TODO Austin October 2010

defended with reason

Volume II, 06 | October 2010

by Mary Parsamyan

On Monday, Oct. 11, the Mexican American

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Cultural Center and Austin Community College Center for Public Policy & Political Studies present internationally-renowned journalist Dan Rather, speaking at 7 p.m. before a screening of the documentary “Economy Furniture Strike” at

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8 p.m. Free. MACC, 601 River St. For more: www. ci.austin.tx.us/macc.

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CONTRIBUTORS JILLIAN HALL is a modern jack (or Jill?)of-all-trades. She is a dabbler in film, dance, photography, and writing. Jillian covers film on p. 7 and art on p. 18.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Austin Area Interreligious Ministries will host “A Night Under One Sky” on Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Umlauf Sculpture Gardens.

The evening of interfaith fellowship under the stars helps AAIM provide programs and services to Central Texans. Tickets are $50. For info visit www. aaimaustin.org or call 512.386.9145.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Folktales African American Literary Society will meet at 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15 at the George

EARL LUNDQUIST Earl brings you broken beats and random life wrapped in soulful key chords, dusty drums and tomorrow’s samples: earllundquist.com.

Earl’s Bemba Beat is on p. 13.

ESTHER REYES a Mexican immigrant, has worked with immigrant communities since her undergraduate career at Baylor University. She covers a new political collaboration on p. 5.

YADIRA IZQUIERDO is a native Puerto Rican with a Masters degree in Journalism. She enjoys writing about and participating in Austin’s cultural diversity; Dia de Los Muertos, for example (p. 10).

JENNY FU Jenny is an aspiring photographer. Her Photoshop skills were developed at a young age and after picking up her first DSLR, the rest was history. Jenny shoots Bluegreen Gallery on p. 18.

Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center in the Carver Museum Classroom to discuss “Getting to Happy” by Terry McMillan. Info at www.ci.austin.tx.us/carver/events.htm.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------India Fine Arts presents a Carnatic Vocal Duet by the Malladi Brothers, Ganesh Prasad and Patri Satish Kumar, Saturday, Oct. 16 in the Jones Auditorium at St. Edward’s University.

A workshop during the week of October 12 will precede the concert. Visit www.austinifa.org for more info.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------UT’s South Asia Institute’s seminar series continues with a lecture on “Entrepreneurial Dreams of a (Not So Neo) Liberal Nepal” by Heather Hindman of UT’s Department of Asian Studies, 3:30-5 p.m., October 21 at the Meyerson Conference Room (WCH 4.118) on the UT campus.

More info at www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/ southasia.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Austin Film Festival hosts and honors filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, editors, producers, actors and all those who use the language of film to tell a story. The popular festival runs from October 21-28. Read the related story on page 9 or visit www.austinfilmfestival.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The UT Middle Eastern Studies Department presents the lecture “Beyond Clashing

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Civilizations: Rethinking Early Christian-Muslim Relations,” by Michael Penn of Mount Holyoke College; Friday, October, 29 at 5 p.m. in the Texas Union, Sinclair Suite 3.128. For more, visit www. utexas.edu/cola/depts/mes/.

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SAT 2 MARY WELCH Y LOS CURANDEROS (8-11 PM) SUN 3 LIVE CABARET SHOW (7-10 PM) SAT 9 CHARANGA SI - SALSA BAND (10:30 PM-1:00 AM) SAT 16 ATASH! - MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC & BELLY DANCE (10:30 PM) SAT 23 PILAR ANDUJAR - FLAMENCO (10 PM-1 AM) COMING IN NOVEMBER: NOV 13 TISH HINOJOSA (9 PM- 12 AM) NOV 19 PATRICIA VONNE W/ CHARANGA CAKEWALK (10 PM-1 AM)

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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”

OCTOBER Line-up

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

---------------------------------------------------Fri 10/1 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 10/2 ROBIN WILEY (6:30) Sun 10/3 TEXAS TYCOONS (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 10/7 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) Fri 10/8 THE BETH LEE BAND (2:00) and LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 10/9 THE LEROI BROTHERS (2:00) and TOO BLUE (6:30) Sun 10/10 TRIO QUATRO MAS (2:00) and TIBURON (6:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 10/14 THE FABS (6:30) Fri 10/15 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 10/16 NATALIE ZOE (6:30) Sun 10/17 MITCH WEBB & THE SWINDLE (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 10/21 JOHNNY GIMBLE (6:30) Fri 10/22 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 10/23 ERIN JAIMES & HER BAD HABITS (6:30) Sun 10/24 THE MATTHEW SMITH BAND (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 10/28 MIKE MILLIGAN & THE ALTAR BOYZ (6:30) Fri 10/29 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 10/30 TRENT TURNER (6:30) Sun 10/31 CHICKEN STRUT (3:00)

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TODO Austin

VOLUME II, NUMBER 006 Publisher/Editor - Gavin Lance Garcia contact@todoaustinonline.com

State School Board Members Issue Resolution Against Pro-Islamic Coverage in Textbooks

All text by Mindy Heredia

After a grueling debate over the adoption of new standards for state textbooks, many thought the battle was over—yet another issue sparked continued dialogue in late September. The state school board gave publishers a warning about what they do not want to appear in the new textbooks. The Dallas Morning News reported that essentially, board members fear the promotion of Islam in the books will result in a negative portrayal of Christianity. Supporters of the resolution feel that past history books have shed a negative light on Christianity and praised Islam. The man who originally proposed the resolution, from North Texas, claims the current textbooks are “pro-Islamic” and “anti-Christian.” In a press conference, Imam Islam Mossaad from the North Austin Islamic Center said students should be offered facts rather than anti vs. pro. Kathy Miller, spokeswomen for the Texas Freedom Network argues that the resolution exemplifies how board members favor politics over the education of children. In fact, the group argues that the textbooks being cited by board members have not yet been used in schools, and that their claims are superficial.

Conservative board member Don McLeroy claims that although the books have been modified, there is still some bias in the history.

Red Salmon Arts to Hold Fundraiser for Save our Youth and Ex-Pinta Support Alliance Located in Resistencia Bookstore, Red Salmon Arts is a Native American/Chicano-based organization that sponsors literacy projects; and one of the first organizations to work with youth correctional facilities. On Sunday, October 17 at 7 p.m., Red Salmon Arts presents Somos Fuerza: Un “Conjuntazzo” Para las Mujeres y Jovenes, a fundraiser in support of Save Our Youth (SOY) and the Ex-Pinta Support Alliance (ESA). The event will be held at Jovitas Restaurant, featuring Grammy winners Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox, with special guests Tradizion and award-winning poet Jorge Antonio Renaud. For more information about this event, visit: http://progressiveaustin.org/ calendar/.

Binational Health Week Celebrates its 10th Year One of the biggest North American efforts to improve health, Binational Health Week (BHW) aims at improving the well-being of the undeserved Latino population in Canada and the United States. Run by federal and state agencies with the help of community organizations and volunteers, the week-long series of health promotion includes activities, workshops, vaccinations, medical screenings and insurance referrals. This year, the 10th Binational Health Week takes place October 4-15 in 40 states around the U.S. and in three provinces in Canada. With the participation of the consular networks in the U.S., Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, Ecuador and Columbia, BHW will implement five national campaigns to promote awareness to the Latino community about the prevention of addiction, gang involvement among adolescents, oral health, diabetes, obesity and autism awareness. For a list of free events in Austin during Binational Health Week, visit http://www.capitalahec.org/UpcomingEvents. html.

04 TODO Austin // OCT 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com

UT’s Minority Population Steadily Rising For the first time in the history of The University of Texas at Austin, less than half of the incoming freshmen have identified themselves as white. According to school officials, only 47.6% of freshmen are white, a decrease from last year, when the number was at 51.1%. Following whites are Hispanics at 23.1% and Asians at 17.3%. The university’s total enrollment including graduate and law students is only at 52.1% white. The figures directly correlate with the demographics in the state of Texas, where the Hispanic population is steadily rising. The fall semester will see new federally mandated racial and ethnic categories in which students must specify more than one race. UT spokesman Don Hale says the university has little control because of the state’s top 10% rule. According to Hale, the university is under pressure to close the gap and provide access to all minority students to keep up with other states.

Number of Uninsured Texans Continues to Grow Recent census data indicates that the Texas poverty rate has risen. In a comment to KUT, Ann Dunkelberg with the center for Public Safety Priorities said the number of uninsured in Texas has increased from 6.1 million to a little over 6.4 million from last year. According to Dunkelberg, that 1% increase leaves over 26% of people in Texas uninsured. Fortunately, due to the increase in coverage for children through Medicaid and CHIP, the percentage of uninsured Texas youth has actually decreased.

As for adults, there is a steady increase.

Utilization of the local Medical Assistance Program (MAP), covering individuals at 100% of the poverty rate and below, has seen a more than 30% increase in the past year. According to the Health District, this can ultimately hurt the primary network in Central Texas, a strain that will continue as federal health care increases the rate of insured individuals in Texas.

Art Director - Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com Executive Editor - Erica Stall Wiggins Senior Editor - Katie Walsh Associate Editors: Brandon Ramiro Badillo, Mindy Heredia, Gabino Iglesias, Sonia Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Blake Shanley, Yvonne Lim Wilson Contributing Writers/Artists: Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Joseph Banks, Stefanie Behe, D’Wayne Bell, Deborah Alys Carter, Jennie Chen, Brandi Cowley, Charlie D’Angelica-Rose, Mia Garcia, Jillian Hall, Paul Hernandez, Anoop Iyer, Yadira Izquierdo, Daria Jansen, Pranaya Kondekar, Harish Kotecha, Callie Langford, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Otis Lopez, Earl Lundquist, David Marks, Brooke Maudlin, Mary Parsamyan, Kathy Pham, Arlo Pignotti, Esther Reyes, Breanna Rollings, Marion Sanchez, Rupal Shah, Carol Stall, Ashley Underwood, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Priya Vijayaraghavan, Julia Walsh, Robb Walsh, Bowen Wilder, Thomas Yoo Photographers: Heather Banks, Jason Cato, David M. Collins, Jenny Fu, Mark Guerra, John M. P. Knox, JoJo Marion, Maverick Shaw, Mohan Sridharan, Aimee Wenske, Matt Ziehr ADVERTISING: Jake Morse at 817.313.7062 or Kathleen Fitzgerald at 512.284.5492; or sales@ todoaustinonline.com TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2010 Spark Awakened Publishing. All rights reserved.

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TODOAustinOnline.com Join us at TODO Austin 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.

TODO Austin’s content closely mirrors the changing demographics of Austin.

TODO Austin is circulated throughout Austin at 300 locations, spanning the city from the West Side’s Pennybacker Bridge on Loop 360 to the Montopolis Bridge in East Austin.

TODO Austin provides a platform that profiles Hispanic, Anglo, Asian, African American and other individuals, groups and organizations that are representing a positive vision in the community.

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Let’s Talk About It

Multicultural Coalition of Community Groups Unite for East Austin

By Esther Reyes

Coalition members volunteer at the National Council of La Raza’s (NCLR) Citizenship and Immigration Assistance Session at NCLR’s 2010 annual conference.

East Austin Latino, African American and immigrant community organizations have joined forces with citywide organizations to announce the East Austin Voter Mobilization Initiative (EAVMI); an unprecedented, multiethnic, multicultural collaborative effort to “Get the vote out in East Austin.”

The effort is spearheaded by Southwest Key Program’s East Austin VOTA! Campaign, PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources), the Austin Center for Peace & Justice and the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, is co-sponsored by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and is part of the statewide campaign “My Texas, My Family, My Vote,” sponsored by Mi Familia Vota and Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance.

Other coalition members include LULAC District 12, NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Austin Interfaith, the Austin chapter of MoveOn.org, the Austin Coffee Party and the Austin League of Women Voters. Anyone who wants to work to help East Austin communities march from the streets to the voting booth is invited to join in this effort.

On September 8, a press conference was held with guest speakers including Congressman Lloyd Doggett, former UT All-American athletes Jake Morse and Jacob Hernandez, Council Member Sheryl Cole, President of the Austin Chapter of NAACP Nelson Linder and representatives from participating organizations.

The press conference showed that the group is coming together to maximize resources and make sure they turn out new voters— young voters and infrequent voters—to change the culture of civic participation in East Austin. EAVMI will target precincts 123, 427 and 426—the lowest voter turnout precincts in Travis County. The coalition aims to register 300-400 new voters, distribute voter education materials and increase voter turnout in these precincts by 20% to 25%.

non-partisan effort to register and turn out Latino voters in November.

Collaborations across the state (including El Paso/Southern New Mexico, Austin, Dallas, Forth Worth, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley) will be going doorto-door in their respective communities to turn out tens of thousands of voters who otherwise might not vote this year.

RITA is a multi-sector statewide network dedicated to building support for comprehensive immigration reform. RITA’s goal is to present a common, pro-reform Texas voice and educate Texas elected officials about the need to fix America’s broken immigration system with fair, humane and sensible policies that foster

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America’s strength, security and prosperity.

For RITA, the focus on increasing voter turnout in neighborhoods is part of a strategy that continues to build community organizing capacity, and gears us up for what’s likely to be an aggressive anti-immigrant legislative session in January. There is a committed force gathering to see this work through, ideally culminating in comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level.

EAVMI needs volunteers to make East Austin community voices heard. Join the culture of citizenship that Latinos are creating in the USA. To get involved, please call Daniel Llanes (512-431-9665) or Esther Reyes (512-476-2472).

Focusing on increasing voter turnout rather than simply registering new voters is important. Personal contact with “low probability voters” (LPVs) is key to ensuring that they will make it to the polls. Therefore, in addition to registering new voters, canvassing and calling is an important aspect of the campaign. Providing transportation to the polls and bringing ballots to the homes of individuals who are unable to leave their homes is a third strategy employed

by EAVMI to increase voter turnout.

This multicultural collaboration of communities that face similar challenges will strengthen the voice of East Austin as individual attempts alone cannot. The organization wants to make politicians more accountable to communities, and aims to do so by letting them know that there is a strong coalition of organizations committed to increasing voter turnout in East Austin, and across the state for that matter.

For the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, it is important that those in the immigrant community who can vote actually get out and do so. Latinos and immigrants are growing in numbers and political power, and have shown that they can influence elections.

Photo by Jason Cato Coalition members brainstorm strategies to increase the immigrant community’s presence and power in the 2011 Texas Legislature.

Ph

Mi Familia Vota and the Reform Immigration Texas Alliance’s (RITA) statewide campaign “My Texas, My Family, My Vote!” is led by community organizations throughout the state who have launched a massive TODO Austin // OCT 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com 05

Fostering a Culture of Community Spirit: AS I AN AMERICAN C U LT U R A L C E N T E R C E L E B R AT E S 1 0 Y E A R S

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

Ten years ago, the landscape of the Asian American community in Austin was very different. While the Asian population has been steadily growing in Austin, doubling every ten years, there was no visible marker of a unified Asian community.

That’s when Amy Wong Mok decided it was time for Asian Americans in Austin to have a permanent home. The Asian American Cultural Center (AACC) was built in 2000 at 11713 Jollyville Road with the help of 19 local investors.

“We had to do it ourselves. There is no such program anywhere else in the country,” Mok said.

The center is exceptional in that it represents all Asian ethnic groups, offers a multicultural-based early childhood program, sponsors city-wide events throughout the year as well as language, art, music, business and citizenship classes and a monthly senior citizens club.

Mok, who serves as AACC President and CEO, envisioned a center servicing Asians of all nationalities; for the young, old, and in between, and within ten years, she has accomplished that feat and beyond.

The AACC is home to The Magic Dragon preschool and hosts the Dragon Boat Festival, which has become an Austin tradition after 13 years, along with the Austin Asian Occasion and the Lunar New Year and Harvest Moon celebrations. The center also sponsors a contest for young musicians and the “Exceptional Character Award” for children under five.

“Education is our mission: we educate people who don’t know about our culture, and we educate people about the joy of volunteering.

It has to be fun,” Mok said. “Through Austin Asian Occasion and the Dragon Boat Festival, I am providing the opportunity to get people involved in the community.”

In creating The Magic Dragon, Mok realized that her Chinese background and multicultural sensibility was a strong asset that could be incorporated into a unique curriculum that combines

elements from Eastern and Western philosophies.

“I want our children—in a safe, nurturing environment—to be encouraged to think big, to have big energy, to be curious, creative and confident and have the courage to take on things, so they are not limited,” she said. “I’m using this to create our future leaders.”

When asked about the motivation behind all the community work Mok has accomplished and continues to develop, she talked about her own experience growing up in Hong Kong, where she was not encouraged to think for herself, as is typical in the Chinese educational system.

She moved to the United States to attend college and found her voice with the help of some influential mentors. She said she felt empowered when she became active in the women’s movement and helped remove a law that allowed a marital exemption for rape.

“It started with caring,” she said. “Once you know you can do it, you cannot go back. I brought that same courage and conviction from the women’s movement back to my community.”

When asked what is next for Mok, she said she plans to continue her work with the center and within the community.

“The Asian population is growing, and it is so underrepresented in all aspects. We didn’t have a training ground. I couldn’t wait for someone else to start it,” Mok said.

Mok continues work to advocate for funding of early childhood education, particularly for families of need.

“I truly believe in early childhood education,” she said. “If we really want to level the playing field, we need to start with early childhood education.”

Mok’s tireless efforts have helped positively shape not only the Asian American community in Austin, but also the Austin community at large. She and her husband Aloysius Mok, who is a computer

science professor at UT Austin, are active members of the arts and philanthropic community.

Esther Chung, Asian American Neighborhood Liaison for the Austin History Center, offered praise and congratulations to the center.

“The Asian American Cultural Center is a special part of Austin that has become a bridge between diverse cultures of Asian Americans and the community-at-large,” Chung wrote. “Amy Wong Mok and her staff have provided not only the space for sharing wonderful experiences together but also annual traditions that people look forward to participating in year after year.”

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.

CENTER FOR ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES NAVIGATES BUDGETARY CUTS AT UT AUSTIN

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

There’s a dramatic story behind the creation of the Center for Asian American Studies at UT Austin.

In the spring of 1999, ten students were arrested during a protest regarding the future director for the Center for Asian American Studies.

The arrests were not the beginning nor the end of the struggle for the center, but they were the most visible demonstration of student commitment to the cause.

“It was seen as something marginal and radical, but we were asking for more education, something we were paying for. It’s not that radical,” said Marian Yalini Thambynayagam, a student involved in the 1999 protests.

Talks of such a center began in the 1980s, and in 2000 the Center for Asian American Studies (CAAS) was created. In just ten short years, the center has grown and currently boasts nine core faculty members. In April, CAAS hosted the annual Association for Asian American Studies National Conference, bringing in top scholars throughout the nation to Austin.

The center, which offers an interdisciplinary academic program with a major, a minor and honors program, differs from a traditional academic department in its reach beyond campus. CAAS

holds public events promoting understanding of Asian American culture and traditions, as well as outreach into the larger Asian American community.

With the university under financial strain, all units have been instructed to prepare for budget cuts, do more with less and increase fundraising efforts.

An announcement about the future of each center is expected at the end of the month.

CAAS has already lost funding for its program coordinator position, leaving only one staff member and severely limiting outreach and fundraising efforts. One casualty thus far is a Vietnamese language class, which was cut last spring.

goals of the center are high and remain so.

“We want to be a major research hub, focusing on Asians in Texas and the American South,” Siu said.

Asian Americans are the fastest growing minority group, but one of the least studied. Centers like CAAS at UT stand to play an important role in generating research and creating the community connections that will better understanding and work with this rising demographic.

Jaya Soni, a doctoral sociology student, credits CAAS for the successes she has earned in her academic career.

“The Center for Asian American Studies has been really responsible for my personal growth and career trajectory,” said Soni, who worked as a teaching assistant through CAAS. “Seeing people like Madeline [Hsu] is a huge inspiration, and it’s inspiring to see how far the program has gone.”

Debbie Chen, a UT graduate and student activist in the late 1980s, spoke out at the UT-10 discussion during the Association for Asian American Studies National Conference, encouraging others to show their support for Asian American Studies.

“If you’re a student now and have the benefit of going to an Asian American studies course, encourage others to register for a course. Don’t let them push those departments into a cubby hole space ... they need a proper space to grow,” she said. “It was a really long struggle to get where they are. Don’t let them use budget cuts as an excuse.”

For now, all eyes are on university administrators and the decisions they will announce over the coming months. To help CAAS achieve its longterm goals, Siu advises people wanting to help to attend events, propose collaborative projects, help fundraise and donate to CAAS. For more information, visit www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/ aas.

CAAS Photo by Yvonne Lim Wilson

Some fear the worst for the center, which is the newest of all ethnic centers at UT, and most vulnerable, since it has little fundraising experience compared to the more established ethnic studies centers.

An added challenge for the center is that Director Madeline Hsu is on leave this semester, placing full responsibility on Interim Director Lok Siu. Siu emphasized that the budget crises affects everyone on campus, not just the center. The

Kenyatta Dawson, former Program Coordinator for the Center for Asian American Studies, shares information about the Center at the Connect Business & Career Forum hosted by the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce.

“blacktino” with a Lowercase ‘b’

By Jillian Hall

In a country whose history is riddled with stories of racial tension and conflict, Aaron Burns, writer and director of “blacktino,” is out to prove that being bicultural or multicultural in America is becoming something so common that its significance as an oddity will soon be forgotten.

at writing and directing. Aside from influences from teen-angst film pioneer John Hughes, and later comedies such as “Dazed and Confused,” “Superbad,” and “Rushmore,” future audience members can also expect to find a big stage play element within “blacktino.”

“We’re all quickly finding out that we’re not as different from each other as we thought, and it’s only going to continue,” Burns said. Although the premise of his film revolves around an African American and Latino teenager searching for a place amongst his peers at their predominantly white high school, Burns would ultimately like to express that our ever-changing multicultural fabric and the resulting skin colors are of relatively little importance today.

For his first, largely self-funded feature film, Burns teamed up with his mother, Elizabeth Avellan of Troublemaker Studios (“Sin City (2005),” “Grindhouse (2007)” and “Machete (2010)”). A longstanding love for movies, valuable experience through a stint in L.A. and work on past Troublemaker projects seems to have helped prepare Burns for leading the charge with “blacktino.”

The movie title is deliberately written in lowercase to further emphasize this lack of importance, as Burns, himself of African American and Hispanic descent, predicts that thanks to the rapidly expanding cross-cultural contact of our world, the coming generations will produce individuals that will all be able to claim multiple racial backgrounds.

Equipped with Pixar and Apple stock he’s been buying since he was 11 years old, and inspiration from his DVD collection, called the “eighth wonder of the world” by some, Aaron Burns decided to branch out from the visual effects realm he had occupied prior to “blacktino” and try his hand

The cast also boasts some well-established out-of-towners, including Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff Fahey, Dana WheelerNicholson and Daryl Sabara. Most of the film was shot in South and East Austin. Audiences should keep an eye out for scenes shot in local landmarks such as Toy Joy, Barton Springs, South Congress Avenue and the Arboretum.

Filming of “blacktino” was completed at the end of August and Burns hopes to wrap up post-production in time to premiere it at next year’s SXSW film festival. In the meantime, you can learn more about the movie and keep up with developments by visiting their website at www.blacktinomovie.com.

photo courtesy of Troublemaker Studios

While wearing multiple hats of writer, director, producer and editor, Burns successfully shot a 104-page script in 20 days and coordinated the logistics of managing a big independent crew.

Burns, born and raised in Austin, and claiming to be an Austinite first, Texan second and American third, naturally chose to spotlight his hometown in the movie. The three lead characters and most of the crew are native Austinites. Sharing the sentiment that other filmmakers seem to have about the burgeoning film industry in town, Burns says, “we’ve got great crews down here in Austin. I think a lot of people are starting to notice that and transplanting themselves down here.”

on the set of “blacktino”

TODO Austin // OCT 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com 07

Want to Tango?

By Charlie D’Angelica-LaRose

Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow. That is the first part of the eight-count basic step of tango. The embrace is very close (if you’re dancing true Argentine tango) and the man leads the woman into numerous steps and figures. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the late 19th century, it has spread all over the world and transformed in style more than any other dance. Specific details of its origins are a mystery; however, it is known that it was created by lower class immigrants from Europe in Buenos Aires. It’s a dance that survived government dictatorship in the 1950s. Instead of disappearing, it was danced in secret when the dance and music were banned. Originally meant to be danced in a milonga (tango salon) with a dance floor large enough for several couples, freedom to move at several tempos and room for fancy leg work, an alternate style evolved when people had to dance in secret small spaces not suitable for the moves. Even though the dance wasn’t banned forever, the style that emerged due to accommodations people made in order to keep dancing tango is still one of the many styles danced and taught at workshops, festivals and dance studios.

Austin takes part in keeping tango alive. If you’re interested in learning, the best place to start is a local dance studio. Have no dance experience at

all? That’s fine; there are beginner classes for nonexperienced dancers. Don’t have a dance partner?

No need to worry because you switch partners the entire class; that way you have danced with everyone by the end of class. Entering a dance studio where tango is taught and practiced is the easiest way to learn about the dance and culture that is tango. Your instructor will have much to share with you, and upon talking to others in your class you’ll start to see that there is a vibrant tango society in Austin.

On January 6, 2011, Fire and Passion of Tango from Buenos Aires, Argentina, will perform a presentation of the modern history of tango by introducing the audience to the ways the dance has evolved into modern times. It is a dance made by two persons who decide to embrace each other and become one. This union is not only physical but also symbolic. Unions relate to relationships, and relationships to life situations.

In this way, Fuego Tango y Pasion introduces the audience not only to a scholastic dance, but also to a social dance where performers represent the emotional connotations of the dance, which are, among others; love, passion and seduction.

For more information, visit the Long Center’s homepage at www.thelongcenter.org.

2010 Mediterranean Festival at St. Elias Orthodox Church

AUSTIN TANGO DANCE STUDIOS Esquina Tango 209 Pedernales St. www.esquinatangoaustin.com Uptown Dance 8868 Research Blvd. #706 www.austinuptowndance.com Go Dance 2525 West Anderson Ln. Ste. 530 www.godancestudio.com Galaxy Dance 1700 S Lamar Blvd. www.galaxydances.com Khabele Studio 701 W. 7th St. www.khabele.org

C A S A

Court Appointed Special Advocactes for Children

By David Marks

Are you in downtown Austin, or vacationing in the Mediterranean? If you go to the St. Elias Mediterranean Festival Oct. 1st and 2nd, you may think you’re experiencing both. This is the 78th year that St. Elias Orthodox Church has given Austin a taste of the Mediterranean by sharing food, dance, art, music, games and more. One highlight of this year’s celebration is LAAND, a now-Texan bouzouki and vocal duo who specialize in Greek music. Another feature, new this year, is the dancing of two different troupes comprised of children and youth from Westlake’s Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church.

Festival organizer Gil Starkey reported that in 2009 around 4,200 people enjoyed the twonight festival. Making his second appearance at the fest is Arabic DJ Christopher Ferris who “really gets people going,” Starkey said. “It’s something we look forward to every year... something that the parish takes a lot of pride in and they really enjoy doing it.” That sentiment was echoed by Bill Attal, whose kin was one of the founding families of the church. Attal is a life-long member, serving as volunteer choir director for 47 years. He enjoys sharing the growth of the festival from its humble beginnings in the kitchens of the ladies of St. Elias, when the women would bake breads and pastries to sell to their neighbors. This crucial help in paying the mortgage evolved into yearly Lebanese dinners in a vacant downtown building. In the 60s, St. Elias became a “pan-

Orthodox parish” when services in English replaced the original Arabic. As the Orthodox faithful from many countries came to St. Elias, the annual dinner’s fare expanded as well.

The 70s saw the addition of entertainment, beginning with recorded music, and growing into the live music and dance patrons will enjoy this October. Attal recounted how the dinners became a “large party for the city of Austin” as the congregation “shared our culture with them, as well as our food.”

The growth and popularity of the festival “really makes you proud of your heritage,” Attal said.

Touted as one of the top food festivals in Central Texas, the Mediterranean Festival takes place on the church grounds at 408 East 11th Street between Trinity and Red River Streets.

A five dollar donation will enable you to enjoy the diverse event, which lasts from 6 p.m. to midnight both nights.

08 TODO Austin // OCT 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com

Norma Maldonado lives in Austin with her son and 12-year-old granddaughter. She became director of the family resource center at Martin Middle School after retiring from her 29-year career with IBM. During her 10 years as a CASA volunteer she has advocated for 14 children. She also served on the CASA board. While she doesn’t get paid to be a volunteer, she says that every child she helps pays her back with their smiles and hugs and the knowledge that they are safe, happy and protected. www.casatravis.org

SCREENWRITER

Alvaro Rodriguez

By Erica Stall Wiggins

GEARS UP FOR THE AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL There’s more than one way to become a screenwriter. For Austinite Alvaro Rodriguez, co-writer of “Machete” (2010) and “Shorts” (2009), among others, it was as a film critic.

Rodriguez started writing at a young age, and by the time he was attending the University of Texas at Austin, he was writing film, music and book reviews for the Daily Texan. He later did the same for the Austin Chronicle.

“When you’re writing something like that, that’s sort of “kitchen sink” and over the top, and plays with conventions, and even dances around the idea of being a bad movie…I’m ecstatic that people will go with the flow and enjoy it for what it is. I think the majority of the reviews have been pretty positive, and audiences seem to really like it,” said Rodriguez of “Machete’s” success.

“I was always interested in the mechanics of storytelling, and watching films with a critic’s eye,” said Rodriguez of his path to screenwriting. Studying the way stories were being told, Rodriguez soaked up the myriad of films screening in the 90s at theatres such as the Dobie, the Village and at the UT Student Union.

Rodriguez recently co-wrote a new comedy script with writing partner Michael Brown, and the duo is already breaking ground on another.

Rodriguez is also preparing to participate in two panels and a round table discussion at the 17th Annual Austin Film Festival and Conference, taking place October 21-28.

Years later, and with a handful of successful feature credits to his name, Rodriguez is riding a wave of positive public reception to the recently released “Machete,” which began as a mock trailer in Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s horror/exploitation feature “Grindhouse” (2007).

Austin Hosts

“The AFF and SXSW Film Festival bring a lot of attention to the area,” said Rodriguez. “There’s a unique and diverse atmosphere in Austin, and the possibility of making all kinds of films here,” he continued.

and attributes some of that to the talent and production crews in Austin who are experienced and ready to work. He says that the scripts he’s been working on could easily be shot in Austin. “It’s a great opportunity for young filmmakers, or filmmakers working on a restricted budget, to make the kind of movies that they want to make,” he said about the environment for new talent in the capital city.

About the upcoming festival, Rodriguez stated, “The great thing about the AFF is that there’s a real level of comfort and familiarity and accessibility, so that anybody that’s coming to the festival has an equal chance of interacting with professionals in the business. It’s like having all the best of filmmaking in Hollywood and elsewhere coming to Austin and being at your fingertips and being able to access it in a very easy, conversational way.”

For information about the Austin Film

Rodriguez enjoys the fact that Austin is becoming a hotbed for film production,

Festival and Conference, visit www. austinfilmfestival.com.

Screenwriter Alvaro Rodriguez

MY GENERATION

Premiere My Generation photos by Julia Lee

The ensemble cast of the new ABC docu-drama “My Generation” walked the red carpet at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar on Monday, September 20 for the Austin premiere of the show, just three days before its prime time debut on September 23. The show, which is

Mehcad Brooks is enjoying filming in his home town of Austin, although on the show, his character “Rolly” is in the military and deployed in the Middle East. He is glad to see the struggles of military families being portrayed on prime time.

filmed in and around Austin, chronicles the lives of nine high school friends ten years after graduation, and features Austinite Mehcad Brooks. Look for the cast and crew around town as they finish shooting the first season. The show airs on Thursdays at 7:00 pm CST.

Jaime King loves the passion that her character “Jackie” is filled with. King did not attend her own high school prom, but enjoyed every minute of the version they filmed for the show.

Michael Stahl-David was “jumping in water” every chance he got during the hot summer months of filming in Central Texas. He is also putting time off to good use teaching drama at McCallum High School and the Austin School of Film.

09 TODO Austin // OCT 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com

By Yadira Izquierdo

Viva El Día de Los Muertos

photos by David Matthew Collins

By Mary Parsamyan

For some people, November 1st and 2nd are not dates that hold any particular meaning.

Nevertheless, for other individuals these two days are full of tradition. The stated days are particularly important for Mexicans, MexicanAmericans and other Latin-Americans who celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Though the celebration has made its way to this side of the border, and has evolved into a crosscultural festivity, its origins can be traced to the Aztecs and other Meso-American tribes of preColombian Mexico and Central America.

The celebration that we now call Día de los Muertos was already being held by the indigenous population of Mexico and Central America when the Spaniards arrived there more than 500 years ago. A ritual honoring of the dead, the original festivity struck the Spaniards’ Catholic sensitivity as a pagan practice that needed to be eradicated. Today, the popularity of Día de los Muertos illustrates that the conquistadores were not successful in their suppression. In fact, to say they were not triumphant would be a bit of an understatement. The Spaniards did manage to change the festivity’s original date from a month-long commemoration held in August to a more Catholic date; the Day of all Saints (November 1 and 2). Other significant symbols were also changed after the co-mingling of these two cultures. One of the most noticeable changes was the use of wooden skulls, called “calacas,” and sugar skulls instead of the real

skulls which were previously used to represent victory over enemies, death and rebirth.

In Austin, especially downtown, a parade and an array of other activities commemorate Día de los Muertos; including altars, Mexican food, sugar skulls, art, people wearing disguises and images of La Catrina, which represent death.

Sometimes La Catrina is shown as a skeleton wearing a beautiful gown or, in other cases, as a more sinister-looking, black-clothed, knifewielding reaper just waiting to take you with her. Visitors to the events are thrown into a colorful celebration like many others in Austin but, at some point during the carnival, some people usually start experiencing Mexico in an indirect way; from the other side of the border.

Meanwhile, others participants feel like they’re just experiencing Austin’s diverse culture and maybe ponder if this event has something to do with immigration, and is nothing more than a reinterpretation of a Mexican festivity. To learn more about what people know, how they perceive the holiday and if they commemorate the date, TODO Austin interviewed three people with different backgrounds. Their answers may help us understand the way larger parts of the population think.

Sonia Santana is a Hispanic American who celebrates this day and who believes that this activity is celebrated in Austin because “it is an artistic and spiritual celebration, and I think Austinites like both of those things.” About the

10 TODO Austin // OCT 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com

event’s roots, she said, “I knew it was primarily a celebration ritual in Mexico and I was not that familiar with it growing up.” Santana grew up in the U.S. and became more familiar with the celebration while residing in Austin. In a way, Santana embodies the usual Hispanic American experience when it comes to culture: contact comes through an American reinterpretation of something that has roots in another country.

Karen Green, an American from San Antonio, feels the Día de los Muertos celebration takes place here in Austin because “it’s a youngerfeeling city and is also a celebration city, we love any kind of celebration and if it has music or dance or theater involved in it, it feels like our Austin identity.” Green thinks that the fact that Austin celebrates Día de los Muertos turns it into a very inclusive activity that transcends cultural barriers. In her opinion, many people “that are not of Latino descent” can enjoy the parade, have a great time looking at the costumes, take pleasure in the gastronomy and art exhibits and end up feeling that they are a part of something bigger. In other words, making Día de los Muertos a city-wide event for all ages makes “people feel that they can be included in it, they can take part of the celebration even if they don’t practice it at home,” Green explained.

For Green, the inclusion of other demographic groups could represent “a superficial inclusion of diversity, but it’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Mexic-Arte Museum, the official Mexican and Mexican American fine art museum of Texas, will be celebrating its 27th Annual Día de los Muertos Viva la Vida Fest, Austin’s largest and longest-running Day of the Dead festival, on Saturday, October 23, featuring Latino artists and entertainment, exhibitions and educational programs in the heart of downtown. Part of the proceeds will benefit the museum’s education programs.

Viva la Vida Fest 2010 will run from 2 -10 p.m. on 5th street (between Congress and Brazos). The Grand Procession will be from 6-7 p.m. (gathers at Plaza Saltillo at 5 p.m.)

For volunteering opportunities contact info@ mexic-artemuseum.org or (512) 480-9373 x84. Visit www.mexic-artemuseuminfo.org for all other details.

THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER PRESENTS DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS WORKSHOPS: Paper Maché Skeleton Workshop with Pilar Castrejón. Completed skeletons will be used to decorate the MACC for its annual Día de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 30, 2010. The workshops will be on Oct. 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. $30/person.

Marionette Mania! Workshop: Day of the Dead Edition. This workshop, taught by April Garcia and Matthew Rodriguez will be on Oct. 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 12 - 2 p.m. $40/person.

Calaveras de Azúcar (Sugar Skulls) Workshop. One-hour workshops will take place on Oct. 16 from 1 - 4 p.m. Free. Please RSVP to attend the workshops at 512-9743772. Space is limited.

The MACC’s Fourth Annual Day of the Dead Celebration will be on Oct. 30 from 3 - 10 p.m. Event will include a classical cars procession and show, art activities, altars and live music. For information on workshops or celebration, go to http://www.ci.austin. tx.us/macc/.

celebration in Austin a direct product of immigration? From the local perspective, even though they recognize the Mexican roots of the ritual, they believe that the celebration is possible because of the nature of the city itself.

In contrast, the immigrant perspective seems to believe that the celebration is feasible because of the immigrants who want to hold on to their folklore and traditions.

Luckily, the two main points of view don’t have to be mutually exclusive. The roots of the festivity come from Mexico, but a diverse and multicultural city like Austin allows immigrants to have a voice. Of course, the seed of the enchanted commemoration was brought by those people who love, care for and need their

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

a way to speak through the connection to arts and beauty that people like.” She believes that “even people who might be against a wave of immigrants coming to the country would still be in favor of the celebration.” This could be especially true because, as she describes, “it’s a very safe way” to experiment with the multicultural diversity that Austin has to offer.

Multicultural inclusion is, according to Mazziel Oliva, a direct result of immigration. Oliva, a young Mexican who doesn’t celebrate Día de los Muertos, sees the festivity as a way for

immigrants to retain their cultural identity. “It has become a tradition because we have a lot of immigrants, and they celebrated it in their countries and they want to keep that tradition,” said Oliva, who comes from a family in which some members celebrate Día de los Muertos regularly. Nevertheless, as she explained, neither her nor her family members participate in the activities around the city. When her family celebrates the Día de los Muertos, “they go outside and it’s like a party with a lot of food.”

Comparing the answers provided by interviewees, it’s necessary to go back to the original question: is the Día de los Muertos

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culture here. They took the time to teach the new generations how to celebrate their culture, and because Austin takes pride in being a cultural amalgam, the Día de los Muertos celebration is a welcome possibility.

It can safely be said that what started as a product of immigration is now a beautiful and original reinterpretation in which all ethnicities are welcome. Día de los Muertos is a way to remember the dead and to pay tribute to death, but it is also a colorful, joyful, bilingual celebration of culture, multiplicity and folklore that could only work in a varied, welcoming city such as Austin.

Bemba Beat

AFROBEAT BIRTHDAY BASH HONORS FELA KUTI The year was 1974: President Nixon was on the ropes and weak in the knees as Watergate gave him a beating. Muhammad Ali, a more clever man, used the ropes to regain the heavyweight title, defeating the monster that was George Foreman.

Dictators Franco and Perón lay dying from age and power lust. In New York, the greatest American composer, Duke Ellington, lay on his deathbed. According to those in the know, the fall of Fidel Castro was imminent; it was just a matter of hours. Beverly Johnson became the first African American to appear on the cover of Vogue and drought began its spread through

2010 AUSTIN CITY LIMITS WORLD MUSIC PREVIEW

By Earl Lundquist

musician who challenged their authority, arrested and detained Kuti. He responded by creating his own commune, declaring it a nation separate from Nigeria; he then released “Algabon Close,” the same name as the street where the police station was located. In the lyrics, sung in Pidgin English so Africans could understand them, Kuti detailed police abuse, the lack of rights and the inhumane treatment he received, all the while making fun of the authorities. Kuti’s music hits its longest jam in the evocative 25-minute “Confusion,” an epic song detailing post-colonial Nigeria’s problems.

Kuti’s propelling, hypnotic Afrobeat groove had a

By Bowen Wilder

Most ACL fanatics will be jostling for position to catch a glimpse of this year’s allstar team of alt-rock gods, but don’t run off to Baby A’s for that purple margarita between sets of Broken Bells and Monsters of Folk. Step away from the AMD stage, meander the crowd and get on your tiptoes to enjoy the sonic fusion of these “diamantes en bruto.”

Kinky’s 2002 self-titled album was a tour de force on the Latin American music charts, and helped garner millions of fans worldwide with their single, “Mas.” The band’s popularity was further bolstered by the song’s incorporation into commercials, video games, TV shows and feature films. The band’s funky bass, Latin drum beats and effectsridden compositions sound like a combination between the UK’s electro-funk band The Egg, peer ACL performer Beats Antique or Daft Punk.

Kinky’s sophomore album, “Atlas,” was a welcome departure into alternative rock with a splash of folk— think a Latin American Cake. Their light humor, upbeat sound and mosaic of musical influences should put them high on lists of this year’s must see performances. www.kinkymusic.com Saturday, Oct. 9 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

(CLEAR 4G STAGE) What do punk rock, Gypsy music and the Spanish language have in common? Nothing, unless you are a band from New York by the name of Gogol Bordello, that is. Since 1999, the nine-member band’s tireless work ethic and unrelenting tour schedule has helped single-handedly coin the term “Gypsy punk.” Gypsy punk’s musical styling is attributed to the prolific use of the accordion and violin, together with rough-and-tumble guitar riffs and drum syncopations. Lead singer Eugene Hütz sounds like a bilingual and schizophrenic version of My Chemical Romance’s lead singer Gerard Way combined with a Slovenian polka band and underground punk legend Fugazi.

GB collaborated with Balkan Beat Box in 2004 to create Jewish-Ukrainian Freundschaft, an

newly decolonized Africa almost as quickly as corruption. And a man from Nigeria by the name of Fela Kuti hit his creative stride; creating music that chronicled people’s grievances against the ruling class and made everyone shake their asses to what would come to be known as “Afrobeat.”

The album “Why Black Man Dey Suffer” is Kuti and his musicians in full power of their art. The groove is hypnotic, the vocals are moving and the message is clear: black people have suffered a litany of abuses, from being taken as slaves to having their culture taken away, and it’s time to put it all on the table. Authorities in Nigeria, who had no use for a

interesting partnership the results of which induce involuntary toe tapping. Check out their tracks “Onto Transmigration” and “Mala Vida.” www.gogolbordello.com Saturday, Oct. 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

(AMD STAGE) The Aztec astrological symbol for the God of Dance, Fire and Music is a perfectly suitable name for Los Angeles’ Ozomatli. Since 1995, the band’s progressive vocal activism and allencompassing musical style has been a welcome detour from the cookie-cutter formula of pop success. Hip-hop artist Chali 2na and turntablist Cut Chemist of Jurassic 5 fame are two of the founding members of this amorphous group.

The group’s repertoire of influences seems to fluctuate more than its number of members: salsafunk, soul-hop, Chicano rock and world fusion are just some of the infinite number of adjectives one could mash together to describe Ozomatli’s body of work. Just imagine Colombian cumbia, mixed with reggae’s signature bass line, echo and staccato effects, the articulate and socially poignant lyrics of A Tribe Called Quest and the turntable skills commonly associated with 90s underground hip-hop…but honestly...their sound is distinct and inexplicable. Recommendation: “Cut Chemist Suite” and “Super Bowl Sundae.” www.ozomatli.com Saturday, Oct. 9 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

(CLEAR 4G STAGE) Reggae Rock’s new poster-child is starting a Rebelution. Not since Sublime has a band seamlessly orchestrated the intricate power of rock-n-roll with the happy-go-lucky rhythms of reggae to such dramatic effect. At times, their sound is reminiscent of a toned down version of Pepper with a global conscience, as demonstrated on “Change the System” and “Wake up Call.” Singer Eric Rachmany’s soothing modal voice borders on falsetto as he eloquently preaches about social issues, interjected with Bob Marley-esque wails like a Rastafarian Lupe Fiasco.

Rebelution’s engrossing sound is a perfect blend of reggae’s signature staccato style, seemingly effortless drumming, and head-bobbing bass guitar interspersed with the occasional wind instrument, reverberation techniques, synthesizer and the almighty guitar solo. www.rebelutionmusic.com Sunday, Oct. 10 from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

(HONDA STAGE)

profound influence on the music of James Brown, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic (P-Funk), among many others, and continues to inspire bands such as Antibalas, while his identification with the downtrodden masses and his rejection of the ways of the ruling class and the established religions continues to resonate with people looking for an alternative to the system.

Austin will live in the Afrobeat light on October 15th as Bemba Entertainment founder Brandon Ramiro Badillo celebrates his & Kuti’s birthdays.

Four bands and two DJs will get RED 7 (611 E. 7th St.) into the groove. For $10 you can experience Kuti’s Afrobeat. You’ll want to be there.

TODO Austin // OCT 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com 13

¡Salud!

ANYONE CAN DO YOGA! UNIVERSAL PRACTICE FOR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT

By Katie Walsh

It wasn’t long ago that most Americans perceived yoga to be a women’s class at the gym involving the manipulation of the body into strange shapes. Yoga, which originated in ancient India, is in fact a holistic practice benefiting not only the body, but all aspects of human existence, from the gross to the subtle. The true practice of yoga, which translates from Sanskrit to mean “uniting in harmony,” takes place not just in a studio or on a mat, but in all areas of our personal lives and interaction with the world.

While several Indus Valley soapstone seals depicting yogic figures suggest that knowledge of yoga dates back as early as 3300 BC, it wasn’t until the second century AD that yoga became a pillar of Hindu philosophy, when the sage Patanjali authored 196 yoga “sutras” expounding upon its meaning and application.

Since that time, spiritual seekers in India and far beyond have proliferated an enormous body of literature around yoga, and have developed several flavors of the practice—from the purely physical to the deeply metaphysical.

Yoga began to gain popularity in the West around the 1930s as part of a larger movement

toward Eastern philosophies and medicine, but remained isolated to a small group and was looked down upon by most. Fast forward to the present day—an estimated 25 million Americans are yoga practitioners, and that number doubles every five years.

One of the most common misconceptions about yoga is that you have to be a certain “type” to do it—whether that means being able to twist yourself into a human pretzel, eating veggies and hugging trees, or renouncing all things worldly to sit in isolation and chant “om”. The truth is, yoga unites all of the disparate energies of human life into one organic whole, increasing the awareness of one’s own strength and power. And that’s something anyone can benefit from.

Austin is lucky to boast a diverse, lively yoga community—from meditation centers to independent studios to the local favorite, Yoga Yoga, beginners and seasoned yogis alike have an abundance of choices for growing their practice.

To capture the variety and vitality of the yoga scene, TODO Austin caught up with three yogis hailing from all parts of the world to share their take on this ancient art.

Shriram Sarvotham

Gundega Pignotti

Steven Ross

INDIA Sri Sri Yoga, Art of Living Foundation www.srisriyoga.org

L AT VIA Yoga in the Park, Austin Peace Studio www.yogainthepark.net

SCOTL AND

SS: Yoga is the application in our lives of promoting harmony and unity—to guide our thoughts, words, actions and perceptions. Simply stated, yoga is a way to consciously elevate the quality of life.

Just like in an orchestra, we create musical symphony by blending the sounds of various instruments together in harmony, in yoga we create health and well being by uniting the body, breath, mind and spirit in harmony.

It’s seeing this whole picture—everybody is part of this one big universe. It’s recognizing that connectedness; realizing we’re not alone. Yoga makes you happier—we’re not separate, but all together; all part of one.

SR: In the West, there is a preoccupation with the body. Many people come to yoga to get a workout. They start with the outer, and eventually with practice work toward the inner, slowly learning about themselves as they go. Eventually you find that little bit of stillness, of deep peace within you.

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There is a union from the higher Self to the everyday self, but it’s very difficult for people to see it. They have to learn that they are not the body, mind and certainly not the ego. Yoga is a way to create the space to see yourself from a distance, to observe yourself.

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KW: How would you describe yoga’s universal benefit to people of all shapes, sizes and cultures?

training community

eastsideyoga-austin.com

Gundega Pignotti leads Yoga in the Park at Shipe each Wednesday, weather permitting | photo by Arlo Pignotti

KW: What does yoga mean to you, in your practice and daily life?

GP: It’s a style of living, so to speak. There’s no day when I don’t practice, it happens as soon as I wake up, simply being more aware and noticing what’s happening around me.

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East Side Yoga

SS: The experience of harmony is not restricted to a chosen few! One of the common excuses for avoiding yoga is that “I’m not flexible.” But the wonderful thing about yoga is that lightness of the body, flexibility, etc. come as a consequence of practicing yoga, not a prerequisite. They say, “the only prerequisite to do yoga is that you breathe!”

GP: Yoga can help anyone become free of prejudices, bad feelings about themselves, or

about people around you. Everyone deserves to be happy. Very often people feel that they’re not loved or that they’re alone; in yoga you realize this isn’t true. Everyone has something to offer; a little talent about them. Yoga makes you realize we’re all one big family working together to be happy.

SR: We all have a body to take care of; everyone can feel the physical benefits. A big part is also breathing, teaching people to breathe right—this can change your interaction with life.

It also doesn’t matter about your religion—I’d go so far as to say that you can apply any religion within yoga and make it a holistic practice. You can combine yoga with your Christian prayers or Buddhist meditation—it’s all-inclusive.

KW: How do you think the perception of yoga in the U.S. might change within the next 5 years?

SS: The first striking observation is that yoga has become enormously popular.

I started the Rice University yoga club in 2002; we had a membership of seven during the first year. Within four years, the number grew to 450 enthusiastic members!

Of late, I have observed that there is much more interest in the holistic aspects of yoga, not just physical postures. There has been substantial research conducted on yoga postures and their benefits; in the next few years, research on breath work and meditation practices will illuminate our understanding of their physiological benefits as well.

GP: I hope to see more people practicing; gradually maybe all of America might be practicing yoga! If everyone tells each other, or even sees on their own that those around them are more peaceful and not worried so much, yoga will continue to spread.

SR: I think a lot of people are still intimidated by yoga—they read a magazine and think you have to stand on your head or balance on one arm to do yoga, that it’s a very physical practice. My dream and hope is that yoga will adapt in the West so that everyone can do it enjoyably.

Yoga is meant to adapt to the individual, rather than individuals trying to adapt to one type of yoga. Not everyone’s ready to hear that.

THE TODO ARTS LIST PRESENTED BY TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS Texas Performing Arts is proud to recognize Austin’s many outstanding arts organizations AUSTIN SYMPHONIC BAND FALL CONCERT - ASB presents its traditional fall concert in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 3 (7 -8:30 pm). Bring a snack and spread your blanket under the pecan trees at the beautiful Hillside Theatre.

Then watch the stars come out as the band showcases music as big as the great outdoors. www.austinsymphonicband.org

---------------------------------------------------PARADOX PLAYERS’ ‘INCORRUPTIBLE’ The Players’ “Incorruptible” runs Oct. 1-17 (FR/SA 8 pm; SN 3 pm) at Howson Hall Theater, First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover Ave. Writer Michael Hollinger and director Gary Payne’s madcap comedy is set in the Dark Ages featuring destitute monks in the body parts business, a one-eyed minstrel, reunited young lovers, and the eternal belief in miracles. www. paradoxplayers.org

---------------------------------------------------PAVEL STEIDL - AUSTIN CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY - Stunning master guitarist Pavel Steidl’s overflowingly artistic renditions of 19th century masterworks has the international guitar community buzzing. He leads off ACGS’s 21st International Concert Series on Saturday, Oct. 9 (8 pm) at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Dr. www. austinclassicalguitar.org

RUBBER REPERTORY’S ‘BIOGRAPHY OF PHYSICAL SENSATION’ Rubber Repertory pushes the limits of audience participation in “Biography of Physical Sensation,” Oct. 14-30, TH-SN at 8 pm, Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Rd. Based on the personal archives of Cedar Creek’s Jamie Damon, RR provides an experience in human life through tastes, touches, smells, and sounds in a reinvention of the traditional biography. A fast and feely ride from puberty and pork chops to tonsillectomies and lemon cake. www.rubberrep.org ---------------------------------------------------TEX-ARTS’ ‘ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE’ - “Always... Patsy Cline” makes its return with the original stars of TexARTS huge 2008 hit featuring Selena Rosanbalm as Patsy and Edie Elkjer as Louise. Featuring a live band and one of the young women who stole everyone’s hearts with her haunting and masterful performance as Patsy. TexARTS Keller Williams Studios, 2300 Lohman’s Spur (Lakeway)Oct. 15-31. www.tex-arts.org

---------------------------------------------------VORTEX REPERTORY COMPANY’S ‘VAMPYRESS’ - “Vampyress” returns to the Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd., Oct. 15-Nov. 13. Based on the true story of Erzsebet Bathori, a 16th-century woman who bathed in the blood of her victims, this award-winning opera is a tale of horror, murder, and magic, created by ethos composer and Artistic Director, Chad Salvata. Melissa VogtPatterson and Betsy McCann reprise their award-winning roles. Directed by Bonnie Cullum. www.vortexrep.org

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AUSTIN CIVIC CHORUS’S MOZART’S MASS IN C-MINOR - Ryan Heller Austin conducts Austin Civic Civic ChorusChorus in Mozart’s classic Mass in C-minor on

---------------------------------------------------Saturday, Oct. 16, 8presents pm at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 AUSTIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Village Center Dr., and Sunday, Oct. 17, 2:00 pm at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Violinist Judith Ingolfsson performs Oct. 8-9 (8 pm) at the Long Center with Church, 8134 Mesa Dr. www.chorusaustin.org Smetana Vyšrehrad from Má vlast, Schumann’s Violin Concerto in D Minor, and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14. On Oct. 23 (8 pm), Cirque de la Symphonie brings an exciting adaptation of artistic performances from aerial flyers to strongmen choreographed to classical and contemporary music.

Halloween Children’s Concert, Oct. 24 (2 pm), features frightfully fun symphonic music for young eyes and ears (ages 2-10). www.austinsymphony.org ---------------------------------------------------SALON CONCERTS’ ‘ROMANTIC ENTANGLEMENT’ - Celebrating its 21st season, Salon present “Romantic Entanglement for Oboe, Viola, Tuba and Piano” Oct. 10 (4:30 pm) and Oct. 11 (7 pm) at a private home with buffet ($), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Oct 12 (6 pm) at Austin Lyric Opera’s Armstrong Community Music School (free). Features Joanna Ross Hersey, tuba; Rebecca Henderson, oboe; Bruce Williams, viola; and Colette Valentine, piano. www.salonconcerts.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LA FOLLIA AUSTIN BAROQUE W/CONSPIRARE CHILDREN’S CHOIR CAPITAL T. THEATRE’S ‘HUNTER, GATHERERS’ - The line between La Follia joins the Conspirare Children’s Choir, led by Nina Revering, in civilized and primal man is blurred in “Hunter, Gatherers,” Oct. 14-Nov. 6 at Baroque musicHeller, for the young.Conductor Featured works by Purcell, JS Bach, Telemann, Ryan Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W 43rd St. An animal sacrifice kicks off a dinner plus Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. Guest soloists are soprano Jennifer Thyssen, Saturday October 16, 2010 8 pm Sunday October 17, 2010 2 pm get-together, followed by sex, violence, deception, revelations, wrestling and mezzo soprano Stephanie Prewitt, baritone Brett Barnes. SA Oct. 16, 8 pm Northwest Hills St. Matthew’s

dancing in a darkly comic evening. TH-SA at 8 pm. Not everyone will survive at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 606 W. 15th St., SN Oct. 17, 3 pm at First

United Methodist Church Episcopal Church

7050 Village Center Drive 8134 Mesa Drive long enough to enjoy the brownies for dessert. www.capitalt.org Presbyterian Church, 8001 Mesa Dr. www.lafollia.org

Mass in C-minor Information and Tickets: (512) 719-3300 • www.chorusaustin.org • office@chorusaustin.org

BALLET AFRIQUE’S ‘WALK, RUN, HOP, LEAP’ - Founding director China Smith and company present “Walk, Run, Hop, Leap: An Evening of New Works” at the Boyd Vance Theater, Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St., Oct. 21-23, 8 pm. This trailblazing local contemporary dance outfit is igniting the black professional dance movement in Austin, employing a synthesis of ballet and modern blended with Afrocentric undertones. www.balletafrique.org

---------------------------------------------------SPOTLIGHT ON OPERA’S ‘THE SONG CAFÉ’ - The official opera ensemble of St. Edward’s University presents “The Song Café” spotlighting the talented singer/actors reprising one of their most popular projects—an improvised play using art song to tell an intriguing story in a contemporary setting. At the Maloney Room (3rd Floor, Main Building), St. Edward’s University, 3001 S. Congress Ave., Saturday, Oct. 23, 7 pm. www.spotlightonopera.com ---------------------------------------------------REVEL MUSIC’S ‘CLIMB’ - Guest violinist Cármelo de los Santos joins the Austin-based classical chamber band of pianist Carla McElhaney and cellist Joel Becktell in Chopin, Schoenfield and Led Zeppelin. “Two of Five: The Climb” series features “Revel in the House,” Friday, Oct. 22 at 6 pm at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Dr., and Revel at Northwest Hills on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 6 pm. www.revelmusic.org

---------------------------------------------------TAPESTRY DANCE COMPANY’S ‘VOICES OF RHYTHM’ - Heading into its second generation, one of the world’s preeminent dance companies and a leader of the international tap renaissance presents ‘Voices of Rhythm,’ Oct. 29-31 at Rollins Studio Theatre, Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive. Friday & Saturday 8 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 2 p.m. www.tapestry.org

---------------------------------------------------TEXAS EARLY MUSIC PROJECT’S ‘SPLENDORS OF NAPLES’ - In collaboration with UT musicologist Dr. Guido Olivieri, TEMP celebrates the 300th anniversary of Pergolesi’s birth with Neapolitan sacred music from the 16th-18th centuries. “The Splendors of Naples: Gesualdo through Pergolesi” is at St. Mary Cathedral, 203 E. 10th St., on Friday, Oct.29, 8 pm, and First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 8th St., Sunday, Oct. 31, 3 pm. www.early-music.org

TEXASPERFORMINGARTS.ORG This project is funded and supported in part by the

Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead)

By Heather Lee

“Do this in remembrance of me.” In the gospels of the New Testament, it is written that Jesus Christ spoke those words as he broke bread at The Last Supper. Jesus offered the bread as a symbol of his body. Whether or not you participate in the Eucharist, you are probably familiar with the Christian story of The Last Supper.

In the Old Testament, God provided manna to the Israelites to nourish them as they wandered through the desert. Today, challah, braided bread that is enjoyed by many Jewish people during the Sabbath or on certain holidays, commemorates the manna given by God to the Israelites during their journey.

Holy bread. Holy sacrament.

If neither of the aforementioned religious tales sparks your interest, or if you’re all too familiar with them to begin with, then perhaps it would be interesting to think of bread’s symbolic role in… death?

Pan de Muerto, or Bread of the Dead, is a delicious sweetbread that is baked around the time of the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Those who honor the tradition might bake this bread to leave on ofrendas, or altars, for their loved ones who have passed away.

Others might take the pan de muerto to a loved one’s

gravesite along with other foods that the deceased might have particularly enjoyed. Such traditions illuminate the fact that Dia de los Muertos truly is a celebration of the life, or earthly presence that once was. In that way, food is not only nourishment for our bodies; it can also be nourishment for souls.

Among many cultures, food tradition can easily be seen as ephemeral art. In the case of pan de muerto, the ephemeral is offered to the dead, who visit us during the celebration of Dia de los Muertos and then continue on in eternity. It’s a rather beautifully significant offering in that way. The aromas of various foods, flowers and incense on ofrendas in homes or surrounding gravesites during Dia de los Muertos, are meant to entice the returning souls with carnal delights, so that on their brief journey back to our world, they can sense the earthly treasures they once enjoyed. It is the idea that the sensual is not resigned to the physical presence alone; rather, we might just be able to hold our sensual experiences, at least in some regard, forever.

Pan de Muerto is typically a light, airy bread, somewhere between a croissant and a baguette. Sugar is lightly dusted across the top, just as with most pan dulce (sweetbread). Some recipes call for ground anise seed

in the mix, and top it off with a sticky orange glaze. It is often baked into round loaves with smaller rolls of dough fixed across the top to resemble bones. You may also find it made into the shapes of skulls, animals and other ornamental shapes associated with Dia de los Muertos.

Many local Mexican bakeries, or panaderías, will begin baking pan de muerto in mid to late October. You can call ahead to some bakeries and request it. If you’ve never had pan de muerto before, you should seek it out for the upcoming holiday. Perhaps a loved one you knew who is now departed had a favorite dish for which you now have the recipe. Pick up some pan de muerto from a local Mexican bakery, go home, and make the favorite dish of your loved ones in remembrance of them. Other delicious treats are available during the Dia de los Muertos season as well, including brightly decorative sugar skulls. Check out these local panaderías for holiday fare: LA MEXICANA | 1924 S. 1ST ST. MI VICTORIA | 5245 BURNET RD. JOE’S BAKERY | 2305 E. 7TH ST.

Pan de Muerto: Dead bread celebrates life | photo by Robb Walsh

Chocolate: Some Like it Caliente

By Jennie Chen

With cold weather in the foreseeable future, Austinites will be glad to get a break from the scorching heat. Along with crisp, cool weather comes along a completely different line of beverages. Gone are the refreshing, light drinks of summer. In their place, warm, spicy drinks sure to warm hands and toes and temper the bite of winter (insert snarky comment about Austin “winter” here).

chocolate are made with corn flour for thickening. While many brands can be found in grocery stores, the Abuelita brand is highly recommended.

WHISK VIGOROUSLY UNTIL THE CHOCOLATE IS DISSOLVED. ADD OPTIONAL SPLASH OF VANILLA OR COFFEE LIQUEUR AND/OR A PINCH OF CHILI POWDER.

Ready for a taste? Here’s a quick-and-easy recipe for making your own chocolate caliente at home:

CONTINUE TO WHISK THE CHOCOLATE VIGOROUSLY UNTIL IT BECOMES FROTHY.

INGREDIENTS:

Hot chocolate flavored with peppermint sticks or cinnamon and topped with whipped cream is a traditional holiday treat; the origins of the drink are a cultural treat. It is theorized that the first drinking chocolate was served by the Mayans around 2,000 years ago. Artifacts depicting Mayan gods and jars of chocolate were some of the earliest pieces of evidence that cacao drinks existed. Since their discovery, chocolate drinks have undergone many makeovers, revisions and adaptations.

One popular rendition close to its Mayan origin is Mexican drinking chocolate, or chocolate (cho-ko-LAH-tay) caliente.

Mexican drinking chocolate does not come in powder form; rather it can be found as discs or bark, typically made of ground chocolate and Mexican brown sugar, or piloncillo. Some brands of Mexican drinking

16 OUNCES MILK

OPTIONALLY, POUR THE MIXTURE FROM CUP TO CUP ALLOWING AIR TO MIX IN AND CREATE FROTH.

SUGAR TO TASTE (3-4 TBSP RECOMMENDED)

ONCE THE DESIRED TEXTURE IS ACHIEVED, SERVE WITH A CINNAMON STICK FOR GARNISH.

2 OUNCES MEXICAN CHOCOLATE IN DISC FORM

Not ready to whip up your own Mexican hot chocolate? Try these local favorites if you’re pressed for time or curious to sample a legit cup before taking it on in your own kitchen.

CINNAMON STICK FOR GARNISH OPTIONAL:

SPLASH OF VANILLA EXTRACT OR COFFEE LIQUEUR, PINCH OF CHILI POWDER

THE STEEPING ROOM 11410 Century Oaks Terrace

INSTRUCTIONS:

HEAT THE MILK IN A SAUCEPAN WITH SUGAR UNTIL SCALDING, BUT NOT BOILING.

Mexican drinking chocolate and churros: a tasty way to welcome winter | photo by Aimee Wenske

EL CHILITO 2225 Manor Rd. HOLY CACAO 1311 S. 1st St.

REMOVE FROM HEAT AND ADD CHOCOLATE.

Austin Fashion Awards Winner in Best Women’s Cut Nominee: Critics Choice Award for Best Hair Stylist Nominee: Best Men’s Cut Nominee: Makeup Artists, Best Use of Color Best Hair Stylist 2009 Rare Magazine

www.brandicowley.com

Bluegreen Gallery Invites Social Awareness with “The River of Life”

By Jillian Hall

Yuri Martinez’s “The River of Life” at Bluegreen Gallery’s inaugural show PHOTOS BY JENNY FU

Nestled inconspicuously in the corner of a shopping center in Bee Caves is the newly opened Bluegreen Gallery. A sign bearing the name of the colors that represent social consciousness and stewardship of the earth marks the entrance to this simple storefront. Inside is an open, well-lit space created with the intention of housing an “eclectic gallery of thoughts and imaginations,” according to Owner Cynthia Young.

Young seeks to showcase artists who help create global social awareness through their art. CO N T I N U E D O N P. 1 9

18 TODO Austin // OCT 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com

Frame of Reference

Chronicles of Undercover Mexican Girl:

Chance or Will?

Move to the Beat

Back in December, my boyfriend and I needed a place to stay in the Rio Grande Valley. We were taking a road trip along the U.S.-Mexico border heading east to west. It happened that one of the artists from the Day of the Dead exhibition at Mexic-Arte Museum needed her art work returned—it was a large piece, a painted, full-sized dress form. Jessica and her husband Tim live in Harlingen, Texas, the perfect city for us to begin our journey.

least expect it. Maybe it’s when the moon and the stars line up just right, or when it’s your fortune-cookie-lucky day. Or maybe things don’t actually start coming together until you make them. Since that day, I’ve been writing more often. I’ve been creating a website and a portfolio. I started networking, but not by attending fashionable happy hours or business association mixers.

Every Sunday, as the sun started to creep toward the meeting place of sky and sea, I could hear a low rumble when I stepped outside of my door in Venice Beach, louder or fainter depending on the wind that day, that would gently awaken me from the sleepy activity of the day and draw me toward it like a fog horn guiding its ships safely in.

I went through my 642 Facebook friends to see who I already knew. A friend I made at Carnegie Mellon over 12 years ago turned up. And then Tim from Harlingen turned up.

(Note: the three of us were born within the first two weeks of January. Capricorns are good people to know.) Among other friends whom I am thankful to, these particular two have been instrumental in helping me start my first professional business: Plum Writing & Editing.

Turning the corner from the side street on which I lived,onto the Boardwalk, the breeze now delivered the sound powerfully and directly into my ears. The corners of my mouth would curl up in a quiet, knowing smile as the sound began to define and announce itself. Walking straight onto the beach, I would take off my sandals and carry them in my hand, feeling the cool sand beneath my feet, kicking it up just enough to see a fluff of grains jump into the air.

Join me for this great new adventure on Friday, October 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at El Sol y La Luna, 600 E. 6th Street. RSVP at facebook. com/plumwriting.

Each step I took turned the volume up on the dreamy sound of the crashing waves in my right ear and the rumbling of gathering beats in my left. At a certain point,

By Alexandra M. Landeros

We arrived late to their house and they welcomed us with dinner, wine and one of those conversations that magically winds through a million disconnected and fascinating topics. I discovered Tim was in marketing, and because of my fledgling career in writing and public relations, we talked about collaborating. We exchanged contact information. And then nothing happened for many months.

Well that’s because the best paths don’t follow a straight line—they converge, diverge and meet once again when you

By Blake Shanley

my eyes would turn up to find a mass of people creating an unformed, scattered circle; some standing, some sitting, some dancing—around a hundred men, and a few women beating their hands passionately on a hundred different drums. The effortless harmony of the solely percussive melodies created by a hundred different drummers bound me to that moment and everyone in it instantaneously, every time.

There always appeared to be an unstated, understood acceptance, for that hour or so, that everyone there, from every possible walk of life, was feeling the same primal, instinctual and peaceful connection to that rhythmic experience. It was magic and it happened every weekend, without fail and without organization.

Starting in October, an Austin version of that experience will begin to ring out on E. 11th Street every week, also without fail. Stay tuned at Facebook.com/TheEastVillage for information on A Beat Collective Due East.

Bluegreen Gallery Invites Social Awareness with “The River of Life” CO N T I N U E D F RO M P. 18

The artist that Young chose for the gallery’s premier is Yuri Martinez; the exhibit, titled “The River of Life,” is his first retrospective solo art show. It features 51 of Martinez’s oil-oncanvas paintings, from his early stage as a young man in 1990s Cuba to his latest work as a Cuban immigrant in the United States. “River” has been on display since the gallery opened in mid-July, and will be up through the end of October.

Keeping in mind Young’s mission of “exhibiting fine artists and photographers whose work reflects the powerful humanitarian spirit and explores the intersections of creativity, culture, society and social justice,” it is no wonder that Martinez was her first choice for an opening exhibit.

Yuri Martinez has been living and breathing art for as long as he has been living and breathing. Coming from a family of artists in Cuba, drawing was his main source of entertainment while growing up. When asked about his career path, Martinez said, “I always knew I was going to be an artist. It is not a

profession, but a spiritual necessity to express myself.” Much of Martinez’s work on display at Bluegreen involves arresting depictions of the corrupt history of his home country and its effects upon its citizens.

Looking for a way for his work to serve as visual journalism, Martinez first started selling his paintings in Havana’s famed Cathedral Square in the mid and late 1980s, but had to find a way to represent what was bothering him without drawing the repressive attention of the government. With some help from his schooling at Cuba’s National School of Arts, his magical realism style was born.

This is not the first time that Young has had Martinez’s work on display in her personal space. Searching for a way to make a living with his art when he and his family first moved to the United States on a work visa in 1999, Martinez began selling artwork on eBay. These Cubist pieces were more commercial portrayals of people than his typical work. A friend bought

one of the paintings for Young’s son’s 16th birthday and he liked it so much that he began collecting the pieces.

Aside from the “River of Life” exhibit, Bluegreen will also be offering canvas reproductions and limited edition prints of Martinez’s work. Pre-orders for signed works, general information and gallery updates are available online at www. bluegreengallery.org.

Gallery visitors can also expect to find other unique souvenirs, such as a large collection of Rebajes copper and silver signed jewelry from the 1930s, and hand-woven, vegetable-dyed pashmina shawls from the development program Pachachuli Women Weavers.

Bluegreen Gallery 12717 Shops Parkway, Suite 500 512.263.2324

PHOTO BY JENNY FU

TODO Austin // OCT 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com 19

Saturday, October 30, 2010 • 3-10pm Family activities, custom car show, ofrendas (altars) exhibit, and featuring the music of Jez and Making Movies!

Ofrendas (Altars) Exhibit To build an ofrenda (altar) please call 512-974-3772 or email herlinda.zamora@ci.austin.tx.us for a registration form.

Ofrendas (altars) will be displayed throughout the day of the event.

Free Workshop Making Sugar Skulls for Día de los Muertos Saturday, October 16, 2010 Three sessions: 1-2pm, 2-3pm, & 3-4pm Spaces are limited!

600 River St. Austin, TX 78701 For more information or to register for the Sugar Skulls workshop, please call 512-974-3772 or visit 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 512-974-3770 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