus areas, plans for improvement and the need for ongoing dialogue regarding student achievement.

Cruz most recently served as the interim superintendent for AISD. He has worked in education for 28 years. In his time with AISD, graduation rates have improved to an all-time high of 84.1 percent.

While with Austin ISD, Dr. Cruz has worked on Cruz received his Ph.D. in educational leadership the development and implementation of the from UT-Austin. In his doctoral program, Cruz was a fellow in the Cooperative Superintendency following initiatives and programs: Program, which is designed to prepare future • Early College High Schools where students urban school superintendents. are able to earn up to 60 hours of college credit before they graduate from high school; He also received a Bachelor of Science degree in • Single-gender schools; • One-way and two-way dual language immersion programs;

education from UT-Austin, with a specialization in English, and a Master of Science degree in educational administration from Corpus Christi State University.

• Family Resource Centers; • Social and Emotional Learning Initiative; • Creative Learning Initiative which involves integrating fine arts into everyday lessons;

Cruz and his wife, Diana, a former teacher, have been married for more than 25 years and have four children: Maricristina, Selly, Paul and Emmanuel.

WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/ARTISTS // Güner Arslan, Alka Bhanot, Maria Cristina Gutierrez-Boswell, Alejandro Caceres, Adriana Cadena, Gabriela Candanoza, Roy Casagranda, Cindy Casares, Gabriela Castaneda, Priscilla Cortez, Nora De La Rosa, Rose Di Grazia, Christian Gonzalez, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Layla Fry, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Yadira Izquierdo, Korina Jaimes, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ramey Ko, María Teresa Kumar, Callie Langford, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Esteban Lopez, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, JoJo Marion, Caitlin Moore, Cristina Parker, Raul Rangel Uribe, Esther Reyes, Dana Romero, Marion Sanchez, Shubhada Saxena, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Rama Tiru, 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 // AARC staff photo by Rama Tiru

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 // FEB 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03

Rev. Daniel E. Garcia appointed Auxiliary Bishop On January 21, Pope Francis appointed Vicar General Daniel E. Garcia as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Austin. It is the first time in the 67-year history of the diocese that an auxiliary bishop has been appointed to serve in assisting the bishop in carrying out his duties and responsibilities as the chief shepherd of the diocese.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez appointed then-Father Danny Garcia as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia on March 3, 2014. (The Curia is the collective body of persons and offices assisting the diocesan bishop in governing the diocese.)

Bishop-elect Garcia, who was ordained in 1988 as a priest for the Diocese of Austin, was born on Aug. 30, 1960, raised in Cameron and earned degrees from Tyler Junior College, St. Mary’s Seminary at the University of St. Thomas, and St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. Garcia has served in a variety of roles in the Diocese of Austin, with assignments as associate pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, followed by Cristo Rey Parish and St. Louis King of France Parish. He briefly served in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and in 1995 was named Founding Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin.

Garcia will be ordained as auxiliary bishop on Tuesday, March 3, 2015.

“I am profoundly humbled, yet honored that our Holy Father has chosen me to be Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Austin,” said Garcia in a press conference on January 21. “I must say, ‘God is certainly one of surprises!’ Just when you think you may know what God wants or thinks, God always has a way of saying, ‘not so fast!’

“I am very appreciative to the many people, family, friends, co-workers, brother priests and

parishioners over the years who have walked with me throughout my attempt to say ‘yes’ to God, as imperfect as that may have been. I am very grateful to my family who undoubtedly instilled in me a profound love of the Lord Jesus Christ, a love for His Church, a love for his mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and a love to serve one another.

“For the past 26 years plus, I have tried to give of myself in priestly service to others in the way I understood God calling me to serve. In the midst of these years, 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. A special thank you to my brother priests here in the Diocese of Austin. Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement which you have given me over the years. It is my hope that throughout my years of service in every parish or position I have served, I have somehow brought people to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ in Word, Sacrament and Service.

“I am very well aware of how God uses us, amidst our weaknesses and strengths, to build up the Kingdom of God. As I now prepare to be ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Austin, I sincerely ask all of you to pray for me. I am imperfect, but hopefully with God’s grace, God will continue to use me, now as successor to the Apostles, to build up His Kingdom.

“Last, but not least, I thank Bishop Vásquez for the confidence and opportunity he has given me to work with him in serving the people in the Diocese of Austin. It has been a blessing for me to work with him since my appointment as Vicar General a little over 10 months ago. I look forward to our continued collaboration as I work to assist him in shepherding this local Church of the Diocese of Austin.”

30 for 30: My personal celebration of CASA’s 30th anniversary

By Sonia Kotecha

This year marks Court Appointed Special Advocates of Travis County’s 30th anniversary.

As we celebrate 30 years of empowering Austin to speak up for children, I will celebrate my last year in my thirties, and I cannot help but reflect on the year I turned 30, the year my journey with CASA began.

After spending my twenties in Washington, DC as a child protective service worker, on the eve of my 30th birthday, I packed my bags to return home to Austin. As a young twenty-something thrust into the world of child welfare, I found myself in an overburdened system feeling as though I could never do enough for the number of innocent children served. Every morning I had to decide which child’s case I would prioritize, because there was never enough time in the day to address the needs of the 20 to 30 kids on my caseload. As I continued to witness children as young as three years old move foster home to foster home within short periods of time, my frustration with the community’s lack of response grew. I fantasized about ways to improve the system from lowering caseloads to raising community awareness about the needs of children in foster care.

As I made my way back to Austin, I found myself a little burned out and struggling to find my niche. My mind swore off continuing to work in child welfare, feeling as though I could not make a significant impact managing caseloads with so many children in crisis who needed the oneon-one attention a single social worker could not provide. Then, my heart drew me to CASA of Travis County’s mission to provide a trained community volunteer for every child who needed one. I felt that, through the CASA model, children in foster care would receive the level of attention and advocacy that goes beyond what the Child Protective Service system can provide.

Bishop Vásquez, left, and Rev. Garcia 04 TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

A CASA volunteer can help gather additional information to help the judge feel more

informed when making difficult and life-altering decisions on behalf of children and families. After managing multiple case loads, I discovered that children who experienced positive outcomes were the ones who had a consistent caring adult looking out for their best interest. These were the individuals who would keep me, the social worker and the system accountable to that child’s needs and permanency goal.

As I celebrate my nine year anniversary at CASA, I feel so honored and privileged to work alongside the most amazing, generous, compassionate and selfless individuals in our community. In a very daunting system where you will witness human beings at their worse, you will also experience human beings at their best through the ways in which they give their time and resources to complete strangers. The work of CASA not only promotes positive outcomes for children, but it also helps educate our community on the needs of our most vulnerable children and families.

When I first started working at CASA, we were appointed to 50 percent of the children in Travis County who needed an advocate, and today we serve more than 80 percent of the children in foster care. I wish for a day that we can achieve 100 percent coverage so that the judge does not have to make a difficult decision from the bench as to which child will receive the additional advocacy and support of a trained CASA volunteer so that no child’s voice goes unheard.

Over the years, CASA has restored my faith in our community’s commitment to helping children and families thrive. In honor of CASA’s 30th Birthday, and my 39th Birthday, I’m asking my friends and family and the entire Austin community to grant my birthday wish and help CASA provide more children with trained CASA volunteers. Please join my 30 for 30 campaign and donate $30 online at www.casatravis.org, or mark your calendar to give to CASA during the upcoming Amplify Austin campaign on March 5-6. For Amplify Austin, CASA has a goal of raising $30,000 in just 24 hours (and that $30,000 will be matched if we hit that goal)! Visit https:// amplifyatx.ilivehereigivehere.org/ to learn more.

Thank you for supporting CASA of Travis County and children in our community, and for making my birthday wishes come true.

Mommy, Daddy, and Me is a parent and children book club led

by Yolanda King, a mom and local children’s book author. This offering will encourage children in the first-third grades to read with their parents and discuss works with others. On Saturday, Feb. 7, 3-4 p.m., gather for the featured book, “Anna Hibiscus,” by Atinuke. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited.

On Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., join us for Heart Party, with Valentine’s Day crafts, candy and fun as we create tokens of love for Mom, Dad, family and friends. This kid-friendly event is free and open to the public. In the Carver Drum.

The Carver and UT’s John L. Warfield Center present a screening, discussion and light reception for the Haile Gerima film, “Sankofa,” on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 2-4 p.m. in the Boyd Vance Theater.

“Sankofa” brings a modern day viewer back into slavery by exploring the dynamics of enslaved love, labor and resistance in a plantation community. Facilitated by Dr. Daina Berry, Associate Professor, UT Department of History and the African & African Diaspora Studies Department.

Nation is moving in the right direction; new Congress now has a choice to make on immigration In response to last month’s State of the Union address, in which President Obama highlighted the progress American families have made over the past two years thanks to a recovering economy, Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), has called on policymakers to continue expanding opportunities for hard-working families and protect programs that have improved the lives of millions of Latinos.

“The U.S. economy continues on the path to recovery and as a result, Latino unemployment rates are the lowest they’ve been since 2008.

While our community has seen marked improvements, many Latino families are still not feeling the full benefit of that recovery when it comes to their personal finances,” said Murguía.

“We implore lawmakers to pursue a legislative agenda that will continue to secure the economic futures of all Americans, including Latinos, by promoting policies that help create quality jobs, ensure our workforce has the necessary training and education available to compete in the 21stcentury job market, protect vital tax credits for working families, and open up credit access to qualified home-buyers.”

In the days leading up to the State of the Union, the president offered a number of policy proposals

“1991-2014: A Través del Tiempo (Traveling Through Time)” is a retrospective of Sandra C. Fernández’s works on paper in the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery. The artists states, “My work is a reflection of the many experiences I’ve had as a migrant, immigrant, Latina, mother and daughter. Like most humans, I have experienced trauma, loss, and loneliness as well as the intense love of community and family. My art has sought to capture these feelings throughout my life. This retrospective seeks to outline all the different stages that my path as a printmaker has gone throughout the last 22 years.”

“Estos Little Saint Cards” exhibit features charcoal drawings

by Paul Del Bosque in the Community Gallery. “I have chosen 12 subjects with intensely beautiful faces,” says the artist.

Cine de Oro on Feb. 26 features a Teatro Dallas & Abrego Productions presentation of “La Novia del Viento.” The film is about artist Leonora Carrington (April 6, 1917 – May 25, 2011), a British-born Mexican artist, surrealist painter and novelist.

She lived most of her adult life in Mexico City and was one of the last surviving participants of the Surrealist movement from the 1930’s.

aimed at improving economic conditions for working families. NCLR applauds the president’s plan to extend much-needed tax credits to middle- and low-income communities, as well as his proposal to cut fees on Federal Housing Administration loans, enabling more first-time homebuyers to purchase a house. He also highlighted the need to make higher education more affordable for millions of hard-working students. Latinos have seen significant increases in graduation and college enrollment rates, but more must be done to guarantee that quality education, from kindergarten to college, remains affordable and accessible for all Americans.

“Pursuing policies that open opportunities and provide Americans with the tools to achieve their

AARC announces a new Community Ambassadors Program.

Start your own program at the AARC! Ideas include book club, a gardening group, children’s playgroup and more. Applications available online at www.austintexas.gov/aarc under “Get Involved.” Completed applications due Feb. 15, 5 p.m. to Hanna.

Huang@austintexas.gov. Call 512-974-1700 for details.

Sunday, Feb. 22, 12-5 p.m. FCC Lunar New Year. Families with Children from China presents this annual event including children’s activities, cultural entertainment, food and more. Tickets range from $6.35 to $17 for FCC member/non-member toddlers, children and adults (FCC member toddlers are free) available through www.fccaustin.org. AARC Ballroom.

Saturday, Feb. 28. Chinese Society of Austin Chinese New Year Celebration. Annual celebration includes dinner, entertainment and door prizes. $20 non-member, $18 member and $10 for children under 8 yrs. Contact Li Li, lili4eve@gmail.com, 512-6990298 (after business hours) for tickets. AARC Ballroom.

Friday, March 6, 7-10 p.m. “Amreeka” film screening. This 2009 Cannes Festival award-winning film centers on the trials and tribulations of a proud Palestinian Christian immigrant single mother and her teenage son in a small Indiana town. Part of the AARC’s cultural film series. Free. AARC Ballroom.

dreams is not a Republican or Democratic ideal— it is an American ideal,” said Murguía. “We echo the president’s call for both parties to work together so they can find common ground to continue moving this country forward.”

During his speech, President Obama emphasized the success his administration has had in encouraging more Americans to sign up for health care under the Affordable Care Act. Over the past year, nearly seven million people have signed up for coverage, resulting in a significant drop in the rates of uninsured Hispanics.

Meanwhile, on immigration, the president vowed to defend his administrative actions, which could bring some relief to approximately five million

immigrants through the use of legitimate prosecutorial discretion. He urged Congress to work on a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.

“We are pleased to hear the president reiterate his plans to defend administrative relief regardless of any attempts by Congress to backtrack on this issue. His executive action will make our economy stronger, our country safer, and millions of American families more stable,” concluded Murguía. “The new Congress now has a choice to make on immigration—improve the situation, or make it worse. We hope they’ll choose to be agents of progress by finally delivering sensible and effective immigration legislation.”

Immigration Rights Rally Feb. 11 A “Day of Action” for immigrant opportunity and government accountability, hosted by Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance, is Wednesday, February 11, at 11 a.m. on the south side of the Texas State Capitol.

Join in Austin a statewide endeavor to protect in-state tuition for immigrant students, demand accountability on border enforcement and advance the fight for drivers’ licenses. Your voice is needed!

TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

ASIAN AUSTIN

ASIAN AUSTIN’S A-LIST

meaning, then I would offer something akin to what historian Robin D.G. Kelley refers to as “freedom dreams:” our capacity to envision and enact a world that is free of violence, discrimination and rampant inequality.

Dr. Eric Tang

AA: Is there anything particular about Austin that inspires you?

ET: There are so many stories to be unearthed and told. Each time we sit down and interview a person who recalls the segregation era, the civil rights era and beyond, I get inspired.

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

Eric Tang is assistant professor in the African and African Diaspora Studies Department and core faculty with the Center for Asian American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a faculty fellow with UT’s Institute for Urban Policy Research & Analysis and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. Tang has published numerous essays on race and urban social movements.

He is completing a book about refugees and the U.S. urban crisis entitled “Unsettled.” A former community organizer, Tang has been awarded both journalistic and scholarly prizes for his writings on post-Katrina New Orleans.

His current research focuses on the past and present of racial segregation in Austin.

David Woodberry photo

Asian Austin (AA): Did you know what you wanted to do with your life or did it just happen?

Eric Tang (ET): It was a little of both. I think I’ve always been open to opportunities that feel right, but don’t necessarily have a clear path ahead. I guess I tend to go with my gut.

But when I reflect on it more deeply, I think it’s really about choosing the path that allows for more creativity, for something that isn’t scripted. In other words, allowing just enough of what you choose to also choose you.

everything I could get my hands on, and that eventually drew me into a graduate program and a professorship. It all happened rather seamlessly. Through it all, the constant has been my commitment to practice and theory, to the idea that one has to engage in concrete issues that affect the lives of everyday people, yet at the same time challenge themselves with new ways of thinking about and approaching those issues.

AA: What was your attraction to your vocation?

What drew you to do the work you do?

ET: I always knew that I wanted to address issues of social inequality, but I wasn’t always sure of the best ways to go about it.

When I graduated college, I was certain that community organizing was the only way to do it. So I committed myself to organizing. But then, being exposed to really smart people in the movement—intellectual giants who were not necessarily academics— I learned the importance of making a deep commitment to both practice and theory. So I read

AA: Tell me about your current work and research?

ET: I’ve just finished a book about refugees and poverty in urban America, specifically in the Bronx (New York City). I’ve since moved on to some new research that examines the past and present of racial segregation and displacement in Austin. Our research recently showed that Austin is the only major-growth city in the United States that saw a loss in its African American population between 2000 and 2010. Cities that grow as fast as Austin really shouldn’t be losing any segment of

Asian Austin News Lunar Health Fair and Open House at the Asian American Resource Center is Sunday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Start the year off right with a checkup and fun family activities at this special Year of the Ram, Lunar New Year health fair. Glucose testing, BMI readings, blood pressure and cholesterol checks from the Asian Pharmacy Students Association at UT Austin available from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids crafts, story corner, photo booth and more available 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

GAACC Business Buzz at the Asian American Resource Center is Wednesday, Feb. 11, 10-11 a.m. In the meeting of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, learn how to effectively 06 TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

AA: What do you consider the most important cultural value for you and for those close to you?

ET: Solidarity. I love that my five-year old comes home from school having been awarded the “solidarity” crown for the week.

-----------------Asian Austin at www.AsianAustin.com is an online news source featuring news about Asian American people, organizations and events in Austin. Visit the Asian Austin website and “Like” us on Facebook for calendar and event details! Contact publisher Yvonne Lim Wilson at yvonne@asianaustin.com. their population, and yet that’s exactly what happened with Austin’s African American community. There are a number of economic, social and cultural inequalities that are at the root of this phenomenon. The next phase of our research will involve interviewing those who have left and those who have stayed behind.

AA: What does the American Dream mean to you?

ET: This is a tricky question, and one deserving of my nerdiest answer. The extent to which “American Dream” confers (or simply implies) a set of exceptional opportunities and privileges unique to the United States and its citizenry, then I have to be honest and say that it has little purchase with me. I see the world as vastly interconnected: the privileges and opportunities that appear unique to the United States are in fact deeply connected to and made possible by our relationships (for better or worse) to other nations. However, if I’m allowed to wrest the term for its traditional

use email marketing to engage and communicate directly with your current and potential clients. Learn best practices from Lynn Marcus, president of Marcus + Company, Constant Contact authorized Local Expert and master certified solution provider.

Register online to reserve a seat: www.austinasianchamber.org.

Free.

Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment with Get Covered America, a non-profit that performs outreach and education on the Affordable Care Act. They’ll be assisting uninsured families at the Asian American Resource Center with applications to the health insurance marketplace before the Feb. 15 deadline.

Thursday, Feb. 12, 1:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

Culturally-Grounded Intervention and Advocacy Training:

Supporting Asian Pacific Islander Survivors of Sexual Violence is Thursday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Travis County Sheriff’s Office, 5555 Airport Blvd. The training will take an in-depth look at sexual assault within Asian communities, examining the issue from a cultural and historical perspective. We will also identify the following: Community partners will understand the dynamics and impact of sexual violence across the lifespan in the Asian & Pacific Islander communities; Community partners will be able to discuss specific ways advocacy and community services can support sexual violence survivors; Community partners will understand the intersection of anti-oppression, social justice, and sexual violence work. The training hosted

by Asian Family Support Services (formerly SAHELI) and Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO).

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!!!

FEBRUARY Line-up OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER

TACO BAR

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

PERMITTING” -----------------------------------------------------------------------SUN 2/1 THE RECUPERATORS (3:00) -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 2/4 KDRP RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 2/5 LOS FLAMES (6:30) FRI 2/6 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 2/7 THE BREW (2:30) EL TULE’ (6:30) SUN 2/8 BLUE MIST (3:00) -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 2/11 KDRP RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 2/12 BEYOND THERAPY (6:30) FRI 2/13 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 2/14 THE TEXAS TYCOONS (2:30) & ERNIE DURAWA (6:30) SUN 2/15 MITCH WEBB & THE SWINDLES (3:00) -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 2/18 KDRP RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 2/19 THE BANZAI PROJECT (6:30) FRI 2/20 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 2/21 JIM STRINGER (2:30) & LOS TIPICOS DE CUBA (6:30) SUN 2/22 CHICKEN STRUT (3:00) -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 2/25 KDRP RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 2/26 TRENT TURNER (6:30) FRI 2/27 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 2/28 TEX THOMAS (2:30) & JEAN PIERRE & THE ZYDECO ANGELS (6:30)

www.GuerosTacoBar.com

Beauty Queen, Wife,

SURVIVOR

TM Go Red trademark of AHA, Red Dress trademark of DHHS. Photo by Korey Howell Photography

Go Red For Women Summit February 26, 2015 austingored.heart.org TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 07

Engaging a Thriving Community

to provide more translated documents in Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean.

“The whole range of social services safety net needs to look at how they serve the Asian American community,” said Vincent Cobalis, AAQOL Advisory Commission Vice-Chair. “One of the biggest fallacies is that Asian Americans are the model minority, that we don’t need help because we are so rich. But who are the people waiting the tables and serving in the service industry (such as restaurants, nail salons, and other)?”

Asian American Resource Center and AAQOL Initiative

Since opening, the AARC has welcomed more than 25,000 visitors through its doors for events produced in-house, collaborations and rentals, as well as through its own programs ranging from art exhibits, film screenings, culinary workshops, the annual May Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration and more.

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

There have been many reports about the tremendous growth of the Asian American population in Austin. But what about the people behind the numbers? How are they interacting with the City and what are some of their needs?

“The overwhelmingly positive response from the community has exceeded our expectations this past year,” said AARC Manager Taja Beekley.

“We’ve had the privilege of partnering with many well-known organizations from educational programming to cultural celebrations. With that said, there is more that can be done, especially in providing services related to healthcare assistance, tax preparation, legal aid, etc. We will also continue to reach out to a greater audience.”

The City of Austin is engaged in several efforts to address those questions. With both the Asian American Quality of Life (AAQOL) Initiative, and also the Asian American Resource Center (AARC), which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, efforts are underway to better understand and fully engage this growing population.

Texas has the third largest Asian population in the country. In Austin alone, there are more than 55,000 Asian Americans, according to 2010 census data, which accounts for roughly 6.5 percent of the population. Asian Americans are the fastest growing segment of the city’s population, growing twice as fast as the general population, doubling every 10 years, while the general population of Austin doubles every 20 to 25 years, according to the Austin city demographer.

Asian Americans are an incredibly diverse population, with that diversity expressed in ethnic origin, language, education, income levels and geographic distribution within Austin.

In the 1990s, Asian American community members, working through the Network of Asian American Organizations, organized and advocated for the construction of a city facility focused on the Asian American community and serving all of Austin. That vision became a reality when the AARC opened Oct. 1, 2013.

The AARC operates under the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department, which also oversees the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center.

The same month that the AARC opened, the Asian American Quality of Life Initiative was approved by a City Council resolution on Oct. 24, 2013. An AAQOL Advisory Commission was also created to advise the City Council on issues relating to the AARC as well as provide on-going guidance and 08 TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

support for the city’s Asian American quality of life initiatives.

Commission members include Richard Jung, Vincent Cobalis, Miyong Kim, Sonia Kotecha, Thuy Nguyen, Shubhada Saxena and Richard Yuen.

Members have been meeting monthly and are working to oversee a citywide survey on the needs and quality of life issues for Asian Americans to be completed later this year.

Language access is a major issue. With documents readily available in both Spanish and English, there are many who struggle to find materials in Chinese, Vietnamese or Korean. Lacking the ability to read basic information, recent immigrants and refugees lack the resources to fully participate civically.

The AARC, through an interlocal agreement with Austin Community College, offers free English as a Second Language classes and works to bridge that gap. The AAQOL Advisory Commission, with the AARC and other City departments, is working

One of the standout new programs of the AARC is the RICE (Recreation and Intergenerational Community Education) program. Through RICE, senior citizens come to the AARC for the Senior Lunch Social, plus recreational activities, wellness classes, computer classes and other activities three days each week. It’s a resource that is sorely needed for seniors who may speak limited English, lack transportation, and are seeking a place that is culturally familiar.

Austin senior Xinbao Zhang looks forward to socializing with other Chinese speaking seniors every week at the RICE Senior Lunch Social. Once a week, she is picked up by an AARC van, transported to the center and enjoys an Asian style meal.

Sometimes, she will play a game of mah jong with friends, or sing karaoke.

“Because my mom has a disability, it is the only thing at this time she could go and enjoy. It has made quite a difference to her life. I see her happy.

I am really grateful for the program,” said Zhang’s daughter Jean Shaw.

With the AAQOL working to better define needs of the Asian American community of Austin, along with the AARC providing services and a cultural space for all to utilize, the City of Austin welcomes all to engage in the process. _____________________________________________ For more information about the AARC, visit www. austintexas.gov/aarc. For more information about the AAQOL Advisory Commission visit http://www.austintexas.gov/content/asianamerican-quality-life-advisory-commission.

Austin Asians by Area of Origin

Source: PCT6, SF1, Census 2000, Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce

AARC by the numbers, FY 2013-2014 • FY 2014: $760,000 budget, generated $55,000 revenue.

• Six Full time staff, 12 active, part-time staff.

• Six classrooms, two community rooms, one conference room, one ballroom, one computer lab and library.

• Seventy-nine paid facility rentals, including galas, festivals and 60 meetings and trainings.

• One hundred sixty-two free community room reservations, including meetings, presentations, performance rehearsals, volunteer projects, etc.

• Thirteen collaborations and four cosponsorships.

• Six special events including RICE Festival for APA Heritage Month.

• RICE senior program: 250 registrants, more than 1,200 meals served.

• Volunteer program: 66 members registered, 124 hours committed.

• Youth program: two youth and two teen summer camp sessions, school tours.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN AT THE AARC: Bahasa Indonesia, Burmese, Ilonggo, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Nepalese, Spanish, Tagalog, Taiwanese, Telugu, Toisan Chinese, Urdu, Vietnamese, Visayas

LOGO DESIGN BRAND DEVELOPMENT WEB DESIGN

512.827.2618 // SUNDARAMDESIGN.COM 4201 West Parmer Lane Building C • Suite 250 • Austin, TX 78727

Expo Mujer 2015

By Otis Lopez

Producers of Expo Mujer 2015 have circulated on the fringe of Austin’s style set for years, marveling at how little attention was given to the local Latina demographic. They decided to take matters in their own hands, convinced that Latinas had the panache deserving of a tailored event. The result is Expo Mujer, Sunday, February 22 at Austin Marriott Hotel South, from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

The inaugural free entry event, sponsored

by Sears and benefitting SafePlace, offers group workshops led by local businesses, guest speakers, a fashion catwalk, women’s health screenings, networking and personal enrichment focus groups, raffles and giveaways, beauty products and all manner of style tips for women. Latinas, of course, are their target market, but the expo welcomes all comers.

“Based on popular and ever-growing demand for an event that exceeds and redefines the expectations for Latino women regarding

‘Elvis Lives’ a worthy tribute to the King Broadway panache meets Vegas glitz in “Elvis Lives: The Ultimate Elvis Tribute,” on Sunday, February 8, 7 p.m. at the Long Center. The show focuses on Elvis at four different stages of his career—the young rock-and-roller, the movie years, the “comeback” Elvis, and Elvis in Las Vegas. A full eight-piece band and backup singers, plus an “Ann-Margret” sighting, feature into the high-energy, hit-filled revue.

“Elvis Lives” is a multi-media and live musical journey across Elvis’ life. His iconic style, embraced by many of today’s artists, continues to intrigue audiences of all generations. Featuring finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises’ worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, as well as a tribute to Ann-Margret, audiences have been spellbound with what’s been described as a phenomenal theatrical concert experience.

The cast is straight from Elvis heaven. From his early days in Lancaster, California, to stages across the globe, Dean Z. (representing Elvis in the early years and the comeback special) has dedicated his life to honoring the legacy of the 10 TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

health, beauty, fashion, lifestyle and overall well-being, we have been tasked with creating an extraordinary expo that will showcase over 40 exhibitors from the local Austin community,” said co-producer Diana Sánchez.

Among the exhibitors on hand will be representatives in the areas of health care, clothing and accessories, beauty, decoration, services, cosmetic surgery, technology, home, kitchen, and more.

“Expo Mujer will be a truly majestic experience by providing an arena to meet some of the best and most recognized businesses and brands in Austin as well as providing various participatory activities,” said Sánchez.

Speakers and workshop specialists appearing throughout the day include Emmy Award winner Leslie Montoya, entrepreneur and marketing strategist Monica Peña, Veronica Trevisan, owner of Ñapegados.com, certified nutrition consultant Dorian Espinoza, Dr. Enrique Cruz, technician and permanent makeup specialist Sary Ramírez, skin care pro Perla Espinosa, noted motivator Gabriela Chapa-Forsberg, body designer Laura Elena Espinoza, lawyer Victor Ayala Oriard, psychologist Alicia Saldana and cosmetologist Ma. Del Carmen Ortega.

For more information go to www. expomujertx.com “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The 2013 winner of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest is joined

by Jay Dupuis, who depicts Elvis in “the movie years.” A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dupuis was recognized by Elvis Presley Enterprises as the best Elvis tribute artist in the world in 2014 and holds the 2014 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist World Championship.

Bill Cherry is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest winner from 2009. The Collinsville, Ill. native is the son of a Pentecostal minister, which helped develop Cherry’s deep-rooted love of southern gospel music and his Elvis depiction of the “concert years.” There’s also the talented Carol Maccri as Ann-Margret.

Tickets for “Elvis Lives” start at $29 and are available at thelongcenter.org

Frankie Valli still hits the high notes Frankie Valli, who came to fame in 1962 as the lead singer of the Four Seasons, is hotter than ever in the 21st century. With his three-anda-half-octave vocal ranges, over 100 million records sold and a multi-decade career, the iconic artist, along with his the Four Seasons, boasts a catalogue unique in the annals of American popular music.

On the strength of the wild success of the Tony-winning musical and motion picture, “Jersey Boys,” which chronicles the life and times of Valli and his legendary group, and such classic songs as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” “Grease,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” “Dawn,” “Let’s Hang On,” “Sherry,” “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)” and so many more, the group demonstrates why they’re still the hottest ticket in town.

As the play enters another sold-out year on Broadway, with multiple touring companies of “Jersey Boys” traveling around the U.S., the real Frankie Valli is packing concert halls and makes a stop at the Long Center on Tuesday, February 17, 7:30 p.m.

Nostalgia aside, audiences will find Valli displaying abundant stamina and vocal

prowess that still brings standing ovations from capacity crowds on a nightly basis. Charismatic as ever, his sound appeals to multiple generations who’ve become attached to his tunes and showmanship for over 50 years.

Though the Four Seasons may no longer huddle as a quartet around a single microphone, the current tour features backing vocalists synchronizing gestures to the familiar lyrics.

None remain of the original singers who were with Valli in 1961, all inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, but the powerful falsetto of the frontman can still come across as clear as ever.

To Do Música

appearance “with the Willie Nelson camp as an extra on a video for ‘Pancho and Lefty,’ and the movie ‘Songwriter,’” added Davila. While with the agency, Street People musicians showed

By Liz Lopez their versatility collectively and individually as opening acts for James Brown, Jose Feliciano, Carl Carlton (“Bad Mama Jama”), Tierra, Johnny Rodriguez, Freddie Fender, Ernest Tubb and others. The band also appeared on Texas music is as diverse as the artists who the Raul Velasco television show, “Siempre En reside within the state and create their own Domingo,” and always placed “some sort of sound based on the myriad influences and Chicano music in our sets.” experiences in their life. Among the many genres of music indigenous to the state is Tejano, now Street People was honored with a “Leonard in existence for several decades, continued by Davila and Street People Day” by the City of Austin on June 9, 1983, and has some of their elders and youth alike. history archived at the Texas Music Museum Tejano roots run deep and lifelong adherents in Austin. “It’s an honor to have a panel at the such as the Austin-based band, Street People, Texas Music Museum,” stated Davila. “I need to can testify to that fact. After a successful career take my Mom to see that.”

Street People return to the stage after a long hiatus

that began in the mid-1970s and lasted a decade, Street People went dormant for almost 30 years Davila’s music career is full of significant but has come roaring back to life with a new CD history, including an early experience while attending Johnston High School performing release this month and live performances. with Manuel “Cowboy” Donley y Las Estrellas, Created by Leonard Davila (trombone and lead which lasted until his enlistment in the U.S. vocals) and Joe Ramos (keyboards, guitar and Marines in 1967. Davila did a tour in Viet Nam vocals), Street People originally started as a side with the First Marines. project while the pair were performing weekend gigs with the Alfonso Ramos Orchestra. “Cowboy taught me harmonies and how to Recruited to be a part of the first incarnation of create,” Davila said of the recent recipient of Street People were David Martinez (guitar and a National Endowment for the Arts honor. vocals with Manny and The C.O.’s), Armando “That has stayed with me all these years. I have “Kiddo” Alba (drums with Sunny and the recorded tunes that we played with Cowboy Sunliners) and Perry Flores (bassist with a group and to this day we are still friends. Love that man (in a manly way). The last time I saw in San Marcos).

Cowboy he said he wanted me to do a tune “What started out as a part time group to only with him and I’m going to get him to record a play week days when their other groups were tune with me soon.” not performing, turned into a band that was in demand in the Austin and Central Texas area,” In 1985, Davila decided to focus on a position said Davila in a recent interview. Among the with the U.S. Postal Service, leaving music places they performed along the Tejano/Chicano behind. Over the years, though, he remained circuit were Texas, Colorado, Washington, New a strong advocate of Tejano music, including Mexico, Kansas, Arizona, Michigan, Ohio and helping launch the Austin Tejano Music Illinois “during their heyday,” as described the Coalition. He retired after a lengthy career from the Postal Service and began to kick around the band leader. idea of reforming the band. “I had not performed Street People first recorded on the Chicano for 28 years,” said Davila, describing how he and record label belonging to Davila’s friend, Albert Alberto “Skeeter” Amesquita, a former band mate Esquivel, of San Antonio. Esquivel secured the from their days with The Mexican Revolution, band a record deal with Foy Lee of Tear Drop “sort of got ‘the itch’ to do it again.” To begin, Records, an outfit that recorded most of the they started reaching out to the “many musician top Tejano groups at the time. They went on to ‘brothers’” that they have known for years. “All release three LPs together. In addition, the band seasoned musicians,” said Davila. recorded an LP for Joey Lopez of ZAZ Records The first person they approached was Tony of San Antonio.

“Foreman” Matamoros of Temple, an original Along the way, Davila obtained management member of Little Joe and The Latinaires and with Michael Block of Third Coast Studios La Familia, followed by Jimmy “Chiefy” Duran, in Austin and recorded a single, “Do I Ever who also was with Little Joe and the Latinaires.

Cross Your Mind,” and a Luis Silva tune, “No Then Alex Hernandez, who has been with The Me Importa,” for Sunbelt Legend Records. Latin Breed, The Royal Jesters, The Mexican His experience at Third Coast led him to an Revolution and a past member of Street People,

and Charlie “Chalio” Alvarez, formerly with Agustin Ramirez, signed on. Hector Molina, of the Alfonso Ramos Orchestra and Agustin Ramirez, Charles Reyna, who had also been with Alfonso Ramos, completed the group, with Frank Ramirez, currently a drummer with the band Este Vato, joining in June 2014.

“Frank is the son of a former bandmate and ‘compadre’ of mine,” said Davila, adding, “he caught my attention even before I knew who his dad was. He is young, energetic and willing to learn from the old guys. He is a good fit for the group, something fresh.”

Last August 22, Street People kicked off the Tejano Music National Convention in Las Vegas.

At the time, a chance meeting with several promoters and radio personalities that Davila knew from the past resulted in a nomination for the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame. For their years in the music industry, performing and recording, the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame inducted five members of the band including Davila, Matamoros, Duran, Hernandez, and Raul Reyes, who was with Street People when they regrouped, but was also formerly with Little Joe and The Latinaires. At the induction, Davila stated, “I am grateful for this honor and so happy that my wife of 47 years, my children ages 45 and 39, who grew up listening to my music, and my grandchildren, who had never seen me perform or even knew that I played music, were able to witness this.”

Davila also orchestrated a KLRU production in 2013, “Vamos Al Baile,” being credited as co-Executive Producer. The “Arts in Context” portion of the show has been nominated for a Lone Star Emmy. The same summer, he received the “Idolos Del Barrio” award from the Austin Latino Music Association (ALMA).

This and being inducted into the Hall of Fame “have really made me feel blessed. I thank God for giving me the ability, my wife and children for their support all these years, and for my grandchildren who think that I am now famous,” he added with a laugh, “also, for the great talent in Street People and for their continued support in this project.”

Street People are currently working on their new record with Gilbert Velasquez, a 13 time Grammy winning producer from San Antonio.

“Ironically, Street People is the very first group that Gilbert recorded solo at Amen Studio in the ’70s,” said Davila. “The CD has nine original tunes penned by Johnny Degollado of Austin and Eddie Aleman from San Antonio. Street People had recorded several of Aleman’s tunes in the past.”

Street People is scheduled to perform at the Mexican American Experience on March 18-19 at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. They’re also adding new dates to the calendar including treks to Fort Worth and San Antonio in the next few months.

Street People 1976. (L-R) David Martinez, Joe Ramos, Pete Alcocer, Gilbert Gonzalez and Leonard Davila

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11

The Howlin’ Lobo

By Raul Rangel Uribe, Liz Lopez and Anthony Garcia

February is the shortest month of the year; nevertheless there are plenty of music events on offer, and if you want to experience the cultural diversity of the city make sure to check out some of these shows.

The King of Latin Pop, Enrique Iglesias, visits the Frank Erwin Center on Saturday, Feb. 7, with rapper Pit Bull in one of the biggest tours of the year. J Balvin opens.

For those who love new and cutting edge music, local band Cilantro Boombox will perform at the Spiderhouse Ballroom on Feb. 4. Cilantro Boombox is an eight-piece band with a unique blend of musicians and a sound that reflects its diversity. Félix Pacheco describes how the band arrives at their sound: “I listen to pretty much everything and let my influences and the other guys blend in. We have a mix of electronic with

Brown Sabbath at ACL Live “I’ve been hearing about this band Brown Sabbath for a while now,” said Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne in an e-mail forwarded by a band publicist. “I was shown a video of them performing ‘The Wizard,’ and it was a lot of fun hearing it with a horn section. It was great!”

Brown Sabbath is the alter ego of Austin-based psych-funk collective, Brownout, who delve deep into reinterpreting the catalog of metal godfathers, Black Sabbath. “Hand Of Doom,” featuring The Black Angels’ Alex Maas on vocals, is their debut single out now, as is the full-length album, “Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath.”

Brownout presents Brown Sabbath on Friday, February 27 at ACL Live. Doors at 6:30 p.m.

“The Brown Sabbath idea started out like everything else we do, half inside joke, half psychotic. It was an overly ambitious attempt at challenging ourselves as musicians,” says Brownout guitarist Adrian Quesada. “Bridging the gap between our music and Black Sabbath is not as far of a stretch as it might seem though. Sabbath was not only heavy, but soulful and funky in their own dark way. Half the band grew up as metal heads too, so it came naturally. The experience is already beginning to influence our next album of original music.”

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salsa, reggae, cumbia, Afrobeat, rock, pop. I don’t consider myself a traditionalist and enjoy just mixing things up and see what happens. We let the songs grow organically.”

Kat Edmonson

“The Big Picture,” Kat Edmonson’s Sony Music Masterworks label debut, followed her highly acclaimed 2012 release, “Way Down Low,” both of which reached #1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. After years on Austin’s music circuit, a chart climbing debut album in 2009 and warm critical receptions, the Texas native makes her way to ACL Live, Wednesday, Feb. 11. With Robert Ellis.

YogaYoga Westlake hosts award winning Indian classical musician, Indrajit Banerjee, and special guests for an evening journey of traditional world music on Saturday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. Performing alongside the talented sitar player are Jon “Joon Do” Johnston Sensei (Shakuhachi), Shankar Bhattacharyya (Sarod) and Ghouri Shankar (Tabla). For more info call 512-381-6464.

Other acts to catch in February are Tipicos de Cuba, who will perform on Feb. 14 at the Sarah Lounge, sharing the stage with African band, Zoumountchi and 100 Heartbreaks for a Valentine’s night show. There’s also jazz singer Courtney Sanchez performing a free showcase every Sunday at Crave from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., with the Dr. Pete Rodriguez Trio displaying a great variety of jazz styles in a family friendly atmosphere.

An eight-piece outfit formed 10 years ago by members of Grammy Award-winning Latin revival orchestra Grupo Fantasma, Brownout has evolved into a musical force all its own. After garnering their third Austin Music Award last year, the band has continued to produce music that is unflinchingly progressive, while evoking the classic influences of artists such as WAR, Cymande and Funkadelic.

With its latest recording, “Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath,” they remain true to the darkness, bombast and fuzz of Sabbath’s sound, while reimagining the music with greasy Afro-Latin horns, hypnotic percussion and psyched-out, raregroove improv.

Recommended February Dates Latin at Heart and Patricia Vonne perform Saturday, Feb. 21 (7:30 and 9:30 p.m.) at the One2-One Bar (1509 S. Lamar Blvd Suite 600) A pre-Valentine’s Day Dance featuring the music of Stampede will be held at the Moose Lodge (2103 E M Franklin Ave.) on Saturday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m.-midnight.

Movement and Memories begins on Feb. 8 and runs through Apr. 12 from 1-3 p.m. (the second Sunday of the month) at 1101 Springdale Road.

FMI, see Son Armado on Facebook for this and other community events including fandangos.

So whether you take the mantra of “don’t stop the party “to heart like Pit Bull, or you are just looking to relax and enjoy some great blues-jazz, Austin offers the opportunity to enjoy a multicultural music experience all month long.

Café con letras is every third Sunday evening of the month at 7 p.m., featuring art, music and culture at the Casa de Luz Auditorium, 1701 Toomey Rd. The family event is free and open to the public.

Anthony’s Sounds from the Underground Recommended shows this month include Wisdom in Chains, Die Young, Concrete, and Strength Among Us, at Holy Mountain (617 E 7th St.), Sunday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m.

Also look for Catch Kings, Combat, Ever Since the Fire, Hitting Subset, and An Army at Dawn in February at the Dirty Dog Bar, 505 E. 6th St.

Pan Americana Fest

By Dana Romero

Bellas Artes Alliance will be hosting one party you can’t miss during the upcoming SXSW Music fest. Winner of the “Best Atmosphere” accolade in Rolling Stone magazine for its artful combination of family and fun, the Pan Americana Festival will be celebrating its fifth anniversary March 20-21 at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. The free event, sponsored by the City of Austin, redefines the music festival experience, channeling the vibrant and diverse Latino fiesta traditions and celebrating the culture of the Americas through music, art and community.

Quickly becoming one of the staple seasonal events, the Pan Americana Festival attracts over 9,000 people each year with its diverse range of artists, from local performers

Banerjee

to international Latino music sensations.

On the beautiful shores of Lady Bird Lake, festival attendees dance to a diverse range of music, from cumbia to funk, from salsa to Rock and Roll, from reggaeton to Tejano, highlighting the diversity embraced by the event. Because art is so much more than just music, Pan Americana further fosters appreciation of America’s fastestgrowing cultural community by hosting a number of other performing and visual artists, innovators in Latino filmmaking, and prominent figures in theatre and dance. No need to leave the festival for refreshment as the Hay Elotes trailer and other food and beverage sponsors will be on site for your food and drink needs.

The Pan Americana Festival is a collaborative event celebrating the importance of art in the Latino culture and community. The Bellas Artes Alliance, Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, VESS Consulting group, and the City of Austin have come together to invest in the arts and in the future of Austin as a cultural hub that supports local businesses and artists. This year during SXSW, join the Pan Americana festival and its co-chairs, Mayor Steve Adler, Mike Martinez and Gonzalo Barrientos, in celebrating the community through music and culture.

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

KLRU celebrates Black History Month.

AMERICAN MASTERS

INDEPENDENT LENS

AUGUST WILSON: The Ground on Which I Stand

AMERICAN DENIAL

Friday, February 20 at 8 pm

This documentary uses the story of Gunnar Myrdal’s 1944 investigation of Jim Crow racism as a springboard to explore the power of unconscious biases and how the ideals of liberty, equality and justice still affect notions of race and class today. Free preview screening on February 3rd at Windsor Park Branch Library from 7-9 pm.

From his roots as an activist and poet to his indelible mark on Broadway, this program captures the legacy of the man some call America’s Shakespeare.

Film and theater luminaries such as James Earl Jones, Viola Davis, Charles Dutton and others share their stories of the career and experience of bringing Wilson’s rich theatrical voice to the stage.

Monday, February 23 at 9 pm

KLRU offers more programming and events focusing on the African American experience, for a complete list of Black History Month shows go to klru.org/blackhistory

Also This Month on KLRU

Independent Lens: All of Me

The Rule

Arts In Context: The Influencers

Profiles a group of Austin women as weight-loss surgery upsets everything they thought they knew about health, happiness, friendship and love.

This documentary tells of one high school’s success in an area where the average high school graduation rate is abysmal. Part of KLRU’s American Graduate initiative learn more at klru.org/americangraduate

From band posters to business logos, graphic designers are influencing the visual look of consumerism and shaping society’s experiences.

Thursday, February 12 at 9 pm

Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 pm

Monday, February 23 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.

Indie Meme brings beautiful, haunting South Asian cinema to Austin

Indie Meme Film Showcase 2015 brings an exclusive opportunity to watch internationally acclaimed, award winning independent films from South Asia on February 7-8 at Jones Auditorium, St. Edwards University. In this, the organization’s first film showcase, Indie Meme aims to connect socially conscious and culturally diverse cinema with viewers in Austin.

By Alka Bhanot

The Showcase line-up is an impressive list of ten wide ranging films with selections consisting of shorts, documentaries and features from India and Sri Lanka (with English subtitles). The two day showcase includes features “Ship of Theseus,” by Anand Gandhi (India), a film which won the national award for best film 2014. It explores questions of identity, justice, beauty, meaning and death. “With You, Without You” by Prasanna Vithanage (Sri Lanka) is a story of a man and a woman from two opposing ends of the 30year bloody civil war in Sri Lanka who discover that the color of love is blue, and life, shades of grey. “Bidesia in Bambai” by Surabhi Sharma (India) is a film about music, mobiles and migrants in the city of Mumbai. It examines a vibrant migrant musical culture, frequently sexually-charged, at times religious, often lyrical and occasionally political.

Amongst the interesting mix of shorts and documentaries are “Aashpordha,” a dark

AHA Celebrates Heart Month By Monica Peña

inspire action. The AHA has created a free Wear Red Day activation kit. To access, please visit www.goredforwomen.org.

One out of every three deaths among women in the U.S. each year is attributed to cardiovascular diseases including heart disease and stroke, causing more fatalities than all forms of cancer combined. Nine in 10 women have at least one risk factor for developing heart disease, but only about half are aware of the issue.

FEB. 26 – Go Red For Women Summit - The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women Summit raises awareness and funds for the Go Red For Women campaign. The Summit will include educational breakout sessions, vendor booths and a luncheon keynoted by Kristin Armstrong. Tickets to the event are $150. For more information, visit austingored.heart.org.

In an effort to raise awareness of heart disease and empower women with the necessary tools to lead heart healthy lives, the American Heart Association (AHA) shines a spotlight through a variety of awareness events in February. The AHA encourage everyone to wear red by participating in National Wear Red Day, raise their voices, know their cardiovascular risk and take action to live longer, healthier lives.

Austinites are invited to champion AHA’s cause by participating in various events throughout the month: FEB. 12 – Rock Your Red will be an event not to miss! Streaming live during the event, the Red Dress Collection, presented at New York Fashion Week, will have everyone buzzing. There will also be a live acoustic set by Cory Morrow, vendor booths as well as cocktail bars and tasty bites.

FEB. 6 – On National Wear Red Day show your support by wearing red to build awareness and 14 TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Eat, Drink and Be Merry:

Inwood Estates

By Rose Di Grazia

Dan and Rose Mary Gatlin are the proud owners of Inwood Estates, located in Florence, not far from Georgetown. A recent Sunday afternoon was my preferred time to visit their vineyard. As you park your car and step out, you can’t help but notice how peaceful and serene the place is.

The feeling I got upon arriving was as if one were being whisked away to a jazzy club in the Big Apple. Instead of big buildings, though, I was surrounded by farmland sheep, goats and horses. But, as you enter, you will be entertained with the sound of the Mirage Jazz Ensemble band.

The Go Red for Women Campaign is sponsored nationally by Macy’s and locally by St. David’s HealthCare. Austin area residents and organizations that are interested in volunteering or supporting the cause are invited to reach out to the local American Heart Association’s office by calling 512-338-2400 or visiting www.heart. org/austin. Continue the conversation on social media by visiting www.facebook.com/ahaaustin or on Twitter @ahaaustin. The official hashtag is #GoRedATX.

Once inside, I was further entertained by the sound of Sammy Epstein’s saxophone.

Sammy is a fabulous musician and a cross between Kenny G and Woody Allen on the clarinet. Various bands do play here, so check the calendar on the vineyard’s site before coming out.

The afternoon of my visit, a glass of Chardonnay paired with cheese and complimentary snacks was calling my name and palette. If you are

comedy about parental authority, teenage rebellion, curry, whiskey and house music, “Timbaktu,” exploring critical issues of food security and sovereignty, and “Life,” a poignant short film in which a bewildered retiree tries to get an app that was mysteriously downloaded to his cell phone, deactivated.

Sunday’s opening short film is “Newborns.”

It takes an artful, experimental approach to its serious subject matter, allowing the viewer into the daily lives and routines of acid attack survivors. It’s followed by “The Rat Race,” directed by Miriam Chandy, is a documentary about the rat killers of Mumbai, young men who work to rid the city of its rodent population armed only with a stick and a flashlight.

The showcase is Saturday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

A two-day film pass is $25 general public, $15 for Indie Meme members and $18 for students (with ID). Individual film tickets are $10 at the door. Most screenings will be followed by Skype Q & A’s with the filmmaker.

There’s also a free happy hour for attendees with a film pass on Saturday night. For the latest schedule, go to indiememe.com lucky, you might even get to meet Dan and get a tour of his facility. Rose Mary will make you feel right at home if she happens to be there.

They also own the vineyard in Fredericksburg; a visit to either vineyard is a real treat. Both places make for the perfect setting for any party or wedding. The girls behind the counter offer great service and are very knowledgeable about all the wines. So mark your calendar for a great concert or for Valentine’s Day where you can drink eat and be merry! For more information, go to www.inwoodwines.com

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR YEAR OF THE GOAT

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

Teatro Vivo’s “The Panza Monologues” by Virginia Grise and Irma Mayorga, is an original performance piece based on women’s stories about their panzas (belly). Conceived from kitchen table conversations and chisme and compiled from interviews of Chicanas of all ages, places and spaces, the stories create a quilt of poignancy, humor and revelation. Shows Feb. 5-21 at ESB-MACC. teatrovivo.org Reporters called them everything from bloodthirsty killers to modern-day Robin Hoods. Crank Collective’s “The True Story of Bonnie and Clyde (A Mostly Honest Musical)” tells an action-packed tale of crime and passion taken straight from newspaper reports of the 1930s. John Cecil’s creation is the next installment of the Texas History Musicals, playing Feb. 5-14 at City Theatre. texshows.com

In Austin, it’s always the Year of the Longhorn, the Bat and the Donkey, but with the arrival of the Chinese New Year, we salute the Goat in 2015.

The traditional locale of all things Far East, the Northside’s Chinatown Center (10901 N. Lamar Blvd.), once again holds a free, festive day-long affair celebrating the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony highlighted by mounted horses, performances, a fireworks display and a martial arts exhibition. Throughout the day, there’s yoga, drums, costumed dragon and lion dancers and family friendly fun, from free face-painting to a bungee trampoline, a mechanical bull and a spider climbing wall. And a clown, too.

Authentic Asian food abounds at Chinatown Center, to accompany the entertainment, tradition and excitement. The schedule of events features hourly performances from groups like Texas Dragon and Lion Dance Team, Summitt Dragon Dance, and Thien Hau/Linh Son Lion Dance Team, each bringing good fortune to individual stores in the center.

A community resource fair is another popular feature, with some free activities and some asking for a small fee, so cash is recommended. Free parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis; carpooling is encouraged. To see the latest schedule, go to chinatownaustin.com On Sunday, Feb. 22, Families with Children from China’s Lunar New Year party takes place at the Asian American Resource Center from 12-5 p.m.

FCC’s annual event includes children’s activities, cultural entertainment, food and more. Tickets, $6.35-$17, are available through fccaustin.org.

The first annual Texas Tea Festival kicks-off Sunday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Saengerrunde Hall. The event will promote tea culture with offerings including tea tastings (porcelain tasting cup included with $15 door admission), tea vendors, tea time treats, tea talks and more. Savvy tea connoisseurs will enjoy blacks, greens, whites, oolongs, flavored teas, herbal teas, iced teas, etc. texasteafestival.com Escape with Ballet Austin into “Belle Redux-A Tale of Beauty & The Beast,” Feb. 13-15 at the Long Center.

Artistic Director Stephen Mills’ mysterious world of beauty, a beast and a ballet seduces you with a modern take on the timeless story. Commissioned by 3M, this sleek and sexy new production is an exciting evolution of the fairy tale with innovative choreography, sets and costumes. balletaustin.org Legendary early-music icon/viola da gamba virtuoso Jordi Savall appears at Bates Recital Hall, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m., with musicians of Hespèrion XXI from Turkey, Israel, Greece, Morocco, Spain and Armenia.

It’s a breathtaking musical exploration of intermingling cultural influences in 17th-century Istanbul from one of the most multifariously gifted musicians of his generation. texasperformingarts.org Get ready for Blue Man Group to thrill Austin with its high-octane theatrical experience at the Long Center, Feb. 19-22. Escape the ordinary and surround yourself in an explosion of comedy, music and technology. The group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. thelongcenter.org When fiction is based on a true story, the role of history, research, the real and the imagined are often blurred.

Join authors Tim Z. Hernandez (“Mañana Means Heaven”) and Natalia Sylvester (“Chasing the Sun”) at Resistencia Bookstore, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m., as they discuss the real-life histories behind their work, research and writing processes, and the choices they make as fiction writers along the way.

EVERYBODY LOVES BOOBS! VORTEX THEATER Back after four successful runs for another trip down Mammary Lane, “Everybody Loves Boobs!” returns to the Vortex Theater this month for a limited engagement, Wednesday, Feb. 11 thru Saturday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. The endearingly uninhibited production, the brainchild of Austin’s Pam Ingalls and co-producer Colin J. Higgins, celebrates breasts in all their complicated glory with a rousing blend of drama, comedy, multimedia and cabaret-style musical productions.

A poignant but light-hearted peek into the form and function of breasts, it spins touching and titillating tales about the uniquely individual, ever-changing relationship that women — and society — have with their breasts throughout their lives.

Featured performers include burlesque artist Goldie Candela, formerly of the Austin Jigglewatts Burlesque Revue, an ensemble cast of wildly creative actors including stage stalwart Tony Salinas for his fifth year, and the Class Act dance troupe.

“Everybody Loves Boobs!” plays at 8 p.m. nightly at the Vortex Theater (2307 Manor Road). Wednesday and Thursday night tickets range from $15 to $25, while tickets to the Friday and Valentine’s Day shows run $25 to $35. A $100 Lovers’ Special — available by reservation only for the Friday and Saturday shows — includes priority seating, a bottle of champagne and dessert.

Cleavage Chronicles’ “Everybody Loves Boobs!” is a Pamalot Production. The Cleavage Chronicles, the creation of multi-media writer/producer/director, Ingalls, is an ever-evolving documentary film and live theater production celebrating women and their breasts.

Taking a departure from a career in traditional healthrelated training video productions, Ingalls set out to explore the uniquely individual, and ever changing relationship women have with their breasts throughout their lives.

So, toss your inhibitions aside and join in celebrating our lifelong love of boobs. You may sigh or you may cry but you’ll definitely bust out laughing. Tickets can be purchased at vortexrep.org or at cleavagechronicles.com.

TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

15

Violinist Karen Gomyo Performs sibelius

music from your faVorite fantasy films

Friday & Saturday, February 6 & 7

one night only! Friday, February 27

concert 8:00 p.m., Michael & susan Dell Hall Pre-concert talk with Bob Buckalew, 7:10 p.m. peter Bay, conductor karen Gomyo brings beauty, musicality, and presence to the sibelius Violin concerto. Also hear: dukaS fanfare for La Péri Glazunov Wedding March SiBeliuS symphony no. 1 enjoy activities like playing on stringed instruments, provided by our friends at Violins etc., and “tweeting” with musicians and Maestro Peter Bay on your mobile app using #asogomyo.

ConCert SponSorS

Michael & susan Dell Hall, 8:00 p.m. peter Bay, conductor Grab your favorite wand, staff, ring or cloak and come for a night of music dedicated to some of your favorite fantasy films. The Austin symphony orchestra will take you on a musical adventure with pieces from movies such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Chronicles of Narnia, and many more!

Concertgoers are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character. Download our app for your mobile device and “tweet” with our musicians and Maestro Bay using #asofantasy.

ConCert SponSorS

proMotional SponSor Dragon’s Lair comics and fantasy

SeaSon SponSor

Media SponSorS

All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

TickeTs/info (512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org