Volume III, 7 | November 2011
Native American’s Cultural Landscape
Hope for the best.
Austin businesswoman Megan DeLuna with Huichol guitar
Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration set for Congregation Agudas Achim pg. 6
Austin Lyric Opera Marks 25th Season with “The Magic Flute” pg. 11
Austin Days of the Dead festivities. pg. 8-9
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CASA
(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County
V ol u nteer S potlight Yolanda Arriaga grew up in South Texas as the 4th of 11 children in her family. She says her parents “really impressed upon us that education was the key to being successful.” After going to college at U.T. Pan American where she studied criminal justice and government, she headed to Austin. She has worked for state agencies for 27 years, spending the last 10 years with TxDOT as a human resources specialist.
Yolanda loves to travel and says that someday travelling will become her second career. A fan of volunteering, Yolanda worked the crisis hotline at a women’s shelter for many years and most currently is organizing a TxDOT fundraiser for victims of the Bastrop fires. She shared, “It was always my goal to work with kids, and make a difference in a child’s life, and finally I found CASA.” Yolanda just started volunteering with CASA of Travis County this spring, and her supervisor says that “Yolanda’s advocacy for the children and their family is always spot on.” At first she was “nervous about working with kids because I’m not a mom and didn’t know how to make that connection, but I quickly found that it was easy to relate to the kids.” Yolanda has really enjoyed her volunteer work thus far and said she has been really surprised to learn how much she could accomplish. She has one wish for CASA – for more people to begin volunteering.
Bridge2Bridge
TODO Arts
novem B E R --------------------------------------------------Luna Negra Dance Theatre – Bass Concert Hall
From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin
Enjoy a magnificent Mediterranean menu prepared by Sibby Barrett with locally crafted wine and beer, plus an opportunity to bid on enchanting art from local artists while helping local homeless and abandoned animals at the PAWS Shelter and Humane Society Fall Harvest Feast on Sunday, November 6, 3-6 p.m., at Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm. All proceeds benefit PAWS, a no kill animal shelter. fallharvestfeast.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The 10th anniversary of Help Clifford Help Kids benefit for American YouthWorks gives at-risk youth a chance to earn their high school diploma or GED, obtain job skills and pursue a college education while they give back through service to their community. Show your support at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on Thursday, November 10, 6-11 p.m. Featuring the Cliffy Award and live music by Bob Schneider. americanyouthworks.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mariachi Sol de Mexico offers traditional mariachi sounds embellished with fresh contemporary passion and powerful new rhythms at the Long Center on Thursday, November 10, 7:30 p.m. The deep love and passion the 13 ensemble members share for mariachi perfectly captures the spirit and artistry of their culture. Sharing the stage will be special guest Vikki Carr, the Grammy Award-winning, Texas-born singer. thelongcenter.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thrive Austin, Friday, November 11, 4 p.m. at Pine Street Station plans to “uplift” you with the music of Rattletree Marimba, Atash, Djembabes, Seu Jacinto, Minor Mishap Marching Band and more, lectures and workshops on global sustainability and consciousness, plus offerings from over 50 local business and organizations. Proceeds will go to Amala Foundation to benefit local, refugee and immigrant youth in Austin. $12 in advance/$15 at door. thriveaustinfestival.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rainforest Partnership presents “A Night in the Clouds” on Tuesday, November 17, at the Barr Mansion from 6-9 p.m. RP matches economic development choices to the needs and desires, culture, knowledge, and skills of local communities, and to the opportunities created by each individual rainforest. Enjoy dinner, music and a silent auction and learn about partner communities in the Colibri Cloudforest of Peru and Architects Without Borders. rainforestpartnership.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Grab your dancing shoes and come to dance the night out at the first annual Austin Salsa Music Festival on Saturday, November 19, from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at El Sol y la Luna. The festival will feature some of the best salsa bands in Austin, including La Mona Loca, Salero, and Combo Saborea. Also featuring Dj Put A Fyah from South America. Online pre-sale tickets at ticketriver.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The films in the “Literature in Mexican Cinema” series, presented by the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, in collaboration with Cine Las Americas and the Consulate General of Mexico illustrate four decades of literary adaptations in Mexican film. Free screenings include: “Pedro Paramo” Wed. Nov. 2; “Los Albaniles” Wed., Nov. 9; and “Santa” Wed. Nov. 16. Shows at 8 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre. cityofaustin.org/macc ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade ushers in the Christmas season on Saturday, November 26, at 11 a.m. on Congress Avenue. With giant inflatable balloons, festive holiday floats, famous children’s characters, spectacular marching bands, classic cars and Santa. At a designated time during the parade procession, all units will stop and collect toys from the crowd, to be distributed by Operation Blue Santa. chuysparade.com
This innovative company delivers richly textured and highly original contemporary dance in a distinctive style that blends the discipline of ballet with the fiery energy of Latin and Afro-Caribbean forms and rhythms. Performing at Texas Performing Arts for the first time on Friday, November 18, 8 p.m., Luna Negra collaborates with visual and media artists, musicians, and composers, to consistently push the creative limits of their performances. The ArtesAméricas performance is presented in partnership with the U.T. Department of Theatre and Dance. texasperformingarts.org --------------------------------------------------Anton Nel w/ Austin Symphony Orchestra – Dell Hall
Maestro Peter Bay and the Austin Symphony invite patrons to an event that will definitely make them “Listen Up!” when the ASO presents world-acclaimed pianist and local audience favorite Anton Nel to share the stage for two wonderful keyboard works on Friday and Saturday, November 18-19, at 8 p.m. The program begins with Ginastera’s Concert Variations for Chamber Orchestra, followed by Nel at center stage for Franck’s Symphonic Variations. After intermission, the ASO and Nel perform the Second Piano Concerto of Liszt, with Bay concluding the evening with Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber. austinsymphony.org --------------------------------------------------Border Music: David Hidalgo & Marc Ribot – Bass Concert Hall
Guitar meets guitar on Wednesday, November 30, 8 p.m., at the U.S. premiere of this rocking post-roots, pan-Latin, rave-up/descarga. Hidalgo is the driving vocal and guitar force of East L.A.’s Los Lobos and Latin Playboys, the former of which took border-hopping cultural collisions onto the world stage. Ribot combines musical excursions between cultures, styles, and genres, forging a unique partnership where immigrant neighborhoods meet intellectual nuance – creating truly new music to stir your heart, challenge your head, and move your body. With Brad Jones (bass), Anthony “The Professor” Coleman (keyboards), and drummer Cougar Estrada. texasperformingarts.org
Restaurant & Bar Latin American Cuisine
Live Music We Thank the Sponsors of Viva las Americas! Mariachi Tamazula every Fri at 8 pm SAT 5 Naga Valii 9 pm
W e l l s Fa r g o, R z Co m m u n i c at i o n s , I n c ., NRG E n e r g y, Y z & A s s o c i at e s , LLC , C a p i ta l M e t r o, E d B u r e s h , MYO M a s s ag e
SAT 12 Enlaces Latinos 9 pm SAT 19 Salsa Fest 9 pm SAT 26 Mary Welch y Los Curanderos SUN 27 Toni Price 5 pm We have relocated from our long time home on South Congress to Austin’s Historic Sixth Street.
TUE-THU 11 AM-10 PM // FRI-SAT 9 AM-1 AM // SUN 9 AM-4 PM 600 East 6th Street // 512.444.7770 // www.elsolylalunaaustin.com
Indigo Day Camp 11.12.11 For the past 11 years, The Amala Foundation has produced Camp Indigo – a week-long Summer Camp for children ages 4-11. For the first time, we are now offering the Camp Indigo experience throughout the year in the from of Indigo Day Camps. Indigo Day Camps create an environment that is safe, nurturing, fun, and creative where children can freely express, heal, be acknowledged and heard. We endeavor to support and empower all children to explore the essence of who they are. All activities are designed to create a space for the facilitators and children to experience a deeper opening of their hearts.
10am-3:30pm at The Amala Foundation 1006 South 8th St. Austin TX 78704
Register at www.amalafoundation.org/events
To enter the raffle for a Huichol guitar, go to bellasartesalliance.com or contact lramirez@bellasartesalliance.com or call 512.282.9112
Volume III, Number 007 Publisher/Editor – Gavin Lance Garcia contact@todoaustinonline.com
HABLA Austin
News and notes on current affairs and issues impacting our community from Hispanic advocates and business leaders of Austin. Paul Saldaña – newstaco.com // I am disappointed with the lack of transparency and inclusion to force a potential vote on whether to hold municipal elections in May or November during a council work session. Some of you campaigned during your election and re-election efforts and made a commitment to be transparent and inclusive, a community value shared by many in Austin. By now you know that a group of local Hispanic organizations including the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber, U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association, LULAC, Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA), Hispanic Firefighters Association, Amigos En Azul and other Hispanic business and community leaders expressed our support to move the next City elections to November 2012. Political equality, political liberty and popular sovereignty are all fundamental components of the democratic process. When coupled with the emerging number of Hispanics in the Austin area, it’s no secret that our booming population will continue to have an impact on the local landscape and quality of life issues in Austin. Among them, the potential to cast the winning votes for future elected officials and/or local referendums. With nearly 280,000 Hispanics in the City of Austin, it is absolutely important that our community participate in democracy. It’s important to note that over 80% of the local Hispanic population are young Latinos 35 years and younger. Which means we will play a critical role in future elections. Contrary to the beliefs by some, we are not “overwhelmed, uninformed, uneducated and all-consumed with taking our kids to soccer practice.” And while we appreciate the concerns that we may
potentially “shoehorn ourselves,” I want to assure you that Hispanic voters count in Austin, Texas and we stand firm behind our belief that “Su voto, es su voz.”
Art Director – Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com
Our City Charter states that all elections shall be held in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. SB100, the newly enacted law of the State of Texas allows local municipalities, including the City of Austin, to extend the terms of sitting Council Members. Which means moving the city elections to November conforms with both State Law and the City Charter.
Senior Editors – Harmony Eichsteadt, Katie Walsh
It’s also important to address the potential economic impact of the costs associated with a potential election in May 2012. It’s no secret that these are very tough economic times…and it saddens me that as the Council contemplates spending over $1.3 million dollars (Equipment Cost $ 500,463.70 and Elections Operational Cost $ 858,000.00) to call for an election in May 2012; we have a neighborhood and community in Austin Texas where over 30% of families live below the poverty line, the unemployment rate is over 40% and every month over 500 families stand in line for hours to receive food pantry assistance. The Statesman editorial board said it best in its October 3 edition: “It’s an elitist argument that betrays the entitlement mentality of the cadre of insiders who benefit politically from the city’s notoriously low turnout. The argument neither needs subtitle nor translation, but here’s one: ‘We know what’s good for you.’” It’s a crying shame that there appears to be a majority of Council Members who want to enable the status quo; surely voter suppression is not alive and well in Austin, Texas? Thank you Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Council Member Mike Martinez and Council Member Chris Riley for your leadership on this issue and your efforts to increase voter turnout and save the Austin taxpayers $1.3 million dollars. You should know that in Austin there are nearly 120,000 Hispanic eligible voters ranking Austin among the top 5 cities in Texas with the largest number of Hispanic eligible voters. Based on the history of City of Austin Voter turnout since 1990, the average May election voter turnout is 15.9% compared to the November election voter turnout of 33.3%.
Executive Editor – Erica Stall Wiggins
Associate Editors – Sonia Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Julia Lee, Esther Reyes, Matt Rife, Lorenzo Salinas, Blake Shanley, Yvonne Lim Wilson Contributing Writers/Artists – Pratima Agrawal, Güner Arslan, Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Joseph Banks, Stefanie Behe, Adriana Cadena, Sirsha Chatterjee, Jennie Chen, Mita Haldar, Jillian Hall, Maria P. Hernandez, Paul Hernandez, Gabino Iglesias, Yadira Izquierdo, Nandini Jairam, Chaille Jolink, Jamie Jones, Ryan Jordan, Ramey Ko, Vandana Kumar, Callie Langford, Heather Lee, Liz Lopez, David Marks, Jessica Meyer, Lata Narumanchi, Cristina Parker, Kathy Pham, Rebecca Robinson, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Hani Saleh, Jaya Shukla, Rupal Shah, Sachin Shah, Vanessa Valdovinos, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Joseph P.A. Villescas, Bowen Wilder, Sait Yavuz Photographers – Raul Angon, Heather Banks, Jenny Fu, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, John M. P. Knox, JoJo Marion, Anna Moreno, Aimee Wenske, Matt Ziehr TODO Austin: Multicultural Media for All of Austin (TODOAustin.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. — 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. Advertising/Submissions/Editorial: Contact@ TODOaustin.com, 512.538.4115 — TODO Austin - P.O. Box 4142 - Austin, TX 78765-4142
Sara Inés Calderón (p. 5) is editor of NewsTaco. com, The Latino Daily, an online
John Vasquez – Alabama Immigration Law // As a young lawyer, I wrote an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court for the Edgewood school district in San Antonio opposing the Texas law denying education to immigrant children. Edgewood was, I believe, the only Texas school district opposing the Texas law when Plyler v. Doe was argued before the Supreme Court. If the Alabama immigration law is upheld, school attendance rates for Latino children across the country will likely drop. As Campbell Robertson writes in The New York Times: “It is … a first step in a larger and long-considered strategy to topple a 29-year-old Supreme Court ruling that all children in the United States, regardless of their immigration status, are guaranteed a public education. The provision, which is known as Section 28, requires primary and secondary schools to record the immigration status of incoming students and their parents and pass that data on to the state. Critics say it is a simple end in itself, an attempt to circumvent settled law and to scare immigrants away from school now, not at some point in the future.” Johnny Limon – Affordable Housing // Affordable Housing is almost impossible to find in Austin. The city needs 39,000 units of affordable housing to house our working poor. Recently, we lost hundreds of units in the Riverside area, to be replaced with luxury units. That’s only the beginning. One in every four students in AISD is homeless, and two of every four moves at least twice a year to a different school. 04 TODO Austin // november 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com
Check peoplefund.org to learn more and give your input. Kathleen Vale – // “College is most important thing for Hispanic youth poll finds … more than getting a job or getting married”- Mark Lopez, Pew Hispanic Center – 2010 Census – Hispanic Education Trends, presenting at Education Summit today. Lopez shared insights from the recent census data about the challenges and opportunities for the Hispanic college graduation rates. Herbert C. Martinez – // On October 17, the National President of the National League of Latin American Citizens, Jaime Martinez, responded to Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain’s insensitive remarks made at a recent rally: “regarding Mr. Cain’s proposal that erecting a deadly 20-foot electrical fence along the United States-Mexico border, 1,996 miles, to stem the flow of illegal immigrants who are coming through Mexico into the United States. Mr. Martinez shared the outrage of members of NLLAC and thanked members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, led by Congressman Charles Gonzalez, for immediately renouncing Mr. Cain’s totally insensitive proposal. Mr. Martinez called on Mr. Cain to immediately apologize to the over 50 million-member Latino community in the United States or risk the organization teaming up with other Latino organizations throughout the country to initiate a boycott of Godfather Pizza (as he is its former CEO).
community of news, culture and info from a Latino perspective. Heather Lee seeks to give a voice to war survivors in her article, “Veterans Offer Perspective” (p. 7). Mari Hernandez (p. 12) has photographed, volunteered and lived in Austin since 2003.
/ / / / / / / N ews T aco presents
When I Speak Spanish in Public, I’m Not Talking About You By Sara Inés Calderón
I’ll just say it outright: when I speak Spanish in public, I am not talking about you. Actually, usually, I’m talking about myself and my own life or the lives of the people I love. I never understand why the first assumption when someone is speaking Spanish — or any other language for that matter — is that they are talking about someone near them. Personally, as a busy woman, I rarely have as much time to talk on the phone as I’d like, so when I do, I have to often combine those conversations with errands, such as picking up dry cleaning or grocery shopping. So, I end up wanting to talk about health, financial or other personal problems, it’s often at least one layer of privacy to switch
languages. So there you have it: I speak in Spanish in public because I’m hiding something — about myself. Also, it’s probably because I’m rude and am talking on my cell phone in public. But then again, if I’m talking to someone else in Spanish in public, it may also be because some things are best said in Spanish, as opposed to English. As I’ve said, it’s usually just mundane, boring stuff, for sometimes personal stuff I don’t want other people to know about that a naughty tía decided to ask me at the grocery store. But, if you’re still wondering what that melodic, rapid-fire series of vowels is about, here’s a basic list: 1. Money. You just don’t want to go around talking about money issues in public all the time; it’s often easier just to mention this part in Spanish. 2. Health. As I said earlier, I try not to talk about health issues in public, but when I have to and I’m speaking to someone who speaks Spanish, I’ll switch over. 3. Chisme. Say you’re talking about one of your primos, you may not want everyone to
know the chisme, or gossip, so you just switch to Spanish. 4. Your life. Sometimes I’ll be out and about doing errands or whatever and I get a call asking what happened Friday night or whatever. You know, it’s really not everyone’s business that I stayed up late watching “NCIS”…plus it sounds kind of more exciting in Spanish. 5. Nothing. Look, some things I’ve found are just better said in Spanish. “N’mbre,” for example is just better than “No way!” At least in my opinion; I just think that for some things Spanish is better and English is better for others. You’re not going to call queso “melted cheese” just as I’m not going to say “I am groggy” when I can say “Ando toda modorra.” So there you have it. This may not be that exciting as you think — the world revolving around you and strangers going out of their way to notice, form opinions, and then voice those opinions about you may be more exciting — but I swear most of the time I’m just talking about how I lost $20 in my purse or that my cousin is getting married.
/ / / / / / / N ews T aco presents
Austin, San Antonio May Come Together As One Region in 2012 By Dr. Joseph P. A. Villescas
The creation of the 35th congressional district — which stretches between Travis and Bexar counties via across Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties — represents the creation of a new reality for Central Texas. One that will see the region become a true region, one that incorporates multiple metro areas (San Antonio and Austin in this case) and stands on the strengths of that diversity. Recently, NewsTaco spoke to congressional candidate Joaquín Castro, who said he has a winning formula for economic prosperity for the nearly 1.5 million Latinos that reside in a cluster of six central Texas counties he hopes to represent. The corridor that stretches between San Antonio and Austin — a mere 70 miles — has proven to be a daunting economic barrier to Latinos in either city for a variety of reasons. If you live in San Antonio, access to jobs and educational resources in Austin seems far out of reach, considering traffic between the two cities is limited to exactly one freeway that turns into a parking lot during peak hours. Living in Austin, the search for a better life can also be difficult, as San Antonio’s educational institutions are somewhat less elitist and the housing market is open to many more
households than is Austin’s. In short, the millions of people that live in either city, and in between, have long suffered from being just out of reach of each other’s internal assets.
But candidate Castro says he has the solution. “I believe that working together, all of the cities in this Interstate 35 corridor — Austin, San Antonio, San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, all of them, Lockhart — that we can literally build the most economically vibrant corridor and region in all of the United States over the next generation,” he said recently at an Austin campaign event. “I see the same future that somebody might have seen between San Francisco and San Jose, where you have the Caltrans system and the BART system, and these rail systems that are within a city — but they also flow among all of these other cities and connect the communities in that way. It makes it easier to accomplish economic development because now your people are able to get around more effectively.” A state-of-the-art rail system has yet to be
constructed between these two growing Latino economic centers, but as the political voice tying them together Castro hopes that his legacy will be making this rail a reality — not to mention the economic boom that will inevitably come with it. Castro said that, in a large part, this comes down to vision. But as the congressman of this district he hopes to address the vision, the manpower, the brainpower and the demographic challenges such a proposition would entail. The future of Texas is growth, particularly in these two regions, and that means more cars in an already saturated interstate spells disaster. Castro proposes to gather the mayors, university leaders, business people and community leaders to envision the plan of this rail system, and what it would entail, looking past the rail itself and towards longterm economic development. Ultimately, as the cost of fuel increases for this soon-to-be “Latino majority” region of the country, the preemptive development of mass transit systems will allow this burgeoning generation much more efficient and affordable pathways to economic opportunities that will emerge in the decades ahead. TODO Austin // november 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com 05
Dialogue, Service and Celebration: iACT and the Interfaith Thanksgiving CELEBRATION // The service may begin with a Muslim chant, a Christian hymn, or any number of other religious rituals. One thing is for certain, there will be diversity and inclusion focused on peace and connection at the 27th Annual Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and Celebration on November 20. Formerly Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, iACT hosts the annual service, which aims to connect people of different faiths through dialogue, service and celebration. Previous years celebrations have included Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Baha’i and Covenant of the Goddess faiths. Music is a large part of the service; choirs, African drums, sitars, guitars and pipe organs are only a few of the offerings that can be expected. “iACT is in the “business” of cultivating peaceful, respectful relationships between individuals and communities of different faiths.” The service has seen attendance upward of 900 people in previous years, its popularity supporting a quote from iACT CEO Tom Spencer: “Austin is increasingly diverse, and it is necessary to celebrate days like Thanksgiving with other religions.” In addition to the annual Thanksgiving gathering,
By Erica Stall Wiggins
iACT celebrates Central Texans who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in their community at the Annual Hope Awards each spring. The 2011 gala and fundraiser honorees included Bishop John McCarthy, Sara Hickman, and Reverend Joseph C. Parker, Jr. The iACT events year is rounded out by A Night Under One Sky in October and World Refugee Day each year in June. “The idea of shared public service lies at the very heart of the mission for Interfaith Action of Central Texas.” SERVICE // iACT serves a number of Central Texas’ most vulnerable communities through programs such as Hands on Housing (home repair for the elderly), iACT for Refugees (the only agency in Austin that exclusively teaches English and essential life skills to newly arrived refugees), and organization of an annual CROP Hunger Walk in conjunction with Church World Service. Funds raised from the hunger walk benefit international and local hunger agencies, including the Capital Area Food Bank, Urban Roots, and iACT’s Refugee School. DIALOGUE // To support ongoing interreligious dialogue throughout the year, iACT sponsors programs such as The Red Bench: Interfaith Conversations that Matter, which are small group moderated discussions where differing
viewpoints and personal experience are honored and explored. Another forum for discussion is a hosted spiritual book club which explores classic and contemporary texts. What better way to start the holiday season than to join with people and faiths of the world in a celebration of joy and love? “Interfaith Action of Central Texas has a long history of uniting the faith communities of Central Texas in heartfelt celebration.”
photography by William Whitehurst
To learn more about iACT and its programs, please visit www.interfaithtexas.org.
iACT’s 27th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service & Celebration Congregation Agudas Achim 7300 Hart Lane Sunday, November 20, 2011 Service: 4:00-5:30pm Reception following for those in attendance. Light refreshments provided. Please do not bring food due to dietary restrictions. Free, family-friendly, all are welcome! Free Parking.
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”
november Line-up
Taco Bar
1412 S. Congress Avenue • Austin, Texas 78704 Open Weekdays 11am-11pm; Weekends 8am-11pm
---------------------------------------------------Thu 11/3 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) Fri 11/4 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 11/5 PONTY BONE & THE SQUEEZETONES (6:30) Sun 11/6 THE TEXAS TYCOONS (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 11/10 THE FABS (6:30) Fri 11/11 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 11/12 THE BANZAI PROJECT (6:30) Sun 11/13 WINK KESIAH (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 11/17 MATT SMITH’S WORLD (6:30) Fri 11/18 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 11/19 ERIN JAIMES (6:30) Sun 11/20 MITCH WEBB & THE SWINDLES (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 11/24 ****CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING*** Fri 11/25 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 11/26 TRENT TURNER & THE MOONTOWERS (6:30) Sun 11/27 CHICKEN STRUT (3:00)
www.GuerosTacoBar.com
Interfaith Dialog Group Presents Leadership and Peace Awards
East Austin Studio Tour Offers a Peek Behind the Canvas For nine days in November, artist studios, art galleries and various spaces all over East Austin will open up their doors to the public for the 10th East Austin Studio Tour. E.A.S.T. is a celebration of East Austin’s creative community and a chance for the public to get a behind-the-scenes look at working artists’ spaces and processes. Visitors can purchase art, see where artists work and visit with artists about their art process. Additionally, a number of spaces will be presenting various art and performance events on all ends of the artistic spectrum. The full 2011 tour, presented by the non-profit Big Medium, runs Saturday, November 12 through Sunday, November 20. Art and studio spaces are open on the weekends from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Events and exhibits are scheduled at various hours and dates throughout the nine days of the tour (set by each individual venue). The tour is free and open to the public and includes exhibition spaces at established and pop-up venues. See the tour catalog or eastaustinstudiotour.com for full listings.
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) held its annual award ceremony and dialog dinner at the Hilton Hotel on October 30. IID presented Representative Donna Howard, Rabbi David Komerofsky and TODO Austin publisher Gavin Lance Garcia, with the Leadership and Peace Awards for their “extraordinary contributions to peace and dialog in the Austin community.” The keynote speech was given by Texas Civil Rights Project director Jim Harrington, with a presentation by IID’s Güner Arslan on the Texas Interfaith Peace Garden being built in Houston. IID will sponsor a Dialogue Series of lectures on the University of Texas campus in November
Jennifer Balkan’s “Slipping Away”
day to supposedly honor veterans. I take the day to celebrate the end of war.” John Lee is a decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam Era. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968 and served the entirety of his conscripted service as an infantryman.
By Heather Lee
rates among them have risen dramatically in recent years. In August, 2011, the unemployment rate of post-9/11 veterans was 12.4%, much higher than that of the average American. Veterans undoubtedly face many challenges upon returning home.
Over three million veterans received compensation for service-related disabilities in 2009. There are certainly more in existence today, and ever growing numbers of veterans in our country. Statistically speaking, the outlook on their lives after returning home seems quite bleak. Veterans have higher rates of divorce and homelessness than non-veterans, and suicide
Coming up on the holiday schedule the Raindrop Turkish House (12400 Amherst Dr.) on Saturday, December 10 at 1 p.m. is Noah’s Pudding Festival. The making of Noah’s pudding is a common practice among Muslims and Christians in the Middle East.
IID’s Dr. Yetkin Yildirim, Gavin Lance Garcia, Rep. Donna Howard, Rabbi David Komerofsky
Veterans Offer Perspective
Veterans in this country offer a unique insight into the subject of war and U.S. military occupations worldwide. Their experiences are the story of human existence, and their stories certainly offer a perspective on life and politics that we might otherwise never see. November 11 is Veterans Day. Perhaps a salute isn’t all there is to offer. Maybe there’s more to the story, more to learn.
with the Islamic Dialogue Student Organization. The first features Komerofsky lecturing on “What is Dialogue?” on Tuesday, November 1 at 6 p.m. in room SZB 330. Dr. James Puglasi covers the topic “Why Dialogue?” on Tuesday, November 8 at 6 p.m. in JGB 2.218. The third event in the series brings a founder of IID, to UTC 3.110 for “How to Dialogue?” on Thursday, November, 17.
War is a deeply complicated issue, and one that is highly emotionally-charged when discussed. It is most certainly difficult for those of us who are not veterans to discern whether each of these wars is (or was) necessary, and if, at the very least, they are (or were) effective methods of keeping us safe from harm. Hart Viges is an Iraq War combat veteran. He received Conscientious Objector status upon returning home and was released from the U.S. Army. When asked if it was worth it and if we’re safer as a result, he said: “No. It was not worth it. And it is not keeping us safer. When you engage in military occupations and war, peoples’ hatred for you only increases. If we want to be safer in this world, then we must truly build an army of humanitarian aid.” When asked what Veterans Day means to him, he said, “It was originally Armistice Day, which was meant to celebrate the end of WWI, ‘the war to end all wars‘, so it is basically a re-tooling of that
When asked if the war was worth it, he responded, “Worth it to who? I mean, was it worth all the lives? No. It wasn’t right. None of it was.” On the subject of Veterans Day, he said, “I think of all the men and women in harm’s way today, and I pray for them. I don’t agree with the wars we’re in now, and I wish things were different, for all of us really. Most combat veterans, I think, really don‘t want war.” Certainly you might find a veteran who doesn’t share the sentiments of the two men quoted in this article. But, the point is to ask them. After all, you can’t expect to draw an informed conclusion about anything unless you seek all the facts. Sometimes our knowledge is best drawn from one another, not just empirical statements. We have much to learn from our past and from one another if we seek to change our future. Veterans can offer us a lot in that regard. But if we truly want to make a difference in their lives, we should stop making so many of them. A Veterans Day parade will be held in Austin on November 11. Information can be found at www. nov11.org. Also visit www.realwarriors.net or www.veteransforpeace.org for more on veterans’ organizations. TODO Austin // november 2011 // TOdoaustinonline.com 07
Days of the Dead Fest photos by Steven Garcia (SG), Sara Inés Calderón (SIC) and Dave McClinton (DM)
Antonia Warren and Co. at Club Roial (SIC)
Hipster Latinos (SIC)
El Sol y La Luna partiers (SG)
Cumbia/Vallenato at El Sol y La Luna (SG)
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center’s Dia de los Muertos Fest (SG) Bombasta at Emo’s Noche de los Muertos (SG)
Mariachi Corbetas at Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (SG)
08 TODO Austin // november 2011 // TOdoaustinonline.com
Ruben Ramos at Tejano Ranch (SG)
Viva la Vida Procession (DM)
Minor Mishap Marching Band (SIC) Viva la Vida Fest (DM)
Holiday masks (SG)
Mexic-Arte Museum (SIC) Chorizo Funk at FRANK (DM)
Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox at Threadgill’s (SG)
Corona’s Ester and Bianca (SG) TODO Austin // november 2011 // TOdoaustinonline.com 09
One Percent Occupies Austin at 20th Annual Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival By Sara Inés Calderón
This November marks the 20th annual Austin Powwow and Native American Heritage Festival sponsored by the non-profit Great Promise for American Indians, the Austin Powwow Committee and the Austin Independent School District Native American Parent’s Committee. The festival was organized in 1991 as a federally recognized educational program within the A.I.S.D. with the goals of identifying American Indian children enrolled in the Austin and Central Texas area, help them experience their rich cultural heritage and to assist them in every way possible to complete their education successfully. The event is part of what Austin businesswoman Megan DeLuna, who is of Native American ancestry, characterized as the city’s commitment to embracing its Native residents. “Considering the small percentage of Native Americans (around 1 percent) that live in Austin, I feel that the City has worked hard to include us in the diversity gamut by sponsoring events such as the annual Austin Powwow through the Cultural Arts Division,” she stated. DeLuna, owner of O-SDA Industries, LLC, Vice President for Business Development at Brisa Communications and Legislative Director at the U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association, said living in Austin helped her appreciate her heritage more. “I grew up in Oklahoma, which has the third largest Native American population in the United States. To an extent, you become immune to the fact that you are Native American because you are surrounded with so many people that are. Most people in Texas that ask about my ancestry have been very surprised since it is not so common, especially in Central Texas.” Great Promise for American Indians, a group
photo by LeAndra Peters
which helps people throughout the region gain a better understanding of American Indian culture and builds leadership within the Indian community, attempts to use each member of its group as a volunteer at the Austin Powwow, which they view as a gift to the Central Texas community. Admission for the all day affair is free and open to the public and this year includes outdoor storytelling, an American Indian arts and crafts fair, and an American Indian dance contest. The event has become the principal vehicle for drawing out and identifying Indian families and children in the Austin area. In previous years, the powwow has attracted 50,000 visitors in a single day and has become one of the largest one-day Powwows in the nation, with hundreds of American Indian dancers and performers participating from throughout Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana, and as far away as Florida, California, North and South Dakota and Canada. The Austin Powwow and Heritage Festival committee works year-round on the program and in doing so finds educational opportunities for schools, service organizations, and individuals who want to learn more about the American Indian culture, traditions, and way of life, both historical and contemporary. The small
Win a Huichol Guitar Bellas Artes Alliance, a new Austin-based charity group officially launched in October, is raffling off a one-of-a-kind acoustic guitar decorated by the Huichol Native American ethnic group of western central Mexico. “This guitar isn’t just a beautiful work of art; it’s a vibrant representation of the Huichol spirit,” states Linda Ramirez, treasurer of BAA. “To the Huichol, everything is divine. They have no formal written language, so they document their sacred vision of the world through the images encoded in their art.” BAA event producer Enrique Bravo explains, “The significance of this beautifully decorated musical instrument, blessed by one of the most important
Shamans of Jalisco is simply to share the light, the music, and the soul reflected in the designs of stars, Penots and other deities that represent for this important ethnic group … life itself. Huichol patterns and designs have religious significance and many are influenced by visions which occur during peyote rituals.” The Hermes Music Foundation has provided very few of these guitars for artists such as Carlos Santana, Steve Morse, BB King and Deepak Chopra, among others. The guitar is being raffled through Saturday, December 17, 2011 for $20 per ticket. To enter the raffle go to bellasartesalliance.com or contact lramirez@bellasartesalliance.com.
10 TODO Austin // november 2011 // TOdoaustinonline.com
but dedicated group is comprised of some four dozen American Indian and non-American Indian parents and volunteers. Through the help of the community and hundreds of volunteers on the day of the event, the powwow has experienced tremendous growth in popularity. DeLuna explains that cultural and economic types of programs like the powwow ultimately benefit the entire community. “We should not look at any programs funded for a certain race as beneficial only for that specific ethnic group,” she said. “For example, many people I grew up with were able to go to college because of Native American scholarships; they attended universities, attained continued education they otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do so. These programs have helped start businesses and form partnerships with a larger spectrum, with more diverse group of people than seen previously.” An example of the type of mutual benefit DeLuna refers to is Austin’s inclusion of Native Americans in suggested percentages for minority participation on all projects and the city’s small and minority business programs that helped her start her own business. So, this Thanksgiving, after you’ve enjoyed the powwow and settled down for turkey, you
Megan DeLuna
might discover a different perspective on the community of Native Americans which call the city home and form an important part of Austin’s cultural landscape. But, even DeLuna—as proud of her heritage as they come—will admit that come Thanksgiving, pretty much everything boils down to two things: “I watch football and eat turkey like the rest of the people in this country.”
20th Annual Austin Powwow American Indian Heritage Festival Saturday, November 5th, 10 am-10 pm Toney Burger Center 3200 Jones Road, Austin, TX For more info: 512.371.0628
the form of government, landlords or occupation.
The Magic Ride of
Austin Lyric Opera By Gavin Lance Garcia
“I would agree and understand why Maestro Ducloux felt as he did. Although there are fantastical realities in ‘Magic Flute’s’ story line, I do not feel it as a fairy tale. It is more shrouded in myth, with all of the inherent symbolism that all myths contain. The journey of Tamino, the struggle between good and evil, evil’s deception of the truth to gain power, all reoccurring themes.” By its tenth anniversary, ALO had achieved some impressive milestones, building from its first-season subscription base of 1,300 to an annual audience of more than 40,000 per season. McClain, who displayed an extraordinary aptitude for raising the company’s administrative and artistic bar, began producing a series of challenging works in the mid-90s with plans to do one American opera per year.
Photo by Richard Brodzeller for Florentine Opera Company, Milwaukee, WI.
Act one: An opera house in Austin. During a photo shoot, Gavino, the magazine publisher, desires Lisa, a model and the younger sister of Melissa, a make-up artist. When Melissa warns of a plot to kill him, Gavino decides to consult Clair, the fortune-telling photographer. Meanwhile, Lisa asks Clair for help in fighting off the advances of Gavino and is told to pick an herb at midnight. Clair then warns Gavino he will die by the next hand he shakes. As two conspirators, Joe and Walter, turn away from him, Gavino seizes Lisa’s hand … So went the imaginary libretto I and a group of friends concocted one winter afternoon on the stage of the University of Texas’ Performing Arts Center Grand Concert Hall (now known as Bass). To our surprise, our motley gang of four—assorted Goths and club kids—had been given permission by a new arts organization, Austin Lyric Opera, to use the expensive costumes and set pieces from its production, “A Masked Ball,” for the cover of our small, alternative press journal, “Oasis.”
That was January, 1988. ALO was launching its first full season under the guidance of its founding music/artistic director, Walter Ducloux, and founding general director, Joseph McClain. The pair looked on our mischief that day with quizzical yet benevolent panache. After all, not much ruffled the feathers of these pioneers who had to overcome immense challenges and doubters when they first proposed forming a professional opera company in Austin.
Austin had a fair share of passionate opera buffs at the time that crisscrossed Texas to catch a performance. They gratefully suffered splinters and cold drafts for San Antonio Opera productions in UT’s Gregory Gym. “Obviously, our group loved the art form, and believed that it would benefit the community and surrounding areas,” said Christian. “Sure enough, we were pleasantly surprised to see many people we had never seen at the Symphony or other performances come to the first opera.”
Twenty-five seasons later, ALO is still producing high-quality fare of what its current board chair, Jo Anne Christian, calls “the one art form that literally has it all.” Now one of Austin’s greatest cultural assets, the company marks its anniversary with “The Magic Flute,” the inaugural production that started it all in 1987, with performances on November 5, 11 and 13 in Dell Hall at the Long Center. Tickets start at $19.
That first production of “The Magic Flute” was staged in the PAC Concert Hall in early January, 1987 with exotic staging design by Maurice Sendak loaned from Houston, emerging featured vocalists and a semi-professional chorus. The 3,000 seat Concert Hall was filled for all three performances. At the outset, the roles played by the Swiss born maestro Ducloux—who followed his mentor Arturo Toscanini to the US from Europe at the outset of World War II—and his wife Gina, along with founding Chair Alfred King, were critical. “Without Alfred, Walter and Gina, there would have been no ALO,” states Christian. “Their enthusiasm, knowledge and sheer determination made this possible. ‘Magic Flute’ was successful, but like many new enterprises, the road ahead was bumpy.”
As a founding ALO board member, Christian was central to its creation as she helped the company make rapid strides following its incorporation in 1985. “Walter was the head of the Opera Department at UT, the first to occupy such a position, and had come here from Los Angeles,” she recalls. “He spoke often of his vision for regional opera companies, so that more young people could have an operatic career without having to constantly be on the road performing. His duties at UT precluded any efforts in that Ducloux chose “The Magic Flute” as ALO’s direction, but when he retired, he decided he founding production based on his belief that it was a bright-shining beacon on the path of would start a company here. civilization. Today, ALO artistic director and “Gay Ratliff, the first board president, called me principal conductor, Richard Buckley, echoes and said I must join the board as trustee chair. that enthusiasm. “I believe that Mozart found Austin was just entering a rather severe economic inspiration in the ongoing worldwide movement downturn, and my thought, communicated to that was pushing society to accept man’s Gay, was, ‘we are going to form an organization fundamental rights,” he states. “All over the world, to produce the most expensive of the art forms not dissimilar to what is happening in the Arabic world, man was rising against oppression, be it in known, and Austin is in a recession?’ Okay.”
“The first was ‘Baby Doe,’” said Christian. “The productions were very good, but they did not attract sufficient patrons to offset their costs. ‘Dead Man Walking’ was extremely expensive because it was a new opera. Texas was also undergoing the dot com downturn of the early 2000s, and that added to the difficulty. In fact, that year Houston cancelled its planned production of ‘Dead Man.’ It is a powerful work; but it was not very popular. ‘Dialogue of the Carmelites’ always gets kind of mixed reactions, but it was very worthwhile. Our production, I thought, was excellent, and even I was surprised at how much I liked it. It, too, is not the most accessible for many, but those who saw it liked it by and large.” Buckley, renowned in the opera world for taking the art form to a new level emotionally, understands where McClain was coming from, being himself a strong supporter of new works. “Opera must be able to be an ongoing living art form. Inherent in its construct, today’s society has to accept many things. But, do we not do that with all classical art? Theater and the Visual Arts have been allowed to progress and challenge. This may be, in part, due to financial differences or the frequency of production. “As a musician, we always enjoy playing the standard repertoire because doing it more often allows us to experience at a much greater, deeper way, what these amazing works have to offer. But, to be challenged with a new piece, a new musical vocabulary, a new dramatic style, invigorates us and allows us to experience something new for our musical souls. Its part intellectual, part emotional, and often also part spiritual.” With Austin’s population growing exceptionally diverse, ALO presents a time-tested, universal art form that may break down cultural barriers. “The opportunities for the future are exciting,” claims Christian. “There are any number of avenues that can be pursued to, we hope, attract the diverse members of the community and unite them in the mutual appreciation and enjoyment of the one art form that literally has it all, so far as musical theatre is concerned.” “Right now, ALO is starting its next major phase of growth,” explains Buckley. “At twenty five years young, it is past its adolescence and is finding its way into adulthood. Art should be a reflection of culture and society, both past, present and future. With more exposure, experience and knowledge, a real appreciation and acceptance of the richness of all styles. It’s a balance, and one that is ever changing.”
TODO Austin // november 2011 // TOdoaustinonline.com 11
Off Beat
Why You Should Get Your Butt to Occupy Austin Right Now By Harmony Eichsteadt // @SpitfireGrrrl // Photos by Mari Hernandez
ways around the world. Some people are marching, some are occupying public spaces, many are blogging and thousands of people are moving their money out of corporate banks and into credit unions. A movement without a leader, this truly grassroots demonstration has grown and shifted and adapted to include a wide range of identities and experiences. Despite some criticism from large media conglomerates, it isn’t just a bunch of hippies, or liberals, or college students. There are parents, artists, business owners, children, people with gray hair, couples, families and more.
The Occupy Wall Street Movement just turned another week old. If you haven’t heard about it enough already, now’s the time to crawl out of your cave, type “occupy” into your search browser and read until your eyes bleed. Consider yourself invited to read the more lengthy commitments expressed in different cities, but in a summary sentence, the Occupy movement vows to “end the monied corruption of our democracy.” There are plenty of articles discussing what Occupy
Wall Street is about with increasingly comprehensive coverage of the movement. So why should you be concerned and why should you should get up and be a participant in the goings-on? Occupy Wall Street has spread to over 2,000 cities including places as diverse as Brussels, Amarillo, Islamabad, Boise, Seydisfjordur (that’s in Iceland), Sydney, Dublin, The Hamptons, Qiryat Shmona, and Spearfish, South Carolina. Thousands upon thousands of people are participating in different
According to a recent Associated Press-GfK poll, 37% of the country backs the protest. For those of you unfamiliar with polling, that’s a lot of people, especially for a movement that is brand new, and has been highly misrepresented and is widely misunderstood. So why should you lend your voice (and your body) to the movement? I asked fellow protestor (and amazing artist and mother) Eve Thompson why she participates and together we crafted:
The Top 10 Reasons You Should Go to Occupy Austin RIGHT NOW! 1) Because this is the great social justice movement of our time and you are going to want to tell your grandkids you were there. 2) Because at its heart, activism is boring and tedious, but also super easy – just show up. 3) Because your voice is needed to make this movement diverse and inclusive. 4) Because it will never be a really good time in your schedule to go downtown, so you might as well go now. 5) Because your facebook posts supporting the protest will have more street cred if you’ve actually been, you know, on the street. 6) Because movement organizers are chronically overworked, and a little bit of respite goes a long way. 7) Because this is one of the few movements that does more than criticize the existing system but actually demonstrate exciting and workable alternatives, including free food for the hungry, free education for the curious and leaderless affinity decision-making.
B randi C owley 1611 W. 5th Street 512.473.0700 | brandicowley.com
8) Because it’s amazing to feel like you’re not the only person in the world who’s mad as hell about the corruption of our politicians, the cost of health care and the cost of education. 9) Because the energy at Occupy Austin is inspiring, hopeful and positive. 10) Because being the change you want to see in the world makes you feel alive, powerful, hopeful and invigorated. Ready to go? Here’s what to do next:
The 5 Things You Can Do: 1) Show up in person at City Hall (2nd and Lavaca) at any time. Or drop off food, water and other supplies at the Base Camp at 5011 E. Cesar Chavez. For a list of needed supplies visit facebook.com/ Occupy.Austin.Needs. 2) Show up digitally. Visit: http://occupyaustin.org and get up to date on current happenings with the movement. Like the Facebook page at: facebook. com/OccupyAustinTx, follow on twitter at @ occupyaustin. Retweet and repost liberally. 3) Be critical of outside influences. Call out attempts by companies, individuals and organizations to co-opt the movement, speak for other protestors or monetize the Occupy efforts. Critically analyze media coverage. 4) Encourage positive criticisms. When people suggest that this movement (or any movement) isn’t including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, indigenous people, those with disabilities or other traditionally marginalized groups, embrace their input and get involved in addressing the complaints. 5) Have fun while you protest and don’t take yourself too seriously. We’ve got a long way to go and we can either do it dancing and climbing trees, or grumpy and upset. Being joyful is way more sustainable.
TODO Mexico
Teen Book Authors Reach Out to Local Youth By Julia Y. Lee
Thousands of teens, pre-teens and quite a few adults attended the Austin Teen Book Festival, presented by the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation in October. The enthusiastic young participants gave the festival a fun, vibrant atmosphere. Teen book-lovers asked their favorite authors nuanced and intelligent questions about the process, art and meaning of writing. Real Life Is Messy
Libertad vs. Libertinaje: The Fight Within By Katie Walsh
I’m at war with myself. For most of my life, I’ve been on mega-superhigh-speed, putting my fullest effort into whatever I’m currently dedicating myself to. Hours of magnet school homework and drill team practice. Writing endless papers and cramming for exams and finals. Cranking out a 100-page undergrad thesis between work and classes. Spending long hours at the office and then editing before bed. A classic type-A overachiever. It always felt as though the busier I was, the more I got done—but I was also constantly living on the edge of burn-out. That hectic, rat-race pace of stress and scrambling is one of the main things I’d looked forward to leaving behind when I left the States. I dreamt of living life like the rolling ocean waves—slow, steady, peaceful, with both a rhythm and a free-flowing freedom. I was also yearning for a little break. I’d spent six years in accelerated-curriculum schools, moved into my college dorm the day after high school graduation and started my first professional job before I’d walked the UT stage. I needed a breather. So I took one. I now have exactly the life I’d been dreaming of, and I find myself wondering—who knew it would be this difficult to let go and allow myself to relax?Although I’m working, writing, cooking, volunteering—I’m really struggling to shake this feeling of laziness, of not doing enough or not working hard enough. It’s almost as if the working American paradigm has wrenched itself so deeply into my value system that, even when physically removed from it, I still find myself bound by it. There’s this voice telling me that if I’m not on the clock for most of
the day, most days of the week, I’m slacking. I get waves of guilt and self-doubt for the simple fact that I actually have time to lay in my hammock and read or bust out my canvas and paints. Why should having the time and freedom to do the things I love make me feel so shameful? I think that part of it has to do with discipline, and striking a self-structured balance. I spent a good while on one end of the spectrum, so now I’ve bounced to the other—all of the rigid discipline I once had is completely gone, and it’s up to me to decide where I want to put it back. I have an incredible amount of freedom, which is at once explosively liberating and overwhelmingly debilitating. For the first time, I have no schedule. I can do, or not do, anything I want. I can stop what I’m doing to watch the breathtaking sunset or to chase the tamale lady down the street. I can sleep until noon. I can spend all day in my undies. I can splash in the ocean or travel to ancient pyramids for days at a time with no one to report to or wonder where I am. In Spanish, there’s a word called libertinaje, which is very similar to the word for freedom, libertad. The subtle difference is that libertinaje refers to such a degree of freedom that one begins to abuse it, to become apathetic or careless. That one word, for which there is no equivalent in English, represents the fight I face within, and the lessons I have to take from it. The only thing stopping my libertad from spilling over into the realm of libertinaje is my own impetus. And the only thing stopping me from relaxing into life, from learning to live in both the rhythm and the flowing freedom, is having my own permission to do it.
Since not all teen book-lovers in Austin could attend the festival, some of the authors went to them. Austin author Varian Johnson, moderator of the book festival’s “Real Life Is Messy” panel, has been visiting the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center to give book talks for several years. “I love talking to the kids out there,” he says.
“Coe Booth is really popular,” Houlihan says. “Urban fiction gets them hooked. The more they read, the stronger their literacy levels.” Although students love reading urban fiction, most of the books in the collection in that genre focus on African American characters. The libraries have about 100 Spanishlanguage titles in their collection, including fiction, poetry and comics. “I really would like more urban fiction targeted to the teen Latina and Latino audience.” Second Chance Books supports itself through donations and grants. They recently
These talks are arranged by Second Chance Books, a collaboration between the Austin Public Library and Gardner Betts. Second Chance Books serves two satellite libraries at the facility. Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of Second Chance Books, however many Austinites are unaware of the program and its reach. Kathleen Houlihan, youth program librarian and Second Chance Books program coordinator says, “We’re trying to develop a culture of readers.” In 2010, Second Chance Books hosted approximately 100 library programs at Gardner Betts—including book discussions, readings and ten author visits—to promote and encourage reading and interest in books. 1300 students participated in the programs and read about 15,000 books. The libraries at Gardner Betts have close to 4000 titles each, most of them young adult books. About fifteen percent are high-interest adult titles like James Patterson, whose books are written on a very accessible reading level. “Many teens tell us that the first book they read was by James Patterson,” Houlihan says. High-interest, non-fiction books such as biographies and memoirs of people who’ve overcome great adversity are popular as well. Teens at the facilities are also very interested in categories not generally written for teenagers, such as family law and drug abuse. Houlihan would love to have more legal reference materials for students. Authors Make a Difference When novelist Coe Booth came to Austin for the book festival, she gave two talks at Gardner Betts. Booth, the author of “Bronxwood,” was a part of the “Real Life Is Messy” panel. She writes urban fiction and tells stories about African American teens with lives complicated by homelessness, addiction and incarceration. “I try to do talks like this wherever I go,” Booth said.
Author and volunteer Coe Booth
received a “Kids Need to Read” grant, which provides books for use at Gardner Betts as well as literacy activities to help engage teens in reading. “We see ourselves as enablers,” Houlihan says, “because the literacy they gain from reading at Gardner Betts can really empower them and have a positive impact on their lives.” To find out more about Second Chance Books, please call 512-974-9830 or visit their website at www.cityofaustin.org/ library/2ndchance.htm.
TODO Austin // november 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com 13
Publicist Jill Morrow McGuckin, actor Karl Anderson, HAAM Executive Director Carolyn Schwarz and journalist and radio personality Andy Langer
Author and filmmaker Turk Pipkin, Waterloo Records owner John Kunz, music business veteran and artist manager Ken Kushnick
Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back, Body Heat) Craig Mazin (Hangover 2), Rhett Reese (Zombieland) and Daniel Petrie, Jr. (The Big Easy) speak on the “Creative Career: What You Need to Know” panel.
The newly formed Texas Music Hall of Fame held a private kickoff party on October 19 at GSD&M in downtown Austin. To learn more, visit http://www.texasmusichof.com/.
The 18th Annual Austin Film Festival and Conference lit up the Austin scene with International stars, local talent, numerous premieres, parties and a smorgasbord of educational panels and workshops for writers. The Festival ran October 20-27 and the Conference from October 20-23. Visit www.austinfilmfestival.com for 2012 dates.
Screenwriter Bill Wittliff (The Black Stallion, Lonesome Dove) with moderator Jane Sumner. “Write what you know. But don’t be afraid to write what you don’t know.”
Grammy winner Eric Johnson takes a photo with an event volunteer.
Photos by Erica Stall Wiggins
Austin Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s Amanda Garcia and writer Greg Ackerman at the Austin Film Commission’s Austin Film Festival opening night reception.
Johnny Depp arriving at the Paramount Theater for The Rum Diary regional premiere. Photo by Dani Dudek ATXgossip.com
Frame of Reference It used to be that you had some (or most) answers pretty boldly, blatantly, unwaveringly spelled out for you. By the time you’d popped out of your mommy, in most cases. You were a female. You did X. You didn’t do Y. You wore X. You thought X. You had X children. You baked X number of pies. OR you were a male. You did Y. You didn’t do X. You worked for X company for X number of years. Essentially, you were what you were and did what you did based on what gender category you were born into. But what about now? Things, they been a’changin’… It still may be X or Y for many people who’ve decided upon entering into this world as a pink or blue, but for many others, there is a Z, and/or an L, P and J, or any other configuration of life options. It’s freeing! It’s exhilarating! It’s mind-boggling! It’s confusing! It’s exhausting! It’s terrifying! So many choices, so little time.
suffocated what I thought was “feminine” to give way to what I thought was “masculine,” when really what I have (what we all have) the opportunity to do is achieve the muchsought after, much more powerful balance between the two. An opportunity very few have had until very recently. THAT’S the most powerful part of the changes that have been occurring in our world for the last handful of decades. Not that women can act more like “men” or that men can act more like “women,” but that we can all be authentic and genuine to any and all of our multi-faceted, soft, strong, nurturing, hardworking, money-making, fighting, lovemaking, baby-raising, crying, yelling, all-play, all-business sides. Without having to choose pink or blue while we’re doing it. And that’s why I like that I’m getting a little softer and sweeter, and not worrying that I’ve lost my edge.
It’s only now becoming a clearer picture to me, as I tippy-toe into my mid-thirties, that I
For the last two years I’ve been working as a freelance journalist, but recently I decided to combine that with a regular office job. Returning to an 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. job requires a lot of adjustments. Luckily, I’ve been on training for the first couple of weeks and the trainer is nice and helpful. My co workers are similar to the ones I had back in the island; you can easily recognize the overachiever, who does not care at all and who is absolutely lost. Unfortunately for me, I’m in the last category. Since I’ve been living in Austin for only two years I don’t know a lot about Texas law and this new job deals with a lot of Federal and State regulations. I would like to think that I’m learning a lot about Texas’s demography and a little about its law. I’m going there everyday hoping to understand my surroundings. What do I mean by this? I mean that I want to clearly see the city and in this case the state that I’m living in. Sadly, one of the first things I learned is that, regardless of the fact that the majority of folks in Austin are happy to live in a culturally diverse city, racism and ethnophobia are still present, even in the work environment. One day I was speaking in Spanish with another Latina and the woman behind me talked to us. She said, “English please.” At first I was confused; we weren’t speaking with her so why did she need to understand?
Chronicles of Undercover Mexican Girl By Alexandra M. Landeros
The other day, I was asked to give a presentation about proper recycling in the office. My audience consisted of small business entrepreneurs and professional freelancers. Everyone held a college undergraduate degree, and it’s likely many of them also had a master’s degree. The reason I was asked to give a presentation is not because I work in the environmental industry, but because I’m passionate about recycling and being resourceful. Recently, I heard someone use the word “eco-nerd” to refer to himself. He got excited that the Asian restaurant we ate at had real, non-disposable chopsticks. And on top of bringing re-usable bags to the grocery store, he kept track of the bulk item identification numbers on his iPhone to save paper and ink, by avoiding having to print out the adhesive labels. My particular eco-nerdiness comes from my partiality to minimizing the use of plastic in my life. I will wash and re-use the few plastic bags that make it through the front door of my house. I’m on about my 12th use of a microwave and dishwasher safe to-go container that I keep taking back to a restaurant I frequent often for lunch, since it’s down the street from my office. Fortunately, they allow me to keep bringing it back, and they even offer me a 50-cent discount for my environmental consciousness.
I somehow decided that strength was found in independence, in standing tall and firm (even though I’m 5’4”), in taking doody from no one (even though I do like potty humor), in not letting them see you cry (even though a tear may actually sneak from my eye while you’re not looking), in not being girly (even though I do wear dresses). I somehow decided to suffocate some of my most magical, inherent, extraordinary qualities and desires to give more power to what I thought were my stronger qualities and desires.
Caribbean Perspective
Plum Writing
By Blake Shanley
By Yadira Izquierdo
When you’re as excited about something, as I am about reducing the amount of waste I produce as a human, it’s easy to forget that not everyone else feels the same way. Doesn’t everyone get giddy about recycling, reusing, and maybe not even using it in the first place? I discovered that the answer was no. I had also assumed that fellow college-educated, intelligent, liberal-minded, business-savvy people would be as ecologically enthusiastic as I was. But my assumption was wrong. At least in the office place. My passion for recycling became apparent at work because I was constantly commenting on how the recycling wasn’t properly being done – sometimes, it wasn’t even done at all. The recycling bins are about ten steps from the kitchen and down a half flight of stairs. It’s easier just to throw the can or container into the trashcan next to the kitchen sink. But it’s also not that difficult to take the extra 30-45 seconds to make the short trip to the bins. (Plus, it’s a good stretching exercise for most of us who sit in a chair 6-8 hours a day.)
The presentation I gave was quite simple. I showed how only the following items are acceptable for the blue “clean paper” bin: office paper, envelopes, cardboard, cardstock, catalogs, magazines, newspaper and junk mail. The following items are acceptable for the plastic, glass, and aluminum “commingled” bin: cleaned and/or rinsed glass bottles and jars, plastics (#1 though #7), and aluminum and steel cans. This is pretty much the standard for recycling most everywhere in Austin. I got all kinds of interesting questions during the presentation. How do you know if it’s recyclable? (Look for the little number inside a triangle, usually at the bottom of the container.) Why do I have to remove the lids and caps? (Because they are made of different material that doesn’t recycle well, or at all in some cases, plus it jams the recycling machines.) Why can’t I just put the empty beer bottles in the cardboard holder and put them in the recycler that way? (Because the recycling people ask us to separate paper and glass.) Why can’t the recycling people sort it out for me? (They ask us to do things a certain way for a reason, the same way we ask our clients to present information to us in a particular way. It makes the whole process more efficient.) The recycling bins are too out of the way. (Do I really have to answer to that?) I removed styrofoam, plastic bags, dirty pizza boxes, and glass bottles from the paper bin. I removed paper, soiled plastic containers, bottles still filled with (now rancid) liquid beverage, and outright garbage from the commingled bin. After the presentation, I showed a funny home video I made about the things I do at home to be more resourceful – in hopes of adding a bit of humor to my schoolmarm lesson about saving the earth. (The video can be watched on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/ undercovermexgirl) In the end, I don’t know if I was able to change anyone’s mind, or even slightly inspire someone to think about how much unnecessary waste we produce in society. Maybe everyone just went back to their desks and promptly forgot everything I said. But I did walk away with one thought – I will continue being an “eco-nerd” for the rest of my life. I figure, if I keep at it, maybe it will catch on. After all, trendsetters don’t wait for everyone else to do the same.
In any case, we switched and explained our conversation in detail. We were talking about one of Rubén Blades’ songs and how that song made us feel. Once she learned about our conversation, even though she didn’t know who Blades was, she smiled. That day I experienced what many people in this country have: I had been pointed out for speaking Spanish. Although I understood that feeling excluded can make people react in unexpected ways, I don’t think she was right in her approach. To fully accept those around us is a great way to make living and working easier. It’s also the only way to truly celebrate Austin’s marvelous diversity. The good news about the new job is that I’m still learning… TODO Austin // november 2011 // TOdOaustinonline.com 15
Photo: Michael Kneffel
LUNA NEGRA Dance TheaTre
a CelebraTion of ConTemporary laTino danCe
Bass ConCert Hall
Friday nov.18 2011
BORDER MUSIC:
Presented in partnership with the Department of Theatre & Dance
$10
DAVID HIDALGO & MARC RIBOT
stUdENt tickEts
November 30, 2011 | 8 Pm | bass coNcert hall Presented in partnership with the Jewish community center of austin and the austin classical Guitar society
Tickets at texasperformingarts.org | $10 Student Tickets
Photo: Cheryl Mann
Tickets at
texasperformingarts.org
2011-2012 PRESENTING SPONSOR
THE UN I V E RS I T Y OF T E XAS AT AUS T I N
TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS ArtesAméricas
THE UN I V E RS I T Y OF T E XAS AT AUS T I N
TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS ArtesAméricas
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