TODO Austin July 2017

www.todoaustin.com

There is a sanctuary in our hearts.

VOLUME IX / JUL 2017

LQBTQ Commission Pan Am Concert Series Hot Summer Nights Jump On It

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

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Great British Baking Show

POV Presenting Princess Shaw

Wild Alaska Live

Follow the trials and tribulations of passionate amateur bakers whose goal is to be named the U.K.’s best.

View the extraordinary true story of an aspiring musician down on her luck, who inspired internationally famous YouTube artist Kutiman to create a magical collaboration.

Airing live with hosts Martin and Chris Kratt watch the must-see natural spectacle as thousands of the world’s wildest animals gather for a summer feast.

Fridays at 8 pm

Monday, July 17th at 9 pm

Sundays at 7pm starting July 23rd

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

accept input through Saturday, July 15. For more information visit austintexas.gov/budget.

LULAC sets 2020 Austin date The League of United Latin American Citizens’s Texas-state members gathered at the 88th LULAC State Convention and Exhibition in Corpus Christi June 15-18. Founded in 1929, LULAC is the oldest and most widely respected Hispanic civil rights organization in the U.S., created at a time when Hispanics were denied basic civil and human rights.

At the 2017 state convention, LULAC District VII of Austin won the bid for hosting the convention in 2020. The convention will highlight issues on subjects such as education, health, veteran affairs, employment and workforce, medical consumer rights and responsibilities, immigration issues and much more. The 2020 statewide convention will include exhibits and many first ever events and collaborations.

Art Space Assistance grants In response to Austin’s dramatic growth over the past decade, with substantially higher rents and fewer spaces for local artists to rehearse, create, and perform, the City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division announced the Art Space Assistance Program to assist arts organizations facing displacement, those previously displaced, or those facing lease renewals at significantly higher rates with grants to be used for tenant improvements or rent stipends.

Grants will be made on a competitive basis, and priority will be given to organizations confronting immediate and critical needs. Nonprofits serving high at-risk/disadvantage communities, ALAANA (African-, Latino, Asian, Arab- and Native American) communities, and women organizations are encouraged to apply.

Animal Shelter KittyPalooza The heat is on, so it’s the “purrfect” time to join a bunch of really cool cats at the 10th annual KittyPalooza. This year’s event will run from 11 a.m.7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 1-2, at the Austin Animal Center. At this event, adoption fees for all shelter pets will be waived and all cats and dogs will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated—a value of more than $200.

Austin 3-1-1 wins award The Austin 3-1-1 mobile app has been chosen Best App by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO). The TAMI award, which was announced at the TAMIO conference on June 8, recognizes the best use of an app for a city service based on its effectiveness, design and content. The app currently features 25 service request types including Food Complaint, Graffiti Removal and Water Waste Report. The app also includes notes entered by City staff, allowing the public to see what actions have been taken with their request.

Austin Budget Simulator input The City of Austin Budget Office is seeking resident input and feedback on City services and budget priorities as part of the budget development process.

To have your voice heard, use the Austin Budget Simulator to provide your funding preferences for 11 City of Austin service areas. The Austin Budget Simulator is designed to be accessible and inclusive, with versions in English and Spanish, both compatible with screen-reading technology. You can also provide input by calling the City of Austin Budget Office at 512-974-1380. The simulator will

Free library videoconferencing New videoconferencing technology at nine Austin library branches will makes connectivity easier and more accessible for civic engagement, military families, community organizations, small start-up businesses and to connect homebound individuals to community meetings held at libraries. Visit library. austintexas.gov/videoconferencing for info.

LULAC District VII of Austin wins state bid

According to the Texas Civil Rights Project, every Texan deserves to live with dignity, and the discriminatory “show me your papers” law, Senate Bill 4, is a threat to millions of immigrants and people of color in the state.

SB4 violates several rights enshrined in the Constitution. At its core, the law violates the 14th amendment because it was adopted to target immigrants, Latinos, and people of color in Texas. The disparate impact is a direct threat to the guarantee of equal protection under law.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett

On June 28, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Democrat on the House Ways & Means Tax Policy Subcommittee and former justice on the Texas Supreme Court, spoke on the House Floor in support of the immigrant community and local law enforcement and against the misleadingly-named Republican bill, “No Sanctuary for Criminals Act” and Texas Senate Bill 4 (SB4).

“This bill wrongfully endorses political interference with professional law enforcement leaders. With no legal authority, both President Trump and his Texas look-alike Governor Greg Abbott, want to deny funds and intimidate local governments who rightfully refuse to place

Volume IX, Number 3

Langford, César E. López Linares, Genoveva Rodriguez, Diana Sanchez

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

PRODUCTION SERVICES // Anthony Garcia

ART DIRECTOR // Dave McClinton dmdesigninc.com EDITOR //Lesly Reynaga // lesly@todoaustin.com MANAGING EDITOR // Meredith C. Cox meredith@todoaustin.com ASSOCIATE EDITORS // Liz Lopez, Monica Peña, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins, Yvonne Lim Wilson CONTRIBUTING STAFF // Rose Di Grazia, Callie

politics above public safety.

“I would tell my Republican colleague from Georgia and his colleagues that the only lawlessness that exists here is the lawlessness of President Trump in trying to do this to such an extent, a federal court order stopped him. And they will also, I believe, stop Gov. Abbott and his outrageous Senate Bill 4.

“Our police chiefs in San Antonio and in Austin, our courageous Sheriff, Sally Hernandez, they say that maintaining the trust and confidence of the immigrant community to report crime, to be witnesses concerning crime that makes us all safer, immigrant and non-immigrant alike.

“Any proper arrest warrant presented by ICE will be honored everywhere. Detainers, which are merely a bureaucratic message saying the bureaucracy is suspicious of someone and should be imprisoned based on that suspicion, will not be, and federal courts say they should not be, under the Constitution. I would say that the only sanctuary that this bill provides is a sanctuary for prejudice. It is a sanctuary that defies the reality of the America we have today, especially in the Southwest.

Rep. Doggett stated:

LULAC District VII of Austin wins state bid

Austin’s MULTICULTURAL media source for EIGHT YEARS • Find us at TODOAustin.com

U.S. Rep. Doggett: AntiImmigrant Bill Puts Politics Over Public Safety

CONTRIBUTORS // Alka Bhanot, Roy Casagranda, Cat Cardenas, Cindy Casares, Evelyn C. Castillo, Lobo Corona, Kate Winkler Dawson, Nora De LaRosa, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Yadira Izquierdo, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ali Khataw, Ramey Ko, Harish Kotecha, Sonia Kotecha, Julia Lee, Sanford Levinson, Isabel Lopez-Aguilar, Cristina Parker, Carola Rivera, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Sameer Shah, Blake Shanley, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Rama Tiru, Carola Rivera, Blanca Valencia, Lesley Varghese, Lichen Zhen ONLINE EDITION // TODOAustin.com

“We should reject this bill and affirm welcoming cities, like mine, that are a refuge to anti-immigrant hysteria. But have a strong commitment to safety and to effective law enforcement, and looking to our local law enforcement, not some political interference in Washington to tell us how to protect our families.

“This very week, four years ago, an overwhelming bipartisan United States Senate majority, approved comprehensive immigration reform. And like the amendments that are being blocked today, these Republicans were so fearful that that bill might become a law, they will not even permit us to debate it four years later on the floor of this House. Instead of this anti-immigrant hysteria, instead of this sorry piece of legislation, what we need is broad immigration reform and we need it now.”

COVER // Marco Galaviz Luna Photo 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. © 2017 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.

ADVERTISING/SUBMISSIONS/EDITORIAL: info@todoaustin.com, 512.538.4115 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2017 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03

Pulling Out of Paris Accord Puts Americans at Risk

By Kate Winkler Dawson

“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” President Donald Trump bragged as he announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate accord — a plan meant to fight climate change. How sadly ironic. He was boasting about representing people in one of the most polluted cities in the country.

As Trump moves to reverse plans to curb global warming and reduce air pollution, such as lifting a moratorium on coal leasing on federal lands and rolling back fuel economy standards for cars, a troubling and deadly history threatens to repeat itself in some of the very states that voted him into office, like Pennsylvania and Texas.

Long considered a proud member of “coal country,” with five coal-fired plants nearby, the Pittsburgh area has consistently been rated as one of the top 10 U.S. cities with the dirtiest air, according to the American Lung Association’s 2017 “State of the Air” report.

Pennsylvania has gravitated away from coal and toward natural gas, a cheaper and more abundant fuel source, but the air is still dangerous. And as history shows, under the right weather conditions polluted air can turn deadly.

On Oct. 27, 1948, the mill town of Donora, Pennsylvania, sat under an anticyclone — a temperature inversion of high atmospheric pressure, sealing a lid over the town and trapping the pollution from a nearby zinc plant and steel smelting plant. Donora’s toxic smog lasted for five days, killed 20 people and sickened thousands. But this was not a lone event.

Four years later, there was another devastating smog, this time in London. As many as 12,000 people died from the choking five-day toxic fog also caused by coal, as well as diesel 04 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2017 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

pollution from London’s vaunted doubledecker bus fleet. Millions more suffered from respiratory issues that shortened their lives.

The Great Smog of 1952 was the world’s deadliest air pollution disaster — a humanmade catastrophe that has never been surpassed.

The world has since made tremendous progress in how we generate energy, and the air is much cleaner thanks in no small part to the air-quality laws passed in the United Kingdom in 1956 and the United States in 1970 — both in direct response to those disasters.

But America is now at risk of backsliding. This year, Pittsburgh’s county, Allegheny, received a failing grade from the American Lung Association for air quality. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso were in the top 20 cities with the highest levels of ozone.

Texas and Pennsylvania aren’t the only states in danger. Coal mining hubs in Kentucky and West Virginia topped the list for worst air quality. Those states also voted overwhelmingly for Trump.

But even blue states such as California aren’t immune. Almost 40 percent of the nation lives in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, deadly poisons that can shorten lives.

When Trump loosens energy regulations, air quality will only worsen — and major cities like Houston, Dallas and Pittsburgh are at risk.

Lifting regulations on fossil fuel production and rolling back vehicle emission standards will contribute to poor health, even premature deaths.

Trump’s decisions about the environment endanger our health. Americans must elect state legislators who will refuse to cut funds to agencies that protect environmental quality — something that happened in Texas in April.

Voters must support the almost 200 mayors who pledged to honor the Paris Agreement.

And Americans have to hold federal lawmakers accountable during next year’s midterm elections.

The lessons of London’s Great Smog of 1952 and Donora, Pennsylvania, should not be forgotten. Pollution threatens our air — and our lives.

Kate Winkler Dawson is a senior lecturer of journalism at The University of Texas at Austin.

What Are “Sincerely Held Religious Beliefs?”

Nobody Really Knows

By Sanford Levinson

In its professed zeal to protect religious Texans, the state Legislature has included within an increasing number of laws exemptions for those with “sincerely held religious beliefs.” Unfortunately, lawyers remain uncertain about the scope of “religious liberty” that it seemingly protects.

One might begin with some practical examples of conduct that are not protected under almost all current readings of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which is the basis of almost all current litigation involving national law.

Consider Jehovah’s Witnesses who might demand that their children not receive blood transfusions because of their undoubtedly sincere belief that it is the “drinking of blood” that is prohibited by the Bible.

There are now multiple cases that reject this claim of parental authority, however sincerely religious it might be, because of the obvious threat to the life of the child. Courts have therefore ordered that transfusions be given.

So one should wonder whether a religious parent could invoke a “spare the rod and spoil the child” defense if charged with child abuse; could an abusive husband quote the Bible to defend “chastisement” of his wife for disobedience? One would hope not.

Courts have also been notably inhospitable to individuals claiming that their idiosyncratic religions require the smoking of marijuana.

Quite often, the judges reveal their obvious skepticism about the “sincerity” of the religious beliefs.

But an especially important Supreme Court decision in 1990 upheld the law against illegal drug use for participants in well-established

Native American religious ceremonies that involved peyote.

No one doubted the sincerity of the beliefs, but the “war on drugs” took precedence, according to six of the justices. It was this decision that triggered the almost unanimous passage of RFRA, which ultimately led the court in the 2015 Hobby Lobby case to adopt the catchphrase “sincerely held religious beliefs” that was seized by the Texas Legislature.

It cannot be the case that all actions are exempted from potential punishment if one can justify them on the basis of a “sincerely held religious belief.” Inevitably, we must pick and choose, with precious little genuine guidance from lawmakers or the Supreme Court.

Ultimately, we rely far more on general cultural norms as to what we wish to tolerate at a given time. Those who support a baker’s refusal to sell a cake to be used in a samesex marriage are unlikely to be sympathetic if the same baker, quoting another passage of Scripture, refuses to sell a cake to an interracial couple.

It is tempting to think that proponents of “religious liberty” are all politically conservative. That is a mistake.

Consider, for example, the contemporary issue of providing “sanctuary” to undocumented aliens being threatened by state and national policies.

Even if one can scarcely ascribe religious sensibilities to the cities that are refusing to collaborate with the national government, that is clearly not the case with regard to members of various churches who might decide that the biblical command to “remember that you were strangers in the land of Egypt” requires standing in solidarity with their threatened neighbors.

Will would-be devotees of religious liberty who are obsessed with issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage be equally sympathetic to claims made by those giving sanctuary to people that some consider to be mere criminals instead of vulnerable fellow human beings deserving of our help?

At the very least, it should be clear that the four words selected by the Texas Legislature generate an almost endless set of issues and, undoubtedly, future cases to be litigated.

Sanford Levinson is the W. St. John Garwood and W. St. John Garwood, Jr. Centennial Chair in Law at The University of Texas at Austin.

Families Gallery. Our permanent exhibit on Austin AfricanAmerican families highlights 10 families who have contributed greatly to the Central Texas landscape. From the area’s first black settlements to some of this generation’s strongest community leaders, this interactive gallery explores the history of Austin’s African-American community.

The Children’s Gallery, entitled Let’s Pretend Dr. Carver!, is a handson look at famous African-American scientists and inventors.

Children can learn about some of history’s most creative minds while seeing that they, too, can achieve great things when they put their own minds to work.

Our newest permanent exhibit honors Old L.C. Anderson High School and her alumnae. Anderson was the school that African Americans went to prior to integration in the Austin Community.

This exhibit spotlights the prestige and accomplishments of the student body in sports, music and academia through artifacts, oral histories and yearbook imagery.

Hope & Glory: Frederick Douglass. Renowned African American sculptor Tina Allen creates portraits of iconic African Americans connected to life, liberty, and the pursuit of the American dream.

Her bust of Frederick Douglass is featured along with an image of the Emancipation Proclamation.

New exhibit, Sam Z. Coronado Gallery. “The Last Exhibit for the 20th Century.” Pio Pulido’s exhibition is a collection of paintings, prints and sketches of big solitary symbols of mystic realism.

The mystic landscapes and unique contemporary works of landscapes displays feelings of the Cold War era. “This exhibit is focused on educational, cultural, and charitable themes,” he states. “For the most part, the exhibit embodies canvases that uses singular basic symbolism. These works can best be described using the term ‘magic realism,’ a description given to the literature of Latin American novelists like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Carlos Fuentes.” Exhibit through August 26.

and freedoms are still being attacked, and complex intersectional issues demand that a diverse set of voices work together to address these problems.”

By Carola Rivera

“We stand up for human rights. We stand up for equality. We stand up for equal protection under the laws; for governance that represents us; for the ability to love our neighbors as ourselves... It is reflective of who we are,” stated Mayor Adler during the June 20 press conference. “Austin has the largest LGBTQ community per capita in the country. Today’s meeting shows, yet again, additional progress toward a more perfect union to a city which represents all of its residents.”

On June 20, Mayor Steve Adler and Austin City Council Member Jimmy Flannigan launched the historic first meeting of the City of Austin LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission, introducing the inaugural commission members.

“The commission’s work comes at a critical time when LGBTQ Austinites and their families face new threats of discrimination,” said Council Member Flannigan, the first openly gay man to be elected to Austin City Council. “In 2017, hard fought rights

Summer Festival. This interactive event is presented by Austin Japanese Minyo Group Okinawa Dance - Miyagi Ryu Austin Taiko. You are invited to learn Japanese Dance with us! This is a FREE event for all ages. For more information call (512)422-0816.

Saturday, July 15, 1-3 p.m. Culture & Fashion Explorations Workshop.

Did you miss the Culture and Fashion Workshop in June? Don’t worry! There is another workshop this month. Mark your calendars and register with us. Classroom 8.

Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. / Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m.-5

New exhibit, Community Gallery. “Home Is Where the Heart Is: Voices From Within.” Gloria Espitia’s historical and societal photographic exhibit chronicles the housescapes and living conditions of local Mexican American residents, in particular east and south Austin dating back from the late 1800s to the 1980s. The exhibit will also highlight the contributions of the homeowners to their neighborhoods and Austin. Short oral history snippets, documentaries, artifacts, newspaper articles and other research documentation helps to enhance the exhibit.

Exhibit runs through October 14.

Austin taking strides with firstever LGBTQ Commission meeting Last October, Mayor Steve Adler called for the formation of an LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission to further the city’s mission to analyze and serve the needs of Austin’s diversifying population. Adler’s call to form an LGBTQ commission adds another essential link to the city’s cultural commissions that already include African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic groups.

Saturday, July 8, 1-3 p.m. Bon Odori & Tanabata Matsuri Japanese

This historic first meeting of the new Austin LGBTQ Commission occurred during National LGBT Pride Month, representing years of diligence on the part of many local activists, city staffers, and elected officials, including the first openly LGBTQ person elected to Austin City Council, former Council Member Randi Shade.

p.m. Prayer Phone, a handmade altar with a disconnected phone, is an invitation to the public to “call” their deceased loved ones while giving offerings and prayers. This project reflects a common custom of many Asian traditions: commemorating ancestors and venerating the spirit world. Zen Garden.

Monday, June 26 through Friday, July 7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. AARC Summer Camp: Art & Mindfulness. Two-week session, in which youth create expressive Asian art forms and incorporate mindfulness techniques in developing awareness and being present. Ages 5-10, Registration required, Classrooms 2 & 3.

authority than that of authoritarian, nationalistic politicians who put their own thirst for power ahead of the ethical and moral responsibilities of justice and equality,” said LGBTQ Advisory Group Commissioner Paula Buls. “The formation of this commission is one small but vital measure that Austin takes to stand for those values.”

Dr. Victor Martinez, LGBTQ Advisory Group Commissioner, emphasized the importance of advancing local policy in the face of state-level resistance against LGBTQ friendly laws.

“The city is very progressive, but we still live in Texas, so it is perfectly legal for somebody to fire me because I happen to be gay,” expressed LGBTQ Advisory Group Commissioner Dr. Victor Martinez. “That causes higher unemployment rates in the LGBTQ community, which leads to disproportionate poverty in our community and results in bad healthcare that contributes to the issues some of our community members suffer

from. I want to be able to work with the council to move forward proposals that will help alleviate those issues.”

Charles Loosen, Interim Assistant City Manager Sara Hensley, and Interim City Manager’s Chief of Staff Ray Baray will serve as the commission’s city staff liaisons. Additionally, four more commission slots will be elected by the first 11 members to complement the City appointees’ skill set.

“There’s a very diverse set of experience [among newly appointed commission],” said Council Member Flannigan. “We’ve got folks who have served in commissions before; we have folks that are new; we have folks with government experience and private sector experience... But we also wrote the ordinance for this commission very specifically to include four at large positions. We encourage community members to apply through the City website.”

After an extensive public input process, 11 members have been appointed by each of the 10 Council Members and the Mayor to represent the rich diversity and complexity within Austin’s vibrant LGBTQ community and make up the initial commission. The Austin Police Department LGBT Outreach Office of Community Liaison Charles Loosen and LGBTQ Commission members were also present at the announcement of the historic meeting.

“The spirit of Austin cannot be so easily quelled.

I believe the people of Austin report to a higher TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2017 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

Council Member Casar steers Austin’s fight against SB 4

By Lesly Reynaga

The legislative session that ended in May brought to light one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in modern state history--Senate Bill 4. Better known as Governor Greg Abbott’s crackdown on “sanctuary cities,” SB 4 is facing widespread resistance from pro-immigrant communities around Texas. At the local level, District 4 Council Member Greg Casar has been a major player in steering the legal battle against the measure.

“This is bigger than Texas,” Casar said. “If Senate Bill 4 is allowed to go into effect, we can expect similar laws across the country. Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, recently called Texas Senate Bill 4 a ‘positive step’ that ‘makes sense for the citizens of our country.’”

SB 4 will ban any policy that limits cooperation with federal immigration agents and threatens to fine or jail elected officials who run into conflict with its provisions. The law will also allow police to question the immigration status of anyone being detained or arrested thanks to what’s called the “show me your papers” provision. The law is set to take effect September 1.

Austin and Travis County are not alone in the fight against the measure. Cities and counties across Texas, including San Antonio, Bexar County, Dallas, El Paso, El Cenizo and Houston have joined in challenging SB 4 in court.

“Mayor Steve Adler, Council Member Garza, Council Member Renteria, and I all filed sworn

declarations with federal court to show how dangerous and unlawful SB 4 is,” Casar stated.

“From the beginning, we knew we’d probably have both the Governor’s Mansion and the White House against us in this fight. But our community is not backing down, so your City Council is not backing down.”

The lawsuit contends a broad range of violations, with the most crucial arguments centered on the First, Fourth and 14th amendments, as well as the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.

The suit claims SB 4 violates the First Amendment rights of elected and appointed officials by threatening to punish them if they support any policy that limits local enforcement of immigration laws. This subjects sheriffs, constables, police chiefs and other local leaders to Class A misdemeanor charges, which attorneys such as Texas Civil Rights Project’s Efrén Olivares consider unconstitutional.

“Government cannot tell you what to say or not to say based on the content of what you’re saying, which is exactly what SB 4 does,” Olivares said. “This law presents some very complicated constitutional questions and raises constitutional concerns.”

Additionally, the law will require jails to comply with all immigration detainers, or requests from the federal government to local jails to hold someone beyond when they would normally be released so immigration agents can potentially deport them.

Attorneys say such clause violates the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable seizure.

The suit supports the hundreds who testified against the bill in the Legislature claiming that SB 4 is racially discriminatory, which is, in legal terms, a violation to the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

The suit argues the law will disproportionately impact the Latino community in Texas, allowing police to profile Hispanics as potential undocumented immigrants. According to the

Marco Galaviz Luna Photo

litigators, the law’s “show-me-your-papers” provision ensures that brown-skinned or Spanishspeaking Texans can be asked about their immigration status even during routine traffic stops.

Lastly, the suit argues that SB 4 undermines the authority of the federal government, violating the Supremacy Clause. The suit argues that immigration is strictly the feds’ domain and, therefore, states cannot change or create their own immigration laws. For instance, states cannot make optional immigration detainers mandatory.

The youngest City Council Member in Austin’s history, Greg Casar is an avid supporter of civil rights. Last June, he was arrested along with nearly two dozen other protesters cited for criminal trespassing after staging a sit-in at the Governor’s office. Immigrant community members, faith leaders and other elected officials were at the Texas State Capitol in protest of the bill, which is expected to head to Abbott’s desk in a few weeks. Protesters urged Abbott to veto the legislation when it gets to his desk. If he does sign the bill into law, however, the group says they will continue with protests in the streets.

“Through this law, he [Abbott] cannot coerce us into betraying our immigrant communities, into turning our police against our immigrant communities,” Casar said. “And even though this law tries to criminalize elected officials and even remove them from office for fighting for immigrants, we’re not going to be coerced and bullied into doing that.”

Marco Galaviz Luna Photo

Casar’s involvement in pro-immigrant should come to no surprise based on his record. He’s a native Texan and the son of Mexican immigrants He previously served as policy director for Workers Defense Project and spearheaded campaigns that won major policy reforms to improve wages, education and workplace safety across Austin,

garnering national attention. His priorities as a City official include social equity, shared prosperity, affordability, environmental stewardship and public safety.

Casar authored the initiative making Austin the first Fair Chance Hiring city in the South. These new rules provide an opportunity for Austinites to be judged based on their potential rather than solely on their conviction history. He sponsored and passed over a dozen major housing initiatives aimed at keeping working-class and middleclass people in Austin. These initiatives dedicated unprecedented amounts of city budget dollars to affordable housing construction and rehabilitation programs, and made changes in Austin’s urban planning to combat economic segregation in housing.

He has advocated for a comprehensive community policing program for North Austin and better staffing for emergency services workers.

He worked to bring several new or improved park spaces to District 4, which has the least amount of park space out of all City Council districts. Casar initiated policies to raise the minimum wage for both city employees and private-sector workers on city contracts. He also fought to ensure North Austin’s transportation issues are a priority for all of City Hall by dedicating funding to fix Austin’s most dangerous intersections—many of those in District 4—and worked with constituents to bring needed sidewalks and crosswalks to neighborhood schools.

It is a pivotal time for Austin’s growing Latino population to stand up and defy laws that attempt to diminish a community that has been part of this state and country’s history long before it became what it is today. Luckily, Austin is not alone in the fight. “Abbott and Trump want immigrants and their families in our community to live in fear every day,” Casar assured. “There’s just one thing standing in the way: all of us.”

FREE

JULY 2017 FEATURED EVENTS: “Wizard of Oz” on the hillside, July 7th - 30th, 8pm Bring your own wand!

Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr. More information at: austintexas.gov/zilkerhillsidetheater

Summertide Celebration, July 8th 1-4pm Kid friendly music, interactive art, games & food India’s Kubmh Mela-Greg Davis Photography, July 15th - Aug 13th Faith, Devotion and Purpose; National Geographic Creative Partner Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd. More information at: austintexas.gov/dac

Meet Her Hands, July 13th, 6:30 - 8:30pm Boss Babes ATX spotlight female Austin artists Ney Museum, 304 East 44th St. More information at: elisabetneymuseum.org

Gospel; Exhibit Opening Reception, July 22nd, 6:30 - 8:30pm Live performances and exhibit featuring Texas Gospel Carver Museum & Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St. More information at: carvermuseum.org

Visit our Facebook page for all upcoming events! 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 512-974-3914.

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!!!

JULY Line-up

TACO BAR

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

OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING” -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 7/1 THE BREW @ 2:30 / EL TULE’ @ 6:30 SUN 7/2 R.D.O. @ 12:00 / THE RECUPERATORS @ 3:00 WED 7/5 SUN RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 7/6 LOS FLAMES @ 6:30 FRI 7/7 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 7/8 TEXAS TYCOONS @ 2:30 / MIKE MILLIGAN @ 6:30 SUN 7/9 LEVI E. BAND @ 12:00 / MICHAEL GUERRA & NIGHT’S CALLING @ 3:00 WED 7/12 SUN RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 7/13 JORGE TAMAYO & FRIENDS @ 6:30 FRI 7/14 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 7/15 SOUL MAN SAM @ 2:30 / BORDER SOUL @ 6:30 SUN 7/16 THE HENS @ 12:00 / MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES @ 3:00 WED 7/19 SUN RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 7/20 SPENCER THOMAS @ 6:30 FRI 7/21 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 7/22 ERIN JAIMES @ 2:30 / THE TONY HARISON BAND @ 6:30 SUN 7/23 THE SIDE MEN @ 12:00 / BLUE MIST @ 3:00 WED 7/26 SUN RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 7/27 TEX TOMAS @ 6:30 FRI 7/28 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 7/29 PAUL ORTA & THE KINGPINS @ 2:30 / GLEN COLLINS @ 6:30 SUN 7/30 TRIO MUSICAL @ 12:00 / CHICKEN STRUT @ 3:00

www.GuerosTacoBar.com

Austin’s Hip Hop community taking next steps to solidarity Austin’s long underappreciated but burgeoning Hip Hop community has recently been taking matters into its own hands, from new collaborations to record releases to summits.

Last month, two conversations took place in hopes of building consensus in the community.

The “Hip Hop Rhymes to Business Minds” event at Doris Miller, led by noted Austin musician Terrany Johnson, aka Tee-Double, was hosted in partnership with the new Notes for Notes recording studio program. Though the event saw a modest turnout, the general meet and greet evolved into a roundtable discussion on steps artists can use to become sustainable and better creatives.

“We had people form the tech community present, as well as music industry professionals with over 30 years’ experience in P.R., running record labels, management, branding and more,” said Johnson.

“As the organizer of the event, I kept the dialogue constructive with young artists in attendance, eager to chime in and ask

questions which those in those fields were just as eager to answer and establish relationships beyond the evening’s event.”

With a focus on the urban music community and solidifying that foundation, the urban Artist Alliance has tried to remain at the forefront of new ways to partner with local non-profits to benefit those on the Eastside who don’t have ready access to travel to music industry events downtown and across the city.

“We kept our event in the heart of East Austin and opened our doors and book of knowledge to all who entered,” said Johnson. “It was a huge success and with seeing the spark grow bigger in the young artists’ eyes, I can say we hit a home run. The message is to stay inspired and lead by doing.”

“It was great seeing such an array of people in the room,” said organizer Clifford Gillard. With support from the ATX Music Division, the Austin Music Commission, the African American Advisory Resource Commission and Note for Notes, the event included dialogue and a white board session to take input from participants to develop a position paper with recommendations to improve the hip is recognized as an incubator for innovation,” said Lance McNeill, a consultant with the City of Austin’s Innovation Office. “The collaboration between the ATX H4C tech volunteers and HealthStart has progressed over several years, and we’ve been gratified by the partnership’s success in engineering solutions that will tackle big issues like children’s health.”

HealthStart Foundation, an Austin-based nonprofit, will have the first in a series of digital health education games for kids available for download in time for the new school year. HealthStart and a team of volunteer “hackers” successfully built a prototype for the “Monstralia: A Healthy Life For Your Little Monster” game during the 2015 ATX Hack for Change.

Recent studies report over 91 percent of small children play video games today, but unlike earlier research, these studies have found “games for good” promote learning while holding promise for building new health behaviors. This made a digital game a perfect way to spread HealthStart’s fundamentals to young children.

The game uses concepts from HealthStart’s health education curriculum. Children learn healthy habits by taking care of a baby monster who happens to have the same food, fitness and emotional needs as a human child. HealthStart will release “Monstralia’s Brainstorm Lagoon” in the Fall.

HealthStart returned to ATX Hack for Change in 2017.

“HealthStart is a terrific example of why Austin 08 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2017 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

artists to promote the well-being of the scene in its infant stages.”

“In my opinion one of the biggest things holding the scene back is a sense of unity amongst the artists,” one artist commented. “We have slowly developed individual relationships with venues and promoters. If we were galvanized those relationships would reach much further which result in a much more united front to the city. My theory is that once there is a strong roster of connected artists, the city will become their collective audience, which will result in a much more stronger presence for the local talent. As for now, I feel the surrounding entities are doing as much as they can to help but it is on us entirely as

Another sign of the rising strength of the Hip Hop community is this month’s continuing series of Body Rock ATX events on Friday July 7, 10 p.m. at Empire Control Room & Garage, featuring DJ Chorizo Funk and Chaka + Qi Dada (Riders Against the Storm).

Songs in the Key of Stankonia (Outkast plus Stevie Wonder) is the night’s Stevie Wonder and Outkast tribute theme. A monthly party/jam with DJ Charlie on the patio, Body Rock keeps Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, Reggae, Dancehall, New Jack Swing, Latin, in heavy rotation. Cover is $10 at door. The hosts’ promise is, “your inner visions will show you the way to our Southernplayalstic vibrations.”

Capitol View Arts’ June 16 summit, “What Can We Do To Make Hip-Hop/Urban Music a Sustainable Business In Austin?” delved into revenue development and the economic viability of urban music in Austin.

Gaming for good health: ATX Hack for Change/HealthStart collaboration enters 3rd year

ATX Hack for Change is Austin’s response to the National Day of Civic Hacking, a White House initiative to improve communities through innovative technology.

hop and urban music genres. The end product will be presented to City Council members.

“As 2017 ATX H4C project champions, HealthStart advanced our nutrition education program with “Nutribuild: Building Healthy Kids,” a calculator created to minimize program costs while maximizing our reach,” said Ms. Herskowitz. “We are so grateful to the City of Austin’s Innovation Office and St. Edward’s University for the opportunity to participate in the Hack for Change and allowing us to repeat our previous success.”

Austin Hip Hip Urban Music Summit

SVT’s ‘Works Progress Austin: Cooler Bodies’ Salvage Vanguard Theater (SVT) announces “Works Progress Austin: Cooler Bodies,” featuring a reading of new work by Diana Lynn Small on July 28, 8 p.m. at gray DUCK Gallery/ 2213 E Cesar Chavez St. Tickets are free online or at the door. Reservations for each reading can be made at salvagevanguard.org/tickets “Works Progress Austin” examines the question, are people born “special” or does creativity evolve from our sufferings? Rhonda and Glend, the two most creatively powerful people in the world move to a mystical 1950s suburb in the desert to ruffle the feathers of their boring teenage-neighbor, Mary, to see if trauma will turn Mary into a brilliant human being. It’s getting hot, the air conditioners are breaking down and everybody wants to take a dip in Mary’s shiny, clean swimming pool.

“Works Progress Austin,” SVT’s script development series, launched in 2006. WPA provides playwrights with the resources they need to bring their work to life: actors, stage managers, rehearsal time + space, cash, and the chance to share their work with an audience in the earliest stages of creation.

Diana Lynn Small writes, acts and directs for the stage. She has an MFA in playwriting from the

Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin. Her two-woman show “Mad & a Goat” has toured to six cities since it was developed in 2013. Her play “Good Day” was selected for the 2015 Great Plains Conference PlayLabs, and Kitchen Dog Theatre’s New Works Festival and she’s been an artist in residence at Tofte Lake Center in Ely, MN. Small has worked with paper chairs theatre company in Austin, premiering her play “Hot Belly” and directing Elizabeth Doss’s play “Mast” and performing/dramaturging Doss’s play “Poor Herman.” This summer Small will develop a new show, “HOUSE PLAY,” at Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor. Small is pursuing a Masters of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

To Do Música

By Liz Lopez

BROWN SOUND NEWS Patricia Vonne performed in Germany at the Hamburg Harley Days among other shows in Europe this past month. Coming up is the Madrid Film Fest International July 11-15. Her animation homage to the Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca, “Huerta de San Vicentem” will screen at this festival. Back home in San Antonio, she will be at Sam’s Burger Joint with Joe King Carrasco and special guest Rick Del Castillo on July 22 and in Austin at the One-2-One Bar with Rosie Flores and The Damn Torpedoes Tom Petty Tribute Band July 29. Last summer she performed at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock and has announced a return engagement August 3 for their summer music series. For complete details visit www.patriciavonne.com Mia Garcia, a young vocalist who attends elementary school in Austin, has been singing publicly since she was five years old and developing a career of singing and playing guitar. Garcia has some indie recordings (original music and covers) from a variety of genres and videos on YouTube that have garnered much attention, earning her performances at several festival and music showcases, including the Crossroads Events annual Mexican American Experience music showcase last March. Garcia released a new single, “Boom Boom Boom,” in late June which is now available in all major digital stores. She will be filming a music video this month and invites young participants to join her. In the meantime, you can catch her upcoming performance on July 4 in her hometown at the Pan

Am Summer Hillside Concert Series at 6:30 p.m.

For details on the video, music and performances, visit Facebook/Mia Music or call 512–799-0115.

Rancho Alegre Radio is introducing a new weekly Tardeada series, presented in conjunction with Austin Vida, with the first installment featuring an intimate performance by Grammy Award winner David Farias like you don’t usually see him - puro bajo sexto y acordeon! Sunday, July 2, 6-8 p.m., $7 and free parking at One-2-One Bar, holdmyticket. com/tickets/285826. Also, congratulations to Rancho Alegre Radio for their recent win of the WeWork Creator Award and a generous grant to continue their work. For more information, visit www.ranchoalegreradio.org Regional artist Devin Banda recently released her CD, “Unstoppable,” and many of her songs are garnering airplay across the nation. She has two shows this month in Austin; first with the incredible talent of AJ Castillo and band at the OK Corral on July 7 (629 W Ben White Blvd.) and as the closing act at the Pan Am Rec Summer Hillside Concert Series on July 25.

Leonard Davila, who started the Street People band in the 1970s and regrouped in 2013 approximately, has been performing at different venues and festivals and released the “Rejuvenation” CD in 2015. After a break since then, Street People has changed some band members and are performing again. They’re working on another CD and will be performing at the Pan American Hillside Summer Concert Series on July 18.

Dr. Clay Shorkey, founder of the Texas Music Museum and president of the board, will be retiring from his work at the University of Texas at Austin after a long career. He is a major supporter of the

museum and thus after retirement, he will make modifications. This will impact the exhibit space available. For people who have not been to the museum, please make plans to visit it and enjoy the gallery space that currently holds the “Tejano Music - Spotlight on Austin” featuring many facts about over forty artists from the historical East Austin scene before the major changes we have seen to the city in recent years. The current exhibit is “Rock, Pop and Soul” music of Texas - a microcosm of the history of these three musical genres, and important contributions made to the colorful kaleidoscope of the broad range of Texas music. Many of the Texas artists who began careers in previous decades continue to shape the sound of music into the 21st century. The exhibit is presented in the Main Gallery and Hall Gallery, and consists of displays which include artists’ biographies, photographs and recordings. There is no fee to visit the museum and take a self-guided tour Monday–Friday at 1009 E. 11th St. Austin www.texasmusicmuseum.org The South Austin Music Society presents the 2nd Annual 4th of July Showcase benefiting the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), celebrating its 10th year helping local musicians gain access to affordable health care. There will be live music, art vendors, pizza, fried chicken and Tiff’s Treats; plus a raffle with over 50 prizes. All ages show and tickets are $5 at door ($10 for minors) Doors: 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 4 at Barracuda Austin 611 E 7th St. RECOMMENDED SHOWS

Patricia Vonne

Rival Waves will be performing an all ages show and admission is free with a wristband to Bush LIVE at Stubb’s. Sunday, July 2 at 9:30 p.m. at Stubb’s Indoors, 801 Red River St. Advanced GA tickets are $5 and available at fgtix.to/2qNIUdL http:// smarturl.it/rivalwaves -Salero performs during the Sunday evening “Cuban Nights” at the Lone Star Grille and Amphitheater that also features a playground for kids and dance floor. 6:30-9:30 p.m. with no charge. 1501E. New

Hope Dr. Cedar Park. Facebook/Salero Salsa -The “Official Hillside After Party” will be held every Tuesday in July after the Hillside Concert Series at the Texas Club Grill, 4914 Burleson Rd. $5 Cover 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday, July 4 will feature music by Eddie Gonzalez and Jonny Martinez y Grupo Bravo, with DJ Chris Tristan. www.HillsideAfterParty.com -During July you can find Jonas Alvarez Band at Central Market North, 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, July 7; Lake Travis Community Library, Lakeway, 4-5 p.m., Friday July 21 (solo); Cafe Mueller, 7-9 p.m., Friday July 21. Purchase a song at https://itunes.apple. com/us/album/mirame/id888321988 -Felipe Borrero (El Tiburon) announced his Brazilian Jazz show, Trio 2 to 1, for Saturday, July 1 at the Taylor Station Bar, 9 p.m. The Brazilian Quartet will then perform July 5 at the Skylark Lounge; and a show with a duo at Casa Colombia. He will also have the Big Band Tejano group perform at the Pan Am Hillside Series on July 25 and another show at Travis County Expo. For details visit www. tiburonmusic.com -The A. B. Cantu Pan Am Recreation Center presents the Summer Hillside Concert Series every Tuesday in July, a tradition for over five decades.

This is a free family fun brought to you by the A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center Advisory Board. It is advised to take: blankets, can drinks, sunglasses, lawn chairs, but things not to take are glass items or radios. For more information, visit Facebook/A.B Cantu Pan-Am Hillside Summer Concert Series 2017.

-The line-up: July 4, 6 p.m. Manuel Donley; 6:15 p.m. Ballet Folklorico De Austin (Director Edgar Yepez); 6:30 p.m. Mia Garcia; 7 p.m. Jonny Martinez Y Grupo Bravo, featuring Eddie Gonzalez and 8 p.m. Sunny Sauceda Y Todo Eso, with special guest Art Tigerina. July 11: 7 p.m. Angel Gonzalez; 8 p.m. Missy; 9 p.m. Conjunto Catz; July 18, 7 p.m.

Nikki Lopez; 7:15 p.m. Street People; 8 p.m. David Farias; July 25: 7 p.m. Devin Banda; 8 p.m. Big Band Tejano and 9 p.m. Remedio.

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AARC Survey The Network of Asian American Organizations (NAAO) seeks input on the public’s experience at the Asian American Resource Center and they are gathering community-based needs information for Phases 2 & 3 of the project. The public is asked to take some time to fill out their survey and tell them what you would like to see in the future.

The Asian American Resource Center (AARC) currently features a 5,000 square foot ballroom, six classrooms, two community rooms, library/ computer lab, conference room, and cultural exhibitions/display spaces. In addition, there is a great lawn outdoor space. The AARC site is 15 acres and Phase-1 used about 4 acres. We need your input to tell us your needs in AARC Phase 2 & 3.

Among the questions are: How often do you come to the Asian American Resource Center, City of Austin?; How would you rate our AARC Facility (building itself)?; What do you typically do at AARC?; Which parts of the AARC facility do you use?; What transportation do you use to visit the AARC?; How long do you stay at AARC when you come?; What “New Spaces” should be added to the Asian American Resource Center?; What new outdoor spaces should be added to the AARC?; Will you support expansion of AARC Phase 2 & 3 and add it to the City of Austin’s future projects?

For more information go to austintexas.gov/aarc

HC4A Awards $43K in scholarships By Harish Kotecha

College’s Mike Shaw, Chair of ACC Foundation Board of Directors. Eleven recipients who have earned HC4A scholarships at ACC have graduated and entered the job market.

Hindu Charities for America (HC4A) raised $43,000 in scholarships funds in 2016 year, one of the largest amounts ever raised by an Asian American group for scholarships in the Austin area. The majority of funds was raised from the organization’s annual Aadhaar Gala last November, with other support coming from individual donations and those donations gathered at GAMA affiliated stores.

This year, the grant to Capital Idea of $15,000 will pay for tuition for 15 students. Vakharia and Kotecha presented the check to Steve Jacobs, Capital Idea Executive Director.

HC4A’s events raised donations totaling $7, 500 raised for the Manor Independent School District, $20,500 for students of Austin Community College, and $15,000 to Capital Idea.

NAAO is an umbrella organization for 16 Asian American organizations in the Austin area and is hosting this AARC Phase 2&3 Need Survey for planning purposes only. The NAAO acts as a leading service network and advocate for the Asian American community with a mission to unite and promote community through service, education, and cultural programs.

At a recent Manor Independent School District trustee meeting, Harish Kotecha (HC4A Chair), Brahmaji Mutyala (HC4A Foundation Board Member), Vimal Motipara (HC4A Operation Board), Rama Tiru (HC4A Operation Board) and Dinesh Vakharia presented $7,500 for scholarships to Dr. Avery, Superintendent of Manor ISD. HC4A was likewise presented an Excellence in Education Award. Kotecha also recognized Becky Lott, Student and Family Support Services Director, with the HC4A Selfless Service Award to recognize her contributions to Inspire HC4A.

Currently, there is no timeline for constructing Phase 2 & 3 of the project.

Dinesh Vakharia recently presented $20,500 in scholarship awards to Austin Community

Taco Flats An Austin Gem to Enjoy this Summer

By Rose Di Grazia

At Taco Flats, there’s only one thing to do--come for the tacos and stay for the beer! That’s exactly what happened when I stumbled upon this place. I was driving around in the heat when I saw the sign and pulled into the parking lot. I found a cool place to come inside for a beer and great tacos!

The original Taco Flats dates back to the late 1970s, providing a stage for the likes of Gary P. Nunn, Blaze Foley, Calvin Russell, and Townes Van Zandt, among others. It reached great success among locals, but it came to an end when it closed in October 1981. It wasn’t until October of 2014 that Simon Madera, who comes from a long line of restaurant owners back in the Rio Grande Valley, reopened the taco joint.

When Madera sought to open a local neighborhood bar on Burnet Road, his research led him to previous Taco Flats owners, Linda Steele and Hector Alvarado (the original owner of Hector’s Taco Flats). After conversations with previous owners, Madera decided that Taco Flats should see another 10 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2017 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

successful run and reopened the shop.

Madera’s mother works in his kitchen today.

According to him, the business has been growing like crazy. He has future plans to open a second location on the East side of town.

The nice thing about Taco Flats is no waiter is going to come over and kneel down beside you or sit at your table and do a song and a dance as he takes your order. Sometimes you want to just order and not put up with all that. This is a no-muss-andfuss kind of place. You can come in shorts and flip flops and order immediately at the bar. The bar is a stainless steel sparkling clean counter. The bartender takes my order (the Al Pastor) taco right away. The Corona beer appears iced cold and

in five seconds flat--I am no longer sweating to death after coming in from the heat. Sports bar tubes are all around displaying a boxing match, although I can still hear the tunes of the radio overhead.

The taco contains spit roasted pork, onion, cilantro and pineapple--it’s delicious! The best part: the taco, wrapped in a homemade tortilla, is less than four bucks. Come at 2 p.m. and stay for the happy hour that goes on for four hours. There are also daily specials. The food is from the interior of Mexico with some border influences. The service and staff are great.

To have lunch here is a nice respite from the 100-degree heat. Taco Flats is clean and relaxing

These awards are an example of how that the Asian community is helping address income disparity issues facing the Austin metro area.

Founded in 2010, HC4A’s mission, to “Bridge Income Disparity through Education,” features two programs, an annual donation of school supplies for the homeless via Jewish Community and Vocational Training Scholarships for students who are economically disadvantaged.

The 2nd Annual HC4A Gala will be at Crown Plaza on November 4, 2017. Visit www.hc4a.org for more information.

Harish Kotecha and Becky Lott. Rama Tiru photo

and has a beach bar type feel except it’s indoors and air-conditioned--thank God! White paper lampshades hang overhead from the driftwood like wooden beams. Black tray tables protrude over the booths and have gray benches. Lit neon Tequila signs adorn the walls. The place offers a laid back vibe.

This place is good for lunch or even Sunday Brunch, offering 30 different beers on tap. As far as I know this is the best taco place on Burnet Road. Taco Flats is for everyone, but especially those who remember what Austin used to be and those who have high hopes for what it can become.

Full menu and hours available at tacoflats.com

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

For more than a century, “The Wizard of Oz” has enchanted readers, theatre and movie goers alike. Now, Zilker Theatre Productions brings the cultural treasure to the historic Zilker Hillside Theater for its 59th annual presentation. The magic of musical theatre will delight, thrill and entertain over 45,000 audience members of all ages during run from July 7 through August 12 at 8:15 p.m. zilker.org/the-wizard-of-oz

JUMP ON IT GIVENS PARK Jump On It is a summer concert series highlighting urban music in East Austin that runs every Wednesday through August 9 at Givens Park.

Now observing its 20th anniversary, the eight week schedule of events kicked-off 21 and continues through July with featured performing artists on the music stage including Beat King on July 5 (headlining Yo’Hood Night), July 12 with NOOK Turner (City Appreciation Night), July 19 with B.o.B. “The Elements Tour” (The Elements Tour Night), and July 26 with pro athletes hosting activities (on Sports Night). August 2 is Old School Night and August 9 is Trae the Truth with Grand Hustle for the grand finale.

The afternoon long festivities begin at noon and run through 6 p.m. with free games and rides for youth, and a vendor market with a variety of food and refreshments. Music runs from 6-10 p.m. in the Entertainment Zone. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door.

Established in 1997, Jump On It’s uniqueness lies in the organization’s ability to engage thousands of people by fusing live entertainment, education, games, market place and workshops weekly throughout the summer. Jump On It has averaged attendance of 1,500-3,000 people weekly (peaking at 10,000), making it one of the largest, if not the largest outdoor urban concert series in Texas.

Jump On It was conceived in 1996 by Dorothy Turner, a long time Austin community activist, who met with 16 year old Charles Byrd, a.k.a. NOOK, at the Turn Your Back on Violence community forum. Turner issued a city-wide call for youth to come forward with ideas and initiatives on how to re-instill a sense of pride and usefulness into Rosewood Park, one of the oldest parks in Austin, located on the historic East Side. Twenty years later Jump On It’s summer concert series is thriving.

For more information go to jumponitevents.com

The Long Center Presents “The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses,” Friday, July 7, 8 p.m. in Dell Hall. The show will feature big surprises including an all new movement from Skyward Sword, an updated overture, and the return of a classic that might just make some wishes come true. Featuring the Austin Symphony Orchestra and 24-person choir. Tickets from $19.50. zelda-symphony.com AFA’s 22nd annual Bastille Day Party, Saturday, July 8, at Triangle Commons Park features live entertainment by Sandie Donzica, Priscilla Badhwar & pianist Eddy Hobizal, 1930’s-era jazz with Hot Club of Austin, and iconic French chansons with Julie Slim with Rendez Vous.

Enjoy Pétanque lessons, children’s splash and play areas, Bastille Day Market and fine French food and drink court.

Free. 6:30 p.m. afaustin.org Pollyanna Theatre Company presents “The Ragbag Shoes” July 8–15 in Rollins Studio Theatre. It is Iyana’s special 10th birthday, the birthday that every child in the Kingdom receives his or her magic singing shoes from her father, the Shoemaker. But her father has fallen on hard times and is too poor to buy new material for Iyana, so he cobbles together a pair of shoes made from magic.

Tickets from $10.50 thelongcenter.org International Cultural Society’s hosts African Caribbean Cultural Day Party from 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, July 15, at 15604 Long Vista Drive in Austin. The community is invited to a fun day of food and refreshments, music, shopping with clothing and jewelry merchandisers and cultural performances. The music line-up features DJ Tee-Money, Kylie P, ESON, Lady Shacklin & Willy G. cultural-happenings.com The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural & Genealogy Center presents “Hello God: The Role of Spirituality in the Lived Experiences of Black Women and Girls” with Dr. Tifani Jones-Blakes as part of their Cultural Lounge series. The event promotes an atmosphere for sharing ideas, thoughts and concerns on issues relevant to the black community. Thursday, July 27, 6:30 p.m. Free. carver-museum.org The Hole in the Wall hosts Texas punk legends The Next on Friday, July 28. The band—formed in San Antonio in 1978 before relocating to Austin—was one of the first U.S. punk rock bands to tour in the late-1970’s and thrived at Raul’s nightclub during its punk rock, new wave heyday.

Also marking The Next’s 40th anniversary on the bill are The Cops, Splatter and Animal Train. $8 at the door. holeinthewallaustin.com

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT The Red River Cultural District and KUTX presents the first annual Hot Summer Nights, a free and open to the public series featuring Austin music from July 13-16 at participating venues and restaurants, including Barracuda Austin, Beerland, Texas, Cheer Up Charlies, Elysium Austin, Empire Control Room & Garage, Mohawk Austin, The Side Bar, The Sidewinder, Stubb’s Austin, Swan Dive, Waller Ballroom, German-Texan Heritage Society, Exploded Records at JuiceLand, Waller Creek Pub House, Koriente Restaurant, Arlo’s, Hoboken Pie, Shawarma Point, Pelóns Tex-Mex Restaurant and The Beverly.

The event will also feature local food, vintage sellers, and artisan vendors along with live music.

Hot Summer Nights lineup includes White Denim, The Octopus Project, Israel Nash, Matthew Logan Vasquez, Golden Dawn Arkestra, CAPYAC, Mike and the Moonpies, Magna Carda, The Midnight Stroll, Residual Kid, Mobley and many more.

Found between 7th and 12th Streets along Red River Street, the Red River Cultural District provides residents and visitors with ample opportunities to experience live music in the Live Music Capital of the World. Live music venues, restaurants, cultural organizations, hotels, and additional establishments are all part of the activity taking place in this vibrant downtown district.

Hot Summer Nights is a product of area venues and restaurants goal of strengthening the district’s identity and addressing the challenges in the area.

RRCD businesses and organizations joined the Soul-y Austin program in 2015 and in early 2016, the Red River Merchants Association successfully formed and has since been active in engaging stakeholders and government officials as they focus on improving the district’s conditions to create a more pedestrian friendly experience that attracts patrons. The association’s boundaries run from the 600 block to the 1200 block of Red River.

Visit venue websites to view full Hot Summer Nights lineups and show schedules.

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