TODO Austin March 2011

Volume II, 11 | March 2011

We asked nice... twice.

Asian Austin: About Town Pg. 6

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contributors Ruben Cubillos Musician, creative and advocate – Cubillos was raised in El Paso, educated in Houston, and is a stakeholder of Tejano culture. He collaborates to create, preserve, educate and build awareness of the original American art form of Tejano music. His interview with A.B. Quintanilaa III is on p. 9.

Liz López is a freelance writer, photographer and consultant through her company, EL Public Relations. A graduate of UT-Pan American, she covers the Mexican American Experience on p. 14.

David Marks’ main gig is Music Director at St. Andrew’s, a liberal Presbyterian church in Wells Branch. He covers upcoming peace and justice rallies on p. 8.

Lene Saint-Orens is the founder of Whole Kids Adventure, a unique child development model that seeks to change the culture of junk food by educating children and their families about healthy eating habits. She writes about picky eaters on p. 16.

Lisa Wood has married technology skills with a passion for music for more than six years of event production. She loves lending support to all creative arts.

Colors on Clay Family Day is a free art activity for the whole family on Sunday, Mar. 6, 2-4 p.m. at Mexic-Arte Museum (419 Congress). Based on themes from the current exhibit, kids and their parents can learn about the history and significance of the San José Tile Workshops of San Antonio, and also create their own tile murals that reflect the style and motifs of the original works. www.mexic-artemuseum.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St.) presents a double feature of documentaries on Mar. 10-11 (first film at 7 p.m.).

Cesar Chávez- A Fight in the Fields, by Ray Telles and Rick Tejada-Flores, tells the story of the charismatic founder of the U.S. Farm Workers Union, and the movement that he inspired. A Class Apart concerns a Mexican American field hand who in 1951 killed a tenant farmer, leading to a landmark civil rights case. On Saturday, Mar. 12 (7 & 9 p.m.) The Longoria Affair screens, with an appearance by director John J. Valadez at 8 p.m. Free. www.ci.austin.tx.us/macc ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------St. Patrick’s Day Austin celebrates authentic Irish culture Thursday, Mar. 17 from 2-10:30 p.m. at Cover 3 (2700 West Anderson Lane). No green beer or leprechauns here, just fierce Irish tradition and fun with pipers, dancers, and Irish music including the David Munnelly Band from County Mayo and MacDara O’Conaola from Inishere, Aran Islands, making his American debut. www.stpatricksdayaustin.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ballet Austin opens its studio for contemporary works set to a modern day rhythm. In Lasting Imprint, choreographer Nicolo Fonte imagines a liminal space and dream experience where relationships are precariously balanced. Stephen Mills’ silence within silence, based on E.E. Cummings’ poetry, follows four couples through a series of relationships and speaks to the fragility of love. Mills’ world premiere, Luminaria, rounds out the program. AustinVentures StudioTheater (501 3rd Street West), Mar. 25-Apr. 3. balletaustin.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bollywood And Beyond promises a music bonanza from Austin’s own Omkara on Saturday, Mar. 26, 6:30 p.m. at Jewish Community Association Austin, (7300 Hart Lane). Omkara is comprised of local musicians who volunteer their talent to produce Bollywood and semi-classical Indian music shows for charitable purposes. Also on the bill is dance from Bollywood Shakes, plus other dance artists. bollywoodandbeyondshow.info ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dine your way around Austin’s top restaurants while supporting the Sustainable Food Center during Austin Restaurant Week. The event brings over 75 A-list restaurants together to serve up stellar three-course dinners from $25 to $35 with lunches as low as $10 to $15. New this year will be brunches offered for $15 to $20 per person. From Mar. 27-30 and from Apr. 3-6. Make your reservations (not required, but advised) at restaurantweekaustin.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Renowned independent art critic and curator Bisi Silva lectures on Art in the Black Diaspora on Tuesday, Mar. 29, 5 p.m. at the University of Texas Art Building (ART), Room 1.120 (San Jacinto at 23rd St.). Silva is the founder and director of the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Lagos, Nigeria, opened in December 2007 to promote research and documentation. Silva curates expositions worldwide. Free. www.utexas.edu/cola/ centers/caaas/events

Yoga made ESY for You. 1050 East 11th St. #150 ~ 512.779.8543 www.eastsideyoga-austin.com

In honor of César Chávez’ birthday, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center presents special documentary screenings on the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement.

CÉSAR CHÁVEZ: FIGHT IN THE FIELDS Meeting customers communication and information technology needs and challenges of tomorrow — today.

Ray Telles & Rick Tejada-Flores/116 min March 10 at 7 pm & March 11 at 8:15 pm

A CLASS APART

Carlos Sandoval & Peter Miller/60 min March 10 at 9:30 pm & March 11 at 7 pm

THE LONGORIA AFFAIR John J. Valadez /60 min March 12 at 7 pm and 9 pm Meet the filmmaker at 8 pm

T e l e c o m m u n i c at i o n s B r o a d ba n d & W e b H o s t i n g I n f o r m at i o n t e c h n o l o g y

All screenings are free and open to the public. We recommend arriving early; seating is limited.

Service Industry s u r v e i lla n c e a n d s e c u r i t y

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FEATURING LOS TRES AMIGOS WITH RUBEN RAMOS LITTLE JOE ROBERTO PULIDO & MANY MORE!

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call 512-974-3770 or 711 Relay Texas. La ciudad de Austin está comprometida al Acta de Americanos Incapacitados. Si requiere asistencia para participar en nuestros programas por favor llame al teléfono número 512-974-3770 o 711 Relay Texas.

www.maccaustin.org

DOORS OPEN AT 5PM SHOW STARTS AT 6PM FREE EVENT!

March 26th at Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, TX

600 River St., Austin, TX 78701 512-974-3772, maccaustin.org The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call 512-974-3772 or 711 Relay Texas.

La ciudad de Austin está comprometida al Acta de Americanos Incapacitados.

Si requiere asistencia para participar en nuestros programas por favor llame al teléfono número 512-974-3772 e 711 Relay Texas.

High pulse rates and adrenaline await you on this course that is on a private ranch where no restrictions will be imposed upon our madness! Get ready for 3.1 miles of trails, water, mud, and of course, wicked obstacles.

Free food and beer to follow. Free race shirt, too!

www.cityofaustin.org/parks

Register at www.spartanrace.com

TODO Austin Volume Ii, Number 011 Publisher/Editor - Gavin Lance Garcia

Immigration Issue Subject of Town Hall Meeting By Otis Lopez

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Travis County

(CASA) Volunteer Spotlight

Art Director - Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com

Members of the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA) will convene in Austin on Friday, March 18, where they will join artists and elected officials in a discussion of human rights for immigrants and a response to proposed anti-immigrant legislation in Texas. The Town Hall meeting, part of the Pan Americana Festival, is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. at Mexitas at 11th Street and Interstate 35. The event is free and open to the public.

RITA, a multi-sector statewide network dedicated to building support for comprehensive immigration reform, will address topics including broad and long-term federal solutions that recognize the contribution immigrants make to society, local and state law enforcement agencies enforcement of federal immigration laws, divisive state legislation, respecting family values and embracing immigrants as part of our legacy as a nation and as a state.

A multitude of anti-immigrant, anti-family proposals have been filed by extremist Texas legislators, which would criminalize immigrant families and workers in Texas, mandate local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, require school officials to report undocumented students and deny birth certificates to children born in Texas to undocumented parents.

“Security of all Texas families as well as the dignity and rights of immigrant families is the central issue,” said RITA coordinator Adriana Cadena. The Town Hall meeting will be facilitated by academicians from the University of Texas Project on Conflict Resolution, an organization which helps build interpersonal, organizational and societal relationships.

The meeting was scheduled during the South by Southwest Music Conference to coincide with several cross-cultural events taking place in Austin, including the inaugural Pan Americana Festival, the Mexican American Experience and Festival at City Hall. The immigration issue became a lightning rod last year after the Arizona legislature passed SB 1070, which required local law enforcement officers to demand proof of citizenship if “reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien” and to arrest any legal alien not in possession of their registration card.

Esther Reyes, coordinator of the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition states, “musicians and other artists play a crucial role in conveying our message of social justice, as they reach audiences that we may not. These artists will be sending a loud and clear message that Texas should blaze its own path, not follow Arizona’s.”

“We hope to encourage our legislators to reflect on the negative dramatic impact that the anti-immigrant agenda—comprised of unfunded mandates—will have on our economy, our security and our families. We also hope they will recognize the enormous historic contributions of immigrants and Latinos in Texas.”

National Latino Congreso Convenes in Austin The National Latino Congreso, the politics and policy convention of the Latino community, will convene in Austin this year. From March 25-27, the 5th annual Congreso will gather at the Crowne Plaza, to join together with the Ad Hoc National Latino Coordinating Committee for Immigrant Justice for what the hosts promise as “A Call to Action.” Referred to as the Politics and Policy Convention of the Latino community, NLC is the most comprehensive gathering of Hispanic advocates in the nation. This year, the three-day conference is expected to draw 2,000 delegates from throughout the country representing leaders from the nonprofit sector, organized labor, faith-based community, student and grassroots organizations. The goal of NLC is to establish a long-term Hispanic agenda and action plan as well as train a wide range of Hispanic community leaders, elected officials and activists on critical issues from health care to Latino civic engagement. Among topics to be discussed this year are immigration reform, clean energy and green jobs, criminal justice, redistricting, and the 2012 Latino vote. The Congreso is convened by the Hispanic Federation (HF), the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), the National Alliance of Latin and Caribbean Communities (NALACC), the National Hispanic Environmental Council (NHEC), the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP), and the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI). For more information and registration, visit www. latinocongreso.org.

04 TODO Austin // mar 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com

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Executive Editor - Erica Stall Wiggins Senior Editors – Harmony Eichsteadt, Jillian Hall, Gabino Iglesias, Katie Walsh

Kimberly Buirst, a single mom with two girls, works as a special transit operator for Capital Metro and takes every opportunity she can to volunteer. When she’s not volunteering with CASA of Travis County, she is feeding the homeless or working with her church. She never fails to devote what time she can to giving back. It was while facilitating small group discussions in prison for Bridges to Life that she heard stories about the inmates’ lives and families and began to wonder where their children were. She decided to find out. That was four years ago. Kimberly has been a CASA volunteer ever since, helping children who don’t have a family who can support and care for them. She has advocated for 6 children so far, helping children find safe homes and seeing teenagers fulfill their dreams of graduating high school and having a chance at a great future.

When Kimberly is not caring for her own children, working or volunteering with CASA, she studies Criminal Justice at Austin Community College. She also enjoys playing volleyball and taking road trips.

ACC, St. Edward’s Host Immigration Conference Austin Community College, together with St. Edward’s University, spotlights hot-button immigration issues during the fourth annual “Immigration, Education, and Our Future” conference, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 4, at ACC’s Highland Business Center (5930 Middle Fiskville Road).

This year’s conference is titled “The Dream and Its Cost.” It examines multiple views on immigration across America’s southern border and Dream Act legislation. The Dream Act would have given provisional legal status to undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children, as long as they enrolled in college or joined the military. The U.S. Senate rejected the act in December.

Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo will speak about proposals under consideration by state lawmakers regarding local enforcement of immigration laws. Other presenters will offer perspectives on how current policies compare with different periods in U.S. history. Legal and history experts taking part in the conference include Linda Cristofilis, former chief of staff for Texas Rep. Rick Noriega, immigration attorney Thomas Esparza, Dr. Manuel Garcia y Griego of the Southwest Hispanic Research Institute at the University of New Mexico-Albuquerque, and Dr. Mariano Diaz-Miranda of the Latino/Latin American Studies Center at ACC. The event will feature a panel of college students who would have been affected by the Dream Act. Dr. Richard Armenta, associate vice president of student success at ACC and organizer of the conference, notes immigration issues have not changed much over the conference’s four years. “Congress has not dealt with undocumented immigrants, so colleges and universities, in particular, remain in limbo,” he says. The conference is open to the public. Registration is $40 per person and includes lunch.

Associate Editors – Sonia Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Julia Lee, Esther Reyes, Blake Shanley, Bowen Wilder, Yvonne Lim Wilson Contributing Writers/Artists – Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Heather Buffington Anderson, Joseph Banks, Lina Begum, Stefanie Behe, Adriana Cadena, Deborah Alys Carter, Jennie Chen, Brandi Cowley, Amy Ford, Mia Garcia, Madeline Goldman-Rohm, Paul Hernandez, Anoop Iyer, Yadira Izquierdo, Gary Jaffe, Nandini Jairam, Vandana Kumar, Callie Langford, Heather Lee, Otis Lopez, David Marks, Mike Martinez, Suzi McCoy, M.S. LLP, Jessica Meyer, Jay Parmar, Mary Parsamyan, Kathy Pham, Rebecca Robinson, Marion Sanchez, Rupal Shah, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Thomas Yoo Photographers – Heather Banks, David M. Collins, Lisa Dean, Jenny Fu, Mark Guerra, John M. P. Knox, JoJo Marion, Jay Parmar, Aimee Wenske, Matt Ziehr Advertising Contact 512.538.4115 sales@todoaustinonline.com TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2011 Spark Awakened Publishing. All rights reserved. Unsolicited submissions (including, but not limited to articles, artwork, photographs) are not returned.

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TODOAustinOnline.com Multicultural Media for All of Austin TODO Austin is a free, colorful print and online journal for all of Austin highlighting our multicultural heritage. Our mission is to promote the concept of community in an ethnically diverse city.

WRITE TO US with stories, submissions, etc.: Contact@todoaustinonline. com Editorial – 512.538.4115

TODO Mexico:

Evolution, Revolution and Time: The Mayan Calendar

By Katie Walsh

day weeks? Mayan scholar Dr. Carl Calleman, author of the “The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness,” says “we don’t think about it, but we’re using a calendar that constantly tells us that life is not going anywhere.

It’s a worldview that tells us that life has no purpose...and evolution has no purpose. It’s just this endless, repeated cycle of the Earth around the Sun.” Conversely, the Mayan calendar maps out not just physical time, but the evolution of the universe, and the human species as a part of it.

While it accurately notes astronomical events like eclipses and equinoxes, its application extends far beyond what the human eye can see, illustrating the synchronicity of life—stars, nature, people, happenings, thoughts, inventions, relationships— in one rhythm. Its careful study by numerous scholars, scientists and spiritual seekers over the years has uncovered over the years has uncovered accurate predictions of historical events around the world, since the beginning of creation.

Mayan Timekeeping: The Basics The ancient Maya kept three calendars, each fitting within the other like cogs of a wheel or fractals of each other—the 260-day Tzolk’in calendar, the Long Count calendar (of 2012 fame, more on that next month) and the 365-day solar Haab calendar, most akin to modern Western timekeeping.

Carlos Cedillo conducts a Mayan fire ceremony for interested Austinites | photo: Katie Walsh

There’s been a lot of talk about this mysterious Mayan calendar lately.

Forget all the 2012 frenzy, I’ll save that for next month—just getting into the basics of the calendar and how it relates to events unfolding around the world right now is fascinating on its own.

On February 11, I stumbled upon a Mayan fire ceremony in South Austin, led by local musician and Maya expert Carlos Cedillo to celebrate the beginning of the last 260-day “Tzolk’in” cycle before a big shift in the calendar sometimes known as the “shift of ages” or the “fifth sun” (mistaken by many to be an apocalyptic end date). Gathered around the fire, Cedillo explained that night’s significance to a group of curious and optimistic Austinites: “The fact that [Egyptian President] Mubarak stepped down on this day, the first of the cycle, after mass protests from the people—well, take that revolutionary energy and multiply it by 20— that’s the intensity of what we can expect to see in March,” Cedillo said.

Rethinking Time It almost seems blasphemous, at first, that there could be any other way to conceive of time than the linear Gregorian calendar that permeates everything we do. It’s interesting how instrumental the construct of time is to how we live our daily lives. It dictates the way we define ourselves and our goals, and the way we describe where we’re going and where we’ve been. And it is so engrained in our minds and society, we rarely consider that there could be any alternative.

To accurately describe the complex spiritual science of Mayan timekeeping would take more

The energy you feel when you walk into a bumpin’ party is pretty different than when you walk into a tense situation, and different still from a serene moment of stillness. Imagine waves of these various types of energy sweeping across the galaxies, our planet, our streets and homes, every cell of our bodies, in rhythmic cycles. The momentum slowly builds as events, individual actions and natural phenomena are both sparked by and in turn feed into the wave, adding to its intensity until it peaks and dies back down. A different wave of energy picks up where it left off, and each takes their turn coming back and fading out, bringing a unique set of moods, conditions and impetus as they go. Hence the old adage, “history repeats itself.”

The ancient Maya mapped out these universal cycles in their sacred calendar, connecting everyday events on Earth to bigger-picture historical shifts in the evolution of humanity. When the Spanish invaded Mexico in the 16th century, Bishop Diego de Landa ordered the destruction of all Maya scripture and literature, nearly wiping out the tradition and practice of the calendar (he would later have a change of heart and himself author a book attempting to document and decode some of their culture and history). It survived, however, and continues to guide the lives of many, Mayan and otherwise.

In his film “Between Two Worlds,” filmmaker José Jaramillo explores the history of the Gregorian calendar’s introduction by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, and argues that reverting back to the Mayan calendar is necessary for our progress as a people.

He describes our calendar as “by far the greatest and most profoundly unquestioned instrument of control ever perpetrated upon the people of Earth.”

The Tzolk’in calendar dictates daily energies, made up of a numerical “tone”—which represents a quality rather than a quantity (1 for initiation, 2 for duality, 3 for movement, etc.)—and a “sun sign.”

The date of this issue’s publication, March 2, will be 7 “Ahau,” or Sun, followed by 8 Crocodile, 9 Wind, etc. The Maya believe that the 260 energetic combinations of these 13 tones and 20 sun signs are inherent in the world around us and all of the elements we’re made up, engrained in our very DNA. Interesting to note that the human body itself is made of 13 major joints and 20 digits.

On a large-scale level, the Maya believe that the universe is comprised of nine “underworlds,” or levels of evolution, each marked by periods of seven “days” and six “nights” of creation—the same seven days seen in the Book of Genesis, as well as Jewish and Muslim scripture. As each level builds upon the last, the “day” and “night” cycles speed up twentyfold—while the eighth level we’re believed to be in now consists of 360-day cycles, the ninth will bring 18-day cycles—a literal manifestation

Dr. Calleman describes these nine levels of the Long Count calendar as a pyramid (and indeed, the most important Mayan pyramids each contained nine stories), each standing upon the foundation of the last rather than replacing it. The first level is that of cellular creation, roughly 16.4 billion years ago, and subsequent levels align with the creations of tribes, spoken and written language, industrialism, etc. If you think of time as a graduated spiral that winds itself around each level of the pyramid, the cycles speed up as we reach higher frequencies of energy and consciousness.

Ancient History, Modern Meaning Dr. Calleman understands that for many people in the modern world, new-agey talk of consciousness and cosmic alignment is hard to take seriously. A career microbiologist, he takes a unique, scientific approach to explaining Mayan timekeeping.

Take, for example, his historical account of telecommunication technology in the 7th “underworld,” roughly 1755 - 1992 AD. Each “day” period sparks an important development in telecommunications. Some examples: the theory of the telegraph comes about on the first “day” (1753), the telephone on the 4th “day” (1876), the television on the 6th “day” (1950s) and the Internet on the last “day” (1992). Another interesting observation—the 5th “night” period (1932-1952), believed by the Maya to be ruled by the Lord of Darkness, coincides with the Great Depression, Hitler and Stalin, World War II and the Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs.

As Dr. Calleman demonstrates in this and several other examples, events throughout history map back to the cycles and waves the Maya sketched out centuries ago, hinting at a universal rhythm we’ve all but forgotten.

According to the Long Count calendar, this month will usher in the ninth and final level of universal evolution, bringing with it sweeping, monumental and rapidly unfolding change. As the aftermath of Egypt’s recent events spill into Libya and Americans increasingly organize collective resistance to unsavory politics, it will be interesting to follow the cycle and see just how much we can leverage this ancient spiritual science to guide us into the future.

Evolution and revolution—it’s time.

Adapted from Mayanmajix.com; image by Cindy Goldman

As continued protests spread throughout the Middle East and the Wisconsin state capitol is flooded with peaceful demonstrators for labor rights, I have to wonder—what was it that the ancient Maya mapped out in their timekeeping, and what might it tell us about what’s happening in the world here and now?

room than we have on this page, but the primary differences it exhibits from Gregorian time are, first; that it is not a straight line, and second; that it measures time according to cycles of the entire universe, rather than of just our one planet around the sun.

of the acceleration of time we often sense and bemoan in the modern world (see graphic).

Why such a damning claim against our 52, sevenTODO Austin // mar 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com 05

More Asian Austin Events:

Asian Austin: About Town

___________________________________________________________________

Bollywood Bash Saturday, March 5, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

The Scoot Inn, 1308 E. Fourth Street Join the fun at this Indian and world music dance party featuring DJ Dan Singh and Aleem Khan, the Flying Paneer Sisters plus a prize for the best Bollywood costume of the night! All proceeds go directly to SAHELI for Asian Families.

Cover is $10 at the door. www.saheli-austin.org Photo by Yvonne Lim Wilson Governor Dao of Xishuangbanna, China surprised Be The Change Austin 2011 (Planning Meeting) reception guests with an impromptu dance performance.

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

Last month we not only welcomed the Year of the Rabbit, we also honored community activists, business leaders and other innovators with several awards given out during the Lunar New Year season.

The Capital Area Asian American Democrats recognized three community leaders with awards at their Lunar New Year Celebration on February 3. Former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle received the Lifetime Achievement Award, State Representative Rafael Anchia received the Legislator of the Year Award and Sonia Kotecha, founder of NetIP Austin and TODO Austin Associate Editor, received the Activist of the Year award for her work in launching Be the Change Austin, a day of volunteer service.

The Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce (TACC) honored five business and community leaders with its annual business awards presented during the Chamber’s 15th Annual Lunar New Year Gala on February 5.

Casulo Hotel CEO Sam Chen and Rainforest Partnership founder Niyanta Spelman received Small Business Leader of the Year awards.

“Sustainability is a theme among this year’s nominees,” says TACC Awards Committee Chair Sam Hai, “Both Sam and Niyanta are global citizens that have chosen to invest in making Austin more competitive.”

Global Innovation Award winner Fisoc, Inc. CEO Jay Valanju is a UT alumnus focused on helping banks relate to the “Generation Y” market and their heavy use of social media. Sustainability Award winner BarZ Adventures has developed the world’s first GPS-based automated tour guide.

Gala Chair Shirley Sheffield, who is a financial services professional and a registered representative for New York Life Insurance, received the Chamber’s first Chairman’s Award.

Don’t miss this opportunity to submit nominations for the University of Texas at Austin’s Asian American Community Leadership Awards.

These awards honor individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) communities, preferably in Central Texas. This year’s theme, “Asian American Pioneers,” recognizes those who contribute to building stronger communities and forging new paths for Asians in Texas. For more information, please contact Jennifer Wang, jenniferwang@austin.utexas.edu or 512-475-6064.

Sunday, March 6, 5 p.m.

Central Market, 4001 North Lamar Blvd.

Be The Change is an annual national day of service (October 1) coordinated by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) to inspire and foster civic engagement through volunteerism and community service. www.saalt.org

South Asian New Year Festival April 9 (rain date: April 10) Zilker Park Celebrate the cultures of South Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, as well as our local Austin culture with music, dance, food and other festivities. Family friendly fun and free admission. www.tbcaaustin.org ___________________________________________________________________ Yvonne Lim Wilson is founder and publisher of Asian Austin at www.AsianAustin.com, an online news magazine featuring news about Asian American people, organizations and events in Austin. Contact Yvonne at yvonne@asianaustin.com.

Good Times at Güero’s For great tunes and great rita’s!

Please join us for live music on our outside jardin stage, every Thursday through Sunday. Thanks to the fans & bands who support us!!!

All outdoor shows are “weather permitting”

March Line-up

---------------------------------------------------Thu 3/3 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) Fri 3/4 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 3/5 THE LISA MARSHALL BAND (6:30) ---------------------------------------------------Sun 3/6 THE TEXAS TYCOONS (3:00) Thu 3/10 THE FABS (6:30) Fri 3/11 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 3/12 NATALIE ZOE (6:30) ---------------------------------------------------Sun 3/13 PONTY BONE & THE SQUEEZETONES (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------

Taco Bar

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

Thu thru Sunday 3/17 thru 3/20

SOUTH BY SOUTH CONGRESS

---------------------------------------------------Thu 3/24 MICHAEL MILLIGAN & THE ALTAR BOYZ (6:30) Fri 3/25 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 3/26 TOO BLUE (6:30) ---------------------------------------------------Sun 3/27 CHICKEN STRUT (3:00) Thu 3/31 JOHNNY GIMBLE (6:30)

www.GuerosTacoBar.com

Wall Street Exposed

By Mita Haldar

Nina Godiwalla is an Austinite making waves, both in the publishing world and in her own community. Not only has her book, “Suits: A Woman on Wall St.” been selected by USA Today and Texas Monthly as “top picks,” she also serves on the Board of Directors for The Writers’ League of Texas in Austin and is an active Leadership Austin alumnus. She was chosen by the Austin Under 40 Awards as a top Austin professional in finance, and on a global level, she has been a board member for Dasra, one of India’s preeminent nonprofits, for nearly ten years.

Godiwalla is a Zoroastrian, an ancient Persian religion with less than 200,000 followers left in the world. Her parents grew up in India, immigrating to America over forty years ago. Godiwalla and her three sisters were raised in Houston and all attended the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation, Godiwalla spent about 13 years on the East Coast, mainly in New York City, where she gained the experience she writes about in her book, which she hopes might serve as a “GPS” for other women– especially minority women– headed to Wall Street.

The investment banking culture Godiwalla experienced in New York was one that didn’t value differences, so those who weren’t in the majority had to give up more to fit in. At the time, success was more important to her than identity. As someone who wasn’t part of the majority (upper class, white male), she found the more she conformed to their ways, the more successful she became. The challenge became, “where do you draw the line?”

Godiwalla wouldn’t give up time with family to work 80+ hour weeks again. Some of her colleagues who stayed on Wall Street briefly say that after their experience, they won’t have to go through a mid-life crisis, having learned early on that giving your whole life to a company for money doesn’t buy you anything meaningful.

“In hindsight, I think my main motivation to keep writing was that I felt silenced during my investment banking experience and being able to write about it finally gave me a voice,” Godiwalla said.

A vibrant snapshot of an immigrant family with big dreams, “Suits” reveals how much we’ve been conditioned to trade for success.

She continued, “if the individuals clamoring to get into an investment banking career are more informed about what the experience is really like and if corporate leadership has a better understanding of what it’s like to be an outsider (woman and minority) at a company, I’d be very pleased. Some employers make major efforts to recruit women and minorities by starting well-intentioned diversity programs. However, their corporate cultures can be quite closed-minded.”

“Suits” is influenced by Godiwalla’s particular experience.

She asserts that it isn’t meant to warn women and minorities to stay away from Wall Street, rather to make people more aware of the choices they make in the name of “success” and the subsequent consequences.

“Choosing what type of corporate culture you enter is just as an important factor as salary when choosing a job.

How you navigate that culture is even more important,” she said.

Lanka

- An E pi c on S tage

Godiwalla is once again living in Austin with her husband, who she met on the East Coast, and who also attended UT. She described their first meeting: “We were at a cocktail party and his opening line was, ‘I’d like to move to Austin someday. It’s such a great city.’”

We got married that year and moved to Austin soon after.” She now runs her own company, MindWorks (www.mindworkscorp.com), which provides stress management and meditation training to corporations and other professional organizations.

Godiwalla will be at Book People on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 7 p.m. for a book reading and signing.

by Esmeralda Gujarat

Get ready for an audio-visual feast on Sunday, March 20 at the Westlake Performing Arts Center (6 p.m., 4100 Westbank Drive), where Agni Productions presents a one of a kind stage production, “Lanka - an Epic on Stage.”

Lanka aims to redefine the stage play experience for Austin’s South Asian community and the city’s arts patrons, and is sure to captivate area theatre, music and dance lovers with a neverbefore seen spectacle. Lanka combines storytelling, dance and martial arts to narrate an epic tale presented in English, interlaced with contemporary dance and martial arts which draw inspiration from varied influences. Lanka tells the fictional story of what transpires in Lanka after the Ramayana, the great Indian epic. The production is the brainchild of writer and director Prakash Mohandas – the founder of Agni Productions, a sister concern of Agni: The Dance Company and an active member of

the South Asian community in dance, theatre and music. Lanka is the confluence of his vision to bring together aspects of various traditional and modern dance styles, martial arts and theatre, along with a cinematic feel brought to the stage.

comprising actors, dancers, choreographers, stunt specialists and voice artists, with otherworldly make-up, costume and set designs.

Additionally, Lanka boasts an original musical score written by music director Rohan Joseph, which is sure to enthrall audiences.

The production will feature breathtaking stage setting, costumes and theatrical make-up, with a visual element enhanced by unique lighting and sound to present an unparalleled experience on stage. The scale of the production is unprecedented in Austin’s South Asian community projects, bringing together a cast and crew of 60 individuals,

Agni Productions supports community and humanitarian causes with its events, and part of the proceeds from Lanka will be donated to Asha for Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing socio-economic change in India by using the medium of education. For more info, see www.lankaproduction.com.

TODO Austin // mar 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com 07

March 19 Events Underscore Musicians’ Involvement in Peace and Social Justice

By David Marks

On Saturday, March 19, Austinites and visitors to the city during South by Southwest (SXSW) will be treated to two similar, separate events designed to raise citizens’ awareness of serious issues. Both the Million Musician March for Peace and the Festivál de la Paz e Justicia a la Alcaldía / Festivál at City Hall for Peace and Justice will bring together many of the city’s activists, musicians and organizations in efforts to inform and entertain.

The inaugural Festivál at City Hall for Peace and Justice will take place at City Hall Plaza, 301 W. 2nd St., from noon until 3 p.m.

Festivál will bring together many of the city’s musicians, activists and organizations in an effort to celebrate Austin’s flourishing ethnic communities and unite in a show of solidarity.

The goal of organizers is to showcase diverse types of music and bring together various artists and groups that care about peace and justice. Co-organizer Daniel Llanes said, “Music has a tradition of being at the forefront of cultural development; of cultural inclusion.” Llanes is excited about what

he called the “beautiful synergy” expected from the participants to “show a unifying community for peace and justice.”

The festival is sponsored by multiple organizations, including the Austin Center for Peace and Justice, Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, PODER Austin (People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources), LULAC-District 12, NAACP Austin and others.

“The Festivál is going to make connections, not only between ethnic communities, but between issues important to the community in a spirit of joy and celebration,” said Debbie Russell of ACPJ. “Our city, which sometimes self-segregates itself, is coming together from all corners to embody a shared vision for Austin in the 21st century.”

Noting Austin’s changing demographics and the redefining of the city’s cultural landscape, Llanes observed, “We can never have peace without justice, and we cannot have justice without communication and integration.”

Communication is also on the mind of Richard Bowden, founder/director of the

Million Musician March for Peace (MMM).

The event is Austin’s annual musicianorganized community event for peace, justice, and liberty through public awareness and involvement. The gathering will kick-off with a noon rally at the Capitol, followed by a march through downtown that will end in South Austin at Threadgill’s, where Folk Alliance International is hosting a show as part of SXSW. Organized by the Instruments for Peace network of musicians and friends, the MMM concert/rally will feature artists and speakers who’ll represent various issues of war, peace, liberty, justice and common ground. “All action comes from information,” Bowden said, but propaganda is “polluting our ability to make a clear decision.” In addition to marking the eighth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, he wants MMM to highlight the need of “awareness and responsibility.”

Bowden said, “If one person got more curious about the world and learned of a new source of information… a new source of media that will sustain them and make them care and

aware and able to make focused action in the future, that’ll be worth it.”

Artists scheduled to perform include Eliza Gilkyson, Sara Hickman, Guy Forsyth, Carolyn Wonderland, Barbara K, Shelley King, Will T. Massey and more. Oliver Steck will lead the Jericho Brass band on the march route.

Supporting organizations include Under the Hood, Artists for Media Diversity, Vote Rescue, Texans for Peace, Waco Friends of Peace, Iraq Veterans Against War, Code Pink Austin, Monkey Wrench Books and Instruments of Freedom– a group espousing immigrant rights– joining in a show of solidarity.

Both Festivál at City Hall and MMM hope to capitalize on the media presence at SXSW and the participants and audience it attracts.

Attendees of either (or both) events will be able to gain valuable information on current issues involving a wide spectrum of ideas. In addition, all can join in what MMM organizer Rachel Ferguson described as events “to bring people together through the universal language of music, to a higher purpose.”

Br a n d i C o w l e y 1611 W. 5th Street 512.473.0700 | brandicowley.com photo by Zoe Alexander

Pan Americana Festival Celebrates Austin’s Rich Cultural Legacy

Pan Americana Festival, a new event being produced for the first time by Bellas Artes Alliance and the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, was designed as a launching pad for creative discovery, bringing together a multinational convergence of Latino artistic talent shaping American culture and the U.S. marketplace. This cultural and consumer force will be spotlighted in a series of unique experiences on March 18-19.

From entertainment to educational events, Pan Americana Festival is highlighted by some of the world’s most notable Latino performers, who will join cutting-edge artists to collaborate, celebrate and collectively promote their passions in pursuit of a new, transnational cultural and artistic enterprise.

Latino culture is embraced all over the world, not only for its social values, but for its burgeoning economic impact

as consumers and taxpayers. As of 2011, Hispanics are already nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population and are contributing to a more diverse U.S. society. Likewise, its demographic trends are transforming the arts and entertainment landscape.

Pan Americana Festival welcomes you to the Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center to share in a one-of-a kind experience.

A. B. Quintanilla

Ozomatli

By Ruben Cubillos

By Bowen Wilder

Living the Genius’ Life

“Music is Life is Music,” stated an advertising slogan on the 53rd Grammy Awards broadcast in February.

The statement, though, is in actuality one that A.B. Quintanilla III holds as a core life philosophy.

Quintanilla brings his band the Kumbia All Starz to Austin for a rare appearance on Friday, March 18 at the free Pan Americana Festival.

Music is a daily reality for Quintanilla, who from birth has learned it, lived it, and reinvented it.

With his music constantly evolving in forward motion, music lovers continue to experience the journey of this multi-tasking maestro. From the beginning of his career, where he acted as principal songwriter for Selena y Los Dinos, a band built by his visionary father Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. in Corpus Christi, through a recent three-year hiatus after major success with the Kumbia Kings, Quintanilla III has grasped music concepts far beyond the reach of most artists.

In Quintanilla’s creative camp, where unorthodox ideas are formed and good vibes collide, he’s held to the belief that music is central to his existence.

That conviction led to his latest release, “La Vida de un Genio” (Life of a Genius), a recording which

features vocal performances by some of the most acclaimed artists in the Latin music world.

Masterminded by Quintanilla, who wrote or cowrote the songs and is arguably one of the most renowned Mexican American composers of any generation, the studio was a virtual gallery of stars including Julio Voltio and DJ Kane, Marciano Cantero (from Los Enanitos Verdes), Los Dinos and José Feliciano, Reyli and Andrés Castro, Luis Enrique, Shaila Dúrcal, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Yeyo and T Lopéz (from the D.E.Y.), Ana Isabelle, Ender Thomas, Albita and La Shica, Alex Lora and Jorge Celedón from El Tri and Jimmy Zambrano, and Jon Secada.

Quintanilla’s three year break from the business made him hungrier and more inspired. As he explained in an interview with nochelatina.com’s Stephanie Nolasco in July, “I lost total faith in myself. Sometimes we lose ourselves as writers or producers because we’re our worst critics. I would push myself in and went in four months, 12 hours a day at the studio and didn’t come up with anything.

It’s about finding that sound. Once I found it, it was sitting right in front of my nose. Everything then clicked into place.”

In it for the People

With a sound that transcends genres, geographic boundaries and demographics, the modern embodiment of the Aztec God of Music, Dance and the New Harvest, Ozomatli, will be headlining Saturday, March 19 at the Pan Americana Festival.

TODO Austin recently spoke with Ulises “Uli” Bella, (saxophone, clarinet, requinto jarocho, keyboards, backing vocals), a member of Ozo since its nascent days about this year’s show and his experiences as a member one of the most culturally diverse and widely popular bands of our time.

TODO: Ozomatli originally formed to play a labor protest in Los Angeles, and were recently awarded the title of Cultural Ambassadors by the U.S. State Department preceding a staggered overseas tour. Tell me about some of your philanthropy and how it influences your songwriting.

ULI: Well, that whole angle has always been important to the band from the start. We get really passionate about social issues, especially when it comes to kids and music. It is upsetting

to know that music programs are being cut in schools in L.A. and across the nation, and children in many other parts of the world can only dream of obtaining any kind of formal instruction. All of the members of Ozomatli were involved in school music programs at one point in time and that education was important in our cultivation as professional musicians. We often think about the people we are playing for and hope that they are inspired by our music, and that in turn inspires me to continue doing what I’m doing. It also helps that as a band we continue to push each other to be better at everything that we do. One of our most memorable experiences came from when we performed for about 20,000 people in Mongolia and Eastern China. It was amazing to see that many people come out and support us in a foreign country.

TODO: This will be Ozomatli’s fifth trip to Austin and your third within a year. What is it about Austin that makes you want to come here and play?

ULI: Ozomatli has always had a pretty crazy connection to Austin. We have been playing

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A. B. Quintanilla Continued from Page 9

Ozomatli Continued from Page 9

Quintanilla’s Austin appearance is the latest stop on an extraordinary journey which has touched a variety of musicians, artists, and fans both foreign and domestic. His artistry can be described as ambitious and experimental global music made with a rhythm that reinvents a unique sound that surges unremittingly.

During his recent break from the tour bus, media hounds and the Facebook universe, his was a mind in constant motion, racing over myriad possibilities in search of a clear path.

there for more than ten years and we have made a lot of friends in the process. We have a great audience and our fans are pretty adamant in their appreciation for us. We enjoyed playing at the ACL Studios (in 2004) as well as ACL Festival (in 2010) and SXSW has always been an experience that we look forward to playing every year, and thankfully, Austin makes it pretty clear that they want us there. We love performing in Austin, which makes it pretty easy for us to want to come back.

“I selected the sound of the album first and then decided on what the basic rhythm was going to sound like” he explained to nochelatina. “After that, I wrote songs according to the style of each person that came on the album.”

TODO: What was your most memorable show in Austin?

Few can imagine the responsibility Quintanilla has carried, from nurturing the legacy of his sister Selena while creating a brand and voice of his own after her passing. It was no miracle that he thrived and created a sound that crossed genres, spoke in one universal language and brought not only generations together, but broke down culture-centric barriers.

The last album paid tribute to family and his roots. “Well, it was a tribute to my dad. It was just very important for me to say what I needed to say in the album. I wanted to say it through the way he taught us to express ourselves, which was music. I wanted to give him a beautiful gift. I wrote the songs and they speak of him. It was done in an enigmatic way. I’ve never written a song like that and it feels like it’s part of a movie’s soundtrack. It’s very epic. It was something personal that I had to do for myself and I think the fans will really enjoy it.”

A.B. Quintanilla III is a survivor, and his Kumbia All-Starz will continue to travel ahead of the latest trends, charts and tabloids as ambassadors of Latino music moving across the hemisphere.

As a force of nature, they generate a loyal fan base while the admiration from their artistic colleagues grows. Music hasn’t been everything in Quintanilla life, but it is the one, constant moving part of his being.

ULI: One year at SXSW, we played a free show called “Republic Enemy” near the bridge, by the hiking trail on the river. The crowd’s energy was so animated I could feel it on stage, and that made us all work harder and give one of the best performances I can remember. Afterwards, we were getting nothing but humble praise from all kinds of people and that kind of voluntary gratitude really solidified our bond with the people of Austin and SXSW. TODO: Do you have an opinion on some of the new immigration laws proposed in the Texas Legislature parallel to those passed in Arizona?

ULI: Ozomatli has been actively involved in a collective boycott with other bands in Arizona since the beginning of this fiasco. It is obvious that there is a necessity for immigration reform all around, but the bills are making discrimination policy; a regressive move stalling years of hard-work. In order for a just reform to pass, there has to be recognition of the human element from a compassionate perspective. I feel that as nationals we sometimes forget that almost all of us have immigrant ancestry and we shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the contributions and skills of a large proportion of honest, hardworking citizens, legal or illegal. Some of the politicians purporting a “fair and just” immigration reform apparently don’t understand that the expulsion of foreign workers would collapse our nation’s economy.

Featuring Emcee

Flo Hernandez Born in Dallas, Florencio “Flo” Hernandez is moving up fast in stand-up comedy. Recognized as one of the hottest young Latino comics, Flo is performing at clubs and events across the U.S. Compared by critics to Latino comedy greats George Lopez and the late Freddy Soto, Flo delivers fast paced, high energy stand-up that crosses all cultural, ethnic and economic boundaries. Flo takes his comedy on the road every chance he gets and is popular with major clubs like the Hollywood Improv. This entertainer definitely rocks the house. Already gaining a multicultural fan base, Flo is known for his signature “Paleta Man,” “Garage Sale” and “Taco Salad” routines, always audience favorites. Born to proud Mexican American parents, he was always the class clown while growing up. As an adult, Flo tried the “corporate cubical 9 to 5” but his passion for making people laugh called him to the stage. He took the risk and jumped to pursue a full time career in comedy. Even when others thought he was crazy, he took the challenge. Today Flo is building a comedy tidal wave in clubs and cities across the southwest.

The Pan Americana Festival is presented by: Bellas Artes Alliance Bellas Artes Alliance is dedicated to the promotion, preservation and advancement of the music, arts and culture of the Hispanic community by producing festivals, programs and events that strengthen the public’s awareness and appreciation of our Hispanic heritage, that encourage social advocacy on behalf of the Hispanic community and that support, educate and expose Hispanic artists residing in the Americas.

Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation, and promotion of Mexican American cultural arts and heritage. The center is a tremendous resource for the community and visitors to learn and participate in classes and programs that will foster a meaningful understanding and appreciation of not only Mexican American but also Native American, Chicano, and other Latino cultures. The programs and educational curriculum include the areas of visual art, theater, dance, literature, music, multimedia and the culinary arts.

U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association The USHCA de Austin is an advocate to ensure that legislation or policy is not exclusionary to our stakeholders in the construction community. They often join forces with the state and national chapters, the Hispanic Contractors Association de Tejas and the U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association, to bring opportunity and benefits based on fairness and inclusion to its regional and affiliated members across the country. They engage on behalf of our members and stakeholders in the community on issues relevant to the construction industry. They seek out and forge relationships with industry related corporations, associations, government entities, political leaders and individuals. We strive to create support to our members with basic services and resources.

Show Info What: Pan Americana Festival Where: Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River Street) When: Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 Charge: FREE Doors: 4:00 p.m. Friday; Noon on Saturday Items not allowed: Pets, video cameras, ice chests, knives/ weapons/chains, outside food and beverage, tents, flags, drugs.

Items allowed: Lawn chairs, blankets, beach towels, backpacks, digital/disposable cameras, bring legal ID for alcoholic consumption.

Free Parking and Shuttles: Park East of Interstate 35 and hop on the FREE shuttles from Sanchez Elementary (73 San Marcos St.) and Martin Middle School (1601 Haskell St.)

II // TODO Austin presents // panamericanafestival.com // march 2011

Friday March 18 A.B. Quintanilla III and the Kumbia All Starz A.B. Quintanilla III is one of music’s finest songwriters and producers. The South Texas native, the older brother of Tejana legend Selena, was a member of Selena y Los Dinos, where he co-wrote several of Selena’s hit songs and served as her producer. He later emerged as a success in his own right with the Kumbia Kings, whose pop and cumbia sensibilities led to international acclaim. Quintanilla has also produced works for Thalía, Alicia Villarreal, Verónica Castro and Cristian Castro. Quintanilla left Kumbia Kings in 2006 to form the group Kumbia All Starz, a multi-piece, multicultural group that mixes cumbia, Hip-Hop and R&B in a unique way. After a three-year hiatus, the band released “La Vida de un Genio” (Life of a Genius) this year.

The recording is a true musical adventure and features performances by some of the most acclaimed artists in Latin music.

Ozomatli In their fifteen years together as a band, celebrated Los Angeles culture-mashers Ozomatli have gone from being hometown heroes to being named U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors. Their music — a notorious urbanLatino-and-beyond collision of hip hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East LA R&B and New Orleans second line, Jamaican reggae and Indian raga— has long followed a key mantra: it will take you around the world by taking you around L.A, and now the world. Ozomatli has worked diligently to spread its message of peace, communication and understanding through music, with a long standing tradition of performing for children all over the globe. In 2011, the band focused on “oZoKidZ”, a special family friendly set geared towards performing for children and adults alike. The band is currently in the studio with acclaimed producer Tony Berg, recording a children’s album for release in 2011, followed by a book, DVD and tour.

Os Alquimistas & the Hashashin The contemporary Brazilian sounds of Os Alquimistas combine forces onstage with the vigorous rock-reggae grooves of The Hashashin for an explosive performance. Both groups are led by Brazilian composer Frederico Geib, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil who has been living and performing throughout the U.S. and the Americas for a decade. Os Alquimistas have at their core the power duo of Geib (nylon guitar, vocals) and the talented Michael Longoria (drums, pandeiro, loops), fusing traditional elements of Brazilian culture with funk, soul and electronica. The Hashashin have an unapologetic rock and dub-reggae sound infused with Brazilian melodies and samba groove. Adding their cumulative years, they’ve dedicated themselves to the fusion of traditional and contemporary music for a century.

Latin Breed Drawing on influences ranging from jazz to R&B to the horn bands of the 80s, the Tejano group Latin Breed was formed in San Antonio over forty years ago. As pioneers of the Tejano and Chicano rock sound, they scored a number of Billboard Chart hits. The horn-driven engine that is the Latin Breed features blistering rhythm which Hector Saldaña of the Express-News describes as “San Antonio’s answer to Tower of Power.” The Latin Breed originally came together in 1969, led by Rudy Guerra. Today, Latin Breed continues playing the road across the Southwest, under new ownership since 2005, with vocalist Adalberto Gallegos and Charlie Rodriguez (Saxophone; MD). They are currently on their UNSTOPPABLE Tour, which launched in February.

Sexto Sol Sexto Sol is an original music act that effectively blends alternative rock, Latin, salsa, jazz, R&B and soul music.

Sam Villela (Keys and Vocals), Eddie Hernandez (Guitar), Juan Ramos (Drums), Greg Goodman (Bass) and James Moody (Percussion) bring their musical influences together to form a one-of-a-kind sound. Juan Tejeda, music instructor at Palo Alto College and accordionist for the Conjunto Aztlan, says “they have developed a distinctive musical identity and carved a very important niche in the musical scene of San Antonio.” Villela’s soulful, rhythm-n-blues-laden tunes add a vocal complement to the band’s repertoire, and the powerful and flowing bass lines of Goodman compliment the steady back beat and percolating percussion of drummers Ramos and Moody. “El indio” Hernandez rounds out the band with his alternating effervescent chords and rock-me-out guitar licks.

Scarlett Olson Singing and performing from the age of 11, sultry Latina vocalist and San Antonio native Scarlett Olson is expecting more than ripples when she makes a wholehearted plunge into solo artistry. Whether performing traditional Latin music, jazz, or rock, her music has a strong influence from Latin culture through family ties and her residence in Mexico. Since moving to Austin in 2000, she has performed with various groups including The Brew, Latin jazz band Mashea, and the hip-hop jazz quartet Urban Jazz All-Stars. In 2009, she started a recording project with Michael Ramos (Los Lonely Boys, Charanga Cakewalk) to complete her first solo album, “The Little Things,” a collaborative blend of Latin, electronica, cumbia, reggae, Tejano and pop. She’ll be showcasing the new album at Pan Americana Festival.

Saturday March 19

photo by joanna z.

La Guerilla Heralded by plethora of local bloggers as Austin’s unofficial “Next Up-and-Coming Band” La Guerrilla’s six man ensemble seamlessly fuses world and contemporary influences in an energetic display of unbridled style that is completely their own. Their toe-tapping mixture of “acoustic punk, gypsy Latin, folk rock and ska techno” struck a chord with the Austin City Council who recently made May 27th “La Guerrilla Day.” Lisa McCown’s piercing gypsy violin, reminiscent of Gogol Bordello, compliments the vocal diversity of singer Enrique Rumiche who employs the late spirit of Sublime frontman, Brad Nowell when belting out harmonies and vigorous interjections in both Spanish and English. The Hush Sound folk-pop element in La Guerrilla’s repertoire completes their ability to create music that is both universally enjoyable and infinitely repeatable.

Los Whatz Los Whatz is a raw concept come to life. The group formed when Moris and Moller decided to gather and create an innovative sound, and so conceived the idea of utilizing only drums and bass guitar. The idea has posed challenges as its dependent on creating a full sound with a limited number of instruments.

This has been a blessing of sorts to Moris and Moller. They both play intensively to fill the voids while innovating fresh sounds to compliment the root structure. Their style can be traced to the influence of White Stripes. As Moller puts it “we’re trying to get to every ear of the masses, not as a POP group, but rather create diverse music while performing nightly as a cool duet.”

La Distancia Distinctively different, La Distancia’s music is a perfect blend of rancheras and cumbias. Their debut 2000 CD release, “Primer Impacto,” drew rave reviews, as did the 2008 “Kumbiavision.” The energetic band based in San Marcos entertains with a versatile and exciting stage presence. The band, which has shared the stage with Shelly Lares, Jimmy Gonzalez, Michael Salgado, David Lee Garza, and others, is fronted by the duo of Laura McGill (vocalist, bajo sexto, guitar), Augustine “Gootz” Chavez (accordion, vocalist, keyboard and saxophone/trumpet), Irma Rodriguez (bass, back-up vocals), John “Wero G” Garza (keyboard, M.C.), Robert Espinoza (drummer) and Jacob Sierra (saxophone).

TODO Austin presents // panamericanafestival.com // march 2011 // III

Pan Americana Festival Sponsors

...a little help from our friends.

United Sounds of Austin

Bob Geldof, Yoko Ono Highlight SXSW Music

By Otis Lopez

South by Southwest music and media conference is bringing two of music’s most influential social activists to town this month. Over the course of the past 25 years, SXSW’s informative panel discussions have featured some of the industry’s foremost players from every genre of music, whose art and activism have helped shape social change. This year’s appearances by Bob Geldof and Yoko Ono underscores SXSW’s role in connecting ideas to activism, and speaks loudly to its continuing mission to represent voices and cultures around the globe.

Musicians have used song for social commentary and activism from the time of ancient poet-songsters to present day rallies and causes, and SXSW in particular allows these artists a unique opportunity to relate their personal experiences with social engagement while commenting on the impact of music and musicians on major social and political issues.

No one better echoes the traditional role of musicians as advocates for truth than Geldof, who will share his insight as keynote speaker and also perform in a showcase.

Described as “one of Ireland’s greatest lyricists ever,” and as “a bizarre mix of James Joyce meets Jesus Christ,” Geldof’s uses his art, in his words, “to talk about things. To articulate change and its desirability.”

campaign, an effort to rally people to fight the emergency of the global AIDS epidemic and extreme poverty. Geldof also successfully lobbied world leaders at the British G8 in 2005 through Live8, which resulted in the cancellation of third world debt and an increase in aid for the poorest countries.

Geldof will arrive at SXSW with his band to perform tunes from his latest album, “How to Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell,” and selections from a career that began as front man of the legendary Boomtown Rats. ldof Bob Ge

His March 17 keynote address, as luck would have it, coincides with St. Patrick’s Day. Lucky is one adjective that could be used for those music fans that’ll have the opportunity to sit with Yoko Ono as she is interviewed by her longtime Austin friend, Jody Denberg, on Friday, March 18.

From her pioneering work in the Fluxus movement of the 1960s to the recent Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland, Ono’s art has challenged and informed, melding the personal to the universal in simple and unique ways. Her marriage and creative collaboration with John Lennon was a love story played out on the global stage.

During his journey, the Ireland native has taken music activism to a whole new level. His organization of the iconic Live Aid concert in 1985 to raise funds for relief of the Ethiopian famine made a singular impression around the globe. Geldof also gathered music’s greatest artists of the era for the record-breaking single “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” co-written with Midge Ure of Ultravox, and was the driving inspiration behind USA for Africa’s “We Are the World.”

Ono’s music trail blazed what later became known as punk and alternative rock. She recently enjoyed having five consecutive dance singles chart at number one on the Billboard Dance Chart. In 2009, she received Mojo magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and she assembled a new Plastic Ono Band for her latest album, “Between My Head and the Sky,” co-produced with son Sean Lennon for his Chimera Music label. Ono will be a special guest performer at a Chimera Music night, Saturday, March 19 at The Elysium.

Over the last 20 years, Geldof has moved from what he called “charity to justice” and lobbied world leaders on behalf of the poor, engaging major figures such as Bono to join him in founding the ONE

From gallery to stage to social media platforms, Ono has brought a message of peace to the world. Find her ongoing projects at www. imaginepeace.com.

Yoko Ono

The 29th Annual Austin Music Awards Keeping it Local

By Erica Stall Wiggins

There is hardly a music event in Austin that is more anticipated by locals than the Austin Music Awards. While the city is inundated with entertainment professionals from around the world, the Austin Music Hall is flush with rich Texas talent and fans. 2011 will mark the 30th year of the Austin Chronicle Music Poll and the 29th awards show, and Director and Austin Chronicle music maven Margaret Moser has planned another blow-out celebration.

The show will close the SXSW Music Festival on Saturday, March 19, beginning at 7:09 p.m. Between award announcements, Austin music aficionados will be treated to performances by acclaimed singersongwriter Sahara Smith with Will Sexton, a reunion of the Wagoneers featuring Monte Warden and Joe Ely with special guest Ephraim Owens, Texas psychedelic legends Bubble Puppy, relative newcomers Bright Light Social Hour and the Meat Puppets with Roky Erickson.

The evening will wrap up with a concert-length set from 2010 crowd pleaser Mother Falcon, who will hopefully debut songs from their just-released album, “Alhambra.” The show will be emceed by awardwinning music writer and KGSR DJ Andy Langer. This will be Langer’s fifth year emceeing the show, having taken the helm from music legend Paul Ray in 2007. As always, there will be surprise musical guests and

special guest presenters, such as Dana Wheeler Nicholson from the TV series “Friday Night Lights.”

“This 30th poll reflects the ever-evolving face of Austin music, and this year’s 29th Music Awards mirrors that with a lineup of talent that stretches across five decades,” states Moser.

The Music Awards are presented by the Austin Chronicle and SXSW and co-sponsored by 93.3 KGSR and the Art Institute of Austin. Proceeds from the show benefit the SIMS Foundation. The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) will be there, and not to be missed is the art exhibit by the South Austin Gallery of Pop Culture.

SXSW badges and wristbands allow entry into the show at the Austin Music Hall. Tickets are also available at Waterloo Records. For those who can’t attend in person, the show will be broadcast live on channelAustin (channel 10).

TODO Austin // mar 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com 13

Executive Editor and Journalist Brings True Blood to SxSW Interactive Erica Stall Wiggins is not just a fan of the HBO hit series “True Blood,” she’s a fanatic. Wiggins is also a marketing and social media strategist, and was fascinated as much by the near-constant stream of interviews, blog posts, merchandise and supplemental episodes of the show available to her as she was the werewolves and vampires of season three. When she dug deeper, what she found was that the series had broken ground on a new breed of immersion marketing techniques that she wanted to know more about, including stunts like a mock video where HBO apologizes for some hilariously “gone-wrong” fabricated marketing techniques.

Enter the idea for an expert panel at South by Southwest. Fueled not only by a desire to learn how to use these tools in her own work, Wiggins had the desire to meet the people behind the world of True Blood. She pitched the idea to SXSW Interactive. It was accepted in the first round of programming from over 2,400 submissions, and “Fan to Fanatic: True Blood’s Marketing Hook” was born.

Leading the effort to coordinate the panel with Wiggins is HBO SVP of Program Advertising, Zach Enterlin. His colleague Sabrina Caluori, HBO Director of Marketing and Social Media will also join the panel. From the blogsphere, original fan site www.True-Blood.net creator Liz Henderson will speak. Mike Monello from Campfire, NYC and Todd Brandes from Digital Kitchen– the two additional firms that have crafted True Blood marketing campaigns– will round out the team.

Mexican American Experience Showcases Flourishing Community

By Liz López

The first Mexican American Experience (MAE), taking place March 16-17 at the Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, began as “an idea to find a way to expose the talent that flourishes in the Mexican American community,” explains producer Leonard Davila. “Not Latino or Hispanic community, but the Mexican American community.”

As Davila contends, Mexican American music has been neglected in the city that bills itself as the Live Music Capital of the World. “I’ve noticed that in the past, when there are Latino or Hispanic events presenting music, it’s always Mexican or South American music that is featured. Mexican Americans perform all genres of music, including country, rock, jazz and other genres including some with a Native Americano sound. These musicians have tasted and experienced all different kinds of music. We’re everywhere. We are as much a part of Austin as anyone else.”

MAE celebrates the success of the native Latino community in overcoming the odds long stacked against it, and as Davila, Chairman of MAE and a co-founder of the Austin Tejano Music Coalition believes, the show represents the beginning of a new era of inclusivity. “There has always been a need for an event that includes all genres of music,” said Davila. “I would hope that from now on, Tejano and other particular Mexican American genres of music will not be excluded from any event.”

Davila’s production associates at Crossroads Events hope to ensure that is the case. MAE represents the maiden voyage for the production company, a group made up of five individuals who have been involved in either the music industry or in community affairs over the past forty years, including Davila, music coordinator Alberto “Skeeter” Amesquita, CFO Rosendo Gomez, and board members Gilberto Rivera and Johnny Limon.

MAE came about on the heels of an attempt to partner with South by Southwest on a Tejano showcase last year at Kenny Durham’s Backyard on East 11th Street, next to the legendary blues club, The Victory Grill.

“South by Southwest has most of the music venues in Austin booked during this time for ‘sanctioned’ showcases—those selected through their application process,” explains Davila. “But most Latino or Hispanic music acts showcased at SXSW are primarily from other countries.

Photo courtesy of HBO. All rights reserved.

Panel Information: Fan to Fanatic: True Blood’s Marketing Hook http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_IAP5536 Friday, March 11, 3:30 p.m.

Austin Convention Center

Panel Description: Television series’ such as True Blood start with a great idea, a great script, and great actors. But what happens between concept and phenomenon?

HBO has capitalized on the momentum the show has gained throughout the first three seasons with some of the most creative marketing campaigns ever, including a True Blood drink campaign for a beverage that had yet to exist, creative that “hacked reality” and spoke to the vampires living among us, a Jessica Hamby character video blog, opposing web sites for the American Vampire League and Fellowship of the Sun, and merchandise ranging from Lafayette’s “L” necklace to Sookie’s Merlotte’s apron. Attendees will follow the story of True Blood from the inception of the series through the creation of the “immersion” fan experience through the mediums of Print, Television and the Internet. They will learn the selling points, the marketing tools and the magic that “turn” fans into fanatics.

14 TODO Austin // mar 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com

The SXSW showcase featured Little Joe y La Familia, Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution, Los

Texas Wranglers and El Tule on a chilly Thursday night, yet some 300 fans showed up and stayed to the last note. Coinciding with the official SXSW showcase, Amesquita and Davila hosted a four-night non-sanctioned showcase of twenty- four musical acts at El Sol y La Luna on E. 6th St. that also was a success. “There were many obstacles in accomplishing the task of putting these showcases together with no appreciation from the venues or SXSW,” Davila maintained. “So this year we decided to do our own event at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Culture Center. It was worked out with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and ourselves to hold a free event for the public whereby we could reach the fans that appreciate the music and approach other potential fans that have never heard this flavor of music.”

Performing on the MAE bill are artists that hold special meaning to the community. “Little Joe, Ruben Ramos, Roberto Pulido, Jimmy Edward, David Marez, Joe Bravo and Stefani Montiel are icons in the Tejano music industry,” said Davila. “They are Grammy nominees and winners, Tejano Hall of Fame inductees and winners of other music awards. I would say that almost everyone of Mexican American heritage knows of these acts.”

There are several challenges of putting together a show during SXSW, Davila asserts. “SXSW has Austin sewn up; everyone jumps when they say jump. They have brought millions of dollars to the Austin economy so the City of Austin is at their disposal. The Convention Center, hotels, motels and venues are booked for years in advance. We tried to reserve rooms for our artists coming from other cities, but none were available.

“But our people we’ve been down this road before, long before the producers of SXSW came around. The old Aqua Festival used to showcase our type of Mexican American music and had its most successful nights on what they called “Mexican Nights.” Attendance and concession sales were always phenomenal. Is the Mexican American community deserving of such shows again? Why not, when there are other events promoting the other genres of music?”

The benefits to the community from MAE are numerous.

“The doors are open for more people to come to this city to experience something new, although what they experience is something that has been around for many, many decades,” said Davila. “Our event will showcase Tejano acts that play all genres of music, English and Spanish. We anticipate fans from across Texas and other states that have contacted us and I really believe that this can become something big if we continue. We are hoping to do so.

About the Mexican American Experience: Free show at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St.). 512-974-3772 Performances start at 6:30 p.m. each night. Free shuttle bus rides from Sanchez Elementary School and Martin Middle School will be available each night.

Wednesday, March 16 artists include Los Tres Amigos featuring Little Joe Hernandez, Ruben Ramos and Roberto Pulido, Los Texas Wranglers, Grupo Vida, Braulio y Fuzzion Thursday, March 17 artists include Avizo, featuring David Marez, Jimmy Edward and Joe Bravo, Stefani Montiel, Grupo Llueve and Cinco Doce.

The ToDo ArTs LisT Presented by texas Performing arts Texas Performing Arts is proud to recognize Austin’s many outstanding arts organizations AUSTIN PLAYHOUSE’S LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR

The side-splitting comedy follows the writing, fighting, and wacky antics which take place in the writers’ room of a weekly variety show circa 1953. The characters are based on Neil Simon’s co-writers on “Your Show Of Shows,” including Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Sid Caesar and Jackie Gleason. The play follows TV star Max Prince as he struggles to keep ratings high and his family life intact. Austin Playhouse (3601 S. Congress, Bldg. C) Mar. 1-27.

Thur.-Sat., 8 p.m./Sun. 5 p.m. www.austinplayhouse.com

AUSTIN CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY: XUEFEI YANG

Born following the Chinese Cultural Revolution, the story of Fei’s rise to the world stage is that of a musical pioneer. The first guitarist in China to enter a music school, and the first to launch an international professional career, she is now acclaimed as one of the world’s finest classical guitarists. Saturday, Mar. 5, 8 p.m. at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church (7050 Village Center Dr.) www.austinclassicalguitar.org

MERCE CUNNINGHAM DANCE COMPANY

TROUBLE PUPPET THEATER’S THE JUNGLE

TEXAS EARLY MUSIC PROJECT

eighth blackbird: SLIDE

SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE W/ YO-YO MA

Founded by Connor Hopkins in 2004, the company returns with its awardwinning adaptation of “The Jungle.” The fully-realized adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s 1906 muckraking novel about immigrant laborers in Chicago, funded by the Jim Henson Foundation Project, promises cutting-edge, innovative puppet theater for adults. Mar. 17-Apr. 3, Thur.-Sun., Salvage Vanguard Theater (2803 Manor Rd.) www.troublepuppet.com Step out of the box and into an evening of unconventional musical theatre. “Slide” is a concert-length music/theater work featuring newmusic ensemble eighth blackbird, librettist/actor/singer Rinde Eckert, and composer/performer Steve Mackey. Eckert plays Renard, an enigmatic psychologist who struggles to describe an experiment examining reactions to in-and out-of-focus slides. The sextet combines bracing virtuosity with an alluring sense of irreverence. McCullough Theatre, Wednesday, Mar. 23, 8 p.m. www.TexasPerformingArts.org

In this triumphant final tour, the renowned contemporary dance company showcases the genre-changing works created by its founder, as performed by the men and women he trained. Cunningham, who died in 2009, conceived the tour as a final preservation of his legacy as the company’s activities drew to a close. The company, performing an evening of Cunningham’s greatest works, will disband after this two-year tour.

Tuesday, Mar. 8, 8 p.m. Bass Concert Hall. www.TexasPerformingArts.org

From meditative chant to rousing polyphony, “From Notre Dame to St. Mary Cathedral” explores the groundbreaking and innovative music of Léonin and Pérotin, the most important members of the 12th-century School of Notre Dame. This a cappella concert will be performed by an ensemble of ten male voices in the resplendent acoustics of St. Mary Cathedral (203 E. 10th). Saturday, Mar. 26, 8 p.m. www.early-music.org One of the preeminent classical musicians in the world, Yo-Yo Ma debuts his distinguished Silk Road Ensemble in Austin, Monday, Mar. 28, 8 p.m. at Bass Concert Hall. Ma recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the project, which fosters cultural exchange by uniting artists from Asia, the Middle East and the West in creative collaborations. The ensemble functions not as a fixed collective but rather as a collection of like-minded musicians dedicated to exploring the relationship between tradition and innovation in music from the East and West. Their concerts are renowned for their ambition and range as they perform new commissions as well as traditional music. www.TexasPerformingArts.org

photo by Luke Ratray

SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE

photo by Anna Finke

NATHAN GUNN, BARITONE

Considered one of the most exciting and in-demand baritones today, Gunn performs with accompanist and wife Julie Gunn on piano in the acoustic richness of Bates Recital Hall. Gunn, who has appeared in internationally renowned opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and Paris Opera, performs works by Hugo Wolf, Charles Ives, and Samuel Barber. Wednesday, Mar. 9, 8 p.m. www.TexasPerformingArts.org

Share an evening with a jazz band unlike any touring the world today.

This group is the future of jazz and brings their colossal sound to the Bass Concert Hall stage in a performance that explores the compositions of the incomparable Stevie Wonder. With members from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, New York, Philadelphia, New Zealand, and Israel, the Collective’s multi-cultural lineup mirrors the jazz talent that is exploding all over the world. These Grammy-winning visionary musicians perform Thursday, Mar. 24, 8 p.m. www.TexasPerformingArts.org

photo by David OConner

WEST SIDE STORY

More than 50 years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it’s back on Broadway mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, “West Side Story” soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by its two-time Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents, the musical remains as powerful, poignant, and timely as ever.

The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest. Bass Concert Hall. Mar. 29-Apr. 3. www.TexasPerformingArts.org

photo by Bill Phelps

photo by John Abbott

TexAsperformingArTs.org

¡Salud!

Growing Roots: Demystifying Disability Diagnosis Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Pharyngoesophageal Dysphagia.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Nissen Fundoplication.

feel capable and successful as parents and members of the community. And as a result, their child’s outcomes and performance improve.

Do you know what these terms mean?

Growing Roots is currently completing a curriculum which will allow them to offer parents 6-8 week interactive classes consisting of hands-on learning, as well as formal support group sessions. Classes will be taught by healthcare professionals and parents of children with the same diagnosis. In order to facilitate accessibility, classes will be offered within community centers throughout Austin and Del Valle. The first classes will cover prematurity (in both Spanish and English) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (in both Spanish and English). Growing Roots will add topics and diagnoses throughout the year based on feedback from the community.

Imagine your child is diagnosed with a disability. Words such as the ones above are embedded within packets of information, lists of specialists and online resources related to your child’s diagnosis. You feel overwhelmed, exhausted and confused. Now imagine you have less than an 8th grade education. You do not speak English. You do not know what to ask, who to turn to, or what help to seek.

As a result, you feel powerless, isolated and inadequate to participate in your own child’s care.

As president and founder of Growing Roots, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Maria P. Hernandez wants to fill the gaps in education that create these feelings of incompetency.

As a bilingual speech-language pathologist working with underserved populations, she too often encounters parents who do not understand the very basics of their child’s diagnosis. Yet somehow, these families are expected to independently navigate complex medical and educational systems that require high levels of competency, literacy and advocacy.

How Picky Eaters are Made—and Unmade

By Lene Saint-Orens

During the agriculturally bleak winter months, you see magazines and TV chefs offering advice on how to doctor up your vegetables to make them more appealing not only to your children but to you. (Who among us has not broiled mealy midwinter plum tomatoes with that “dusting of sugar”?) Not to say there’s anything wrong with this practice. Among other things, it makes the first trips to the spring farmer’s market—with it’s bundles of just-pulled lettuce, overflowing bushels of peas and apricots, and crates of blinkand-they’re gone lemons—all the more sweet.

While some kids eat almost anything that crosses their plates, others are ultra-finicky. Some children are naturally more sensitive to taste, smell and texture than others. That said, you rarely see limited food preferences in children from large families, which just aren’t able to cater to picky eating habits by preparing separate, “preferred” foods. My hunch is that picky eating stems from a combination of a child who’s pretty sensitive and a parent who’s pretty anxious about that child’s sensitivity and therefore overly accommodating.

The need for an educational service for these families is overwhelming. Without a strong understanding of their child’s needs, parents will continue to be limited in their participation in therapy, school and medical visits. More so, they will continue to feel like outsiders in their own child’s care. It is time to change this outlook and to educate and empower parents by helping them build a strong foundation for their child’s future.

I think there’s not another nation on earth that has as many junk foods as we do in the U.S., and as few opportunities for naturally occurring exercise, like walking. Some adults make terrible food choices and then offer their children the same things. Our kids’ palates are skewed away from “grown-up” stuff that’s good for them. In other words, after a steady diet of burgers, what kid would want to eat spinach?

Growing Roots firmly believes that all families deserve an opportunity to become experts regarding their child’s special needs.

Through interactive classes and by using material that considers linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic differences, Growing Roots provides parents with the necessary knowledge, resources and support to become active and empowered participants in their child’s care and development. By “breaking down” the medical jargon in a dynamic and supportive setting, parents can learn and apply information related to questions such as:

How can you help?

I’m a believer in limiting your child’s control over food while making him think he has total control.

And so for me, it’s all about the choice. Celery

“What does this diagnosis mean? Who can help me in my community? Why do I feel this way? How can I help my child? Who are all these specialists and what should I ask them?

How can I care for the rest of my family?”

Collaborate: Are you a nonprofit organization that can provide services to these families? Want to collaborate to best serve this community’s needs?

By knowing what to ask and knowing the answers to the questions above, parents can better participate in their child’s medical care, confidently ask and answer questions during school meetings and more importantly,

Donate: Donations can be made either through the website (www.growingrootsaustin. com) or via check made payable to Growing Roots. Mail checks to P.O. BOX 41048, Austin, TX 78704. All donations are tax-deductible.

or carrots? Beans or peas? How about a weekly experiment night? Encourage your child to try different textures and foods, and praise him when he does. Make the trip to the farmer’s market a spectacle (DO let him pick your produce), and utilize this time to teach your child about nutrition.

Try a new restaurant experience where you order off the menu, and share a meal together. Dig it— and set up some planters with favorite veggies this spring.

Short-lived habits are easier to break. Even if your child has been a picky eater for years, it’s never too late to coax him away from old habits and try to improve the situation. The key is to make a total family change.

Lene Saint-Orens is the founder of Whole Kids Adventure, a unique child development model that seeks to change the culture of junk food by educating children and their families about healthy eating habits. More information about Lene or her innovative programs can be found at www.wholekidsadventure.org.

Volunteer: Help teach a class, assist with community outreach, interview families, etc.

Business Support: Are you a business that supports our mission? Have items or in-kind donations you would like to donate?

Wish list: Help Growing Roots access materials and resources.

For more info contact Maria P. Hernandez at mph@growingrootsaustin.com or call (512) 240-2757. Visit www.growingrootsaustin.com

footwear apparel nutrition training community Sandra and Horacio work together to learn about their daughter’s special needs.

All Hail the King Cake!

What really makes a king cake is the trinket inside— usually a baby Jesus. Photo: Robb Walsh

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

By Heather Lee

Mardi Gras season is already upon us. In fact, it is soon over.

This year, March 8 is “Fat Tuesday,” officially ending the Mardi Gras season. Before the season ends, why not indulge in the decadence of a traditional Mardi Gras delicacy, the king cake?

The French and Spanish brought the tradition of king cake to the Americas, and we all know what great bakers they are known to be. Oui? Sí. It derives its name from the three wise kings who visited the Christ child on the twelfth night of Christmas, which The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates.

The twelfth night of Christmas, January 6, is also known as “Three Kings Day,” or “El Día de los Reyes Magos.” In Mexican tradition, children receive their gifts on this day and celebrate with a king cake, or “Roscas de Reyes.” King cake revelry around the globe continues through Mardi Gras Day (followed

by Ash Wednesday, which kicks off Lent).

A New Orleans-style king cake is usually made with an enriched French bread dough, brioche. Although it’s not required for an

authentic king cake, it might contain a filling of some kind, like cream cheese or fruit. A traditionally French recipe typically contains a frangipane, or almond-paste filling. The cake is often topped with colored icing or sugar in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold and green. King cakes are enjoyed in many different countries so there are several variations in the recipes.

But what really makes a king cake is the trinket hidden inside.

Most cakes in the U.S. contain a small plastic baby inside, meant to represent baby Jesus. The person who finds the hidden knick knack is said to be the “king” or “queen” of the party and, in turn, hosts the next king cake party. In the past, a bean was placed inside the cake to determine the ruler of the feast.

You can call ahead to local bakeries like Bakerman’s Bakery, Sweetish Hill Bakery & Cafe or Quack’s 43rd St. Bakery to order your own king cake for Mardi Gras, or try picking one up at your local grocery store. If you prefer to bake your own, Emeril Lagasse’s recipe is sure to be a hit. (www.emerils.com) So, Mardi Gras revelers, let the good times roll in the form of a king cake this season. Happy Mardi Gras, y’all!

Music in the Kitchen: Austin City Limits Performers Get Cooking

By Erica Stall Wiggins

In 1989, there were only a handful of professional make-up artists in Austin. When Glenda Facemire moved to the city in 1983, she already had an impressive film and video resume from out of state, and when the first Austin City Limits (ACL) make-up artist left, Facemire was a perfect fit. A huge fan of the show, her first taping in late 1989 was with Stevie Ray Vaughn, a performance which blew her away. After that, “I just kept showing up,” she chuckled, “I still can’t believe it’s now going on 22 fabulous years with ACL.” An accomplished cook and food lover, over the years Facemire’s conversations with artists “in the chair” sometimes turned to food. She was surprised at how many of them shared her passion for it, and in 2001 the idea of sharing this passion in a “timeless” ACL performer’s cookbook was born.

Facemire was still considering the thought when Jason Mraz came to town in 2003 to play the show. Producer Terry Lickona was interviewing Mraz in the dressing room when he mentioned his mom’s great meatloaf recipe that he prepared on the bus in lieu of “road food.” Facemire, who had been searching for inspiration, immediately thought to herself, “now there’s my omen for the cookbook!”

When Facemire approached University of Texas Press, she had nothing but local artist’s recipes. Without a manuscript, they didn’t know what to do with the collection, but knowing she needed the legitimacy of a contract to approach the artists, she said “if you give me a contract, I can prove it to you.” Once she had her opening act (her local support), the first artist to agree was Bruce Hornsby. “He’s a big star. That’s going to bring in a few more big performers now,” she thought. She signed a contract for 89 recipes, and before it was over, she had 130-plus recipes and a 305-page cookbook.

“I’ve always said that my primary criterion for choosing performers for Austin City Limits is originality—artists who have unique ways of expressing themselves through their singing, writing, or playin.’

And thanks to this cookbook, now they have a new way of expressing themselves!

Once the idea took hold, the first people to come on board were Austin ACL artists.

­— Terry Lickona, Executive Producer of Austin City Limits

“We were the warm up act,” said Cindy Cashdollar (musician and one-time member of Asleep at the Wheel) regarding the early local support that bolstered the project. Others who joined the ranks were Sara Hickman, Jimmie Vaughan, Ray Benson, Grupo

Facemire’s passions, in addition to music and food, include charitable organizations like the American Humane Association and Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Emancipet.

One thing she knew from the time she spent with the artists before the show was that many of them also had specific charities that they supported, so she decided to include these in the book as well. “It’s not enough [to list my own], there are plenty more that need help,” she said. She also wanted the book to share the passions of the artists. To that end, 130 charities with connection to the artists’ names are listed in the back of the book.

Fantasma, Marcia Ball, Carolyn Wonderland, Rick Trevino, Eric Johnson, Lloyd Maines, Toni Price, Carrie Rodriguez and Jimmy LaFave, among others. Facemire then dove into the ACL archives of artists and started calling, writing and reaching out for favorite recipes while looking for the right publisher. Ultimately, many famous Texas artists sent their recipes in; artists like Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Mark Chesnutt and Oscar winner Ryan Bingham to name a few.

by the community. Central Market Top Chef Vance Ely worked his way through the book a la “Julie and Julia,” creating each recipe in turn. You might also find a copy of the cookbook at the W-Austin Hotel, home of the new 2,700-seat Moody Theater (and new home of ACL). There are even talks of a television show later this year.

As much as Facemire enjoyed putting the book together, and even with several artists who would still like to contribute, she is not currently planning a second volume. “This was a labor of love. I did this as a thank you, an extension of ACL. I wanted to give back for all the wonderful years ACL gave to me,” she said.

Facemire dedicated the cookbook, with all its memories and photographs from the shows, to the fans. “It’s the fan’s book; it’s the artist’s book. It’s ACL’s, it’s for everybody,” she said.

With the 37th season of the show taping at the Moody Theater, Facemire will no doubt continue to share her passions with the musicians on the show, and vice versa. As she has seen the production evolve from mostly country and blues artists and bare bones lighting to the new, state-of-the-art facility and artists of all genres, the “longest running popular music series in American television history” will certainly keep creating new stories to tell.

The finished product is a hefty, beautifully designed coffee table tome full of color photographs that has been widely embraced TODO Austin // mar 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com 17

On February 22, approximately 3,000 Texans from across the state joined in a rally and march to bring attention to anti-immigration legislation. Beginning at Waterloo Park, the crowd marched to the Capitol, where groups rallied and met with legislators.

CASA of Travis County held their annual CASAblanca Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 19. The black-tie benefit included a silent auction, a casino and a seated dinner and program. For more, visit www.casatravis.org.

Photos by Erica Stall Wiggins

Photos by Victor Martinez

Guests enjoyed casino games at the Four Seasons Hotel before and after the dinner program.

One lucky silent auction attendee went home with a signed Rolling Stones guitar.

Protesters rallied against more than 60 anti-immigrant, anti-family proposals filed by extremist Texas legislators.

CASA Marketing and Communications Manager Callie Langford (2nd from left) enjoys the gala with (l-r) Matt Glazer, Kathy and Bodey Langford.

A great excuse to dress: the event raised over $325,000 for CASA of Travis County.

Restaurant & Bar

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7:30 PM 9 PM 10 PM 11:30 PM

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// Tue to Thu 8am - 11pm // Fri - Sat 8am - 2am // Sun 600 East 6th Street // 512.444.7770 // www.elsolylalunaaustin.com

Plum Writing:

By Blake Shanley

Frame of Reference

I discovered something I found to be fascinating recently, mid-swing in the ongoing tennis match between my “issues” and my desire and will to identify, destroy and overcome said “issues.”

Undercover Mexican Girl cooking outdoors with friends Jim and Anna.

The World of Undercover Mexican Girl Through Words

By Alexandra M. Landeros

With SXSW around the corner, life in Austin seems to speed up. We are over the winter freezes and everyone has come out of hibernation. There are more cars on the road, more people on the sidewalks and more taxes to pay. It’s time once again to clean out the garage, wash all the curtains and vacuum behind the furniture. It’s time for springtime happy hours, fundraisers and festivals.

there? What do you do out there? “ Well, there’s nothing out there. But there’s so much to do.

But it’s also time to turn off the heater, open up the windows and turn on the ceiling fans. It’s time to sit out on the front porch or the back deck with a cold beverage. Read a book. Play music with your friends. Talk. Listen. Breathe.

Sometimes, you have to throw out your long list of social to-dos and slow down.

You collect twigs, kindling and logs to prepare campfires. You talk for hours. You play guitars and fiddles and sing. You observe stars and constellations. You think a lot. You listen to the coyotes howl. You write. You take photographs.

You make movies. You draw. You take walks and observe the hundreds of different kinds of cactus and plants and flowers. You empty out the composting potty toilet. You grind coffee beans with a hand-powered grinder. You chop with knives instead of using a food processor.

You toast your bread on a cast iron skillet over flames. You boil water to wash your dishes or your face—every drop of water needs to work extra hard to do the job. Your water comes from the sky, not from the plumbing.

In Austin, we have to remind ourselves to do this.

Slowing down is not a natural state of existence in this town—now a metropolitan city sprawling into Round Rock, Pflugerville, Buda and Kyle.

That easygoing era ended in the late 1980s, as depicted in Richard Linklater’s movie “Slacker,” when it was possible to drift carefree through the day without any particular goal. When it was possible to walk down the street, randomly run into someone and engage in endless conversation about everything and nothing at the same time, without having to compulsively check your smart phone. When it was possible to go days without having to work, because the cost of living was so cheap.

Sometimes when life speeds up in Austin, I go to Terlingua, Texas, the off-the-beaten-path cousin to Marfa. When you mention Big Bend or West Texas, most people think of Marfa. It’s known for the Chinati Foundation, the Film Festival and many up-and-coming art galleries and studios.

It attracts notables from the New York and Los Angeles scenes. “Terlingua,” they ask, ”what’s out

Mostly, Terlingua has a lot of open space. Once you get to someone’s house or property, you can be anywhere from 5-25 miles off the main highway on a rocky, dusty road. It’s not that easy to hop in your car and head into town. So you stay put and figure out other ways to entertain yourself.

Some things take longer to do out there, without all the modern conveniences. But you save time on many other things. You don’t bother much with vacuuming because dust is part of life. You don’t waste time picking out an outfit or doing your hair—the jeans you’ve been wearing all week are just fine, and a bandana or a ponytail will do the trick. You don’t have to sit in bumperto-bumper traffic or wait in long lines at the grocery store.

Even if you can’t get away every now and then to remote parts of the world like Terlingua, remember that it’s still possible to slow down and enjoy the simple things.

Sure, the dropping of a 500-ton wardrobe door directly on the tiny tip of my wee middle toe helped in the rapid grasp of the discovery…

I have a problem asking for, and accepting, help. Of any kind. I don’t need to talk through stuff, don’t ask for advice, not going to share my emotions needlessly, don’t want to feel as though anyone is doing me a favor, etc. I have no problem asking my brother to help me move, however, much to his chagrin. But I have a hard time with the concept of putting my needs, wants, emotions, inadequacies or insecurities “on” others.

On the other side, however, I am more than ready and willing at all times to be there for others, particularly those I consider my friends; to help them in any way that I can, supporting them, encouraging them, trying to inspire them and empower them. I have essentially taken it on as a part of my life’s purpose, and I love it. I’m good at it and it makes me feel alive.

I was having a moment of weakness one afternoon when I was emotionally tired, distracted, confused, stressed and feeling human. I went to a trusted, but seldomly utilized source of outside support, one whom does energy work and doesn’t ask a

lot of needless questions. At some point he said something that resonated loudly in my guts, something along the brilliant lines of, “you are denying others the experience and joy of helping YOU and being there for YOU.” Ahhhhh…Yes, I see now. In my “helping” others, I missed a large point to actually attempt to have connections with people; that by only allowing a one-way street in my friendships, relationships and communications, I was denying those people the simple feeling of being needed, of helping me, of supporting me, of having a purpose with me. This apparently has a fantastic effect on them, just as my being there for them has a powerful effect on me. Surprise, surprise! It also gave me the feeling that it was perfectly ok for me to appear human in front of other humans, which is a humbling and comforting, though somewhat novel, concept.

In my quest to be selfless, I was being completely selfish. Wonderful!

So, go share in the experience of being there for each other. It is magical and natural, I have found out.

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, Bellas Artes Alliance and the United States Hispanic Contractors Association present:

Shows hosted by Favorite Texan Comedian:

Flo Hernandez

Friday, March 18 AB Quintanilla III &

Kumbia All-Starz

The Latin Breed • Sexto Sol • Scarlett Olson

Saturday,March 19

Ozomatli

Os Alquimistas & The Hashashin!

La Guerrilla • Los Whats • La Distancia

YZ & Associates, LLC