TODO Austin March 2015

www.todoaustin.com Volume VI / MAR 2015

INSIDE Justice for Jumpolin Holi Fest of Colors Spring Tango Fest WE Con 2015

M Ú S I C A

Gavin’s Idea

N U E S T R A

KINKY

INTOCABLE

SUNNY OZUNA

Global Grooves, Austin Moves www.austintexas.gov/planetmusic

Austin Samba!

Saturday, March 28, 6-9pm (Rain Date: April 3) Zilker Hillside Theater

Japanese Taiko Drumming!

Sunday, March 29, 12-2pm Asian American Resource Center 8401 Cameron Rd.

2201 Barton Springs Rd.

FEATURED MONTHLY EVENTS:

All listed eve

nts are FREE

Tribute to Cesar Chavez: Thurs & Fri, March 12 & 13 - 7pm

At the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center 600 River St. - www.maccaustin.org

“Inside-Out Museum” SXSW exhibit: March 18-20, noon – 4pm At the Susanna Dickinson and O. Henry Museums located at Brush Square 409 & 411 E. 5th St. - ohenrymuseum.org - susannadickinsonmuseum.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 in our programs or use of our facilities, please call (512) 974-4000.

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!!!

MARCH Line-up

TACO BAR

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

OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING” -----------------------------------------------------------------------SUN 3/1 THE RECUPERATORS 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 3/4 KDRP RADIO SHOW 6:00 THU 3/5 LOS FLAMES 6:30 FRI 3/6 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW 6:30 SAT 3/7 THE BREW 2:30 & MIKE MILLIGAN & THE ALTAR BOYZ SUN 3/8 BLUE MIST 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 3/11 KRRP RADIO SHOW 6:00 THU 3/12 BEYOND THERAPY 6:30 FRI 3/13 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW 6:30 SAT 3/14 TEXAS TYCOONS 2:30 & DR. ZOG 6:30 SUN 3/15 MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 3/18 KDRP RADIO SHOW 6:00 THU 3/19 SXSC FRI 3/20 SXSC SAT 3/21 SXSC SUN 3/22 BOB FUENTES PRESENTS: DR. ZOG 1:00, WINK KEZIAH 2:00, ANDRE’ THIERRY 3:00, MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES 4:00, EL TULE’ 5:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 3/25 KDRP RADIO SHOW 6:00 THU 3/26 HOOK HERRERA 6:30 FRI 3/27 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW 6:30 SAT 3/28 M.C. & THE MYSTIX 2:30 & ERIN JAIMES & HER BAD HABITS 6:30 SUN 3/29 CHICKEN STRUT 3:00

www.GuerosTacoBar.com

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

Bishop-elect Garcia ordination On Tuesday, March 3, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez will ordain Bishop-elect Daniel E. Garcia as the first auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin. The Mass of Ordination will begin at 1:45 p.m. at St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock (620 Round Rock West Dr.).

P.O.D.E.R. Chavez March 3-28 “Si Se Puede!” People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources’ 14th annual Cesar Chavez march is Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. at Terrazas Branch, Austin Public Library. P.O.D.E.R. honors Chavez, who paved the way for equality for farm workers and started a movement of equality thought the country. The march will travel down Cesar Chavez St. to City Hall, where guest speaker Paul Chavez, the son of Cesar E. Chavez, will be featured in the program.

Creek Metropolitan Park Master Plan public meeting which is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Widen Elementary School (5605 Nuckols Crossing Rd). The project team will present a final draft version of the master plan at the meeting.

Sam Coronado’s WWII Series Austin artist Sam Coronado (1946–2013) found inspiration for this series in the VOCES Oral History Project, directed by Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez at The University of Texas at Austin. VOCES has collected over 650 interviews and ephemera that give voice to the American Latino experience in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Now on exhibit at the Benson Latin American Collection through May 15.

The People’s Gallery exhibit Celebrate Austin’s creative talents as the City’s Economic Development Department opens the 11th annual People’s Gallery exhibition at Austin City Hall. The 2015 exhibition features artworks by over 100 artists and special exhibits from United Way for Greater Austin, AISD Creative Learning Initiative students, and Art in Public Places.

Southwest Key program wins grant

P.O.D.E.R. Chavez March. SW Key photo

Montopolis Rec Center update A community input meeting is scheduled Wednesday, March 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Montopolis Rec Center (1200 Montopolis Drive) to discuss its expansion. The meeting will be held in the second floor meeting room. Spanish interpreters will be provided.

Onion Creek Park Master Plan The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department invites the public to join them at the final Onion

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.

An Austin youth mentoring program recently became one of five recipients of a $1 million federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention, an arm of the U.S. Dept. of Justice. The grant will help Southwest Key’s Austin Youth Mentoring Program expand its services to help more local youth ages 10-17 receive guidance from caring adults. The grant comes at a time when Travis County is experiencing a shortage of volunteers, especially men. Southwest Key’s program connects adults with youth who are involved or at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system.

CLARIFICATION. “Engaging a Thriving Community: The Asian American Resource Center and Asian American Quality of Life Initiative” that ran in TODO February, 2015, was written by Yvonne Lim Wilson in her capacity as a marketing representative of the Asian American Resource Center.

Volume VI, Number 11 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

Austin: most economically segregated major city in U.S.

By Gavin Lance Garcia

The community-wide topic that many informed locals have been discussing for years received confirmation last month, when a study revealed that Austin is the most economically segregated large metro area in the country.

As reported in The Washington Post, the research

by Richard Florida and Charlotta Mellander of the Martin Prosperity Institute found that, “Austin ranks as the place where wealthy, collegeeducated professionals and less-educated, bluecollar workers are least likely to share the same neighborhoods.”

So segregation is at the heart of the matter. For every affluent, highly educated adult earning a living wage, there are myriad people suffering.

Most, of course, are people of color.

How did things get this way in a city known for its progressive politics? Austin sees itself as a community with heart and compassion; and we are frequently found fighting on the side of the underdog.

Yet, it’s hard to argue with those who see an undercurrent of racism in our city.

Later this century, Austin will likely become a city with a Hispanic population of 66 percent or more – similar to San Antonio today. What will future generations have to say about us and those who hold influence and power in Austin? Those who engineered – or ignored – institutionalized gaps between ethnic communities; thus fueling the discrimination many suffer today.

Before the most recent city council election, only Caucasians held sway at City Hall. What will be the immediate and long-term impact of the 10-1 City Council District plan? Will the newly elected City Council Members of the underrepresented Districts be able to help those who need to realize their campaign-promised changes the most?

In their analysis, Florida and Mellander stated that city decision makers are the true instigators of disparity. They wrote, “It is not so much the size of the gap between the rich and poor that drives segregation, as the ability of the superwealthy to isolate and wall themselves off from the less well-to-do.”

The Austin American-Statesman (whose journalist Dan Zehr and company produced an important series of articles on inequality in Austin), quoted economist Brian Kelsey, principal at Austin-based Civic Analytics, who said, “The gap hasn’t grown much wider in Austin in the last 15 years, as even the most highly educated have faced stagnant wages. But, the effect is cumulative in an environment of rising housing costs...While this isn’t unique to Austin, economic segregation is magnified here along race (and) ethnicity lines. Our severe disparities in educational attainment according to race (and) ethnicity give our economic segregation in Austin a particularly pernicious quality.”

Florida emphasizes that should those who manage our city’s resources choose to share them among the wider population, all is not lost.

The disparity has been widening for generations, despite Austin’s soaring international reputation.

We are yet a liveable city, full of potential. Yet one full of deceit.

Are we headed for a “Balkanization” of Austin from which there will be no return? Doubtful.

There are too many smart people among us to allow our city to suffer social chaos. The socioeconomic status of ethnic “minority” citizens is under the microscope, as it should be as we face the results of gentrification, displacement, poor performing public schools, insufficient indigent health and mental care, low wages, and underserved cultural communities.

People are struggling. What is odd is that although we care so much, and discuss the very topics that received the rubber stamp of reality in the aforementioned study, we as a community do so little to create change. Let’s find Austin’s dignity.

WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/ARTISTS // Güner Arslan, Alka Bhanot, Maria Cristina GutierrezBoswell, Adriana Cadena, Gabriela Candanoza, Roy Casagranda, Cindy Casares, Gabriela Castaneda, Priscilla Cortez, Nora De La Rosa, Rose Di Grazia, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Jamie Helton, Mari Hernandez, Yadira Izquierdo, Korina Jaimes, Danea Johnson, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ramey Ko, Callie Langford, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Esteban Lopez, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, JoJo Marion, Lizzette Marrero, Caitlin Moore, Cristina Parker, Tatum Price, Raul Rangel Uribe, Esther Reyes, Marion Sanchez, Shubhada Saxena, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Carrie Tilton-Jones, 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 Música Latina

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 // MAR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03

Ugly gentrification and mobilization for justice on the Eastside

By TODO Austin staff

SXSW was at one time a strictly downtown affair with its official events easily accessible to conventioneers staying in area hotels. Over time, non-official SXSW parties sprouted in every direction, eventually spilling over IH-35 into East Austin residential neighborhoods as far north as 11th Street.

Tensions have escalated for years over unwanted gentrification along East Cesar Chavez and the East End area but the response to an incident last month centered around SXSW was particularly impressive in its demonstration of how swiftly and deftly the community could respond to unjust encroachment.

On Thursday, February 12, Jordan French and Darius Fisher of F&F Real Estate Ventures, owners of the property at 1401 E. Cesar Chavez Street, had the building at that address razed by ACI Design Build. The owner’s demolition permit stated that the property had asbestos, among other issues. Meanwhile, French and Fisher had also applied and received a Temporary Use Permit to have an unaffiliated SXSW side event at the location on March 14, with a capacity of 350 guests despite nearby residences, a church and limited parking for attendees.

The building, however, at the time of its demolition was occupied by Jumpolin Piñata Store, a Latino party goods store whose owners, Sergio and Monica Lejarazu, as reported by

‘A matter of demanding dignity and respect’

By Pio Renteria

AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 3 At the urging of residents across District 3, Splash Inc., the organizers of the event at 1401 East Cesar Chavez, have filed a formal request to move their temporary event permit to another location. In this request, they stated that they were not aware the property owners had planned to demolish any buildings and hope that this action will be seen as an act of deep respect for our community.

The City has accepted their request and is working with the organizers to find an alternate location to host their event. They have committed to respecting the wishes of the surrounding neighbors.

04 TODO AUSTIN // MAR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

prepare for your party has exacerbated the tensions already present in our community ... I believe in fair warning. Don’t know you or your company but you’ve been brought into a very explosive situation and just wanted you to be aware of this and that it is being widely spread on social media.”

Justice for Jumpolin

CultureMap Austin, were shocked to find their “life’s work under the bulldozer.” Their store inventory, cash registers and other property, were destroyed. Sergio explained in the story that they had received a notice from the building’s owners to vacate the premises two days before, which they immediately handed over to their attorney, Doran Peters. “But I swear to God, they never gave us a notice they would demolish,” said Lejarazu.

French, however, told CultureMap Austin that at least three notices were given to the Lejarazus via email and certified mail, beginning in October 2014. The notices outlined defects and lease violations, a dangerous explosion threat which the fire marshal was investigating, and past due rent and fees related to inspections.

“Say you have a house that was infested by roaches,” French rationalized. “You have to clean that up.”

Members of People Organized in Defense of Earth and Resources (P.O.D.E.R.) swung into action. P.O.D.E.R. discovered that the demolition permit included a statement that the building was vacant and another statement stating it was unoccupied.

On February 19, P.O.D.E.R. held a press conference at the site, kicking off a week of protesting the demolishment of the piñata I would like to explain what this all means.

Since the event permit for the location was obtained by Splash Inc. and their request to move it has been accepted by the City, the property owners, F&F Real Estate Ventures, will be unable to host another event at 1401 East Cesar Chavez during SXSW. The City has assured me that they will not be accepting any new requests for temporary permits at that location for the SXSW season and that they will work to ensure no events take place without the required permits.

store. The community was asked to reach out to Austin City Council members, asking them to rescind the approval of the SXSW-related rental event at the site, made by the owner’s agent, Jim Herbert.

Joining Susana Almanza and P.O.D.E.R. at the press conference were the Lejarazu’s and Doran Peters, the attorney representing the family. Peters clarified the facts on numerous issues, stressing that the actions of French and Fisher had completely side stepped the law.

The Lejarazu’s, as it turned out, had a lease at the site until 2017.

On February 23, community member SolAna Renteria shared via social media a letter she planned to send to CEO Ben Hindman of Splash, the company using the location during SXSW. It read in part: “I’m not sure you’re aware, but the land owners (F&F Real Estate Ventures) of the property you are renting out for your event Splash Austin Launch Party during SXSW illegally demolished a long standing, family owned pinata store in preparation of your event. They are now being sued by the owners of the pinata store, Jumpolin, for not following the proper eviction process ... The community is outraged and is planning to protest your event. Being that the area your party is planned in has been reported to be one of the most gentrified areas in our nation, the news of an illegal demolition to so many decades. I am proud to stand with and represent those residents who demanded that dignity and that respect with tenacity.

I hope that the community takes a second to reflect and celebrate this accomplishment. It is a powerful demonstration of our progress toward empowerment. However, our work here is not finished.

There is still a family whose livelihood has been shattered. And there is still a community yearning for the respect and the rights that are not only owed, but long overdue.

I want to applaud the efforts made by District 3 residents who took the time to voice their concerns to my office and organized to right the situation.

I will be watching closely the lawsuit that the Lejarazu family has filed against the property owners. While I am unable to get involved in a civil matter, I am hoping for a just outcome.

I again want to emphasize that this is a matter of demanding dignity and respect for a community, our community, which has been neglected for

My staff and I are exploring safeguards that could be incorporated into the current permitting process to better protect our residents.

Galvanized by a call to action, several community members contacted Hindman, asking him to cancel the event and sever ties with F&F Real Estate Ventures, or expect the protest. By Thursday, February 26, Splash had backed away from using the location.

Hindman, in reference to the demolition of the Jumpolin store, said, “Indeed, we had no idea that this was the plan and would certainly never have gotten involved in this venue at all if we had.”

“Splash, Inc. did the right thing, but we ask other companies to follow their lead and refrain from working with F&F Real Estate Ventures and attempt to plan another event at the lot,” Renteria shared via Facebook.

An invitation to a call for action on March 14 was created on Facebook, to prioritize “the voices and experiences of people of color, especially working-class folks, who have struggled against gentrification for decades, suffering under the systemic racism that created and perpetuates the conditions for the real estate exploitation of East Austin.” The organizers also put out a statement regarding the successful effort to cancel the Splash event while notifying other potential renters that they could expect a similar mobilization of pressure.

The post concluded, “Any company holding an event at lot during the week of SXSW will face another outpouring of community pressure, and possibly a demonstration if an event takes place. There are legal proceedings in motion to challenge the questionable eviction and demolition process undertaken by F&F. “As Dr. Tane Ward stated, with respect to the ongoing transformation of East Austin, ‘The dominant narrative is that unless there is a yuppie condo going up every day, the Austin economy will collapse. In reality, the poor and working people’s economy has been collapsing precisely because of this development trend.’

“The historically Latino, working-class neighborhood of East Cesar Chavez is considered one of the most highly-gentrified areas in the nation. While the demolition of Jumpolin has sent shockwaves through our city, this tragedy is only a symptom of the larger displacement of poor communities in Austin to make way for newer, wealthier residents, and development that exclusively serves them.”

Carver Museum invites you to participate in “100% Art Exhibit.”

100% is an exhibition fundraiser designed to represent Austin’s beautifully diverse community. This exhibition hopes to celebrate our similarities and differences by bringing together a wide variety of people in the name of art. All of the artwork will be included in the silent auction throughout the exhibition. Each artwork will start at a bid of $50. Proceeds from the sales will go directly to the Carver’s Arts and Education programs. The Carver Museum and Jerry’s Artarama are excited to work with you on this one of a kind project. Please encourage your friends and family to join in the fun by calling 512-974-3683. Your pack can be picked up from March 2-7 and completed works are due by March 26 for the April 2 exhibit opening.

In March, the Mommy, Daddy & me Book Club features Hilary McKay’s “Lulu and the Duck in the Park” on Saturday, March 7, 2:30 p.m.

Rhythms African Drum Classes begin Saturday, March 7. Ongoing six week sessions are available. Contact faith.weaver@austintexas. gov for more.

You can still see “Sankofa,” Art of Africa exhibit through March 14.

We’re now accepting nominations for the 2015 Award of Excellence! Established in 2009 as the Mexican American Cultural Center Award of Excellence by the MACC Advisory Board, this award recognizes remarkable Latinos for the highest artistic excellence they bring to the cultural arts of Austin. Individuals or groups from any artistic discipline who have demonstrated distinguished service, leadership, dedication, outstanding performance and a lasting contribution in the arts can be considered for this honor.

“Voices in the Wind” is an evening of music, dance and poetry by performance artist Daniel Llanes. Friday and Saturday, March 6-7, in the Auditorium, 7 p.m.

“A Tribute to Cesar Chavez: Documentary Screenings on the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement” kicks-off on Thursday, March 12, in the Black Box Theater at 7 p.m.

“LaDonna Harris: Indian 101,” features guest director Julianna Brannum and a panel discussion after the screening with Comanche Dustin Tahmahkera, Southwestern University, and Dr. Mario Garza, Indigenous Cultures Institute. On Friday, March 13, in the Black Box Theater, 7 p.m., is “A Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers’ Struggle.” Then at 9 p.m., screens “Antonio Pantoja: ¡PRESENTE!” also in the Black Box Theater.

IMMIGRATION

is ensured. Accountability to the public is fundamental to the prosperity of our state.

RITA issues guidelines for 84th Texas legislature

Texas Security Depends on Community Security Local law enforcement agencies should focus on preventing criminal activities, not enforcing civil violations of the federal law. Mandating local police to enforce the federal immigration code strains the resources of local governments and alienates a huge sector of our society, especially in the Latino community. In order to achieve community cohesion, we must incorporate Texas’ immigrant communities and Latinos as part of the solution. Alienating any sector of our community from law enforcement is not good for Texas and is not good for our security.

By Otis Lopez Recently, Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance issued a set of principles to guide the Texas 84th legislature on immigration. They read:

Immigration Demands a National Solution Our values are about embracing innovation and diversity, and recognizing the contributions of every sector of our society. America has historically been composed of diverse cultures embracing the American Dream. Immigrants and immigration are part of our legacy as a nation and as a state.

Immigration is a federal policy issue that can no longer wait to be addressed. We need a federal immigration policy that gives New Americans the tools they need to succeed and meet their full potential. Congress must act now to fix the broken immigration system.

Good Government Means Transparency and Accountability Our government should work for all Texans, regardless of where we came from or what we look like. Accountability and transparency in state government and in all state agencies, such as the Department of Public Safety, is a fundamental government value. Oversight measures whether government’s projects and initiatives are achieving the intended goals, residents’ rights are respected and the well-being of all community members

A Strong Economy, a Strong Texas Our Texas economy is strong because of the efforts all of us have made, immigrants and nonimmigrants alike, as business owners, workers and taxpayers. Texas policies, including those dealing with immigration, must continue to reaffirm our reputation as a business-friendly state. Allowing undocumented students, who graduated from Texas’ high schools to attend Texas’ colleges and universities at the same in-state tuition as their classmates, allows for ingenuity and entrepreneurship. We cannot afford divisive state legislation that will impose unsustainable costs on our state and municipal governments.

Respect Texas Family Values Strong families mean strong

communities.

Friday, March 6, 7-10 p.m., see the “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. Dr. Susan Mays of the Center for Asian American Studies at UT Austin will discuss the film. Part of the AARC’s cultural film series. Free in the AARC Ballroom.

College Bound: SAT Prep Workshop is Monday through Friday, March 16-20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Gain skills in critical reading, sentence completion, writing, math, time management, test-taking strategies and how to deal with test-taking anxieties. Students will take mock tests and receive individualized attention on problem areas. $100 in AARC Classroom 2.

Planet Music presents Japanese Taiko Drumming on Sunday, March 29, 12-2 p.m. Enjoy a riveting show of Okinawan daiko drumming by Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko, from Houston, performing their dynamic blend of traditional Eisa and Karate forms, incorporating traditional folk music and modern rock music. Miyagi-ryu Noshokai Okinawan classical dancers will also perform. A children’s workshop will follow the performance.

Presented by the Okinawan Cultural Association of Texas. Free in the AARC Ballroom.

Keeping families together remains an important Texas value that helps children excel in school and prosper as adults. Policies that result in separating families or restricting their integration in our way of life destroy the nucleus of our society. As Texans, we must live up to our best values, not be led astray by our worst fears.

Tuition Equity Day rally A coalition of undocumented student led organizations sent dozens of immigrant youth representatives to Austin on February 24 for a rally.

DREAMers traveled from across Texas to launch a campaign for their right to an education, rallying outside the Capitol. “Tuition Equity Day” brought activists and supporters together to encourage the legislature to maintain tuition equity for all Texans.

Since 2001, Texas legislators across party lines have led the nation as the first of 18 states who later followed suit in passing tuition equity bills

for undocumented students. Fringe legislators are threatening to repeal in-state tuition after 14 years of support for non-citizen Texas residents.

“It is imperative that student voices from the directly affected community are the loudest,” said Karla Perez, a student at the University of Houston and co-lead of the coalition. “We’re here to share the success of tuition equity to ensure that future generations have access to higher education as well.”

The Council for Minority Student Affairs (Texas A&M), Minority Affairs Council (UTPan American), Youth Empowerment Alliance (University of Houston), University Leadership Initiative (UT-Austin), Education Initiative Alliance (Lamar University), and North Texas Dream Team (DFW area campuses) make up the coalition.

DREAMers rally at Capitol TODO AUSTIN // MAR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

Let’s have a conversation about equity in education

By Paul Saldaña AUSTIN ISD BOARD TRUSTEE, DISTRICT 6

During an Austin school board work session in February, we had a robust discussion regarding the definition of “equity” and “equal” in the context of AISD Operations and Programming and expressed our interest in moving forward with a District Self -Assessment.

As I expressed at the meeting, I firmly believe it’s absolutely important for our board to have a very open and honest conversation about equity.

Particularly in the context of the history of the public education experience for minorities and low-income students in AISD. And in order for our community to move forward, at minimum, we must acknowledge where we have been as a district.

While AISD has existed for 134 years, since 1881, we didn’t begin to address educational equity issues until the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of the civil rights movement.

Clearly, each of us have different definitions and perspectives of “equity” and “equal” largely based upon our individual experiences. However, just because we may disagree, we should not dismiss and/or attempt to invalidate.

During the 1920s and early 1930s, MexicanAmerican children in Austin received their formal education in Catholic churches such as Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, originally located at the corner of E. 5th and Guadalupe Streets. We had no access to books or public libraries so make-ship libraries were often set up at parks like Palm Park or Parque-Zaragoza. In 1936 (after the infamous 1928 Master Plan), Zavala Elementary School was built specifically to educate Mexican-American children. For many years, this was the only AISD school Mexican Americans were allowed to attend.

In the late 1930s and early 40s, Mexican American community leaders courageously organized after years of having no voice or advocacy to address quality of life and civil rights issues, like segregation and racial discrimination.

By the 1940s, Mexican American leadership pushed for access to City of Austin public services thanks to organizations like the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

May 17, 1954 (Brown vs. Board of Education) was the landmark date when the United States Supreme Court Case declared state laws establishing separate schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The ruling stated “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”

The early 1970s were a time of great turmoil for AISD. AISD had been declared in violation of the

1964 Civil Rights Act. The school district and the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) were parrying back and forth over integration and the debate and legal battle went on for many years.

In 1970, Mr. Volma Robert Overton, Sr., a celebrated civil rights leader and advocate for equality in Austin schools, named his daughter, DeDra, as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against AISD to desegregate AISD public schools. In 1971, LULAC and the G.I. Forum joined the Overton Lawsuit.

On August 2, 1972, a Federal District Court ruled in favor of the Plaintiffs, however AISD later appealed the ruling for clarifications. The matter resolved 13 years later when a federal court finally declared the Austin school district desegregated.

Then in 1971, Gus Garcia sought an unexpired term on the AISD board. This initiative was pushed by Wilhemina Delco, the first AfricanAmerican elected to the board; however Delco’s effort fell short by one vote. Determined and deeply involved in politics and the ongoing social movement, Garcia focused his energies on educational through a predominately Latino group called “Concerned Parents for Equal Education.”

The group pushed forward a list of 17 demands to improve access to equal and quality education for Mexican American students and for the hiring of bilingual education teachers, principals and administrators at AISD. In the spring of 1972, with a push card in hand

that read, “Gus Garcia is qualified to serve you,” he sought a seat against an incumbent. With the support of the ongoing grassroots MexicanAmerican movement, Garcia became the first Mexican-American elected to the AISD Board of Trustees.

Today, equality of opportunity is a core American value. Equal educational opportunity means ensuring that schools have the resources they need to provide meaningful opportunities for all students to succeed, regardless of family income or race.

I personally welcome a District self-assessment and review of qualitative and quantitative data, such as the historic dollar allocation per student by school, historic bond allocation per school, analysis of whether or not dollars raised by PTAs— and whether or not the variations from school to school—impacts or provides a better public educational experience via additional classroom resources, technology, programs, additional teachers, teacher assistants, field strips, teacher rewards, student rewards, etc.

And assessing whether or not all students have equitable access to a safe and healthy place to learn, high-quality instructional materials and supports, rigorous expectations and course work, and, most critically, excellent educators to guide learning.

I’ve publicly discussed my personal AISD educational experience as a Mexican American student during desegregation. I attended 10 different schools before graduating from Lanier High School in 1985. And I faced personal learning disabilities with no formal diagnosis until my sophomore year in high school.

The demographic profile of AISD has changed dramatically in the last 25 years, shifting to a majority minority and low-income district. Today, we have 85,000 students, 75 percent minority with 65 percent of our students qualifying for free and or reduced lunch.

Access to public education for minorities and lowincome students wasn’t readily available and or accepted until 40-45 years ago.

Paul Saldaña, center, and Crockett High School students

AISD’s Gloria Williams among Austin’s Fab Five for making a difference with at-risk youth

individuals in recognition of their unique and generous service to our community and their extraordinary efforts to improve the lives of many people who are facing serious challenges,” Seedling’s Executive Director Shira Ledman said.

On March 5, Seedling Foundation will honor Austin ISD’s Executive Director of School, Family and Community Education, Gloria Williams, Ed.D., for making a difference in the lives of atrisk children.

Recognized as a trailblazer within AISD, Williams was the first African-American woman employed as a high school principal, in addition to being a director, area superintendent and member of an AISD’s superintendent’s cabinet/management team.

Along with Williams, Robert Koke, Judge Orlinda Naranjo, SaulPaul and Vince Young will be honored at Seedling’s second annual Fab Five event.

As the executive director of School, Family and Community Education, she oversees one of AISD’s largest departments, which includes more than 1,000 full- and part-time employees. Williams has been and remains extremely involved with the Austin community through her church

“A special task force of community leaders chose these five 06 TODO AUSTIN // MAR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

and a variety of national, state and local community efforts.

Austin’s Fab Five will be from 6–11:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Omni Hotel Southpark, 4140 Governors Row. Proceeds from the event support Seedling Foundation’s school-based mentoring program, which benefits children whose parents are absent from the home serving a long-term prison sentence.

In the U.S., one in every 28 children has a parent in prison or jail.

These children face a variety of risk factors that can make it difficult for them to succeed in school and in life. Seedling Foundation supports children challenged by parent incarceration by providing innovative, research driven, school-based mentoring.

Holi Festival of Colors

By Jamie Helton

“Let the colors of Holi spread the message of peace and happiness.”

For Hindus, Holi, also called the Spring Festival or Festival of Colors, marks the victory of good over evil and the arrival of a season of hope and joy. An ancient Hindu ritual that is now an annual rite in Austin, the day of Holi is celebrated by throwing colored powder called rang and water on one another. This colorful festival, now popular among many non-Hindus, bridges social gaps and represents renewed, sweet relationships.

Holi is celebrated at Hindu temples across the Austin area. While the date of Holi differs every year, Holi, in India, is celebrated the day after the full moon in March each year. This year Holi is on Friday, Mar. 6, with most celebrations happening on Sat, Mar. 7.

Replicating the style of Holi practiced in the Braj district of India, Radha Madhav Dham’s (400 Barsana Road) celebration is a colorful, playful, family-filled festival. This year, the Holi celebration will take place on Saturday, March 7 from 2-8 p.m.

Radha Mahdav Dham will celebrate with a live band singing Holi songs from Braj. Food and game booths open at 2 p.m. The program will feature Braj-style Kirtans, cultural programs and a “Holi talk”

by Swami Nikhilanand, presented in English. Dinner prasad will follow before the outdoor Holi play at 6

2015 African American Portraits Project honorees announced The City of Austin recognized 2015 honorees who will be added to the African American Portraits Project during a reception on Feb. 27 at the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility, 912 E. 11th St. The portraits project is part of the “Reflections” public art installation at the cultural center celebrating the contributions of African Americans who’ve had a lasting impact on the City of Austin.

p.m., then the traditional Holika fire burning as a reminder that evil always burns in the face of good.

The Austin Hindu and Community Center in East Austin (9801 Decker Lake Rd) will be celebrating Holi on Saturday March 7 from 12-9 p.m. The program will feature a food mela including Indian cuisine, cultural programs with dance and music, and a talent show from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The Holi festival of colors is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. Gulal will be made available to engage the play.

Sri Venkateswara Temple of Austin (2509 West New Hope Drive, Cedar Park) celebrates Holi with a mela on Saturday, March 7 from 1:30-7 p.m.

There will be a talent show at the Cultural Hall at 1:30 p.m. followed by Puja in the courtyard at 4 p.m. Holi colors will be thrown at 4:30 p.m. in the Sai Temple “roundabout.” Food booths will be open from 5-7 pm.

The UT Hindu Students Association concludes Austin’s Holi schedule on Saturday, March 28, with a free festival open to the public. Everyone is welcome and the HSA will be giving out free rang.

The time and location will be announced as the event date gets closer. However, keep a lookout for students on campus, event fliers, and updates on the Hindu Student Association website.

Holi helps to bring society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. The festival signifies victory of the righteous and renewal and for many, a day to meet, laugh, forget, love and repair relationships.

The “Reflections” mural, unveiled in March 2013, pays tribute to many important people, places and events in Austin’s African American community.

“It is through this mural project, at the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility, that we choose to tell our story for the world and future generations to embrace,” Horton said.

Building upon that legacy, the African American Portraits Project annually celebrates contributions of additional civic leaders who have made a difference.

February’s reception included musical entertainment and participation by Austin Council Member Ora Houston, Horton, and other City and community leaders.

The 2015 honorees (* denotes deceased): Theodore R. Youngblood, Sr.*, Rev. Freddie Dixon, Sr., James Ernest Hamilton*, Dr. Chiquita Watt Eugene, Nelson Linder, Sheriff Gregory Hamilton, John Phillip Crawford, Sr.*, Evers Lee Anderson*, Constable Donald Nesby*, Travis County Commissioner Ron Davis.

“It is imperative that we recognize and celebrate the contributions of African Americans in our great city of Austin,” said Daryl Horton, Chairperson of the African American Resource Advisory Commission, which oversees the portrait profile selection process.

Nelson Linder

Ron Davis

‘El Barrio Tours’ screening Development is not bad thing. New school yards, less crime, healthier food, better housing; these are things any urban neighborhood needs and deserves says filmmaker Andrew J. Padilla. But in his home of East/Spanish Harlem, New York, when this development begins to displace the hard working people that helped make El Barrio the enviable real estate locale it has become, the very people that forged its now rather marketable “culture,” that is when he decides we must take a closer look at the ”development” of El Barrio.

MonkeyWrench Books hosts a screening of Padilla’s poignant “El Barrio Tours,” an in-depth documentary that examines the phenomena of gentrification in East Harlem, on Saturday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. The screening is followed by a discussion with the filmmaker, who will be joined by Austin community members who are confronting the effects and challenges

of gentrification. The discussion will cover connections, opportunities for bridge building, the future of Austin, and more.

“El Barrio Tours” offers an in depth look at gentrification as seen through the change in the largest Puerto Rican neighborhood in the 50 states; East Harlem. Congressman Charlie Rangel, Edwin Torres, writer of “Carlito’s Way,” and a host of neighborhood activists, residents, and small business owners debate the past, present, and future of their beloved Barrio.

Since premiering, “El Barrio Tours: Gentrification in East Harlem” at the San Diego Latino Film Fest in 2012, Padilla has screened and held dialogues on gentrification across the country. In the fall of 2013, he raised $12,000 from 240 people across the world to take the film nationwide and began profiling the effects of gentrification and displacement across America.

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Música Latina gratis Mexican American Experience, Pan Americana Festival

Our heritage, our music

By Liz Lopez

Pan Americana Festival, on the other hand, is an official free SXSW showcase. On the weight of its past success, previous mayoral candidates Mayor Steve Adler and former Councilman Mike Martinez have joined forces with former Senator Gonzalo Barrientos to support the fifth annual event. The two-day cultural fiesta is vibrant and eclectic enough to reflect the worldwide Latino experience, while maintaining a family-friendly, block-party style experience for its audience. In fact, Pan Americana Festival has become such a signature showcase that it earned a notice in Rolling Stone magazine last year for “Best Atmosphere” during SXSW 2014.

Linda Ramirez, BAA board member and fest producer, described the goal of the concerts as being “a way to include more local Latino music, art and culture in SXSW. Former State Senator Barrientos asked BAA founders and local businessmen Andrew Ramirez and Frank Fuentes to develop a platform upon which more local Latino artists could perform and gain exposure during one of the most important international music industry events of the year, SXSW. Ramirez and Fuentes put together a team of music producers comprised of Ruben Cubillos, Gavin Garcia and Enrique Bravo and formed a collaboration with the City of Austin, Austin Parks and Recreation and the ESB-Mexican American Cultural Center.

The first PAF featured an array of local Latin talent anchored by popular headlining artists and debuted to crowds of 3,000 people per day. Based on the success of this first event, Ramirez and Fuentes decided to formalize their collaboration by creating Bellas Artes Alliance, a 501(c)3 dedicated to producing events that promote Latino music, art and culture.”

PAF Master Blaster Sound System

Crossroads Events, producers of the Mexican American Experience, and Bellas Artes Alliance, creators of the Pan Americana Festival, will provide four dates of free, family-friendly evenings of music at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center on the north shores of Lady Bird Lake, March 18-21.

The dual productions have been well received by community members and tourists alike, coinciding with Spring Break, and supported by the City of Austin and others since their inaugural 2011 debuts. The Mexican American Experience focuses on a rich variety of Mexican roots and contemporary music, with an emphasis on Texas-made styles. Sunny Ozuna & the Sunliners, Chente Barrera y Taconazo, Latin Express, Street People, Baraja de Oro and Llueve are among the acts appearing March 18-19.

The Pan Americana Festival, March 20-21, brings over 8,000 people every year to see local artists perform alongside international 08 TODO AUSTIN // MAR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Latino music sensations. Festival attendees dance to everything from cumbia to funk, reggaeton to Tejano, and salsa to rock and roll.

Between bands, audiences also enjoy the latest innovations in Latino filmmaking, theatre, dance and visual arts to celebrate America’s fastest-growing cultural community. This year’s headliners include Kinky, Celso Piña and Los Master Plus.

I joined the Crossroads Events team in 2013 and soon learned the complexity of creating the music production. Promoters of the four day series see limited profit—the City of Austin facility comes with several requirements— as a balance is struck between free walk-up events and hefty production budgets, for the sake of happy locals and visiting music fans.

It’s a true community-led effort that has paid dividends.

There are challenges and obstacles in producing such an event, but “we do it for the culture,” said Rosendo “Ross” Gomez,

President and Chief Financial Officer for Crossroads Events. “Although we do not make money on this free community event, it does take money. We do the best production we can with what we have generously received from the city leaders and community at large.”

Crossroads Events 2014 production drew a much more diverse audience, with locals and international tourists alike taking a free shuttle to the venue to enjoy the sounds emanating across the water. “Thank God we’re still managing to do what we started five years

The Crossroads Events production is now led by Gomez after founder/creator Leonard Davila stepped down last year to focus on reviving his musical group, Street People.

Davila, Gomez, Gilbert Rivera, Johnny Limon and Albert “Skeeter” Amesquita were the original partners.

Being an independent production has made the difference. “From my perspective, it is important because it is the only way we have the production we want, with the artists we would like to have there,” said Gomez. “We have a voice, as opposed to being told about who can perform. We choose who we want– the flavor of the music we want–and how we want to present it.”

MAE Chente Barrera

process to become an official SXSW showcase, while maintaining our autonomy, is arduous for both BAA and SXSW, but we believe the benefits to the artists has been well worth the effort.”

A line-up of Missound, Master Blaster Sound System, Piñata Protest, Os Alquimistas with Tita Lima, Jesus Warr, Cilantro Boombox, The Copper Gamins and Serbia join the headliners at PAF this year. “The inclusion by SXSW as an official showcase has not changed the production,” said Ramirez. “Once our Executive Producer, Enrique Bravo, has the lineup in place, BAA submits it to the venue team at SXSW for determination on our status. If our showcase is accepted, SXSW promotes the Pan Americana Festival as an official showcase and we place their banner on our stage. No wristbands are required to attend. PAF is a free community event that gives families and fans the opportunity to participate in the SXSW experience without the expense.”

MAE Mariachi Amor

MAE Sunny Ozuna

ago,” said Gomez. “That unto itself is some type of progress, at least. We’re still doing it, obviously with the help of the city leadership and the Austin Parks Department to help do it at the Mexican American Cultural Center, which is where it belongs. They deserve much credit.

Give credit to Leonard (Davila) – this was his idea. We live in the Live Music Capital of the World and struggle to have some of the music genres performed by our musicians included in many of the live music functions held across the city. I think we all need to be included.”

Between the two productions, twenty-two acts will perform this year. Mexican American Experience features Canonazo, Mariachi Amor, Beyond Therapy and the first place winner of the 2014 Tejano Idol contest, Erica Rangel, in addition to the acts named above. The emphasis on local and Texas-based musicians who are of Mexican American heritage is at the heart of the show. “First, we consider the variety of the acts,” said Gomez. “Preferably, I go see them when they perform live in order to see how the audience reacts, then consider if they are a viable act to invite. We take into consideration emerging acts, as well as the Grammy winners.

This year, I have made a change in that all members of the production team have input and submit a proposal of bands. We review them and make a joint decision in order to provide the best production we can.”

BAA’s event was initially an independent production before joining up with SXSW. “PAF continues to be an independent, autonomous production,” said Ramirez. “In 2012, the BAA board decided it could further assist local Latino artists by appealing to SXSW organizers to make PAF an official showcase, exponentially increasing the amount of promotion that the artists who play PAF receive. The negotiation

Bravo is a specialist in artist development and management, music productions and is noted as one of Austin’s most tuned-in Latin music professionals. “I helped design the festival based on a concert series I created back in 2007 called ‘Border Sessions,’” explained Bravo. “We wanted to see something like ACL happen for the Latin market. These family oriented events target multi-generational audiences. We offer activities and feature musical acts that appeal to all segments of the Latino community and greater Austin area with an emphasis towards those appreciative of live Latin music. We focus on the unique genre of Latin Alternative music, which takes its influence from genres such as traditional Norteño music from Mexico and American pop and rock ‘n’ roll. Austin serves as the perfect city for this exciting series to flourish.

It’s a place where there is a lot of blurring the lines between Latinos and non-Latinos that represent Austin’s multicultural makeup.

The festival takes advantage of the venue’s multiple spaces to create an experience that includes music, dance, art, food—a ‘cultural happening.”

Each production highlights the diversity of Latin music and each audience member can react to it in different ways. “The ultimate judge of our production is our community,” said Gomez. “We do consider their feedback and the majority has been positive. This production is not fee based— it is free and open to the public who wants to attend and learn more about the culture. We listen to all kinds of genres of music, but everybody should also have a voice—and that is what we feel is important. If we don’t do it, no one else will do it for us.”

MAE Baraja de Oro

PAF Celso Pina

PAF Los Master Plus

PAF Kinky TODO AUSTIN // MAR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 11

Austin Spring Tango Festival

‘The Abrazo’ heart of a passionate dance

By Otis Lopez

“Why the fuss?”

Producers of the Austin Spring Tango Festival aptly offer insight into the mindset of the art-form’s practitioners when the question is begged.

“If you have ever attended a tango festival, you know the answer. We attend festivals because we must. We must feel the passion that only a gathering of people joined for one reason— TANGO—creates. We attend because every video we watch on YouTube, every milonga performance we see inspires in us the same desire—to study with masters, to move as they do, effortlessly, as if skating on the dance floors so many nights we call home.”

This month, the 11th annual Austin Spring Tango Festival (ASTF) will be held March 27-29 at the Dance Institute and Esquina Tango, featuring a line-up of world-class instructors, over 40 hours of quality workshops, performances, milongas, and extraordinary DJs to keep attendees dancing long into the evening.

ASTF, started by Vance Rightmire and his late wife Margaret in 2004, when the festival hosted between 30-40 participants, will see over 300 people descend on the dance floor this year with many arriving from out of state.

“A little over a year ago, Vance got together with some tango community members and formed the Austin Tango Society non-profit organization,” explained board member Liliana Espinosa De Hoyos. “The mission of the organization is to provide continuity of ASTF and to foment the Argentine tango culture in the Austin community by planning events that raise awareness of the dance and the teachers that currently reside and dedicate their life to giving tango instruction.”

Claudia and Esteban

Liliana Espinosa De Hoyos

The event includes world-class instructors Melina Brufman and Sergio Diaz, Cecilia Gonzalez and Tomás Howlin, and Rodrigo “Joe” Corbata & Lucila Cionci. There’s 18 workshops, 20 hours of milongas and five DJ’s spinning, Michelle McRuiz, Felipe Martinez, Fil Cruz, Jr., Tim Hall and John Turci-Escobar.

Claudia and Esteban 10 TODO AUSTIN // MAR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Rightmire attributes the success and growth of

the festival to a combination of perseverance and the warm “abrazo” of the Austin community. “Hard work and a friendly environment are the two key elements to growing a community festival,” said Rightmire. “So many people have worked diligently, bringing new ideas for improvement each year, and the hands-on hard work to implement the changes. If you have a fun friendly supportive group of people getting together and creating a quality event, people will want to come and be a part of that.”

The ASTF is a festival for the tango beginner who wants to learn fundamentals with master teachers, a seasoned tanguero who croons to vintage Gardel recordings, or the improvisational tanguera who wonders how she can neo-tango to Stars of the Lid (they’re from Austin, too). Each class session has a beginner, intermediate, and advanced section.

Regardless of one’s level, there’s a class taught by each of the instructors with individual tango needs and experience in mind. Attendees can attend as many or as few events as they desire.

“The teachers at this year’s festival are carefully picked from around the world to showcase the best that tango has to offer,” said Rightmire. “All were forged as teachers and performers in the tango womb and mecca of Buenos Aires. They live in different parts of the world, but travel and teach internationally all year long.”

Organizers have retained many crowd-favorites of past years, including leveled workshops, a Sunday asado, indoor/outdoor milonga and most anticipated, a communal sense of preserving a festival for the people, whether one is a novice or a seasoned tanguero/tanguera. Couples and individuals are invited to join locals and visitors.

There are several new developments which attendees can expect this year. “We have some major improvements that we hope will enhance everyone’s experience,” said Rightmire. “Starting with the out of town guests, we have implemented a program to help people find a local tango host to stay with and maybe enjoy more, the Austin experience, while giving the local host a festival discount. Also, for the first time this year, one of our teacher couples will be bringing two extra teachers in training to assist more of the students in each of their classes. This should help more students comprehend and retain the material. One development this year that we are proud of is becoming a City of Austin non-profit funded project. We hope in the future to help our tango community and our city grow and be considered one of the ‘come to’ places in the country for quality Argentine tango!”

All classes and Friday and Saturday milongas take place at the Dance Institute, at 6612 Sitio del Rio Blvd., offers 11,000 square feet with pivot-friendly wooden floors.

The Sunday milonga with asado/potluck dinner will be at Esquina Tango, considered the heart of Austin tango, at 209 Pedernales St. Registration for ASTF is at austinspringtango.com.

To Do Música

By Liz Lopez and Anthony Garcia

Lend Amplify Austin an ear Debuted in 2013, Amplify Austin Day is a 24-hour day of community-wide events that provide a way for the community to support hundreds of nonprofits that are meeting critical needs. Last year, 498 nonprofits participated in Amplify Austin and 500 nonprofits are anticipated to participate in 2015.

In the past two years, I Live Here, I Gove Here has raised $8.5 million on Amplify Austin Day. The event lasts from 6 p.m., Thursday, March 5 through 6 p.m., Friday, March 6. Go to amplifyatx.ilivehereigivehere. org for schedule.

in the release of their new full-length album, “Iluminar,” a bi-lingual studio album. A Brazilian artist that grew up in Rio de Janeiro and lived in Seattle for years, she now lives in Austin. Maya is on lead and back vocals, keyboards, melodica and percussion with Joe McCreary, drums; Brad Taylor, bass; Art Carvajal, acoustic and electric guitar and special guest on several tracks, Brazilian percussionist Bruno Vinezof, who recently moved to Austin from Brazil.

Bomba Estero

Braulio y Fuzzion’s new original single, “Nadie,” is now available for download on several major online retailers. It’s a great introduction of what you can expect to hear from their sophomore album.

Art Tigerina toured for 17 years with Grupo Vida.

Now he’s performing with his own band and has Vienna Boys Choir back at Long Center two hits, “La Misma” and “High Heeled Sneakers.”

The boys are back in town! The Vienna Boys Choir He’s also currently working on a solo album that that is, on Sunday, March 1, at the Long Center, 3 will be a combination of Tejano and a little country p.m. Boys have been singing at the court of the music. Be on the lookout for it in late summer.

Holy Roman Emperor since the early 15th century.

Performing everything from classical to popular “Una Voz Enamorada,” by Adalberto, is now available music, today there are around 100 choristers for download exclusively at http://adalbertomusic. between the ages of 10 and 14, divided into four com. It is timeless musica! For more on The Latin touring choirs.

Breed, see www.facebook.com/thelatinbreed

Peace-N-Rhythm Fest spotlights Mama Africa RECOMMENDED SHOWS Cosmic Intuition Productions presents Peace-N- Rey Arteaga’s residency at the Continental Club Rhythm Festival 2015 on Saturday, March 7, at The Gallery is every Monday in March with classic Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca St.). The fest features 1950’s Cuban dance music performed by some music and dance from Guinea West Africa, Ghana, of the best Latin musicians in town: Arteaga on South Africa, Nigeria and more. Featured performers vocals and congas, Jose Galeano on timbales, include Bramaya, Allah Nan Fan, featuring Alseny Scott McIntosh on saxophone, Daniel Wyman and Sylla, Cosmic Intuition with Poet Eartha Colson Paul Matthews on piano, Janie Cowan and Ben performing a special set for saxophonist Melvin Bradshaw on bass, and special guest appearances.

Wilburn, Gidi Agbeko & Company, and more. An Starts at 10:30 p.m. No cover. opening ceremony and libations will be by Baba ****************** Ifalade from the group D.R.U.M. and words of Big Band Tejano will perform from 2-6 p.m. on enlightenment from Aklilu Gebrewold from Ethiopia.

Sunday, March 8, at the Onion Creek Ballroom, There’s also an African Culinary Tour by Cazamance 9941 Old Lockhart Road. with beverages by Nile Valley Herbs and community groups and organizations who are doing much * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * to help Mama Africa Event will be co-hosted by The four day, all ages Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair Winifred Mohammad and Dr. D. D. Faye. Advance (March 12-15) is held in San Antonio, downtown tickets $12 available at Antones Records. $15.00 at at the Historic Market Square with over 100 bands performing. Austin based Street People will be the door. performing Friday, March 13, at 5:30 p.m., followed by the AT Boyz at 11:15 p.m., both on the BNET Brown Sound News SXSW’s free outdoor concerts at Auditorium Shores Stage. See www.tejanomusicawards.com/fan-fair/ will include Latin luminaries Intocable, Bomba for more.

Estereo, and Compass on Saturday, March 21, at * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Auditorium Shores. The all-Latin lineup features Macaxeira Funk, a Brazilian samba-funk orchestra, Grammy-winning Tejano/Norteño giants Intocable, has their next show at 6:30 p.m. at Central Market Colombian festival favorites Bomba Estéreo North, 4001 N Lamar Blvd on Saturday, March 14. and Compass, a project combining electronica * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * standouts the Mexican Institute of Sound and Bidi Bidi Banda, Austin’s first all-star Selena Tribute Monterrey-based DJ Toy Selectah. You’ll need to band, will be performing at the Austin360 Rock the locate guest pass wristbands beforehand at various Lot, located at the Austin American-Statesman, on Saturday, March 14 during SXSW, and at The pickup locations.

Highball, 1120 South Lamar at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Paula Maya Band invites the public to participate March 29.

Rey Arteaga

Bramaya

City events beckon spring

By Lizzette Marrero

The City of Austin is alive and bustling with all sorts of adventures as the month of March brings you events from film screenings to live music for the entire family to enjoy. Indulge yourself in the cultural diversity and artistic creativity that makes this city great. All events listed are free and family friendly.

ABC presents the 86th Annual Zilker Kite Festival to kick off the spring season on Sunday, March 1. Bring your favorite kites, or come and observe a display of colorful kites with friends and family from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Zilker Park. Some of the best food booths and food trucks will be present and fun activities are scheduled throughout the day including kite contests and games for the kids. Barton Springs Road will be closed from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and parking at Zilker Park will be limited, but free parking will be available downtown at the state parking lots at 1604 Colorado Street and South at the Toney Burger Activity Center at 3200 Jones Road, with shuttles available to transport you to the location.

The Carver Museum and Cultural Center will be opening their 100% Art Exhibit on March 2 to unite a variety of people in the name of

art, hoping to celebrate cultural similarities and differences. It will include a silent auction throughout the exhibit. 100% art will continue until March 26.

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St.) will be hosting the Mexican American Experience on March 18-19 (see story in this month’s issue). The ESB-MACC will also be hosting the Bellas Artes Alliance Pan Americana Festival March 20-21, from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Both events will have free parking at the venue, with a free shuttle taking patrons from nearby locations east of IH-35.

Planet Music presents a performance of Japanese Taiko Drumming featuring Ryukyukokyu Matsuri Daiko Texas at the Asian American Resource Center on Sunday, March 29, from 12-2 p.m.

For more information on more global cultural dance performances visit http://austintexas.gov/ planetmusic The Metz Recreation Center (2407 Canterbury Street) will be holding a Community Easter Egg Hunt for the family at 10 a.m. with the Easter egg hunt beginning at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 14. Come and try to find the winning egg. The hunt will be divided by age groups.

For more information visit AustinTexas.gov/ Community or call Austin 311.

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Liv Creations’ ‘The Story of Six Tusks’

By Tatum Price

Liv Creations is a new production company that infuses art from all over Austin. From theatre and dance, to film and music, producers Dannie Snyder and Kyle Zamcheck are bringing together artists from all over the city to create one large work of art.

Their upcoming project, “The Story of Six Tusks,” is about six diverse “Austinites” that struggle with personal attachments and desires. Their lives intertwine with the local bands, visual artists, dancers and poets of Austin.

Snyder and Zamcheck introduced the screenplay

‘Three Mystics’ a tapestry of spirituality In James C. Harrington and Sidney G. Hall, III’s new book, “Three Mystics Walk into a Tavern, A Once and Future Meeting of Rumi, Meister Eckhart, and Moses de León in Medieval Venice,” Jalal ad-Din Rumi, Moses de León, and Meister Eckhart—meet in Venice for an imaginary nightlong conversation that will inspire everyday individuals of the twenty-first century to find their own spirituality and realize that everyone can be a mystic. Although the three great mystics came from different backgrounds and religious traditions (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity), their spiritual paths led them to similar understandings of union with the Divine. The three mystics have a timeless and timely message for people who walk 12 TODO AUSTIN // MAR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

on February 26 with a staged reading at the North Door. With guest appearances from Austin bands such as Sky Candy, Black Widow Burlesque, and dancers from Ballet Austin, the night was a fantastic spectacle of costumes, puppetry, dancing and music.

Snyder and Zamcheck are a powerful duo with a strong background in ensemble collaboration.

“The staged reading was our way to inform the audience about the project, and to introduce them to all the artists and actors involved,” Snyder said when asked about the purpose of the event.

With a sold out show, stunning visual arts and compelling direction, Liv Creations is creating the next big thing in Austin. “The Story of Six Tusks” begins filming in May, and with fingers crossed, it will be in the festival circuit by 2016.

the earth eight centuries after they did, no matter an individual’s religious background or even if they have none. It is a message of connecting with the “divine spark” deep within us and within the universe.

Harrington, a human rights lawyer of 41 years, is founder and director of the non-profit Texas Civil Rights Project, and writes and speaks widely on human rights and civil society. Hall is an activist, ordained minister, and writer who has served 27 years as the senior pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church.

The book is now available in paperback and Kindle from Hamilton Books.

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

KLRU celebrates Women’s History Month

MAKERS

AMERICAN MASTERS

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

HARPER LEE

Tuesday, March 3 at 7 pm

Monday, March 23 at 10 pm

Told by female business leaders themselves, this is a candid exploration of what it takes to make it and a celebration of the extraordinary individuals who, over the course of 50 years, have proven - on Wall Street, in corporate America or business empires of their own - that a woman’s place is wherever she believes it to be.

Reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” has been a national pastime for five decades -- it is still selling nearly a million copies a year, its classic popularity and power are a common reference. Behind it all was a young Southern girl named Nelle Harper Lee, who once said she wanted to be Alabama’s Jane Austen. This program explores her life and unravels its mysteries.

For a complete list of Women’s History Month shows go to klru.org

Also This Month on KLRU

180 Days: Hartsville

Texas Medal of Arts Awards

Arts In Context: Classical Undead

This documentary explores a year in the life of one Southern town’s efforts to address the urgent demand for reform in American public schools. Part of KLRU’s American Graduate initiative. Learn more at klru.org/americangraduate

Awards show celebrating the artists and the arts in Texas.

Golden Hornet Project brings excitement and energy back to the world of classical music making it accessible to everyone.

Friday, March 27 at 8 pm & Tuesday, March 31 at 10 pm

Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 pm

Tuesday, March 17 at 7 pm

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In our very diverse area, we are reminded every day how close to the border we are. Travis County spends millions every year to detain immigrants through the so-called “Secure Communities” program, ranking eleventh in deportations nationwide. The infamous Hutto Detention Center sits nearby in Williamson County. Just a few hours away is Karnes Detention Facility, which houses detained women and children a facility run by the same company that ran the Hutto center in conditions Amnesty International described as “deplorable.”

WE Con 2015 celebrates women and girls on International Women’s Day

By Carrie Tilton-Jones and Danea Johnson

For over a century, women all over the world have gathered in early spring to celebrate International Women’s Day. It’s a day to commemorate the achievements of women, to learn about and honor the brave activists who have fought for women’s equality, to come together and celebrate both our similarities and our differences. It is also a day when we examine the status of women and understand how far we still have to go to reach full equality.

In today’s Texas, women and families are

struggling. Affordable Care Act or no, we still have the largest number of uninsured people in the nation. We also have the largest number of minimum wage earners in the country. And though pay equity is the law, it is not yet reality.

According to the National Women’s Law Center, Texas women working full-time make, on average, $.79 for every dollar earned by a man. The picture grows even bleaker when we look at what women of color earn. Black women make only $.59 for every dollar earned by a white man, and Latinas just $.44!

(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County

VOLU NTEER S P OTLIG H T Steve Janda grew up in rural South Texas and after graduating from UT-Galveston nursing school, moved to Austin where he’s lived since. He currently considers himself a full-time volunteer, serving on the board of his local fire department and as part of the Hays County Master Naturalist Program under Texas Parks and Wildlife, where he does wildlife management on his land.

He’s volunteered with CASA for three years. He worked for 17 years as a trauma nurse, eventually directing the trauma program at Brackenridge Hospital, and spent eight years working for the Texas Department of State Health Services leading the Office of EMS and Trauma Systems.

He ran the trauma program at Dell Children’s Medical Center as part of multidisciplinary meetings with law enforcement and Child Protective Services whenever a child entered the hospital appearing to have been abused or neglected. He says that “the biggest transition volunteering with CASA is moving from the physical aspect of abuse where you can stitch the body back together and give medication to ease the pain. This is what happens when they go home from the hospital – the long haul side of it where psychological damage isn’t as amenable to drugs or surgery. Even when moments on my CASA case aren’t as happy as I’d like, I know the good this program is doing as a whole for the kids of this community and I’m really proud to be associated with it.”

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

Now more than ever, women need a day to celebrate together, sorrow together, learn with and from each other, and work together to create a better future for ourselves and our families.

That’s why we at the Women’s Community Center of Central Texas are excited to invite Austin area women, girls, and those who care about them to celebrate International Women’s Day with us at our second annual Women’s Empowerment Conference March 7-8.

This year’s conference focuses on the vibrant, woman-lead communities doing amazing work in Austin. Mamas of Color Rising will open the event with their panel, “Dismantling the Womb to Prison Pipeline.” This is a vital chance to learn about the harsh realities that women of color face as mothers in Texas from those who have experienced them firsthand.

Digital creatives meet at

Latin@s in Tech

By Monica Peña

XelerateTech will host the second annual Latin@s in Tech Summit on March 12 at ESB-Mexican American Cultural Center to help further increase participation by Latinas in the tech and innovation economy, increasing the visibility of established Latinas in this sector and supporting the emerging leaders of tomorrow. This year, one of the themes and areas of focus is women and the launch of U.S. Latina Entrepreneur Day. “I am excited about the possibilities presented by the gathering of these leaders in tech and innovation,” said Kety Esquivel, founder of XelerateTech and the summit.

“The narrative about Latinos and Latinas does not reflect the stories about the creators, entrepreneurs, investors, media creators and social change workers that exist in the community, much less the emerging leaders of tomorrow.

During last year’s Latin@s in Tech Summit, we proved that Latinas are innovators, creators and investors, established and emerging leaders in the tech and innovation economy.

We look forward to continuing the conversation and taking it to the next level through this year’s Summit.”

Many workshops focus on issues that connect the personal and political, like immigration policy, access to mental health care, disability rights, and how to get children with special needs the resources they require. Others encourage artistic expression and selfcare. Still others offer practical training on becoming a birth companion and running a home child care business.

We can’t build a better future without knowing the herstory of our community. So we’re thrilled that Chicana activists Martha Cotera and Larissa Davila will present “Mujeres Bravas: Austin Hispanic Feminists, History and Legacy of Coalition Building, 1970-1990.”

We have worked hard to make WE Con Austin truly accessible to our whole community.

Admission is free. WE Con Austin will be a bilingual event, with panels and workshops in Spanish and English with interpreting available. We also offer workshops just for teens, such as “Who Run the World? Girls!” and “Teens Making Zines.” Free childcare is available for younger children. The resource fair will host exhibitors providing information about free health, education, and other services.

WE Con Austin will be inspiring, challenging, and a whole lot of fun. Come join us to learn, connect, and celebrate women!

Esquivel has spoken at conferences worldwide, including the World Bank’s Entertainment Education Conference, SXSW, BlogHer, Blogalicious, Women Action and the Media, Personal Democracy Forum, Social Media Week and CampaignTech. The Maynard Institute included her in their 31 Profiles of Women of Color in Digital Spaces.

After working for years try to improve Latino and Latina representation at SXSW, Esquivel partnered with the Kapor Center for Social Impact to organize the first Latin@s in Tech Summit, a one-day by-invitation gathering. Over 100 people participated in the event last year. Inspired by the result, Esquivel founded XelerateTech and recommitted to producing the event again in 2015.

“The beauty of the Latino Tech eco-system is that we are becoming more united,” said Deldelp Medina CEO and Co-Founder of Avion Ventures. “At the same time, we also suffer the lack of visibility, access to capital and mentorship. XelerateTech’s efforts to have us join and create community in Austin is one that I personally support. As someone with a startup, I am consistently busy. XelerateTech will allow me to engage in deep conversations with my fellow Latino Tech entrepreneurs giving us all a retreat from coding, designing and customer development. I applaud Kety Esquivel’s efforts to have us all in Austin on the eve of SXSW to construct a new reality to our new majorities.”

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

AUSTIN URBAN FEST AUDITORIUM SHORES

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

Mexic-Arte Museum is currently featuring two quality exhibitions, “Selections from the Contemporary Art Collection,” an array of recent acquisitions by artists including David “Shek” Vega, Adriana Corral, Miguel Aragon, Teresa Cervantes and Gil Rocha. “Selections from the Changarrito Collection: 2012 – 2014,” highlights works acquired during past Changarrito residencies. mexic-artemuseum.org In the summer of 2014, more than 50,000 unaccompanied and undocumented minors poured across the U.S. border in search of refuge from their improvised, violence-ridden lives in Central America.

“Por Los Mojados” (For the Wetbacks) is their story, presented by ProyectoTeatro in Spanish, Mar. 5-8 at ESB-MACC, blending drama and comedy through theatre and contemporary dance. proyectoteatro.com

Ten years ago, the Austin Urban Fest was spawned out of the city’s African-American Quality of Life Initiative, derived to address the need for an overall transformation of the socio-economic landscape for the African-American community.

A decade later and running strong, producers Homer Hill and Donnie Little have met the cultural divide head-on.

Holding the event during Texas Relays Weekend— the city’s largest African American tourist weekend, wherein the city’s seven percent black population swells by tens of thousands—has proved a boon to ticket sales. But from its precarious first days of April, 2006, to the present, its talent buyers have worked their magic, booking acts like Kool & The Gang, Morris Day & The Time, Chaka Khan, Boyz II Men, Cameo, O’Jays, and SWV, among others, laying a foundation for an event with staying power.

The quality of the production is evident again in this year’s line-up at Auditorium Shores.

Performing Friday, March 27, are Robert Glasper Experiment, Lalah Hathaway, Musiq Soulchild, Sebastian Mikael and Jackie Venson. On Saturday, March 28, on stage are Black Street, Eric Benet, Doug E. Fresh, Calvin Richardson, and 2015 Soul Tree Collective band, Power of Soul.

“We are now the largest Afro-Centric festival in Central Texas,” said Hill. “Our reach has extended beyond the Austin area. We have gone from a festival surrounded by the activities of the Texas Relays to a stand-alone festival brand that represents a family-friendly environment with a cross-generational appeal.”

Gates open for this year’s fest at 3 p.m., Friday, March 27. A noon gospel showcase kicks things off Saturday, March 28. For the latest info, see austinurbanmusicfestival.com

Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff, Liadov, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky. Hear some of the greatest Russian composers to ever put notes to paper performed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Mar.6-7, 8 p.m.

Pianist Olga Kern, in the program’s spotlight, came to international prominence when she became the first woman in over 30 years to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. austinsymphony.org Actor and comedian Chris Tucker’s trademarked style, incomparable delivery, impeccable comedic timing and signature voice make him one of today’s premiere entertainers. Tucker brings his stand-up show to Bass Concert Hall on Saturday, Mar. 7. Already a leading comic on the circuit, he’s developed a signature screen persona that has garnered international fame and recognition. texasperformingarts.org Films for the Forest is an annual international short film challenge created by Rainforest Partnership. The group’s goal is to create awareness about the importance of tropical rainforests and threats faced by forests and their communities, and to encourage filmmakers to create inspiring forest-related films. Judged by a panel including Richard Linklater, Sunday, Mar. 15, the Marchesa Theater. filmsfortheforest.org In honor of the “Apostle of Ireland,” St. Patrick’s Day Austin is a celebration of Irish heritage, Tuesday, Mar. 17, produced by the Celtic Cultural Center of Texas and the Austin Celtic Association. A day of authentic Irish culture and pride, local and international musicians and dancers are presented on two stages at Shoal Crossing Event Center. With food and drink for purchase. stpatricksdayaustin.com Brazilian live music and dance welcome in the spring at Zilker Hillside Theater on Saturday, Mar. 28, 6-9 p.m.

Come join in Austin Samba!, a free, family-friendly event, with dance lessons for the uninitiated. Samba, recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil, has roots in West African and African religious traditions.

Predominantly in a 2/4 tempo, the rhythm is infectious.

For more info call 512-974-4002.

STAPLE! MARCHESA HALL & THEATER

By Jenni Gritti With Marvel’s recent announcement of an all-female Avengers team, it’s becoming evident there’s a change on the horizon in the world of comics.

With over 46 percent of comic readers identifying as women, it’s also clear that the way women are perceived in comics is beginning to change.

That’s why Chris Nicholas, founder of Austinbased STAPLE!–an independent media expo–has dedicated his 11th annual event to women and their work in comics.

This year, STAPLE!, Saturday-Sunday, March 7-8, will feature a plethora of activities and panels including “Hire This Woman,” spotlighting up-and-coming female artists and writers, moderated by Janelle Asselin, author of the eponymous Comics Alliance blog. STAPLE! also features a POC/Queer People in Zines panel focusing on the relationship between illustration and zine design from a POC/women/ queer perspective. Claudia Zapata (art historian and curator) and Claudia Gizell Aparicio-Gamundi (graphic designer and illustrator) will moderate a panel and discuss topics such as working with graphic designers and issues of diversity in independent media and design.

“There are a lot of very talented women working in comics and they sometimes get a bit of a short shrift, so I wanted to shine a light on a few of them,” said Nicholas. “No other conventions, particularly in Texas, seem to be doing anything like this.”

The event has grown to include over seven hours of programing with this year’s highlights including a Q&A with Babs Tarr, co-artist/designer of the new “Batgirl”; a Q&A with Kate Leth (“Bravest Warriors,” “Adventure Time”) and Grace Ellis (cowriter) and Brooke Allen (artist) from the comic “Lumberjanes”; and a screening of “The Hillbilly Philosopher,” a locally produced cartoon pilot, with a Q&A following.

Tickets are $15 for a two-day or $10 for a one-day pass. For more see staple-austin.org TODO AUSTIN // MAR 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 15

Sarah & ErnESt ButlEr

tExaS YOung COmpOSErS COnCErt

Wednesday, April 1 7:30 p.m.

Michael & susan Dell Hall Peter Bay, conductor Bring your friends, family, and co‑workers, for a special evening of music!

Hear compositions by some of Texas’s most elite young composers performed by your Austin symphony orchestra. each composer was selected by a jury during the Texas Young composers competition held this past fall.

Previous winners have gone on to work for Disney movie studios and some are studying at some of the best music schools in the country. come hear what all the buzz is about! #asotycc

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

Top & CenTer: John GuTierrez phoToGraphy BoTTom: Kenny TriCe

SerieS SPonSor

MediA SPonSorS

Sarah and ErnESt ButlEr

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

SeASon SPonSor This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

Co-SPonSor All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

TickeTs/info

(512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org