TODO Austin November 2015

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We have come this far by Faith.

Volume VII / NOV 2015

Spirits Rise at iACT Service

perfect date nights during the holidays.

NOVEMBER 27–29

The beloved animated TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special, including, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, the Misfit Toys and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in this all new holiday tradition!

Symphony BATS President Kate Perez and husband Hector enjoy their date nights with the ASO. Using the Blippar app on your mobile device, scan the image above for an interactive video!

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

Central American refugees last summer on the border, the three women turned their experience into a long term commitment. They took it upon ‘On Two Fronts: Latinos & Vietnam’ themselves to start visiting detained immigrant The PBS documentary, “On Two Fronts,” will be women through the Hutto Visitation Project, a shown at the ESB-MACC on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m. program of Grassroots Leadership. They didn’t It examines the Latino experience during a war that stop at providing comfort and companionship; placed its heaviest burden on working class youth. rather they continued helping these women, first to Filmed on location throughout the Southwest obtain release, and upon release, by providing food, and in Vietnam, “On Two Fronts” combines lush clothing, refuge, and transportation to their family photography with home movies, vivid news footage members here in the U.S. and a trove of personal photograph, with especially composed music by Chicano Batman. The Parkland Events Task Force screening and reception is hosted in collaboration The City’s Parkland Events Task Force is with KLRU-TV. seeking public input in its development of recommendations for how best to manage events at Austin’s parks while balancing general public use of the parks. The Task Force wants public input on: What are the greatest benefits derived from events at Austin’s parks?; What are the greatest challenges?; What changes should the City make?

The public can provide input through November at SpeakUpAustin.org or by texting the word “events” to 512-643-5627.

Spiritual awakenings in Austin

City supports Planned Parenthood The Austin City Council recently affirmed its support for access to comprehensive reproductive health care for Austin residents, including services provided by trusted caregiver Planned Parenthood.

The Council also amended the City’s legislative agenda to include support for any legislation that would expand access to affordable health care and would maintain or expand funding for Planned Parenthood’s services in our communities. Council Member Delia Garza sponsored the measure with Council Member Greg Casar a co-sponsor.

Austinites of every faith tradition come together in a grand observance of religious pluralism. iACT Executive Director Simone Talma Flowers – a human dynamo dedicated to peace – and her team work as hard as any organization for the greater good of the community throughout the year.

Pecan Street groups hail immigrants The Pecan Street Association is unveiling its ninth historic plaque on Pecan Street on Tuesday, Nov. 10, celebrating the long tradition of immigrants of all nationalities on East Sixth St., and the large role which immigrant families played in shaping downtown Austin. The rich diversity set the tone for a more vibrant community, one in which the 6ixth Street Austin Association and the Pecan Street Association wishes to preserve.

TCRP honors courageous women Texas Civil Rights Project’s Annual Bill of Rights Dinner is Saturday, Nov. 14, at Bullock Texas State History Museum. This year’s Henry B. Gonzalez Award recipients are Mathilde Flores, Odenia Gutiérrez and María Teresa López. After visiting

Delivering diversity in media to Austin

Call2Recycle challenge a success Austin Resource Recovery, the Austin Public Library and Austin residents, in conjunction with Call2Recycle, Inc. diverted more than 5,800 pounds of batteries from landfills during the 2015 Austin Recharge Challenge from Aug. 17-Sep. 18. Twenty one Austin Public Library locations competed to collect the most batteries for recycling, which greatly increased the city’s overall collection rates. The North Village Branch of the Library won by collecting 1,042 pounds of batteries during the challenge and will receive a $1,000 donation from Call2Recycle to help fund a sustainable project.

Volume VII, Number 7

for more than five years, TODO Austin

PUBLISHER/EDITOR // Gavin Lance Garcia gavin@ todoaustin.com

printed journal, and TODOAustin.

ART DIRECTOR // Dave McClinton dmdesigninc.com

com offer news, opinion, cultural

MANAGING EDITORS // Meredith C. Cox, Alejandra Cueva, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins

arts and lifestyle stories written

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

by, about, and for all ethnic communities in multicultural Austin.

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

By Gavin Lance Garcia

Dia de los Muertos is Sunday, Nov. 1, fittingly marking the beginning of a month full of spiritual awakenings.

Austin’s Hindu community are preparing for Diwali – the festival of lights – on Nov. 11, one of the most popular dates on the South Asian calendar with celebrations scheduled at temples, Zilker Park and other locales.

Saturday, Nov. 28, at 11 a.m. The parade includes one of Austin’s singular experiences when the parade pauses to allow kids to approach floats with a donated item for another child. The anticipation on their faces leading up to that moment reflects the essence of Austin.

Another flattering portrayal of the community is the decision by Austin and Travis County to end cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Travis County Jail, in response to years of uproar over deportations.

The 8th annual Austin Asian American Film Festival returns from Nov. 12-15. This year’s offerings run the gamut of film genres from historical drama to punk rock opera, with parties and a comedy showcase also highlights.

One of my favorite events is the Interfaith Action of Central Texas’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

The 31st version is on Sunday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m. at St. John Regular Baptist Association.

On the same Nov. 22 date, members of the Catholic faith community from around the state will gather in solidarity for the first March for Religious Freedom. The path takes the group from Wooldridge Square Park at 10 a.m. to the Texas State Capitol. The Knights of Columbus are orchestrating the proceeding to cast a spotlight on worshippers under assault for following personal beliefs. It’s also a reaction against what some see as media bias in coverage of Planned Parenthood and same-sex marriage. That the march is in large measure a conservative political act and that it can take place without hindrance in our progressive, liberal-minded capital speaks well of Austin.

Speaking of divine experiences, Chuy’s Children Giving to Children parade is on the horizon, PRODUCTION SERVICES // Anthony Garcia CONTRIBUTORS // Jacqueline Angel, Alka Bhanot, Roy Casagranda, Cindy Casares, Jimi Calhoun, Lobo Corona, Nora De LaRosa, Rebecca Gomez, Rose Di Grazia, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Yadira Izquierdo, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ali Khataw, Ramey Ko, Harish Kotecha, Julia Lee, Esteban Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, Caitlin Moore, Alberto Nuche, Cristina Parker, Raul Rangel Uribe, Guadalupe Rodriguez, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Sergio Tristan, Blanca Valencia, Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, Tara Veneruso WEB DESIGN // TODOAustin.com COVER // iACT Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

My colleague in immigration rights, Alejandro Caceres, ICE Out of Austin campaign manager, explains, “Ending our collaboration with ICE is our only next sensible step in the county.

We cannot continue to say that we are an immigrant-friendly county while still allowing our jails to be the first step to separation for some of our residents. I think you know you’re doing the right thing on immigration when Gov. Abbott disagrees with you.”

I couldn’t agree more.

County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and Commissioner Brigid Shea said they would support the City of Austin if it decided to find a way to end the collaboration with immigration and with local law enforcement on this issue.

That’s the kind of spirit that will move us in a positive direction.

TODO Austin // Multicultural Media for All of Austin. TODO Austin is a free print and online journal for all of Austin highlighting our multicultural heritage and promoting the concept of community in an ethnically diverse city.

Circulation throughout Austin, from the Westside’s Pennybacker Bridge to the Eastside’s Montopolis Bridge.

TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2015 Spark Awakened Publishing. All rights reserved.

The views expressed here are the authors and should not be taken to represent those of Spark Awakened Publishing or of any of its associates or partners.

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Hispanics, the intergenerational divide and what politicians should keep in mind

By Jacqueline Angel UT Professor of Public Affairs and Sociology

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton recently launched “Latinos for Hillary” at a rally in San Antonio. She chose San Antonio because it is the birthplace of Julián Castro, whom she is thought to be considering as a potential running mate.

workers. Latinos are more likely than non-Latinos to work in lower wage jobs, and the progressive benefit structure of the Social Security system helps keep elderly and disabled minorities and their dependents out of poverty.

The lack of resources and their often compromised health means that Medicare is particularly important for the Latino population. Despite high rates of chronic conditions, Latinos on average live as long as non-Hispanic white Americans.

Longer life spans are a mixed blessing, however.

Increasing female labor force participation has reduced the Latino family’s capacity to provide all of the material and instrumental care that aging parents need.

Make no mistake. The Latino vote is an important issue for all presidential candidates; 28 million Latinos will be eligible to vote by 2016, more than 11 percent of voters nationwide,

While on the campaign trail, Republicans, Democrats and tea party supporters alike will surely find this demographic shift provides a compelling opportunity to address a critical facet of the debate on entitlement reform. Given that most groups share the same need for security and inevitably come together to depend on one another, intergenerational equity in transfer programs such as Medicare and Social Security are touchstones of the debate.

A growing electorate of older and retired people juxtaposed against an increasingly minority, immigrant and non-English-speaking workforce will probably have an impact on the social contract between generations. Young workers and Hispanics at or near retirement age vote less frequently than the older and non-Hispanic whites during presidential election years and as a result lack the political empowerment to strengthen the programs.

Age-based conflicts are likely to lead to competition over limited resources, and those running for the highest government office will inevitably be forced to deal with the consequences of intergenerational policy and program choices.

Why? Because Social Security is a particularly important source of retirement income for Latino 04 TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

By Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez

“The most fundamental human freedom [is] that of practicing one’s faith openly, which for human beings is their reason for living.”-- Saint John Paul II On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Solemnity of Christ the King, the Knights of Columbus from the Austin area and around the state of Texas will march for religious freedom from Wooldridge Square Park at 10 a.m. to the Texas State Capitol. The event is called March for Religious Freedom.

Politics aside, this month also coincides with National Hispanic Heritage Month. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the Hispanic population is growing almost five times as fast as the general population, making this the nation’s largest ethnic group. Latinos are a swiftly growing demographic group in the United States, representing 1 out of every 6 Americans.

But during the next four decades, the nation’s Hispanic population will double from 53.3 million to almost 130 million in 2060. Nearly 1 in 3 residents are expected to be Hispanic, accounting for 1 out of 4 Americans. For the first time in U.S. history, ethnic and minority groups become the majority population.

March for Religious Freedom

This fact, in combination with their economic disadvantages, means that many older Latinos are particularly dependent on Medicare for protracted periods. But gaps in coverage remain. Medicare, for example, pays only 80 percent of hospital costs, and it does not cover long-term care. Part B includes a premium, which along with hospital costs can represent a major burden for lowincome elders.

For the middle class, “Medigap” coverage, which is provided by an ex-employer or purchased privately, covers what Medicare will not pay. For older Hispanics who cannot afford a supplemental Medigap policy, Medicaid, the program for lowincome children and older adults, pays those extra costs.

But the problem with the system is the lack of uniformity across states. Many states do not apply for waivers, and even when they do, there are waiting lists. This must change. There must be uniform standards across states.

As Latinos find it necessary to juggle work and children, can these traditions of family caring for older parents survive? Yes, but it will require concerted efforts by our elected officials across party lines as well as efforts by nongovernmental organizations.

We will need more political leadership than we have seen recently from Congress and the candidates for president because it is critical to Hispanics as they redefine the strengths and challenges of the new America.

What is Religious Freedom? Religious freedom is those unalienable rights that every American is guaranteed under the Constitution because they come from the Creator and not from the government, or as Pope Francis declared during his recent trip to the U.S., “defend these rights, especially your religious freedom, for it has been given to you by God himself.” These unalienable rights guarantee us life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

became, “Viva Cristo Rey! Viva La Virgen De Guadalupe!”

Six of those martyred Knights are now officially canonized saints of the Catholic Church, and they are patron saints of religious freedom because they stood up for their Catholic faith when the government “[used] religion as a pretext for hatred and brutality,” to quote Pope Francis.

(On a related note, a new documentary film, “Guadalupe: The Miracle and the Message,” paints a comprehensive and inspiring picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe throughout the western hemisphere and beyond. Over the course of four days in December 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to an indigenous convert named Juan Diego. Most experts and historians affirm that more than any other, this event, and the image miraculously imprinted on Juan Diego’s tilma (cloak), resulted in the mass conversion of millions of Native Americans to the Catholic faith and helped to build bridges between the two worlds. For more info, see www. guadalupethefilm.com)

Pope Francis explained that religious freedom, “is part of the culture of any people and any nation.” In America, defending religious freedom has taken on many facets from keeping Christ in Christmas, to removing prayer at football games, to forcing all Christians to pay for services that offend their religious beliefs, to removing ancient religious monuments in public places, to the closure of all Catholic adoptions centers nationwide, to the closure of some Catholic hospitals and nursing homes, to forcing businesses to act against their religious beliefs, to protecting the conscience of future doctors and public officials, and essentially it is taking away those religious beliefs and traditions from the public sector in an effort to completely eradicate God from every facet of government or public life.

We chose the Solemnity of Christ the King for several reasons. During the Mexican government’s persecution of the Catholic faith last century, Pope Pius XI responded on Dec. 12, 1925 (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe) with an encyclical on Christ the King declaring to the world, “When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.”

Many Knights of Columbus from Mexico as well as the Mexican people took this message to heart and their religious freedom battle cry

Pope Francis reminded us that our founding fathers’ vision of America was for it to be, “a haven of religious freedom and tolerance,” and we are called to uphold, cultivate, and preserve it for the future generations to come. He also states, “Freedom remains one of America’s most precious possessions … defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or compromise it,” and without this right we cease to be human and truly free.

The Artemis Group’s exhibit, “Women Veterans Journey from

Storytime for Grownups will present three Latina and three

Combat to Art,” will be on display through Saturday, Nov. 14. The

Latino personal tales that highlight the storytellers’ distinct

exhibit is a collection of mixed medium works by women military

Latinidad on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Black Box Theater.

veterans of WWII to the present. Imagine a more colorful world

Latino Visibility Stories-Honoring Dia de los Muertos is hosted

where art is therapy and healing is inspiration.

by Amparo Garcia-Crow. The Living Room is a monthly spoken word series celebrating its fifth year in Austin. The

Also this month: Thursday, Nov. 5, That’s My Face Youth & Young

gathering brings together an eclectic mix of stories around

Adult Film Series presents “Crips & Bloods” 4:30 p.m. in the Boyd

a specific theme on the first Saturday of each month. It is a

Vance Theatre. On Saturday, Nov. 7, author Yolanda King will read

space for friends, neighbors and perfect strangers who are

“Curlilocks and the Big Bad Hairbrush,” 1–3 p.m. in the Museum.

comfortable in front of an audience and want to share their

Saturday, Nov. 14 is Austin Zine Fest, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., in the

stories in order to satisfy a need for creativity and connection.

Museum. An Evening with Ed & Hayward’s Humor is the same date, 6:30 p.m. in the Boyd Vance Theatre. Thursday, Nov. 19, That’s My

This year, Fall Into Music, produced by Soundwaves in

Face Youth & Young Adult Film Series presents “School Daze” at

collaborations with ESB-MACC, takes new and gently used

4:30 p.m., Boyd Vance Theatre.

instruments and puts them into the hands of youth who

Thursday, Nov. 12, 10-11 a.m. GAACC Business Buzz. Google AdWords is a great tool to reach new customers and grow your business. Learn how to use this tool for your business with Gary Hwu from the Google for Work team. Free; please register at www. austinasianchamber.org.

Saturday, Nov. 14, 1-3 p.m. Ikebana Class, Session II: Harvest Arrangement. Ikebana, which means “give life to flowers” in Japanese, is a contemplative practice of expressing gentleness and elegance through the art of simple flower arrangement.

Create your own Ikebana arrangement with Gregory Gaiser. $20 per person. Register at www.austintexas.gov/aarc.

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2-4 p.m. Planet Music: Indian & Pakistani Fusion.

Visiting musicians from National Academy of Performing Arts in Karachi, Pakistan with UT Butler School of Music students perform fusion music influenced by traditional Indian and Pakistani rhythms. Free.

would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn music. The On Saturday, Nov. 21, The Men Talk Experience is 6:30 p.m.,

event on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m., will feature a free music

Boyd Vance Theatre. Kids Nature Workshop is the same date, 10

concert made up of student and professional performers, and

a.m.–2 p.m. in the Museum. Saturday, Nov. 28 is Genealogy Basics

a ceremonial piece by local celebrities as well as hands on

Class 10 a.m., and Genealogy Seminar 1 p.m., both in the Carver

activities for families in the Auditorium. For more info see

Genealogy Center.

austintexas.gov/esbmacc

U.S. Human Rights Network brings activists, scholars and more to Austin

Saturday, Nov. 21. “I Want the Wide American Earth: An Asian Pacific American Story” exhibition closes. Explore Asian Pacific American history across a multitude of diverse cultures in this traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution. Learn how Asian Pacific Americans have shaped and been shaped by the course of our nation’s history. Free in ballroom, foyer and hallways.

Building off of Martin Luther King, Jr’s Poor People’s Campaign and his understanding that an end to racial oppression requires addressing poverty and all human rights, USHRN seeks to reaffirm and elevate the link between inequality, violence, and the criminalization of economically and politically marginalized groups. Effective human rights movement building demands an intersectional approach in which equal attention is given to the role and impact of race, gender and gender identity, economic and social class, sexuality, disability, age, immigration status and other dimensions of our lives.

Latino immigrant communities in order to defend and advance Latinos’ civil and human rights; Standish Willis, an attorney in the City of Chicago specializing in personal injury, criminal defense and federal rights cases. Most of his civil rights and human rights practice involves suits against police for acts of violence and civil abuse; and Joey L. Mogul, a partner at the People’s Law Office in Chicago, Illinois and co-founder of Chicago Torture Justice Memorials (CTJM). For the last 18 years, Mogul has fought, both as an attorney and activist, for justice for those tortured and harmed by notorious former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge and his ring of detectives.

Advancing Human Rights 2015 brings together human rights activists and scholars to discuss how to build on successes of the past and engage social justice activists, organizers and leaders to inspire and energize each other, strategize and collaborate, expand and strengthen advocacy, leadership and networks, and sharpen tools to become more strategic and effective in the movement for human rights and social justice in the U.S. Local group, PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth Recipients of the awards include the Michigan and her Resources), will serve as local anchor Welfare Rights Organization, a union of public assistance recipients, low-income workers, organization. unemployed persons and economically This year’s conference theme is Sharpening disenfranchised people based in Detroit. Black our Vision, Reclaiming our Dreams. The Workers For Justice, also being recognized, theme reflects the deep need to re-center an was formed out of a struggle led by Black economic, social and cultural rights agenda women workers against race discrimination at a as a key component of the movement’s work. Kmart store in Rocky Mount, N.C. in 1981. Also

To register for the conference, go to ushrnetwork.org

U.S. Human Rights Network’s sixth biannual national human rights conference, Advancing Human Rights 2015: Sharpening our Vision, Reclaiming our Dreams, will take place in Austin, Dec. 10-13, at the Hilton Austin (500 E. 4th Street).

spotlighted will be Prison Birth Project, which supports, encourages, and trains currently and formerly incarcerated mothers and trans* parents to become community leaders within a reproductive justice framework. Individual winners of the award are Colette Pichon Battle, Esq., a native of Louisiana who over the past nine years has worked with local communities, national funders and elected officials around equity in the post-Katrina/post-BP disaster on the Gulf Coast; Rob Robinson, a member of the Leadership Committee of the Take Back the Land Movement and a staff volunteer at the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative; Adelina Nicholls, who has overseen, coordinated, and The conference will also include an event carried out the efforts of the Georgia Latino to honor recipients of the 2015 U.S. Human Alliance for Human Rights to develop grassroots Rights Movement Builders Award. The awards leaders and organizations within Georgia’s are designed to recognize the critical yet often unsung work of visionary people working at the grassroots and community level to secure human rights for all. Award recipients will receive a small cash prize, and their achievements will be highlighted at the awards ceremony and in Network communications.

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

ASIAN AUSTIN

Diwali celebrated this month Diwali, known as the festival of lights, is one of the most popular Hindu festivals and one celebrated throughout Austin in growing numbers. The holiday is officially Nov. 11; however, several events celebrating Diwali are scheduled around the actual date. Zilker Park is the site of one of Austin’s signature Diwali celebrations on Saturday, Nov. 7. Radha Madhav Dham also marks Diwali the same date, and Austin Hindu Temple holds Diwali Lakshmi Puja on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m.

According to the staff of Radha Madhav Dham Hindu temple – one of the largest temples and ashrams in the U.S. – the use of lights on Diwali also carries a deeper philosophical meaning.

Within each person’s heart, there lies the potential for both good and evil. These qualities are called sattvic and tamas in Sanskrit and they represent light and darkness, respectively. Developing the sattvic quality of one’s mind through good thoughts and actions, and through devotion to God, is like lighting up your heart, which drives away the darkness of tamas.

The free Zilker Park Diwali celebration runs 1-6:30 p.m., with shopping, henna, food, kids’ activities and more. From 6:30-11 p.m., entertainment will include Bollywood dance, a kids’ talent show, and an open dance floor with a deejay until 11:45 p.m.

AARC Nonprofit honors Paul Qui, Deana Saukam, Paul Kim and BettySoo The Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Nonprofit presents its fifth annual Autumn Lotus Ball, Friday, Nov. 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel. The gala program features 2015 Asian Image Award honorees Paul Qui and Deana Saukam, Paul Kim, and BettySoo. “We are extremely proud to host another great event this year which honors four extraordinary people in our community who have elevated the image of Asian Americans in significant ways,” said James Shieh, Chair of the AARC Nonprofit.

Chef and restauranteur Paul Qui and his partner Deana Saukam are the masterminds behind the visionary culinary enterprises Eastside Kings and Qui. Qui is the recipient of the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southwest 2012 and winner of Bravo television’s Top Chef.

Radha Madhav Dham’s Diwali begins at 5 p.m. with a “Taste of India” with foods, sweets, crafts, clothes, jewelry and game booths. 5:30-8:30 p.m. is Sita Ram Abhishek, followed by singing of Ramayan Chaupais in Temple Hall and a Diwali speech by Swami Nikhilanand.

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

qualify/certify and seek a job that pays a living wage. The mission of Aadhaar Gala is to earn enough funds to award scholarships that will help lift the recipients out of poverty.

By Harish Kotecha

The Aadhaar Gala Saturday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. at GAMA Event Center (8801 Research Blvd.) will be a fun-filled event with musical performances, dinner and dance. Texas Raas (aka Dirty South Dandya), Vaishali Tendolkar, Monsoon Dance, and semi-classical songs performed by a special guest singer are on the bill.

At 8:15 p.m., Ram Leela and cultural dance performances are scheduled, with an offer Arti to Bhagwan Ram afterwards leading up to a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Raas Garba (dancing) with live music is on display outdoors with chanting inside Temple Hall running 10:30 p.m.12 a.m. Govardhan Pooja is the following day (offer Prashad to Govardhan Maharaj) with a program between 11a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Her pure, rich voice set against her deeply moving lyrics has earned plaudits from critics and audiences.

The Lotus Ball begins at 6:30 p.m. with evening musical performance by BettySoo, Bollywood DJ and Amit Motwani. Chikage Windler, Chief Meteorologist from KEYE, Channel 42, will be the Master of Ceremonies.

The Lotus Ball is the AARC Nonprofit’s largest event, with proceeds going towards serving the organization’s mission to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans in Austin through advocacy, research and programming at AARC. Thus far, the organization has researched Asian American health issues, organized computer training for seniors, provided an Anti-Bullying Workshop for our youth, and offered free legal services to those without resources. Going forward, the Nonprofit will be addressing health issues, holding leadership trainings, promoting youth programs, and organizing legal clinics for the community.

“The Asian American population is Austin is rapidly changing not just in numbers but in diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and socio-economic levels,” said Esther Chung Martin, Executive Director of the AARC Nonprofit. “It’s time we recognize the unique challenges and needs within each of the sub-populations to ensure our needs BettySoo is a renowned Austin singer/songwriter. are being met.”

Paul Kim is the CEO of ATX Environmental Solutions and the Chair of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce. Every year, he produces one of the most sought-after showcases at SXSW, K-Pop, the famous Korean pop music gathering attended by such notables as Lady Gaga.

Aadhaar Gala focuses on scholarships

Net proceeds from Aadhaar Gala will be used to award vocational scholarships to Austin area students. Many citizens are surprised to learn that poverty is a major concern in the U.S. Using 2013 data, the numbers indicate that over four million people in America live below the federally defined poverty line. Austin demographics are no exception. Austin city-data.com shows that 14.4 percent of the Austin population has income below poverty level.

In general terms, Austin’s South Asian community is more prosperous than other ethnic groups.

That’s why some community members are working to fight poverty with a focus on education.

While college degrees are expensive and take time with a reported 47 percent dropout rate, vocational training takes six to 24 months to

One recent scholarship recipient stated, “Never in a million years would I have imagined the generosity of people willing to give me a second chance. With my second chance, I will help other individuals the same way I was helped trying to get back on my feet.”

Another student said, “I was extremely happy and surprised when I was selected as the recipient of you scholarship, this award will enable me to focus more on my studies in this last semester of the nursing program and not have to worry as much about my financial situation.”

For more info on the gala, call 512-994-4638 or visit HinduCharitiesForAmerica.org

AD: Here’s a doctor who became a social worker in America, an actor - the only Asian male who ever got an Oscar - and he chose to serve the community. The money he made in subsequent acting roles all went into his activism work to open orphanages, schools, rescue camps, to give aid. He lived in a regular apartment in Chinatown. He could have had a more luxurious space, but he dedicated his life and career to helping his wife and country.

Placebo

INTERVIEW WITH MATT SZYMANOWSKI, DIRECTOR AND CO-WRITER; EDWIN LI, LEAD ACTOR AND CO-WRITER, “THE PURPLE ONION”

By Yvonne Lim Wilson Asian Austin.com

From historical drama to punk rock opera, along with exclusive events such as a K-Pop Opening Night Party and an Asian American Comedy Showcase, the 8th annual Austin Asian American Film Festival explores a world of stories spanning across all film genres.

“We’re excited to put on the festival again this year and bring a diverse collection of fantastic new films to Austin,” said Festival Programming Director Tim Tsai. “These films highlight the Asian and Asian American experience through the unique visions of dozens of talented cinematic storytellers from across the globe, and we can’t wait to share these powerful and entertaining stories with the Austin community.”

This year’s centerpiece presentation is “The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor” followed by a conversation with veteran filmmaker Arthur Dong. Winner of the Best Documentary Audience Award at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, this moving documentary is about the life and legacy of Oscar winner Dr. Haing S. Ngor, one of the most well-known and outspoken survivors of the Cambodian genocide who was tragically murdered in a Los Angeles Chinatown alley at the age of 55.

Additional films include: “The Chinese Mayor,” winner of a special Sundance jury award for “unprecedented access”; indie dramedy “The Purple Onion” with star and co-writer Edwin Li in attendance; coming-of-age romantic comedy “Seoul Searching” with lead stars Jessika Van and Justin Chon in attendance; “Top Spin” with filmmakers Sara Newens and Mina Son in attendance; “La Salada,” winner of the Films in Progress Prize at the San Sebastian Film Festival; “Placebo,” jury award winner at the EBS International Documentary Festival; and Ali Ahmadzade’s surrealist feature “Atomic Heart.”

Special events include a K-pop themed opening night party; a VIP Comedy Night featuring local Asian American comedians and headliner Edwin Li; Filmmakers Brunch and Badgeholder & Sponsors Social; and a Closing Night party. Individual tickets ($10), film passes ($45), and festival badges ($65) are currently on-sale. Visit www.aaafilmfest.com for full line-up, tickets and details.

YVONNE LIM WILSON (ASIAN AUSTIN.COM) INTERVIEW WITH ARTHUR DONG, DIRECTOR AND WRITER, “THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR” Asian Austin (AA): Why is it important for people to learn about Cambodia?

Arthur Dong (AD): I’m guilty of the same of many Americans who saw “The Killing Fields” in 1984 and thought I know all there is about Cambodia, happy ending, story done, let’s move on. It was [Dr. Ngor’s] quest to get the story out there and let people know that it’s not over. It’s a reflection of forgotten responsibilities.

AA: What was one thing you were surprised to find working on this film?

AD: The most striking component of the story that I felt compelled to bring out was the love story between Dr. Ngor and his wife. She inspired him to go on, to live and have a purpose. It’s a beautiful love story between him and [his wife] Huoy, but on a political level it’s love story between him and Cambodia; it goes hand in hand.

Asian Austin (AA): What made you decide to make this film now?

Matt Szymanowski (MS): Ed and I met while I was working nights at the Punchline comedy club in San Francisco nearly five years ago. Seeing so much great comedy at work I wanted to see the process of a comedian more closely. I began to follow Ed to his comedy shows around town. I was trying to naively witness the alchemy between the life of an entertainer and what they created. Fiction seemed a better approach for this.

AA: How does The Purple Onion explore the process of comedy and the divide between a comic’s everyday self versus his onstage comic persona?

MS: The film is like a quiet biography of someone who has not yet made their mark as an entertainer, someone still honing their craft. I wanted to show how this guy’s life fuels his specific brand of comedy where his seemingly regular experiences are projected in his comedy as something much greater.

Edwin Li (EL): Johnny is an unsuccessful dishwasher, but on stage, he is the center of attention. But then the show ends and the next morning I go back to work. Johnny goes through this same process - he gets frustrated and feels like his life has no meaning but then all the emotions are funneled back into his comedy and the cycle continues.

AA: Was it important to you to have the film be funny as well?

Ngor on The Killing Field set

AA: What were some of challenges in researching this documentary?

AD: To visualize the story. I chose to tell the story as told by Dr. Ngor. The idea I had was to pretend that he was my Uncle sitting by the fireside, and he would tell his life story. The challenge I had was to visualize this narrative which I pulled from his 500 page book. I used animated scenes and it was very liberating to me as a filmmaker. I told my animators, ‘Take us out of this world - let’s ride in the clouds for this.’ The exhilaration and challenge was finding visual material for the film.

AA: What would you like people to learn about Dr. Ngor as a person and survivor?

EL: It was very important Johnny be funny. But not in the sense that he got a laugh by saying a quick one-liner, more in that his actions were absurd and honest to his character.

MS: While the film is about a comedian, it’s not really a comedy. The comedy comes from a more unexpected place. Amidst this guy’s dreary life there’s this constant lightness that skews everything. I’m more concerned with showing real human behavior, however odd and unexpected it can seem.

AA: What do you hope people will get from the film?

MS: I want to show how impactful people can be on each other lives, that there are often great forces at work, whether it’s a social connection, filial connection or simply a fated and less clear

connection - people need people. The film is a brief moment in a comedian’s life who is greatly affected by the arrival of a mysterious woman - it’s the process of this odd couple attempting to understand each other. And we feel strongly that this is not only a unique Asian American film unlike any we’ve ever seen, but that it also stands as a uniquely American indie film - it’s an ode to unsung comedians and artists working hard on their craft everywhere.

INTERVIEW WITH ARCHANA PHADKE, PRODUCER/ EDITOR/ ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY, “PLACEBO” Asian Austin (AA): “Placebo” follows four medical students over the course of the year to show the pressures and challenges they undergo in pursuing their degree. Can you tell me more?

Archana Phadke (AP): “Placebo” is a very personal film. The filmmaker Abhay Kumar’s brother met with an accident, an act of self-violence that almost made him lose his right hand. As the editor of the film, it was almost voyeuristic, peeping into the lives of those young students - knowing their fears, their aspirations, their thought process, stroke by stroke painting a larger portrait of this environment.

AA: The students are practicing in New Delhi’s most prestigious and competitive medical college, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). What are some of the similarities and/or differences the students face compared to their U.S. counterparts?

AP: I believe that human nature is something that is pretty much the same everywhere. Abhay has had students from different parts of the world come and tell him, “This is my story.”

AA: Why was it important for you to tell this story now?

AP: It has changed my own life not just as someone involved in making the film but as someone who can swatch it as an audience and experience everything it has to say. The experience has made me speak out. We are constantly under the threats and pressures of our own expectations and the expectations of others.

Very few come out and do what they want to do or say what they want to say. I hope the film becomes a tool to begin conversations.

For more Q&A with the filmmakers, visit www.

AsianAustin.com.

TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 07

Fun Fun Fun a gold standard of urban fests

By Alejandra Cueva

A decade in, Fun Fun Fun Fest represents what Austin music and the commercial music industry in general should strive for – a rich balance of diversity, from genre to varied ages to ethnic inclusivity. In an industry that hasn’t always (or to be truthful, never) risen to the occasion to meet our community’s goal of being the country’s most liveable city, FFF Fest is the event that most closely resembles authentic Austin culture in 2015.

FFF Fest has been a host for emerging rock talent and rare performances (see Venom this year), reunions, and surprise guests since 2006.

Previous headliners for the festival have included Slayer, Public Enemy and Spoon. This year, fans are expecting to enjoy some of their favorite artists with Jane’s Addiction, Ms. Lauryn Hill, WuTang Clan, Chromeo, Chvrches, Cheap Trick, NOFX and dozens of other notable acts.

From hip hop to pop, indie to metal, FFF Fest can lay claim to being an essential part of Austin’s cultural identity. So with that being the case, it was a concern last summer when Austin City Council members had to intervene in a conflict between FFF management and the Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department over the use of a renovated off-leash dog park at Vic Mathias Shores. A resolution was passed by City Council

directing PARD to allow FFF up to one acre of the dog park this year.

However, a long-term solution must be found to address multiple events taking place simultaneously in the area, in addition to use of the dog park. If attendance is any indication, music festivals are growing steadily in popularity as each year festival-goers revisit annual gatherings and new patrons begin their musical journey. A permanent resolution as to park use for festivals would seem a modest goal for the selfproclaimed Live Music Capital of the World.

As for the future of FFF taking place at the downtown location, much will be debated later this year as some argue that the event has negatively impacted the community by creating noise, odor, congestion and parking issues.

Solutions will be needed in order for the model built by the event promoter, Transmission Events, to thrive.

Wu-Tang Clan

FFF Fest headliners, NITES carry progressive music clout

The Sidewinder, The Parish, Cheer Up Charlie’s, ACL Live, Beerland, 611 E. 7th St., Elysium, Empire Control Room & Garage, The North Door, The New Movement and Vulcan Gas Company.

By Anthony Garcia

The official FFF app is available for download for both iPhone and Android. New features include a custom FFF emoji keyboard full of FFF emojis; Taco, Taco Cannon, Bye Felicia, Mic Drop, Sriracha, Texas Flag, and more, plus new photo frame options, Rdio FFF Radio and an upgraded interactive site map.

The app still has all the old features like the taco locator, custom schedule building with notifications when your next artist is about to take the stage, FFF social media feeds and more.

The 10 year anniversary of Fun Fun Fun Fest is November 6, 7 and 8 at Auditorium Shores.

The line-up includes Jane’s Addiction, Venom, Wu-Tang Clan, Tig Notaro, Chromeo, Ms. Lauryn Hill, NOFX, CHVRCHES, Doug Benson, Grimes, Eugene Mirman, NASA Scientist Dr. Scott Bolton, ScHoolboy Q, the Volcom Skate Team and BMX athletes curated by Project LOOP and more. The schedule for the festival and all NITES show, plus single-day, weekend and USP passes are at funfunfunfest.com.

FFF NITES shows will occur in venues in downtown Austin beginning Thursday, Nov. 5.

NITES performances—including over 100 FFF Fest performing artists and a roster of artists playing exclusively during NITES—are only available to FFF Fest wristband holders. No tickets will be sold at the door. The FFF Fest NITES events presented by Rdio and Jukely require an additional online RSVP for entry.

Participating venues include: The Mohawk, 08 TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Single-day tickets are available for $89 while three-day passes are $199. Additionally, the Ultimate Smooth Pass is on sale and available for $450. Patrons also will have the ability to pick up and buy festival tickets daily in-person at the first ever Fun Fun Fun Fest Funderdome, located at 908 E 5th St, #106c through Nov. 8 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. More info on nightly programming for The Funderdome is available at the event Facebook page.

FRIDAY, November 6:

ORANGE STAGE 8:45 – 9:45 CHVRCHES 7:15 – 8:15 Cheap Trick 5:55 – 6:45 ANTEMASQUE 4:45 – 5:30 Toro Y Moi 3:35 – 4:20 Viet Cong 2:25 – 3:10 Mikal Cronin 1:20 – 2:00 Creepoid 12:30 – 1:00 Think No Think

BLUE STAGE 8:45 – 9:45 ScHoolboy Q 7:35 – 8:20 Rae Sremmurd 6:25 – 7:15 Hudson Mohawke 5:10 – 6:00 Peaches 4:00 – 4:45 Slow Magic 2:55 – 3:35 Bomba Estereo 1:45 – 2:25 Bayonne (Roger Sellers) 12:55 – 1:25 Two-9 12:30 – 12:50 Kembe X

BLACK STAGE 8:45 – 9:45 Coheed and Cambria 7:25 – 8:15 Drive Like Jehu 6:05 – 6:55 Converge 4:55 – 5:40 Babes In Toyland 3:45 – 4:30 Parquet Courts 3:05 – 3:25 Dwarves 2:10 – 2:45 Mutoid Man 1:20 – 1:50 Nothing 12:30 – 1:00 Future Death

YELLOW STAGE 7:40 – 8:30 The King Khan & BBQ Show 6:35 – 7:20 Benjamin Booker 5:30 – 6:15 TOPS 4:25 – 5:10 Tig Notaro 3:55 – 4:25 Kurt Braunohler 3:40 – 3:55 Chris Cubas 3:00 – 3:40 Altercation Punk Comedy 2:30 – 3:00 Eugene Mirman 2:10 – 2:30 Derrick C. Brown 1:30 – 2:10 Bad Example 1:20 – 1:30 Saffron Herndon 12:40 – 1:20 Greetings from Queer Mountain

SATURDAY, November 7: ORANGE STAGE 8:30 – 9:45 Jane’s Addiction 7:00 – 8:00 RIDE 5:40 – 6:30 American Football 4:30 – 5:15 Fuzz 3:20 – 4:05 Charlatans UK 2:20 – 3:00 Speedy Ortiz 1:20 – 2:00 Joanna Gruesome 12:30 – 1:00 A Giant Dog

BLUE STAGE 8:45 – 9:45 Wu-Tang Clan 7:25 – 8:20 Grimes 6:15 – 7:00 Neon Indian 5:00 – 5:50 Gesaffelstein (DJ Set) 4:10 – 4:50 Joey Bada$$ 3:10 – 3:50 Anamanaguchi 2:10 – 2:50 Shamir 1:20 – 1:50 Roosevelt 12:30 – 1:00 SURVIVE

BLACK STAGE 8:45 – 9:45 NOFX 7:15 – 8:15 Gogol Bordello 5:55 – 6:45 Desparecidos 4:35 – 5:25 American Nightmare 3:20 – 4:10 Fucked Up 2:20 – 3:00 Head Wound City 1:20 – 2:00 La Dispute 12:30 – 1:00 American Sharks

YELLOW STAGE 7:40 – 8:30 Murder By Death 6:35 – 7:20 Cass McCombs 5:30 – 6:15 East Cameron Folkcore 4:25 – 5:10 Doug Benson 3:55 – 4:25 Lucas Bros 3:30 – 3:55 Sabrina Jalees 3:15 – 3:30 Gad Elmaleh 2:50 – 3:15 GZA (The Science of Hip Hop) 2:20 – 3:15 Dr. Scott Bolton (NASA Scientist) 1:40 – 2:20 Sanbox with Rob Gagnon 1:00 – 1:40 The Secret Group (Houston Comics) 12:20 – 1:00 Master Pancake’s Saturday Morning Cartoons

SUNDAY, November 8: ORANGE STAGE 8:15 – 9:45 6:35 – 7:35 5:10 – 5:55 The Growlers 4:10 – 4:50 Alvvays 3:10 – 3:50 Broncho 2:10 – 2:50 Grifters 1:20 – 1:50 Golden Dawn Arkestra 12:30 – 1:00 Ringo Deathstarr

BLUE STAGE 8:45 – 9:45 ODESZA 7:25 – 8:15 Future Islands 6:10 – 6:55 MSTRKRFT 5:00 – 5:45 Big Freedia 3:55 – 4:40 Doomtree 2:55 – 3:40 Afrika Bambaataa 2:00 – 2:40 Lido 1:15 – 1:45 The Outfit, TX 12:30 – 1:00 Keeper

BLACK STAGE 8:45 – 9:45 Venom 7:15 – 8:15 L7 5:55 – 6:45 Dag Nasty 4:35 – 5:25 Chain of Strength 3:20 – 4:05 OFF! 2:20 – 3:00 Title Fight 1:20 – 2:00 Powertrip 12:30 – 1:00 Together PANGEA

YELLOW STAGE 7:40 – 8:30 BADBADNOTGOOD 6:35 – 7:20 Andrew Jackson Jihad 5:30 – 6:15 Steve Gunn 4:30 – 5:10 Andrew W.K. (Motivational Speaking) 3:55 – 4:25 Big Freedia Twerking Lessons 3:15 – 3:55 Todd Barry 2:45 – 3:15 Eric Andre 2:20 – 2:40 Lil Freckles 1:35 – 2:15 Air Sex Championships 12:55 – 1:35 ATX Comedy Hour 12:20 – 12:55 The New Movement

FEATURED NOVEMBER 2015 EVENTS:

FREE

Curlilocks and the Big Bad Hair Brush Storytime November 7th, 11am-12:30pm A reading with the book’s author and fun activities for the family!

George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St. www.carvermuseum.org

Latino Visibility Stories – Honoring Dia de los Muertos

Saturday, November 7, 7pm-9pm.

A monthly spoken word series brings together an eclectic mix of stories on the first Saturday of each month. This month hear six stories on Dia de los Muertos!

ESB-Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St. www.austintexas.gov/esbmacc

New Exhibit! Open Now! In Loving Memory: The Art of Victorian Mourning

Through artifacts like death masks, post-mortem photographs, and hair jewelry, this exhibit looks at the curious customs surrounding death in the Victorian era.

Brush Square Museums, 411 E. 5th St.

FREE

riendly

ly f & fami

Featured this month:

Global Grooves, Austin Moves

www.austintexas.gov/planetmusic

Pakistani Fusion!

Musicians from Karachi, Pakistan & UT Butler School of Music students will perform fusion music influenced by traditional Indian and Pakistani rhythms.

Sunday, November 15, 2pm - 4pm, FREE. Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd.

Visit our Facebook page for all upcoming events! www.facebook.com/ArtsInParks The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities, please call 512-974-4000.

31st Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and Celebration    We have come this far by faith!

Marcie is why Marcie was 30 and a new mom when she first felt a strange flutter. Her heart would race; she would feel weak, dizzy and short of breath. As a nurse, Marcie had to have answers.

Tests didn’t show anything as the episodes didn’t happen while she was on the cardiac monitor. One day at work her heart went into a very fast rhythm, and Marcie collapsed.

Since she was at the hospital the team did an immediate electrocardiogram which finally picked up the problem: atrial fibrillation. After several years on drug therapy Marcie decided on a catheter ablation. She will need more surgery but until then has made some beneficial lifestyle changes. Marcie now avoids wine and caffeine, eats healthier, exercises, monitors her blood pressure and checks in with her cardiologist at least once a year.

www.heart.org/austin

facebook.com/AHAAustin Twitter & Instagram: @AHAAustin

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!!!

NOVEMBER Line-up OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING”

TACO BAR

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------SUN 11/1 JOHNSON @ 12 AND THE RECUPERATORS @ 3 PM WED 11/4 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6 PM THU 11/5 LOS FLAMES @ 6:30 PM FRI 11/6 PRIVATE PARTY @ 6:30 PM SAT 11/7 THE BREW @ 2:30 PM AND EL TULE’ @ 6:30 PM SUN 11/8 VICTORIA & THE ZETA FIVE @ 12 PM AND BLUE MIST @ 3:00 PM -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 11/11 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 PM THU 11/12 BEYOND THERAPY @ 6:30 PM FRI 11/13 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 PM SAT 11/14 JONAS ALVAREZ BAND @ 2:30 PM AND LOS AZTEX @ 6:30 PM SUN 11/15 ERIN JAIMES @ 12 PM MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES @ 3 PM -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 11/18 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6 PM THU 11/19 DR. ZOG @ 6:30 PM FRI 11/20 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 PM SAT 11/21 JIM STRINGE @ 2:30 PM AND LOS TIPICOS DE CUBA @ 6:30 PM SUN 11/22 THE HENS @ 12 PM AND WRENFRO @ 3 PM -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 11/25 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 PM FRI 11/27 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 PM SAT 11/28 AUSTIN HEAT @ 2:30 PM BONNEVILLE COUNTY PINE BOX @ 6:30 PM SUN 11/30 TEX THOMAS @ 12 PM AND CKICKEN STRUT @ 3 PM

www.GuerosTacoBar.com

Sons of Santos developing a more intricate sound

By Cat Cardenas

Most bands have stories detailing the inspiration behind their names. Austin-based alternative folk band Sons of Santos, however, left their name up to their listeners.

Founded by brothers Luis and Nick Soberon, the band members said they asked their audience for name suggestions during a set at the Mellow Mushroom. One listener proposed that they name their band after their father, and the two thought it was the perfect suggestion. Their father, Santos Soberon, was the one who taught them how to play.

The band, which grew to include musicians and friends Tré Carden and Mason Hankamer, plans to release their debut album “The Spindletop Blues” early next year. The album will follow Sons of Santos’ first EP “Wounded Healer,” released in 2013.

“When we were recording the EP, Mason had just hopped on and Tré wasn’t part of the band yet,” Nick Soberon said. “We had all just come together to record, but we weren’t a cohesive unit yet.”

In the years since “Wounded Healer,” the band has toured and reworked a number of their old songs.

The band’s bassist, Mason Hankamer, said that as time went on, they realized their material and

their sound had developed and they were ready to begin work on a new album. “The more we listened to the EP, the less satisfied we were with it,” said Hankamer. “Over time, we’ve transformed from singer-songwriters into something more intricate. Now, when we record and rework some of our songs, they sound completely different every time.”

Determined to move forward from their previous work, the band set out to make a new album.

With the necessary funds totaling more than $10,000, the group turned to crowdfunding, launching a Kickstarter campaign in June to help fund it. By July, they had raised $15,000 and at the end of September, they began recording at Austin’s Estuary Studio. Nick Soberon said they never expected to receive enough donations to cover the cost of the album. “I don’t think I had a

bad day that whole month,” Nick said. “It’s really hard to when you’re getting notifications every day that are telling you someone you haven’t seen in years believes in this thing you’re making.”

Hankamer said after their last experience recording, the band members realized they needed to be more present in the studio and have a more hands-on approach in the recording and mixing process. “This album is a platform for us to build our future on,” Hankamer said. “We were presented with such a huge opportunity from the Kickstarter; we don’t want to waste it.”

The musician’s different backgrounds and styles have culminated in a sound they describe as “Andrew Bird meets the Punch Brothers.” Despite their differing musical experiences and styles, one thing the band members have in common

To Do Música

vocal competition. The winner of the 5th annual Tejano Idol contest was Monica Saldivar from the DFW area.

By Liz Lopez

Texas Folklife will launch the 2016 Apprenticeships in the Folk & Traditional Arts program to train with Master Artists in the Folk and Traditional Arts of Texas. The organization does, however, specialize in the accordion-based musical traditions found in the state of Texas. Priority will be given to Polka and Zydeco applications, but all Texas-based applicants from any Folk and Traditional Arts disciplines are encouraged to apply. The guidelines and application are available at www.texasfolklife.org/apprenticeship2016 Deadline is Nov. 20, 2015.

BROWN SOUND NEWS Savannah Votion, a former American Idol contestant, recently released the official video for her latest single, “Te Juro Mi Amor,” directed by Ryan Bazan. The song was written by Savannah, along with Elsa Herrera, Francisco Jr. and Gabriel Bajas. The track was produced and arranged by Grammy Award winner Rick Fuentes, who also is putting the finishing touches on Savannah’s new album expected to be released in February 2016.

The new VITERA EP, “Tequila Rock,” is scheduled for release digitally on Tuesday, Nov. 10. To ramp up for the celebration, every Tuesday until then will be “Tequila Rock Tuesday,” as Vitera will be posting a lyric video for the new tracks on his YouTube channel. A listening party and release parties are in the works, along with you’re a chance to win free items.

Last month, an announcement was made by the folks at Symphony Square (11th and Red River) that they have launched a new series, “Friday Nights at the Symphony.” Doors open at 7 p.m. with music at 8:30 p.m. On Friday, Nov. 6, Dawn & Hawkes is featured at 10 p.m. with guest Sleepy J. Parker. Friday, Nov. 20 is Los Aztex and Batuque Raiz. For more info go to www.thesymphonysquare.com/ events Last month, the Austin Tejano Music Coalition held its statewide

Austin’s Atlas Maior announced the release of a new three track EP, “Keyif,” as a follow up to 2014’s “Palindrome.” For performance dates this month, visit www.AtlasMaior.com

is their shared hometown of Beaumont, Texas. Growing up in the same music scene is something Luis Soberon said really brought them together and the city inspired many of the songs on the album. “We wrote it as kind of a confused and twisted love letter to Beaumont,” said Luis. “There’s so much I love about Beaumont, but there are things in my life associated with that geography that bring me a lot of mixed feelings.”

As they began work on their album, Nick said the group has encountered a few bumps in the road here and there, but are ready to see where the experience takes them. “You aren’t going to be a professional musician until you start acting like one,” he said. “At this point, the amount of experience we’ve had to have for this versus the EP is like night and day.”

Savannah Votion

Monica Saldivar

Actress Jackie Cruz, aka Flaca on Orange is the New Black television series, released her own version of “Como La Flor,” a stripped down, acoustic version of the classic, as a Selena tribute. Accompanied by her real-life boyfriend, Fernando Garcia, Cruz tapped into her own life for video inspiration.

local promoters Al Duarte (a City of Austin Music Commissioner) and Jerry Avila (head of Prime Time Music Network). In celebration of the group’s signing, a special performance will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. at the Lazy Lizard (formally Gypsy Lounge), 1504 E. 6th Street.

RECOMMENDED SHOWS

The School of Indian Percussion & Music presents World Music Unleashed 2015, featuring: Grammy-winning artist, Mamadou Diabete on the Kora, Gourisankar (tabla), Indrajit Banerjee (sitar), Indradeep Ghosh (violin), Abou Sylla and Troupe Bramaya (West African percussion & dance). Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Northwest Hills Church, 7050 Village Center Drive, Austin. Ticket information is at www.austinsipm.org ($40, $25, $15-student).

Rock en Español band AddixxioN will perform on Friday, Nov. 6 at El Taquito Sabor, 130 Louis Henna Blvd, Round Rock.

La Orquesta Tropicante, a salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata, bolero, Latin jazz band from San Antonio signed with Austin-based Gold Man Records. The label is a new independent operation involving

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

the edge of the Red River Cultural District. We want to be a part of revitalizing that scene. I think many people in the city are making a conscious effort to cultivate the music scene that was taken for granted for so long.

Roberto Riggio

TA: In your opinion, should more musical groups strive to establish a residency and why?

The Atash sound: like an instrument played by God

By Liz Lopez

Austin is ever evolving and many long-time residents roll with the changes, especially those that impact experiences, places or things we have grown fond of such as beloved musicians and venues.

One such hotspot was a Moroccan-themed club in the Warehouse District, Red Fez, where local band Atash (whose name derives from the Persian word for fire) held multiple weekly residencies from 2002- 2011. Now one of the city’s most reputable musical outfits, with a weekly Tuesday residency at the Flamingo Cantina on 6th St., Atash has developed a broad range of fans helping earn them seven Austin Music Awards for Best World Music Band during the SXSW Music Festival.

The perennial fan favorite released their last studio album, “Everything Is Music,” in March 2014 with a memorable two-day, live, multi-disciplinary, multimedia theatrical interpretation of the new recording at the State Theater. Having performed from coast to coast, they’ve drawn comparisons to acts like Gipsy Kings, Cheb Khaled, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, among others.

Atash, features talented master musicians from around the world playing a rare combination of instruments. Mohammad Firoozi, Atash’s lead vocalist, poet and soul-center, began his career singing spiritual music and western rock ‘n’ roll in the Persian Gulf region in the cultural center of Shiraz. Firoozi immigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s by way of Corpus Christi, where he attended Del Mar College. Atash musical director and violinist 12 TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Roberto Riggio immigrated to the U.S. from his native Mexico as a child, where he grew up and began his musical studies in the lower Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. Atash also includes dynamic players Indrajit Banerjee from Kolkata, India on sitar; Aboubacar Sylla from Guinea, west Africa, on djembe; José Manuel Tejeda from Havana, Cuba, on flamenco guitar; Korean-American violinist John Moon; Dylan Jones on bass; and Chris Häusler on drums.

I spoke with Riggio last month about the bands’ journey and what lies ahead.

TODO Austin (TA): You have played a residency at Red Fez before and now at Flamingo Cantina. Why does having a residency at a venue appeal to your musical group?

Roberto Riggio (RR): Having a residency allows a good band to gain some traction and get more connected with their scene, for one thing. It also raises the level of the performance experience for everyone involved. When you play every week with musicians that you connect really well with, in front of people who really connect with your music, the connection just gets deeper and deeper, and becomes telepathic and even spiritual.

We played weekly at the Red Fez, on and off, for nine years! It became a religious ritual for us – a chance to commune with the spirit in the music, along with the members of our community who danced in that spirit. The band starts to feel like an instrument being played by God. This has always been our experience. The first residency we did as a band, was way back in the late 90s, when we were called the Gypsies, and Oliver Rajamani was still part of the group. We used to play Tuesday nights on 6th street in a club called the Mercury Lounge, formerly the White Rabbit, and were part of a wider scene, which I guess was dubbed the “acid jazz” scene. But so many of those clubs shut down and the vibe changed. Flamingo Cantina is one of the last remaining clubs from that era that still has the same vibe. It’s classic Austin, just on

RR: I think it really depends on the group. If you have a community that you want to connect with and who wants to connect with you on a weekly basis, absolutely. If there’s something about your music that will keep it interesting week after week, do it. With Atash, there is a lot of improvisation, so every show will be different, even if we play a lot of the same songs. The more we play, the more our music continues to evolve, and we find new things to say in songs we’ve played for years, or different directions to go into, and new songs start to develop organically. If you have something like that to offer, I think you absolutely can benefit immensely from doing a residency. More people can get to know your music, and, better than that, you become part of the local culture -- you provide the soundtrack where beautiful moments are being experienced, and become a part of people’s lives, a part of their memories. It’s a tremendous privilege. But not every band is made for that, of course. I’d say that bands should try it out, at least, and see if it’s a good fit for them, if they can get the work on reasonable terms.

TA: How has Atash evolved over the years?

RR: There are really three time periods involved in the formation of the Atash. The band The Gypsies was formed in 1996 by Mohammad Firoozi and Oliver Rajamani. Jason McKenzie and I joined later that year. Oliver went solo in 1998, while I was living in New York for a short stint, and when I got back in 1999, the band was totally different. The only common denominators were Mo, Jason, and me. Dylan Jones had joined on bass, and I brought in my friend John Moon later that year. So, these five musicians form the core of what would become Atash, although there were also many other members that came and went between 1996 and 2001. In June of 2001, we pared the group down to this core, bought a van, and took off to California, where we played shows up and down the coastline while taking classes at Ali Akbar College in San Rafael. We had no fixed place to stay, so we couch-and floor-surfed for three months and really got connected. This is when we started calling ourselves Atash. Since then, we haven’t had the kind of changing cast of characters we used to have in the Gypsies. We’ve got a stable core, and every member that’s been added since then has basically stayed with the band, even if just in spirit, as there are times that circumstances may prevent us from playing together all the time.

TA: There are a number of years between the two studio albums, “republic of love” (2003) and “Everything Is Music” (2014). What would you say is most different about the productions?

RR: Each album represents a different stage of our development as a collaborative band, as an organism. It shows what we’ve been learning and

discovering in the arts of composing, arranging, performing and recording together. We never stop learning, so each work just shows how our learning continues to evolve and develop. It’s still very difficult to make a recording which captures the essence of our live performances, though I think “Everything Is Music” comes closer in terms of energy. “Republic of love” was our first foray into the recording the world as a band, and it emphasized the compositional aspect. We wanted to make an album that really showcased the compositions we were creating, and weren’t thinking too much about how it compared to our live performances. However, as soon as we finished recording the album, we started doing our residency at Red Fez, and our approach to performance continued to evolve based on sharing the energy with the crowd; by the time we actually released the album, some six months or so later, we were already doing all of the songs much differently from what they sounded like on the album. For booking purposes it was difficult to use that material, as it didn’t really offer the full impact of the live performance experience. Still, I think it’s a beautiful album, and have always been quite happy with it. But, as I said, I think “Everything Is Music” comes nearer to the kind of energy we have as a live band, while still showcasing the compositional aspect. There’s also a wider base of contribution in the songwriting, because the group has expanded. I think on our next album, we’ll be getting even more of that. We’ve already gotten started on that.

TA: How has your style evolved over the years?

RR: As far as describing our music to someone who hasn’t heard it before, it’s very difficult. I often find it works best to talk first about our instrumentation: Persian vocals, flamenco guitar, oud, two violins, sitar, upright bass, west African percussion, Indian and Arabic percussion, and drumset; and then about our process: original music created in a collaborative way by skilled and sensitive musicians who draw from their respective tastes and traditions, who want to make people feel what we feel – ecstasy – and dance.

There is both well-crafted composition and spontaneity in the music. Mohammad takes many of his lyrics from the timeless mystical poetry of Persia, medieval poets like Rumi and Khayyam. It is the music of planet Earth and the universe. It’s “old soul” and “young spirit” music.

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

KLRU celebrates NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Ladonna Harris: INDIAN 101

WARRIORS RETURN

Monday, November 2, at 10 pm

Monday, November 9, at 10:30 pm

This documentary profiles Comanche activist LaDonna Harris, who led an extensive life of political and social activism.

Follows the story of Navajo veterans of beautiful Canyon de Chelly, AZ who have served as Code Talkers in WWII, Army Rangers in Viet Nam and most recently in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Also This Month

Indie Lens Pop-Up screening of

Get the complete list at klru.org

In Their Words:

Central Texas Gardener

MIMI AND DONA

Songwriting with Soldiers

For 64 years, Mimi has cared for her daughter Dona, who has an intellectual disability. Now that Mimi is 92 years old she must face the inevitable: to find Dona a home.

Follow volunteers and professional songwriters as they work with soldiers and veterans to write songs about their military experience to help with the healing process.

Tuesday, November 3rd, at 7 pm at the Austin Public Library Windsor Park Branch 5833 Westminster Dr., Austin, TX, 78723

Visit the Warrior and Family Support System gardens at Fort Sam Houston for emotional, powerful, and encouraging stories about a beautiful garden designed for healing veterans including burn patients.

Thursday, November 5, at 7:30 pm

Saturday, November 7, at noon and 4 pm

Taking Care of Trees

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

Literary legend Gaiman promises an evening full of ‘delight’

Architects of Air return with new luminarium: Pentalum

By Meredith C. Cox

By Erica Stall Wiggins

Neil Gaiman is more than just an author. While a large portion of his fan base comes from his science fiction and fantasy work, Gaiman is the type of writer who appeals to variety of people over a diverse age range. You might know him from his wildly popular comic book series “The Sandman,” or maybe you’ve read one of his award-winning novels like “Stardust,” “American Gods” or “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” (or perhaps you’ve seen one of the many films or TV shows adapted from his novels). Or maybe your children are fans of his young adult fiction like “Coraline” or “The Graveyard Book.” Based on his talent and reception of his books, it’s no surprise that Gaiman has been the recipient of four Hugos and two Nebula awards, along with the Newbery and Carnegie Medals, all for his various creative works, along with a host of other awards.

Austin residents will be treated to a feast of the senses when Architects of Air return to the Long Center with a new “luminarium,” a monumental inflatable structure designed to generate a sense of wonder at the beauty of light and color.

No matter what work your admiration of Gaiman comes from, you now have the chance to see him in a live event hosted at the Long Center this month. In “An Evening with Neil Gaiman,” the author will be on hand to tell stories, read stories, answer questions from the audience, and in his own words, “amaze, befuddle, and generally

delight.” This is an exceptional opportunity to spend a couple of hours with one of the most prolific modern fiction writers in person, and have the opportunity to pick his brain for answers to all of your burning “American Gods” questions.

Gaiman will also be promoting his most recent work—“The Sleeper and the Spindle”—a reimagined fairytale of a Snow White and Sleeping Beauty-esque protagonist. But in true Gaiman fashion, there’s also a strand of dark magic in the tale, all brought to life through the illustrations of Chris Riddell.

“An Evening with Neil Gaiman” should be on the “must” list of every literary lover in Austin.

Friday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m., Long Center, tix at http:// thelongcenter.org/event/neil-gaiman.

Texas is having its 31st annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Sunday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m. The service is free and open to the public. Join fellow Austinites of

every

faith

tradition

to

celebrate what we are thankful for, together. The location is St. John Regular Baptist Association (7501 Blessing Ave.) The service is a family-friendly, and there is free parking. For more, go to interfaithtexas.org 14 TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

The international success of Architects of Air has grown out of a theatre project for people with learning disabilities. Accessibility to the widest audience has always been a central goal of their work, and these installations are appreciated by all ages, all cultures and all abilities. The luminaria and can be accessed by the elderly and wheelchair users.

The interactive, life-size sculpture will be installed on the West Lawn and open to visitors from Nov. 20-29.

Once installed and inflated, the sculpture will be visible from across the city, including downtown Austin and all along Lady Bird Lake and the trails.

Visitors who enter the structure experience a spectacular and surreal world, spending up to 30 minutes touring the visually stunning interiors of the luminarium. Light and color combine for an intense experience that lends itself to meditation, relaxation and fun.

Built in 2013, Pentalum is a celebration of the beauty of geometry and represents a new step in the evolution of luminarium design. Taking the best from what has been learned from past structures, designers have achieved greater control over the inflated form. Functionally this means improvements in safety and in modularity

Texas Conference for Women explores passion turned purpose

Interfaith Action of Central

but, most importantly, this new luminarium is one of the most visually exciting ever built.

By Monica Peña

This year’s Texas Women’s Conference, the largest personal and professional networking event for women in Texas, was attended by a sold-out audience of 7,000 women and featured more than 100 speakers. Conference attendees heard keynotes from Candy Chang, TED fellow; urban space designer and artist, and Bert Jacobs, co-founder and chief executive optimist of the Life is Good Company, and Robin Roberts, Good Morning America co-anchor.

“When your passion becomes your purpose wonderful things happen,” Roberts told her Good Morning America colleague, Tory Johnson, in a conversation about faith, family and resilience after facing two life threatening illnesses.

Calling on women to “stand together and work together,” Patricia Arquette told attendees at the 16th annual conference that “we have a chance, after more than two centuries, to finally gain equality for women once and for all.” Arquette, an activist and Academy Award winning actress for her performance in “Boyhood,” issued an urgent call for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and for gender wage equality – a topic she raised in her 2015 Academy Award acceptance speech. “If women were paid dollar for dollar what their white male counterparts are, 33 million women and children living in poverty in the USA would no longer be,” Arquette said. “Anyone who understands economics will understand this as the huge opportunity it is.”

Bert Jacobs, co-founder and Chief Executive Optimist of the Life is Good Company. Jacobs was keynote at the Texas Conference for Women. His energizing and inspiring speech was topic of conversation throughout the day. Jacobs and his brother John launched their business with $78 in their pockets, selling t-shirts in the streets of Boston. Today, Life is Good is a $100

This stunning installation will be open to the public weekdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., weekends from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving).

Tickets are available at the Long Center, same day as entrance. $12 per person over 18 years old, $8 for ages 3-17, and, children two and under are free (Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult - one adult for every four children).

million positive lifestyle brand sold by over 4,000 retailers across the US and Canada. When asked about the company growths and how they continue to keep brand integrity, Jacobs answered there was three things that could never change, “mission, values, and vision.” Going through his business venture with his brother, he shared that the big perk of working with his brother is the trust. His advice for maximizing optimism was determining the purpose of your life.

Industry and thought leaders from across the country led breakout sessions on topics including leadership, career advancement, personal branding, social media, health and wellness, finance, and more. Conference attendees participated in the popular Career Pavilion where they received resume reviews by human resource experts and had one-on-one “speed coaching” sessions with coaches from the Austin Chapter of the International Coach Federation and Texas Women in Business.

This year, attendees also took advantage of exciting new offerings including the Small Business Marketplace, where participants made product pitches on the VistaPrint stage to Tory Johnson, of Good Morning America’s “Deals and Steals,” as well as marketing workshops and one-on-one business counseling.

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

Jazz at St. James’ Festival

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

The Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7, is the largest annual Native American gathering in Texas. Join tribes from across the country at the 24th version of a day of indigenous American pride with traditional dancers, singers, arts and crafts artisans and storytellers gathered. The free event is 9 a.m.-10 p.m. at Toney Burger Center (3200 Jones Road). austinpowwow.net India Fine Arts’ production, “Fire and Ash,” is a confluence of four art forms – Indian classical and folk music, poetry, dance and theater. The performance’s theme focuses on the destruction of negative forces and rejuvenation of positive energies. With live music

by Savita Narasimhan and dance by Anjana Anand.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 5 p.m. at Dell Fine Arts Center, St. Andrew Episcopal School. austinifa.org

St. James’ Episcopal Church The Jazz at St. James’ Concert Series celebrates its 21st year of world-class jazz performances with master vibraphonist Steve Nelson, sponsored by the University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement and The Austin Jazz Society. All events in the concert series take place at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 1941 Webberville Rd. Tickets for each evening are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Student tickets are $15 with a student ID. Jazz at St. James’ is an annual concert series dedicated to promoting the medium of jazz, and supporting jazz musicians in the diverse and welcoming community of St. James’ Episcopal Church.

The series opens Friday, Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-show social hour (hors d’oeuvres and beverages) in the Founders Hall. Bob & Britt Alexius begin the evening program with the Karen & Gianni Quintet opening at 7 p.m. for Steve Nelson with the James Gilyard Trio.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, the series continues with a Master Class at 1 p.m. conducted by Nelson and the Gilyard Trio. Jazz students in area schools may attend this Master Class free of admission.

“Jazz in the Starry Starry Night” banquet is at 5 p.m. featuring the music of The Philip Marshal Trio with Hope Morgan. At 7 p.m., the Pamela York Quartet sets the stage for Nelson’s and the Gilyard Trio’s’ second concert. Jazz Church Service on Sunday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m., is also free and open to the public.

All proceeds from the event go to fund the music program of St. James’. Tickets are available at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., or online at jazzatstjames.org

Austin Celtic Festival brings throngs of Central Texas Celts to Fiesta Gardens, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8.

Multi-stage and programming of all things Celtic on the shores of Ladybird Lake, the 19th annual family friendly event is fun for all ages. With world-class music, dance, food, sports, games and more. Note that all ticket purchases ($18/day) must be made online at austincelticfestival.com Austin Shakespeare’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” is Nov. 18- Dec. 6 in the Rollins Studio Theatre. In the sultry streets of New Orleans, passions flare and cultures collide in Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece. Blanche DuBois, a fading relic of the Old South, searches for refuge at her sister’s home, only to collide with reality in the form of her brutish brother-inlaw. thelongcenter.org In his young career, ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro has redefined a heretofore under-the-radar instrument, been declared a musical “hero” by Rolling Stone, won accolades from the disparate likes of Eddie Vedder, Perez Hilton and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, wowed audiences on TV and earned comparisons to Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis. Saturday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. at Bass Concert Hall. texasperformingarts.org Truong Son Entertainment presents Austin Vietnamese Liveshow: Greatest Vietnamese Hits of the Century, Sunday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. in Dell Hall. Join the Vietnamese American community for a Vietnamesespoken concert with well-known performers from Vietnam, the U.S. and Canada joining together in musical solos as well as short plays and stand-up comedy. Tickets from $54. thelongcenter.org The beloved TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage at the Long Center, Nov. 27-29. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, and of course, Rudolph, in the musical hit of the season: Rudolph the Musical! Songs drive the plot while familiar and nostalgic set designs, costumes and characters are brought to stage. thelongcenter.org

SuicideGirls BLACKHEART BURLESQUE

By Meredith C. Cox

Burlesque has already had a long history in American culture, and it’s still enjoying a resurgence in popularity as an off-beat way to spend an evening. While it originally started as a theatric show of satire and parody, burlesque today more often brings to mind a modern dance and striptease show mixed with comedy and popular music, as popularized by such acts like dancer Dita von Teese, the musical group The Pussycat Dolls, or the wonderfully awful 2010 film “Burlesque,” starring Cher and Christina Aguilera.

During burlesque’s mini-revival in the mid-1990s, several new acts got in on the action, one of them being the SuicideGirls: an online community of pin-up models that takes the archetype of new burlesque and builds on it. Their website has always featured pin-up-inspired photos and highlighted models who are considered alternative by their mainstream counterparts—meaning mostly they have more outrageous hair colors, more piercings, and more tattoos. But the online site has also produced a show: Blackheart Burlesque, touring since 2003. In fact, it’s the most popular touring burlesque show in America, featuring impressively choreographed dances, plenty of pop culture references, an indie soundtrack, and oh yes, lots of mostly naked women.

If you’ve seen a burlesque show before, Blackheart Burlesque is probably a bit nerdier and more bizarre. Yes, there’s dancing and yes, there’s nudity, but it’s nudity to the soundtrack of Star Wars, superheroes and Pikachu.

Its focus is more on fun instead of the “tease” part of more traditional burlesque. Expect dirty mouths, dirty jokes and audience participation.

The show is at Emo’s and will have both standing and seated general admission. There are also VIP tickets available if you’re interested in meeting the performers beforehand and getting a photo op. And it probably goes without saying, but this is an 18 and up show, on account of the mostly naked ladies dancing on stage.

DETAILS: Emo’s, Friday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m., tix at emosaustin TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 15

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Texas Performing arTs Los Lobos with Ballet Folklorico Mexicano

Fiesta Mexico Americana: A Celebration of MexicanAmerican Heritage Feb 11 baSS concerT hall

A celebration highlighting the many achievements of Mexican-Americans featuring two California originals.

Upcoming Performances

Mexrrissey

Opening Set by Yuna

David Finckel and Wu Han, cello and piano

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David Daniels, countertenor

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eighth blackbird Murder Ballades

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Jake Shimabukuro

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Dave Douglas and Uri Caine, Don Byron

Ja n 2 2

Fifth House Ensemble

Ja n 2 9

New York Polyphony

F eb 5

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan

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eighth blackbird Hand Eye

Mar 10

Patty Griffin, Sara Watkins and AnaĂŻs Mitchell

Ma r 2 2

Dec 3 / baSS concerT hall

A night of world music featuring a border-defying young singer-songwriter from Malaysia and a supergroup playing Morrissey’s music with a Latin twist.

texasperformingarts.org $10 Student / $12 Military Tickets

Join the conversation!

F /texasperformingarts L@tpapresents I @tpapresents

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

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