TODO Austin October, 2012

Inside Mexic-Arte Museum Viva la Vida p. 8 ESB-MACC Dia de los Muertos p. 9 Ballet Folkorico de Mexico p. 11 TresXtres Campaign p. 13

walking on sunshine

Volume IV, 6 / October 2012

www.AustinDaysOfTheDead.com

Joining Forces: TODO Austin and Latinometro

By Gavin Lance Garcia

TODO Austin was founded four years ago with the mission of promoting a concept of inclusiveness and support in our ethnically diverse city. The journal’s many contributors have recognized the role print media still plays in Austin in helping create open dialogue, even in the age of online communications.

Along with publishing TODO Austin, we’ve created events such as this month’s Dias de los Muertos Festival (and another you will learn of in November). Our aim is to engage the community through intercultural arts and use perfomance to unite and effect social change.

Evelyn C. Castillo

Now and then, we come across like-minded colleagues who we feel are part of la familia. Last May, we learned of a new website, Latinometro, through its effort to raise awareness of hunger in the community at Tacorama. Our staff also noted that TODO Austin and Latinometro shared a couple of writers.

In this October issue, we begin a collaboration. As Latinometro editor Evelyn C. Castillo notes, “Working together with TODO Austin, we can continue to provide a voice for all Latinos around town, an online and print plaza where we can come together to learn, teach, share, argue with each other or simply enjoy each other’s company.

We won’t always agree, but we’ll always listen to what each of us has to say.”

TODO Austin Spotlight Event ENTER TO WIN FREE TICKETS

BILL COSBY

Live at Bass Concert Hall // October 28 Go to TODO Austin’s FACEBOOK page to enter One of America’s most beloved entertainers makes a return to the Bass Concert Hall stage for an evening of classic stand-up. Over the past century, few performers have achieved the legendary status of William H. Cosby, Jr. His successes span five decades and virtually all media.

In the 1960s, his stand-up act was a coast-to-

Volume IV, Number 06

Evelyn attended the University of Texas at Austin and like many students, adopted Austin as her hometown. Landing a job in Washington, D.C. out of college, she found herself “a small town Texas girl, making her way in the most powerful city in the world at a prestigious public affairs firm. A year later, I landed my first promotion and was working my way up in the crowded consulting world that is D.C.” After nearly two years in Washington, where she “secretly fantasizied I was still living in Austin, although D.C. is Austin on political steroids and much less friendlier,” she gave it all up in a heartbeat to return to Austin to help launch Latinometro with its creator, Alfredo Estrada, publisher of LATINO magazine.

“Launched last spring during SXSW Interactive, Latinmetro is the digital hub of Latino life in Austin,” explains Evelyn, now a TODO Austin Editor, in addition to serving as Editor of Latinometro. “We’re a diverse group of online writers. Some of us were born here, some of us moved here and stayed, some of us moved away and came back.

“What’s one more Latino website among the thousands that have sprung up in the last few years? Well, if you know anything about Latino culture, you know that Latinos are a close knit group and we’re all about community, our barrios. And that’s what Latinometro is all about. While the majority of Latino websites out there are nationally focused, Latinometro focuses on our neighborhoods and communities, where our children go to school and where we live, work and play.”

TODO Austin hopes to represent the many voices of multicultural Austin, and we believe Latinometro’s is as true as any in the Hispanic market. There, you’ll find stories on politics, business, health and education, profiles of entrepreneurs and community leaders, and a calendar of Latino events around town.

What we hope to achieve through our collaboration is, as Evelyn puts it, “To bridge the gap between Latinos in East Austin, college campuses, political circles, the worlds of art, business, media, and everywhere else.”

coast sensation, spawning a string of hilarious, best-selling comedy albums, which went on to garner eight Gold records, five Platinum records, and five Grammy Awards. His role on TV’s “I Spy” made him the first African-American to co-star in a dramatic series, breaking television’s racial barrier and winning three Emmy Awards. In the 1980s, he again rocked the television world with “The Cosby Show,” a hugely successful series that singlehandedly revived the family sitcom and NBC ratings.

With hit movies like “Uptown Saturday Night” and best-selling books like “Fatherhood,” Bill Cosby is quite simply a national treasure with the unique ability to touch people’s hearts.

Senior Editors – Mia Garcia, Harish Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Callie Langford, Cristina Parker, Blake Shanley

Contributing Writers/Photographers/Artists – –Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Heather Banks, Adriana Cadena, Roy Casagarnda, Sirsha Chatterjee, Priscilla Cortez, Ruben Cubillos, Chi Dinh, Harmony Eichsteadt, Layla Fry, Lori L. Garcia, Mark Guerra, Jillian Hall, Mari Hernandez, Ryan Hutchison, Yadira Izquierdo, Nandini Jairam, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Kelle Kampa, Ramey Ko, Savannah Kumar, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, Nathalie Lumang, David Marks, JoJo Marion, Mamata Misra, Daniel Mora, Holly Moyers, Carmen Nenadal, Preya Patel, Monica Peña, Agapita Sanchez, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Hani Saleh, Snehal Shingavi, Azim Siddiqui, Blanca Valencia, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Rocio Villalobos, Joseph P.A. Villescas, Bowen Wilder

Associate Editors – Layla Fry, Harish Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Callie Langford, Blake Shanley

Cover: Dia de los Muertos. Photo courtesy of Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center

Publisher/Editor - Gavin Lance Garcia contact@todoaustinonline.com Art Director – Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com Contributing Editors – Evelyn C. Castillo, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins

02 TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com

TODO Austin: Multicultural Media for All of Austin. TODO Austin is a free print and online journal for all of Austin highlighting our multicultural heritage and promoting the concept of community in an ethnically diverse city. Circulation throughout Austin, from the Westside’s Pennybacker Bridge to the Eastside’s Montopolis Bridge.

TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2012 Spark Awakened Publishing. All rights reserved.

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

ADVERTISING/SUBMISSIONS/EDITORIAL: Contact@todoaustinonline.com, 512.538.4115 TODO Austin – 1400 Corona Drive - Austin, TX 78723

HABLA Austin // Current affairs and issues impacting our community from Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin.

27th Annual Dia de la Raza Celebration // Please join Friends of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center to support the Dia de la Raza Celebration the evening of Friday, October 12, “… because Columbus didn’t discover America, he was lost!” Raza Awards, silent auction, nacho bar and dance with Salaman. This free event is made possible by donations from people like you!

Sponsorship levels: $25 Amigo, $50 Silver Sponsor, $100 Gold Sponsor, $500 Diamond Sponsor or donate a silent auction gift or coupon. Make checks payable to Friends of the MACC, c/o Jose Velasquez, 4900 E. Oltorf #1114, Austin, Tejas, 78741 Info? FMACC Chair, Ricardo Zavala at 577-8280 or FMACC Treasurer: Jose Velasquez at 695-4657. – Jose Velasquez East Austin is Hipster Central // What’s the hippest hood of them all? Forbes’ did a little cross-country digging and on September 20 announced its inaugural list of America’s Hippest Hipster Neighborhoods. With the help of Nextdoor.com and Walkscore.com, Forbes compared 250 U.S. neighborhoods, ranking them based on walkability, coffee shops per capita, food trucks, locally-owned bars and restaurants, number and frequency of farmers markets and those working in artistic occupations ... The results? Austin — “East Austin” to be more specific — ranks No. 7 on the inaugural list, and is one of the few that doesn’t lie on the East or West Coast. – Arden Ward (CultureMap Austin) Latino Leaders of America // The members of LLA would like to formally invite all professionals to speak at their weekly sessions. Please visit our website at www.

LatinoLeadersofAmerica.org and click the link under “What’s New?” to see what dates are available. You may also message me or email me at jhernandez@latinoleadersofamerica. org. Website at: www.latinoleadersofamerica. org – Javier Hernandez, Speakers Bureau Invitation Lori Moya Elected to GAHCC Board// The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announced that Lori Moya, AISD Board Trustee, was appointed to the chamber’s board of directors. “Ms. Moya will bring a strong Austin and educational prospective to the board,” said Andy Martinez, president/CEO, GAHCC. “Her engagement and life-long commitment to education will compliment the Chamber’s strong advocacy for all of our future workforce!” Moya currently represents the Austin School Board and AISD as a member of the board of directors for the Texas Association of School Boards. With more than 24 years of service, she is currently employed by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. – Paul Saldaña

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merely tolerated here – they endure American In the four years that I have worked at UT, I have multiculturalism at their own peril. only been evacuated once. This is not to say that we shouldn’t take bomb threats seriously. But we But the fact that such intellectual laziness happens ought to ask how we determine which ones we do at a college campus is maddening. take seriously, and why.

At two different University of Texas campuses, the specter of Islam was raised as the source of two very different alleged plots. In Austin, a caller identified by one UT staff person as having a “light Middle Eastern accent” and connections to alQaeda made a bomb threat. Despite recognizing early on that the call was likely a hoax and taking emergency measures only as a precaution, the university still released details about the caller’s supposed identity. The possibility that the hoax could have encompassed the accent and the alQaeda affiliation did not stop the administration from defending their racial profile of the caller.

Muslims Endure American Multiculturalism at Their Own Peril

By Snehal Shingavi

The bomb threats that were delivered to five American universities – the University of Texas at Austin, North Dakota State, Valparaiso, Louisiana State and UT-Brownsville – in mid-September should be an occasion to consider the world we live in and how it affects us.

But even when it came to the recent protests in the Middle East over a vile Islamophobic film, we encountered the same flat narrative. Angry Muslims were responding irrationally to the liberal values of the West (free speech). Then the vague “anti-American” label got repeated.

College campuses have never really been immune from broader historical forces, nor have they been protected from violence. But what is striking about the conversation that emerged in the tense atmosphere following bomb threats that turned out to be largely hoaxes is how remarkably flat it is. Once the terms “Arab” or “Islam” or their synonyms are thrown around, there seems to be little attention paid to what is going on or why.

Few people were talking about the film and the provocative circumstances of its production the connections of the producer to far-right, Islamophobic organizations, for instance. Even fewer were talking about the cynical way that certain marginalized Muslim organizations were using the controversy around the film to reignite their celebrity.

This last point bears underlining because it is the one claim that few are willing to concede in liberal America. Yet “Islam” and “Arabs” seem only to appear in the media or in conversation when the subject is about violence or terrorism, with the effect that Islam has become interchangeable with violence. Intelligent conversation then stops, and the participants nod in agreement: of course, those Muslims are always up to something. It was perhaps convenient to the stereotypes that angry Arabs were in the streets protesting as fake bomb threats were being made.

04 TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com

These protests, like the bomb threats, were supposed to be proof of the truism that passes for scrutiny: Muslims are illiberal and dangerous.

That such intellectual laziness happens is not surprising. We live in a country where one presidential candidate won’t be photographed next to a Muslim and the other cannot be bothered to learn how to pronounce a single Arab or Muslim name correctly. That mosques are routinely vandalized and torched without any mention only serves to highlight the quiet acceptance of this mainstream political consensus. Muslims are

At UT-Brownsville, another bomb threat, also a hoax, was made by Henry Dewitt McFarland, a veteran of the U.S. Marines who served time in Afghanistan, via the National Veteran’s Crisis Hotline. McFarland, who suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder, was considering conversion to Islam. He threatened to blow up a classmate who made derogatory comments about his new religion with a bomb he claimed to have in his apartment. The authorities found nothing in his apartment to suggest the threat was serious.

The majority of the insecurity that we face on college campuses has very little to do with Islam.

The events of Virginia Tech a few years ago serve as a reminder that colleges and universities are not ivory towers disconnected from real issues.

We might add that the incessant cuts to university budgets and the rising costs of tuition have also produced new, difficult conditions for everyone on campus. That there are fewer health and psychological services to deal with the problems these create is at least part of the problem, too.

There is another story that we are not telling, either. Since 9/11, every Muslim organization on a college campus has been audited by the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security at least once.

At UCLA, Muslims are the subject of constant law enforcement surveillance. Most Muslim students keep to themselves and associate only with other Muslims as a way to defend themselves from racism. Few speak out about it because law enforcement has been woefully inadequate about doing anything. In fact, later this week, ACLU representatives will testify at Congressional hearings about the failure of law enforcement agencies to do anything when credible threats are made against Muslims and mosques.

In both instances, the story required the sensationalism that only Islam and Muslims could In one incident in Antioch, Calif., authorities did provide. nothing after they were notified about threats against a mosque – it was set on fire in 2007. The Neither possible exam-related hoaxes – earlier in authorities even refuse to call this a hate crime. the week, fire alarms were pulled in eight buildings at UT Austin – nor soldiers returning with PTSD In the interests of full disclosure, I’ll say that I from their time abroad are the way we talk about am named in the ACLU’s documents. In 2007, our state of permanent insecurity on college death threats were made against me. The ACLU campuses, even though those stories help to discovered that my political activism was ostensibly unpack the new realities of university life. the reason that law enforcement did not investigate the death threats or take them seriously. There is a Without Islam, we would be forced to ask much reason that we don’t have good numbers on the harder questions about the skyrocketing costs real harassment, discrimination, violence and fear of higher education or the conditions that that Muslims and Arabs in the U.S. feel.

U.S. soldiers face. We might be forced to ask why American drone aircraft violate national There are real stories to tell here and real questions sovereignty and kill with impunity. Much easier to ask – questions that, when answered, might that we talk about Muslims. lead to real solutions to the insecurities we all face on college campuses. But the story about Islam And when critics raise the problems with this and terrorism is too convenient. It lets everyone interpretation – that it eliminates the deadliness of off the hook. And it keeps everyone permanently American foreign policy, that it lumps all Arabs and insecure.

Muslims together, that violent protests are almost always the work of fringe groups – we are accused Snehal Shingavi is Assistant Professor of English of naively pandering to the protocols of political at the University of Texas at Austin, where he correctness. specializes in the teaching of literature from South Asia in English, Hindi, and Urdu. He is also affiliated Most bomb threats at college campuses are with the Center for Asian American Studies and connected to two things: exams and major the South Asia Institute. His book, “The Mahatma (usually sporting) events. Colleges and universities Misunderstood: the politics and forms of literary have well-developed protocols to deal with nationalism in India,” is forthcoming from these threats because they have been a regular Anthem Books. He is also the translator of Munshi part of their operations for years. One UT official Premchand’s blockbuster novel, “Sevasadan” (OUP explained that the school gets four or five of these 2005). He received his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley in 2009. every year. Most go unannounced.

The Aftermath of the Arab Spring: Protestors Exercising Their New Found Rights

By Roy Casagranda

On September 21 (the tenth day of protests against the poorly made and inflammatory film “The Innocence of Muslims”) the French government banned protests. The ban was ostensibly to prevent violent protests against the movie and against caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in a French satirical magazine the same day. Listening to the US news media and the French government, one is led to believe that the banned protests protect the filmmakers’ and magazine’s freedom of speech. The irony, however, is that no mention was made of the violations of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly for those banned from protesting.

The irony does not stop there. The film “The Last Temptation of Christ” was released on August 12, 1988 and was received by demonstrations across the US. In one place, in California, as many as 600 protestors gathered to voice their disgust with a film portraying Jesus outside of the standard narrative. Then on October 22, 1988 a Christian fundamentalist group in France hurled Molotov cocktails at a French movie

theatre showing the movie. Thirteen people were injured including four severely burned and the theater was so badly damaged that it took three years to reopen it. While no one was killed in these demonstrations, the freedom of the filmmakers to make the film and filmgoers to watch it was so trampled under that the demonstrators effectively censored the film as theaters were intimidated into stopping showings.

the excuse of the film to go into the streets to protest US foreign policy. US foreign policy has unconditionally supported Israel, led to six Arab-Israeli wars, two US led wars against Iraq, two US invasions of Lebanon, the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, decades of US support for dictators like Mubarak of Egypt and ben Ali of Tunisia. It is the latter, in fact, that is most responsible for the intensity of the recent protests.

The protesting in the Arab World has been presented by the US news media, largely as a failure on the part of Arabs to understand our belief in freedom of speech or as a failure on the part of Arabs to understand that the US government neither sanctions nor censors films. While I suspect that there are those who do not get the value of freedom of speech in the Middle East, that is also clearly the case for some in the US and France. In the aftermath of the Arab spring, protestors are actually exercising their new found rights.

It is worth pointing out that in Tunisia and Egypt, where the US had strong ties to those tyrants, those tyrants have been replaced by the Muslim Brotherhood and are where the current anti-US protests are the fiercest. While in Libya, where the US has mostly opposed Qaddafi, the Libyan people elected liberals and with the exception of what appears to have been a planned military attack against the US embassy, have mostly responded with pro-US demonstrations.

What has probably been going on with these protests, is that the demonstrators are using

Austin Community College Professor Roy Casagranda is an expert on politics of the Middle East, and he is available to discuss the situation in Libya and Egypt.

IMMIGRATION

How Close Did Texas Come to Massive Voter Suppression in 2012?

By Cristina Parker

A report released last month estimated that as many as 10 million Latinos could be kept from voting by the wave of voter suppression tactics that have put places like Florida and Pennsylvania in the spotlight.

The report by The Advancement Project details how a combination of voter registration purges, citizenship checks and voter ID laws threaten to suppress the minority vote in 23 states, with Latinos being the most impacted. The report concludes that, “Voter suppression laws and policies threaten to relegate eligible Latino voters to secondclass citizenship and impede their ability to participate fully in American democracy. Like African Americans, Latinos have experienced decreased access and correspondingly lower levels of voter registration and participation than non-Hispanic Whites.”

In other words, the poll tax and its legacy are both alive and well.

These three modern suppression tactics work like this. The first is to use data obtained from the Department of Homeland Security to purge the voter registration rolls.

This is done under the guise of making sure that non-citizens do not cast ballots. But in practice, naturalized citizens are the ones who are targeted and purged. One example of how this can lead to tens of thousands

of voters being purged was encountered in Florida. Florida was using driver’s license data to create its voter purge list. However, most immigrant drivers in Florida obtain a driver’s license after becoming documented but before becoming naturalized — casting a very wide net indeed. Then there are the numerous, well-publicized cases of nonimmigrant citizens in Florida who found out that they weren’t citizens after all when they got a letter from the state. It’s up to us to decide if these are mixups or if the program is working exactly as planned.

copycats is Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. So what is “documentary proof of citizenship?” A certified birth certificate, passport or naturalization documents would meet the requirement. The cost of these documents is $23 for a certified birth certificate or $135 for a new passport.

So how close did Texas come to the kind of massive voter suppression that these tactics represent? Very close. We saw each and every one of these methods tried in Texas — most notoriously the voter ID law.

But the other two were tried here as well.

The second suppression tactic is to require photo ID to be able to vote. Texans are familiar with this fight. Our legislature enacted a voter ID law last year, but the law was rightfully enjoined by a federal court. Tell everyone you know: Texans will not have to show a photo ID to vote this year. However, the state has appealed to the Supreme Court.

The third voter suppression tactic is perhaps the most onerous on voters. It requires that “documentary proof of citizenship” be shown to register to vote. The list of states that have enacted this kind of legislation has a small but familiar cast: Alabama, Georgia, Arizona and Kansas. All four of these states are hotbeds of anti-immigrant, antiLatino policies and this is no coincidence.

The author of Arizona’s SB 1070 and its

A bill to place the documentary proof of citizenship requirement on voters was introduced in 2011, but failed to pass. It

was one of the more than 80 anti-Latino, anti-immigrant proposals introduced in the 2011 legislative session that were defeated thanks to the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance, the broad, statewide coalition of human rights advocates. Texas has also requested data, and is awaiting word, from the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a voter purge based on naturalized citizenship. In addition to purging based on citizenship, Texas is currently sending letters to voters telling them that they are in fact dead and won’t be able to vote this year.

A state district judge issued a restraining order on this dubious “dead voter” purge, but the order does not prevent the state from sending out the “you are dead” letters.

This paints a grim picture for democracy and participation in our political process. And these policies present a double threat for immigrants. First, they are enacted using fear and hysteria by describing undocumented immigrants as enemies and infiltrators at the polls. Second, the vote suppressors turn around and use these tactics on naturalized immigrants, the poor and minority voters.

The intent of these policies is crystal clear, especially in the face of no evidence that voter fraud is or has ever been a real problem. The question for us is whether or not Latinos, poor and minority voters will show up at the polls anyway and vote out the vote suppressors.

TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com 05

Ballet Austin Season Opener:

‘The Taming of the Shrew’ Shakespeare’s comedic tale of marital mismatch is given new life and modern energy in Ballet Austin’s lighthearted and lovely recreation at the Long Center on October 5-6 at 8 p.m. and October 7 at 3 p.m. Commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2004, the 17th century tale of the trials of courtship, marriage and common courtesy reminds the viewer that true love is seldom achieved at first sight. With dynamic choreography and breathtaking costumes, Ballet Austin Artistic Director/Choreographer Stephen Mills offers a masterful work that enhances Kate’s fiery petulance, Petruchio’s patience, Lucentio’s maneuvers and Bianca’s sweet, naiveté in ways that would make the bard himself proud.

Bridge2Bridge From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

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“Warm, fresh, and instantly appealing, it balances slapstick humor with classical finesse,” said Dance Magazine. Mills uses the Italian comedic theater and dance style commedia dell’arte and lazzi (physical humor) to fit with the play’s slapstick humor and lively atmosphere, and set the movements to one of his favorite styles of music, Italian Baroque. Literally “comedy of art,” commedia dell’arte reached its popularity in the 16th to 18th centuries and combines improvisation with stock characters, props, and crude sets.

Commedia actors moved from one location to another as an on-the-go touring troupe.

Much in the tradition of commedia, the corps de ballet in Ballet Austin’s version act as a set crew, bringing on stock props and set pieces.

Referred to by Washington Post dance critic Lisa Traiger as “the bard of ballet,” Mills was inspired by the bright, fun colors of the 1953 film “Kiss Me Kate” and conceived of a similarly vibrant feel for the ballet’s costumes.

Designer Tommy Bourgeois’ work pairs simple designs with beautiful masks. The production also features the music of Antonio Vivaldi, Alessandro Scarlatti, Domenico Scarlatti and Vincenzo Tommasini performed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

The dance cast includes Aara Krumpe and Jaime Lynn Witts as Kate, Ashley Lynn Gilfix and Anne Marie Melendez as Bianca, with Paul Michael Bloodgood and Frank Shott as Petruchio.

For ticket information visit balletaustin.org or call 512.476.2163 06 TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com

TODO Arts

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iACT’s “A Night Under One Sky” has become a beloved tradition in our community, celebrating the notion that there is common ground we can all walk in search of peace and respect in the world. The setting at Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum is magical, the food delightful, the music inspiring and the conversation uplifting. Dining and dialogue on Tuesday, October 9, 6:30 p.m. interfaithtexas.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Five Browns quintet of talented Steinway piano players are the ultimate family act. Comprised of five Juilliard trained siblings – Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae – their stunning piano arrangements are burning up stages everywhere. Playing in various combinations (solo, duo, quintet), its pure musical magic.

Thursday, October 11, 7:30 p.m. at the Long Center. thelongcenter.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Austin Tejano Music Coalition presents the 2nd Annual Tejano Idol Competition finals on Sunday, October 14, at Graham Central Station in Pflugerville. The statewide singing contest showcases untapped Tejano talent with 20 contestants ready to impress in a five- hour finale. Won last year by Ashley Borrero, this year’s Canta champ will receive a cash prize. austintejanomusic.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Celebrated flutist Emmanuel Pahud joins Les Violons du Roy for an extraordinary evening of chamber music Friday, October 26, 8 p.m. at Bass Concert Hall. Widely acclaimed for the exceptional energy, brilliance, and vitality of its performances in the world’s major venues, the group specializes in the vast repertoire of music for chamber orchestras, using copies of period bows. texasperformingarts.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • “Raaga Rendezvous: Part II” is another Indian Fine Arts showcase. The Saturday, October 27 program features parallels between native classical and folk music, with vocalists Vidushi S.Sowmya and carnatic idol Bharat Sundar accompanied by violinists Sri Embar Kannan and B.U. Ganesh Prasad, plus K.S. Gopalkrishnan on kanjira, and mridangam players Neyveli Narayanan and Trivandrum Balaji. austinifa.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Huston-Tillotson University is calling all prospective students to its “University Day” on Saturday, October 27, at the East Austin campus. HTU will showcase its academic and student life, and more. On Sunday, October 28, 11 a.m., more information is shared at St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Pflugerville (1202 Russell Street) by HTU president Dr. Larry Earvin and Pastor Richard Coaxum. htu.edu • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • “No Borders: Los Super Seven’s Canto” is a fascinating look at the Grammy Award-winning super-group (including member Ruben Ramos) which follows the band from studio sessions to the release of their album, “Canto,” and onto the concert stage. The free film shows Tuesday, October 30, 9:30 a.m., as part of the Cine de Oro series at Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. maccaustin.org

Tap Dogs // The Long Center –> The international sensation is back and ready to leave floor dents on Tuesday, October 9, 7:30 p.m. This rough, tough, rocking theatrical entertainment has been a howling success all around the world and is the winner of 11 International Awards. Tap Dogs are currently taking the world by storm with their unprecedented tap show that combines the strength and power of workmen with the precision and talent of tap dancing. It’s a reinvention of tap for the New Millenium.

Forbidden Music; Spectrum Dance Theater // McCullough Theatre; Bass Concert Hall –> “Creativity in the Face of Death: The Contemporary Resonance of Terezín,” is a three-day symposium exploring the enduring influence of music and art created by prisoners at Terezín in 1941. On Tuesday-Wednesday, October 9-10, “Forbidden Music,” curated by Daniel Hope, is performed by the Miró Quartet, Butler School faculty, and others. Thursday, October 11, 8 p.m., Donald Byrd’s Theater of Needless Talents pays homage to the Jewish artists imprisoned in Nazi death camps.

Capitol Steps // The Long Center –> America’s foremost political satirists are primed for election season and ready to serve up the best political humor this side of Saturday Night Live on Thursday, October 25. The Washington-based troupe of Congressional staffers turned songwriters combine sharp skits with devastatingly funny parodies of popular American songs, the Capitol Steps are equal opportunity-bashers.

With over 30 recordings, Democrats, Republicans and Independents are fair game.

Asian Austin About Town

through five mandalas and three thangkas dating from the 15th to 20th centuries. As a special program accompanying the exhibition, the ‘Building Bridges Between Asia & Austin’ Blanton has invited 10 monks from the Drepung Roundtable and Gala // The Network of Asian American Organizations and the Asian American Resource Center honored five community leaders for their work at the economic and community development roundtable and gala benefitting the Asian American Resource Center at the Four

Channy Soeur

Seasons on September 22. The Humanitarian Award was presented to Mamata Misra, the Community Pillar Award to Gus Garcia, the Community Leadership Award to Dr. Madeline Y. Hsu, and the Businessman of the Year to Alex Tran. Local business leader Channy Soeur was honored with a good-natured but pointed roast

by Mayor Lee Leffingwell among others. “The AARC facility is presently under construction at 8401 Cameron Road, and we are looking forward to seeing it completed by this time next year,” said Lesley Varghese, Executive Director of the Asian American Resource Center nonprofit organization. “The AARC is going to be an exciting venue for multicultural education and enrichment opportunities for Austin families.”

Seeking Asian American Interviewees for Oral History Project // Sarah Steinbock-Pratt, a UT PhD candidate in History, is teaching “American Empire, Immigration, and the Creation of Asian Americans” for the Center for Asian American Studies this semester. As a final project for the class, students will conduct oral history interviews with members of the Asian American community in Austin (about 1-2 hours long). The overall purpose of the interviews – which will be donated to the Austin History Center – is to allow students to engage with the Asian American community of Austin, to give them an opportunity to “do” history, and to (hopefully) give them an appreciation of how history lives around them and is relevant in their everyday lives. For more contact Sarah at sarahsteinbockpratt@utexas.edu for more details.

Loseling Monastery to create a 5-foot sand mandala in the museum¹s Rapoport Atrium. The Sand Mandala Project will begin on Nov. 14 and run for five days. The public and members of the media are invited to view the active creation of the piece and its associated sacred ceremonies.

silent auction and Japanese tea bar on October 27, 7-10 p.m. at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. This year SAHELI will be giving the Lotus Award to the Honorable Lora Livingston, Travis County’s Local Administrative Judge, for her work in ensuring language access to courts for immigrant survivors of violence. The event supports SAHELI’s programs and services assisting immigrant families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, or trafficking. The organization is looking for volunteers to provide support, and interpretation services to its clients as well as to help with outreach efforts. Volunteer training starts October 29. For details, visit www. saheli-austin.org.

Rahim AlHaj at Bates Recital Hall // Composer and virtuoso of the Iraqi oud (the grandfather of all stringed instruments), Rahim AlHaj and percussion prodigy Issa Malluf join The University of Texas Middle Eastern Ensemble, Bereket, for an evening of new and traditional Middle Eastern music, October 27 at 8 p.m. Called “one of the

Center for Asian American Studies Sponsors Film // The UT Center for Asian American Studies is co-sponsoring the film screening of “Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings” on Thursday, October 4, 7 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz as part of the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival. A curse from a disrespected drag queen turns a young man gay in this irresistible, campy zombie-comedy flick from the Philippines.

Doing Business with Asia: Cultural Dynamics The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce presents this economic discussion on October 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the GAACC Offices, 3432 Greystone Dr, Suite 202. Contact GAACC for details 512-407-8240, exec.admin@ austinasianchamber.org

Blanton Museum’s ‘Into the Sacred City: Tibetan Buddhist Deities’ // In a presentation exclusive to the Blanton, eight rare and neverbefore publicly exhibited Tibetan works from the Theos Bernard Collection and the University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film SAHELI: The Silk Road: An Asian Epicurean Archive are on view. “Into the Sacred City” explores Journey // SAHELI for Asian Families presents this the rich art and religion of this fascinating region annual evening of Asian food and wine pairings,

Shaolin Warriors at the Long Center // In a fully choreographed theatrical production, the Shaolin Warriors bring the remarkable skill, stunning movement and spectacular imagery of Kung Fu to Dell Hall at the Long Center on Thursday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m. Performed by disciples of the Shaolin schools, known throughout the world for their disciplined and deadly martialarts prowess, these Kung Fu masters have trained from a very young age in mental and physical disciplines, which allow them to perform feats one thought only possible in the movies.

— Compiled by staff and Asian Austin at www.

AsianAustin.com, an online news source featuring news about Asian American people, organizations and events in Austin. Visit the Asian Austin website and “Like” us on Facebook for calendar and event details! Contact publisher Yvonne Lim Wilson at yvonne@asianaustin.com.

Cancer Prevention Lecture // Dr. B.S. Srinath presents information on healthcare Saturday October 6, 1-2:30 p.m. at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir - Vadtaldham Austin (804 Ramble Creek, Pflugerville). Srinat obtained fellowship in surgery from The Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and Glasgow and worked in India at several hospitals. Currently he is working as a Senior Surgical Oncologist in Rangadore Memorial Hospital, Bangalore. His specialties include breast and GI tract surgery.

A Taste of India 2012 // India Catholic Association of Central Texas presents the annual event October 13, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Proceeds will be donated to Christian Brothers in Meghalaya, India to build a school for underprivileged children. $20 dinner; children 10 and under + seniors, $15. Visit www. austinica.org for more details and tickets.

Shaolin Warriors

‘Dandia’ Indian Folk Dancing Night

Rahim AlHaj

top oud players in the world” by the San Francisco Chronicle, AlHaj’s music delicately combines traditional Iraqi maqams with contemporary styling and influence. His compositions evoke the experience of exile from his homeland and of new beginnings in his adopted country of the U.S. His pieces establish new concepts without altering the foundation of the traditional “Iraqi School of Oud.” 10th Annual Dusshera Mela // Austin Hindu Temple proudly presents a fun filled family event with food, kids’ rides, cultural programs, and contests Saturday October 27 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Many vendors will be present to offer their goods and services. Ethnic fashion items, clothes and such are made available by vendors for sale! Please call 512-773-7815 if you like to have a booth. 801 Decker Lake Rd. www.austinhindutemple.org

Bollywood Fiesta presents “Dandia,” a fundraiser for Austin based Hindu Charities for America, on Saturday, November 3, 8:30 p.m. at Mexita’s Restaurant (1107 N IH-35).

The event features traditional Indian Ras Garba and Dandia Ras, men and women in colorful costumes performing garba and dandiya, and the live music of Jankar Beats. Proceeds will go to procure supplies for homeless children in the Austin metropolitan area for the 2013-14 school year. fff “Ras Garba and Dandia Ras is traditional folk dancing (in circles and with sticks) that originated in Gujarat, India,” said event director Harish Kotecha. “There is a huge interest in Garba amongst the youth of the India – in particular the Gujarati diaspora – and it is becoming more popular in the United States where more than 20 universities have Raas Garba competitions on a huge scale every year with professional choreography.” fff Complimentary traditional Indian snacks will be served during the break. Additional food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Adult tickets are $10 each; students and seniors $8. Children under 12 free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.austindia. com/event/160 or by calling 512.773.7815 and are available at Taj Grocers, Amibica Foods and Apna Bazar.

TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com 07

photo | Daniel Mora

Au s tin ’ s O ri g i n a l D ía de lo s M ue rt o s F e s t:

29th Annual Mexic-Arte Museum ‘Viva la Vida’

By Evelyn C. Castillo

music, cooking demonstrations, art, educational activities and food vendors.

The Mexic-Arte Museum Dia de los Muertos festival, “Viva la Vida,” will be held Saturday, October 20. The wildly popular festival is now in its 29th year, making it one of the longestrunning events in the city celebrating Mexican and Mexican-American heritage. The revelry begins in the afternoon at Plaza Saltillo on 5th and Comal with the Concurso de Calaveritas and family attractions preceding the grand procession to the museum for evening festivities.

Admission is free all day and attendees will especially enjoy the spectacle that is the procession, whose participants will mark various historical time periods in Hispanic culture, ending at Congress and 5th Street with live

The grand dame of local arts groups, the Austin Symphony Orchestra, has two tradition-steeped shows on the October calendar. On FridaySaturday, October 19-20, 8 p.m., at Dell Hall, renowned Latin American pianist Washington Garcia joins ASO for a program to include Tchaikovsky’s Festival Coronation March for Alexander III, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in b-flat, Op. 23, and Copland’s Symphony No. 3, each conducted by Peter Bay. A native of Ecuador, García began his musical studies at the age of six and received a master’s and doctoral degrees from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated at the age of 25 as the youngest Latin American to have received a doctoral degree in piano performance from that prestigious university. From a very early age, García became a seasoned veteran of 08 TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com

The community is invited to participate in the grand procession and party, which will begin at Plaza Saltillo located between 5th and Comal in East Austin at 4 p.m. and depart for the MexicArte Museum at 6 pm. The procession will feature floats, live music and dancers. Participants are encouraged to dress up in costumes that pay tribute to loved ones, saints, spiritual deities, and famous celebrities who have passed on or historical figures from the Mexican Revolution.

The distance of the procession is about a mile and will last an hour.

The procession is divided into four time periods, beginning with Pre-Hispanic. During this period, indigenous civilizations such as the Aztec, Inca, Olmec, Maya, Toltec, and Mixtec flourished in the Americas. The outlook on death at this time was not as somber as it is today, but instead it was celebrated and ritualized. Colonial Mexico is the next time period, which is when the Dia

de los Muertos holiday evolved. It is also a time marked by the rule of Spanish royals and exalted position of the Roman Catholic Church. Modern Mexico is the third time period, which is when Porfirio Diaz came to power in Mexico and the Mexican Revolution took place. This also marks the beginning of the association of skeletons and skulls with Dia de los Muertos. The final time period is Contemporary-Mexico meets United States. Perhaps the best descriptor for this time period is the Viva la Vida festival itself. It marks a fusion between Dia de los Muertos and the American holiday of Halloween.

This year the Mexic-Arte Museum is also honoring the Tejano Monument, unveiled earlier this year at the Texas Capitol grounds to honor Tejanos and Tejano culture around the state. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as Tejanos by wearing cowboy hats, leather chaps and bandanas.

Please visit www.mexic-artemuseum.org for more information.

the concert platform, performing extensively throughout his native country.

Since his debut with the Ecuadorian National Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15, he has been an active recitalist, soloist, and lecturer in prestigious venues iaround the world. His most recent performance at the National Recital Hall in Taiwan was received favorably by the critics and audience, leading to further engagements in Asia in the upcoming season. In the United States, he has offered solo recitals and master classes in almost 30 states.

García served on the faculty of the Peabody Preparatory of the Johns Hopkins University and is currently associate professor of piano and assistant director of the School of Music

at Texas State University, where he is also the coordinator of the piano department. Additionally, he is the founder and director of the Texas State International Piano Festival.

in your boots. Your little ghost or goblin will help haunt Long Center’s Dell Hall as the Austin Symphony presents its annual Halloween Children’s Concert, featuring mindchilling songs that are entertaining for all ages. The entire family ASO Halloween Children’s Concert is encouraged to join in on the fun and dress to impress in their favorite costumes while attending This year’s spook-tacular show on Saturday, a concert full of “boo-tiful” music with guest October 28, 2 p.m., is sure to have you shakin’ conductor Irv Wagner.

Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center’s Día de los Muertos

By Valerie Menard

While Hispanic Heritage Month wraps up on October 15, it could easily be extended to include one more fall date of particular significance to Latinos, Día de los Muertos.

Celebrated officially at midnight on November 2, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) and the Center for Mexican American Cultural Arts (CMACA) - the nonprofit created to see the MACC project through its completion - will join forces on Saturday, November 3, for the annual Día de los Muertos celebration, giving Austin’s Latino community not only a day to remember their dearly departed, but to join in family fun in the here-and-now.

“We’re excited to be working with the MACC,” said Cathy Vasquez-Revilla, CMACA Vice President.

“While the cultural center is not complete, there are two more phases left to build. Bringing culturally relevant programming to the Latino community is the culmination of many years of work and perseverance.”

A hybrid holiday produced centuries ago from the culture clash between the conquering Spaniards and native Aztecs, Día de los Muertos takes the Catholic feast day of All Souls Day, which also takes place on November 2, and adds an indigenous

view of death that emphaszies passing as a part of the continuing cycle of life. On this day, the dead are invited to visit with family, who build ofrendas, or altars, to greet them, usually constructed with photos, mementos, and even the favorite food of the deceased. Families also visit their ancestors in graveyards throughout Latin America.

and Danza Azteca Guadalupana.

The Día de los Muertos program at the MACC, (600 River Street) is a multi-week affair, and one which has been presented since its opening in 2007. This year, activities begin Saturday, October 20 with a free sugar skulll making workshop, at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m., then on Saturday, October 27, there’s an altar building specialty workshop from 1-3 p.m. ($12). On Saturday, November 3, the big celebration kicks-off at 1 p.m. with the Mercado Festival, presented by CMACA. Latino artists and artisans will bring their wares to sell from 1–6 p.m. Local Latino arts organizations will also hold an improvisational workshop from 2–3 p.m. for children who will create a production combining dance, theater, and visual arts, to be presented at 3 p.m.

Call 512-974-3772 or 512-926-1369 for info.

The free event will also include a costume contest, a custom, classic, and lowrider auto contest, as well as a lowrider bike contest and display. Plus, food and beverage vendors, altars on display in the Community Gallery and on the plaza, and more.

At 4 p.m., activities such as sugar skull decorating, print and mask making, and face painting begin.

There’ll also be performances by the big Latino mix of fusion and funk sound of Kiko y la Banda

photo | Steven Garcia

Central Market Celebrates Day of the Dead

By Roberto Ontiveros

So, life is for the living and the dead aren’t going anywhere too soon.

about some not so quiet intoxicated Mexicans who all chip in for a cheap not so Zoot suit).

Clearly, Dia de los Muertos has gone beyond its Latin American level to become part of everyone’s everyday Americana. And, with the annual celebration set for Friday, November 2 at Austin’s Central Market (4001 North Lamar), the event has even gone a bit mainstream as well. Which is a really good thing when you Sugar skulls, paper altars, and Day of the Dead think about it, because it actually takes the edge bread are venerable ways to mark the mourning. off brooding over your dead friends and dead But like all traditions that actually stick around, relations, in ways that might get you too close to Dia de Los Muertos is that kind of intense the loss. The more big business gets involved in observation that has to morph in order to simply all the mourning and healing the happier some of us emotionally stunted might feel. Grocery remain alive. shopping has already, for a long time now, been And I’ve seen this hallowed holiday squirm into a socially cool way for a lonely person to feel some strange new corners as of late. connected to the world; usually, if I am walking alone at HEB I’m looking for something other Last year I saw a turtleneck/glasses display in an than canned beans, and that something might artsy warehouse dedicated to the techno tragedy be as simple as lost community or as silly as a that was Steve Jobs; this year I came across an sense of task. Now, as I get to watch skeletons altar for Ray Bradbury – you know, nothing says dance for my dead, I can maybe even feel quasiLatino holiday more than an altar dedicated to religious while sampling some upscale cheese. the beloved writer who introduced sci-fi fans to Mexican culture with short stories like “The For five years now, Austin’s Central Market has Little Mice” (a tale about a white landlord and been offering free Day of the Dead parties to his quietly intoxicated Mexican tenants) and the public; these family events – replete with “The Wonderful Ice Cream Colored Suit” (a story Brazilian dancing and skeleton costumes – are But something else that isn’t making itself scare these days – despite the rise of Richard Dawkins atheist videos on YouTube – is a very real feeling of supernatural respect and reflection that comes with annually observing those who have passed away.

photo | Daniel Mora

all about the food and the fun that come along with the holy day, and a lot of research and respect has gone into their construction. This year’s event again features Las Monas de San Antonio, a theater group from San Antonio and their giant Day of the Dead puppets, in addition to Acadêmicos da Ópera (the Austin Samba School), who will bring their Brazilian carnival style percussion ensemble along with the Day of the Dead dancers to create a fun family event at Central Market.

Of the annual festival in which the Austin Samba School is participating, Robert Jacaré Patterson, says the people behind the scenes did not want the October event to be in any way associated with witches or vampires or anything scary. “It’s all about respect; it’s not Halloween and it’s not Carnival.”

And being safely ensconced in a market place where you can use coupons, it won’t be as tearful or messy as staring at tacked up sleeves of your grandma’s Pedro Infante records either.

TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com 09

performance, naturally transcends all cultural and social backgrounds.

Dias de los Muertos Recommended Concerts The modern, Austin version of Days of the Dead brings together people from every neighborhood in an updated, intercultural version of the ancient holiday that has its roots in indigenous Mexican culture. In Austin’s music halls, artists provide unique expressions on the dualism of life and death year round, so we take this opportunity to celebrate just a few of those men and women of the (mostly) night who construct the cultural bridges that unite us.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 19 One World Theatre (7701 Bee Caves Road) Arturo Sandoval 7:00 & 9:30 p.m. www. oneworldtheatre.org // Arturo Sandoval is fluent in at least four musical languages. He can burn through an Afro-Cuban groove, tear up a bebop tune, soar over a Mozart concerto and soothe you with a luscious ballad; all with equal power and grace. As one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet, he has earned twelve Grammy nominations, won three Grammy’s, six Billboard Awards and was named “The Most Musical Man Alive” by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

Add to that the fact he was voted Cuba’s Best Instrumentalist for 8 years, Sandoval is one of the most decorated, prolific musicians of our time.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26

but possesses his own easily recognizable style.

His 2011 album, “Soul Resurrection,” captures his musical spirit and virtuosity at its peak with songs of a deep emotional connection.

Guero’s Taco Bar (1412 South Congress Avenue) Los Flames 6:30 p.m. www. guerostacobar.com // Los Flames feature some of the best talent to be found in Central Texas and regularly hold court at Guero’s Taco Bar Garden.

Boby Fuentes, Joe Ramos and Co. are often joined by Austin music icons including Speedy Sparks, John Blondell, Neil Peterson, Joe Pena, Will Indian, Monte Mann, Neil Sharpe, Ruben Ramos, Max Baca, Rick Fuentes, David Farias, Michael Guerra, Willie Jay Law and more.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 21 Antone’s (213 W. 5th St.) C3 Presents: Rodriguez with Jenny O. 9:00 p.m. www. antones.net // Plain and simple, Rodriguez spits the cold facts. He drops acute humanistic observations gleamed from a Detroit born and bred existence. And though this talented singersongwriter’s primary recorded output reaches back to the late sixties and early seventies, its enduring legacy has manifested itself in the most unexpected, far reaching, and mind-blowing of ways. Rodriguez recorded his debut album, “Cold Fact,” in 1969, but a few years later called an end to his recording career. Unbeknownst to him, his legend was growing in South Africa where he represented a beacon of revolution. Today, his acclaim continues to grow.

El Sol y La Luna (600 East 6th Street) Mariachi Tamazula 8:30 p.m.; Los Tipicos de Cuba 11:00 p.m. www.elsolylalunaaustin.com // Mariachi Tamazula was founded in 2003 by Robert A. Lopez, Sr. and Robert A. Lopez, Jr. (Bobby). The father and son duo relocated to Central Texas after having a rich and successful career in the Corpus Christi area for over 15 years, recording four albums and making various television appearances in the South Texas area.

After working with various groups in the Austin area, Robert and Bobby decided to form Mariachi Tamazula, comprised of eight talented musicians with more than 25 years of experience in professional entertainment.

project “All the Pain Money Can Buy.” Fastball is Miles Zuniga (vocals, guitar), Tony Scalzo (vocals, bass, keyboards, guitar), and Joey Shuffield (drums, percussion).

SATURDAY OCTOBER 27 Texas Book Festival (State Capitol Building) Joel Guzman Sarah Fox & Glenn Fukunaga 1:00 p.m. www.guzmanfox.com // Talented, versatile and inspiring, the power couple of accordionist/producer/arranger Joel Guzman and singer-songwriter Sarah Fox has been one of the most prolific and influential duos in Central and South Texas. Their field of musical expertise runs the gamut from Rock and Blues to Folk and Jazz to Conjunto and Americana. Their discography includes “Latinology,” written and produced by team of Guzman and Fox. 2005’s “Polkas, Gritos y Acordeones,” won the Latin Grammy and the American Grammy in their respective Best Tejano Album category.

Continental Club (1315 South Congress) Scarlett Olson 8:30 p.m. www. continentalclub.com // Scarlett Olson grew up in a multicultural family in San Antonio and started performing at age 11. Whether performing traditional Latino music or electronica, her music developed a strong influence from Latin culture. In 2009 she started a recording project with Michael Ramos on “The Little Things.” The Austin resident’s music fuses Latin, electronica, reggae, Tejano and pop, with urban influences and traditional instrumentation, creating her own unique sound.

THUR/FRI NOVEMBER 1-2

THURSDAY OCTOBER 25 Central Market (4001 N. Lamar) El Tule www.centralmarket.com // For eight years El Tule (el TOO-lay) has been honing its unique SATURDAY OCTOBER 20 sound combining influences of Cumbia, Boathouse Grill (6812 Ranch Road 620) Frank Merengue, Salsa, Cuban and Reggae, in Austin.

Gomez 6:00 p.m. www.boathousegrill.com The music is about history, art and culture often // Frank Gomez is an Austin rhythm and blues focusing on legends and tales of the mystical. singer-song writer, guitarist and vocalist. Gomez became known for his guitar playing and vocals in Fan favorites include “Tres Viudas,” the true the late 1970s and in 2007, he created his current story of three dancing widows in beautiful San Antonio, “La Ruta Maya,” a pounding tribute to the project, The Frank Gomez Band. Recording famed Mayan Route and “Mi Niño,” reminescent their debut album, “Under The Influence,” he of a colorful childhood life on the border. The experienced a resurgence of popularity. Gomez sound ...”El sonido” that El Tule brings to each is heavily influenced by blues-rock guitar icons 10 TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com

The Rooftop Over Lake Travis (6550 Comanche Trail) Fastball 8:00 p.m. www. unclebillysrooftop.com // With nearly 20 years of musical explorations and milestones under its belt, Fastball remains one of the most consistent and continuously celebrated rock bands on the road these days. After rising to prominence in 1996 with the debut disc “Make Your Mama Proud,” the Austin-based trio exploded into a household name come 1998’s breakthrough

Flamingo Cantina’s Dia de los Muertos Fiesta (515 East 6th Street) THURSDAY: La Santa Cecilia, Chicano Batman; FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2; FRIDAY: Los Skarnales, Los de Esta Noche, Los Mariachis Del Infierno, DJ Moonstomp www.flamingocantina.com // Los Angeles’ La Santa Cecilia are gaining fans across the country for their creative combination of up-tempo South American rhythms, rock and jazz. Chicano Batman draw from a broad range of 60s and early 70s Brazilian bossa nova and samba, spacey psychedelia, soul and surf-rock cumbia. Los Skarnales plays a mix of ska, reggae, rockabilly, swing, mambo, cumbia, and danzones, all with a punk attitude. San Antonio’s Los Esta Noche is a fast rising rock outfit, as is the puro Tex-Mex psychobilly sounds of Los Mariachis Del Infierno.

Plus, the beats of DJ Moonstomp.

Images of dancing, mischievious skeletons in Austin on October 23, 7:30 p.m., at the Long (calaveras) are a symbol of Dias de los Muertos. In Center.

Mexico, they represent a link not only between life and death, but also the country’s past and present. Created by legendary dancer/choreographer Amalia Hernandez in 1952, the company Likewise, the national dance treasure that is illuminates the richness of Mexico’s heritage Ballet Folklorico de Mexico fuses history in an in music, movement and color. As complex as engaging program that will take center stage Mexico itself, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico presents

Take a Journey to Brazil with

Grupo Corpo By Kathleen Fitzgerald As in other Latin American countries honoring ancestry, the Brazilian public holiday of Finados celebrates family and the mystery of the human spirit. Arguably, there’s no better way to “answer questions concerning the transit between nature and culture,” as author Helena Katz puts it, than through a night experiencing the world-renowned Brazilian dance company, Grupo Corpo.

– while keeping the company´s distinctive traits in mind. For their Austin engagement, the company’s selections include music by + 2 (Moreno, Domenico, Kassin) and Carlos Núñes and José Miguel Wisnik (based on works by Martín Codax).

Ambassador of Music Innovation,

the country’s cabinet. In 2008, Gil finally returned to performing full time.

Gilberto Gil Headed to Austin By Otis Lopez

Gil, called “one of the world’s greatest songwriters” by The New York Times, plays a fundamental role in the constant modernization of Brazilian popular music. He has had one of the country’s most celebrated musical careers as a singer, composer and guitar-player for almost 50 years. Gil’s contagious form of pop music sung in Portuguese-Brazilian, with a strong rhythmic appeal and melodic mix as culturally rich as the Brazilian people, has moved audiences across the world.

“When one sees Grupo Corpo dance on stage,” said Katz. “All facets of Brazil, past and future, erudite and popular, foreign influence and local color, and the urban and the suburban come to being as art. Brazilian art. World art.”

Grupo Corpo draws on a variety of musical elements to produce shows of diverse character – cerebral, cosmopolitan, primitive, existential, tough

By preserving the past, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico provides a vital psychological appeal in contemporary Mexico. It’s a lively fiesta direct from Mexico City, a cultural touchstone of music, precision, original choreography and decorative sets that will adorn Austin for a night of vibrant color and intricate rhythms.

Multi-Grammy winning Latin superstar and social activist Gilberto Gil returns to Austin with a performance at Bass Concert Hall on October Today, having created 35 choreographies and more 30, 8 p.m., presented by Texas Performing Arts in than 2,300 pieces, the Brazilian dance company partnership with KUT’s Horizontes and the Teresa maintains ten ballets in its repertoire and gives 80 Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies. performances a year across the world.

Gil’s program will pay homage to baião music

pioneer Luiz Gonzaga.

The passion, beauty, and originality of Grupo Corpo will be on display for two nights at Bass Concert Hall on October 18-19, 8 p.m.

Founded in 1975 by brothers Paulo (artistic director), Rodrigo (choreographer), and Pedro (technical director) Pederneiras in the city of Belo Horizonte, Grupo Corpo (literally “Body Group”) and their work are a true melting pot of cultural and artistic influences. Their compelling style grafts the pliancy of modern dance and rhythmic complexity of AfroBrazilian dance onto ballet, captivating audiences with stunningly sexy physicality, dynamic ability, and rich visual finesse.

a rhythmic journey across the culturally fertile regions and folk genres of Mexico’s rich past.

From pre-Columbian shadows of indigenous Mesoamerican Yaqui rites to European colonial splendor, through 20th century Revolutionary era reflections up to the modern era, the company’s creative range is distinctly joyful.

There will be a free pre-performance lecture with University of Texas professors Fernando Lara and Leticia Marteleto in the Bass Concert Hall lobby at 7 p.m. Grupo Corpo is presented by Texas Performing Arts’ ArtesAméricas program, in partnership with the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies.

Acclaimed composer, accordionist, and singer Luiz Gonzaga, known as the “King of Baião,” was responsible for taking baião music from rural Northeast Brazil to the rest of the country. Driven by the accordion, triangle, and a bass drum, baião - which fuses classic styles of European folk music with indigenous and African sounds - forms the soundtrack for the Catholic June Festival and popular dances such as forró.

Gil and his band will reinvent old classics, and play new songs from the recently released album and live DVD “Fé na Festa,” all inspired by the baião sound.

Though Gil started out as a bossa nova musician, he branched out to politically-charged tunes and a life of social activism. A fruitful career in politics began in 1987, leading to one of Gil’s finest achievements of founding the environmental protection organization, Onda Azul (Blue Wave).

Failing in an attempt to balance a full-time musical career, he withdrew temporarily from politics in 1992, following the release of “Parabolicamará.”

He was summoned by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to serve as Brazil’s Minister of Culture in 2003, only the second black person to serve in TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com 11

TODO Austin’s 2012 ACL Music Festival Survival Guide

By Erica Stall Wiggins

Music festivals are like a long distance race, and as the 11th annual Austin City Limits event nears, many ticket holders will be performing their own versions of carb loading. As with running, preparation and forethought are required to avoid dreaded festival woes - the shoes that blister your feet, the jacket you didn’t need - you get the drift. With three days of more than 130 artists on eight stages across 46 acres of Zilker Park, ACL is nothing short of a music lover’s marathon. Read on to stay ahead of the pack.

The Trek There are a few parking options downtown, but none at Zilker Park. The shuttles are not recommended by this camp, as lines can be long and the walk to the pick-up area can feel endless.

Biking is encouraged if at all possible. There is an official and fairly painless passenger drop-off area at the north end of the Mopac (Loop 1) Pedestrian Bridge on Stephen F. Austin Drive next to Austin High School. There is also parking at Austin High School, and in the past it’s been plentiful until mid-afternoon. Some have had success in the past taking taxis as close to the front entrance on Barton Springs Road as possible, but that route is not recommended by the organizers, and therefore you didn’t hear it from us.

next favorite band be the one you miss this year at ACL. As music writer and KGSR on-air personality Andy Langer told the Austin American Statesman, “Study the schedule, make a plan and then be completely open to entirely shelving that plan, walking around aimlessly and stopping in front of whatever catches your ear.” If only this advice had been heeded when the pounding beat and strobe lights of Deadmau5 caught my attention a few years back. Oh regret, you’re a bitter pill.

Little Sprinters Even in the first years of the festival, taking a child under five to ACL was an adventure. That was before the crowds reached anything near capacity, and even then it was dicey (read: dark and easy to lose sight of someone) once the sun went down.

Consider leaving the wee babes at home, or take advantage of the kid’s activities and shows. Trade off with your partner or a friend to go see bands you can’t miss, rather than toting the toddler to Bassnectar. Bring ear protection for everyone, but especially the little ones. Finally, don’t be surprised if you’re packing up hours before the Chili Peppers or other headliners hit the stage. And snacks. Did I mention snacks?

periodically.

• Wear closed toe shoes.

• Bring your own water bottle and take advantage of the free filtered water station.

• Visit the Waterloo Records autograph tent for great photo opportunities with some of the festival’s biggest artists (schedule at ACL web site).

• Check the weather.

• Look for ACL related happenings around town. There are a multitude of advertised and non-advertised shows that crop up throughout the weekend. Festival artists can, and do, show up at small clubs around town, in spite of the radius clauses that festival organizers have in place to prohibit such shows.

Final Words: 1. Never underestimate the power of the wet wipe, the sun hat or the rain poncho.

2. There is no easy way in or out. Plan accordingly.

3. It’s not about the finish – enjoy the show!

For lineup, schedule, allowable items and more: aclfestival.com Anti-Chafing Strategies • Take advantage of the bag and chair check.

Finding Your Pace For TODO Austin’s Daily Recommended Artist You’ll have your must-see list. But don’t let your • Find a spot away from the crowds to recharge List: facebook.com/todo.austin

Austin Comic Con 2012 – Make it So

‘Star Trek Next Generation’ Cast Reunion Marks Show’s 25th Anniversary

By Mia Garcia

The next generation of Austin’s sci-fi fan community will be witness to Star Trek history as they boldly go where no sci-fi convention has gone before. Wizard World will launch a star-studded, 25th anniversary reunion of the bridge crew and cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” during the three-day Austin Comic Con, October 26-28 at the Austin Convention Center.

Eight stars – including the entire bridge crew – of the popular series will gather in Austin for their first U.S. reunion. The crew will be guided by the legendary Patrick Stewart, who portrayed the stern, determined Captain Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the USS Enterprise.

Crew members joining their captain at this reunion include Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker), LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Worf), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data), Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher) and Wil Wheaton, (Ensign Wesley Crusher).

The series, which ran for seven seasons from 1987 through 1994, garnered 18 daytime Emmys and was a hugely successful follow-up to the original “Star Trek” series from two decades earlier.

From the first televised, multi-racial kiss between the original Star Trek’s Captain Kirk and Lt. Uhura, to the inter-alien, tragic love affair between the Klingon, Lt. Commander Worf and the beautiful, joined Trill, Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax, in the spin-off series, “Deep Space 9,” Star Trek has always provided its fans an open, multicultural treasure trove of characters. The recent “Star Trek” movie – a prequel to the original “Star Trek”

12 TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com

television series – gave fans even more cross-cultural romance as movie-goers were treated to the hints of what was brewing between the young Spock and Uhura.

The lineup of superstar comic creators in Austin Comic Con is also impressive, with Eisner Award Hall of Famer Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”), Eisner winners Paul Jenkins (“Spider-Man,” “Hulk”) and Bernie Wrightson (“Swamp Thing,” “House of Mystery”), Kaare Andrews (“Astonishing X-Men,” “Iron Man”), Humberto Ramos (“The Spectacular Spider-Man,” “Impulse”) and Mike McKone (“Avengers,” “Green Lantern”) at the top of the deep list.

Other celebrities of note scheduled to attend include Sofia Milos (“CSI: Miami,” “The Order”), Vic Mignogna (Reservoir Chronicle: Tsubasa, “Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel”), Craig Parker (“Spartacus,” Lord of the Rings), Eve Myles (“Doctor Who,” “Torchwood”), Paul McGillion (“Stargate: Atlantis,” “Star Trek”) and Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk,” “The King of Queens”).

Wizard World Austin Comic Con will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, October 28 is “Kids Day,” with an array of programming specially designed for children. For tickets and info, visit www.wizardworld. com/home-tx.html.

CASA Helps Strengthen Connections to Hispanic Heritage for Youth

By Sonia Kotecha

CASA of Travis County hosted its second Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Saturday, September 8, to honor and share the culture and traditions of the majority of the children it serves. In 2011, approximately 40% of the children served by CASA were Hispanic.

As part of our role as CASA volunteers, it is important that we help children who have been removed from their homes, and everything familiar, due to abuse or neglect maintain a strong connection to their cultural heritage. Children in foster care are introduced to and expected to develop relationships with children, families and professionals different from their own probably more often than many adults.

At CASA, we place a high value in fostering a diverse and inclusive organization, and part of that includes helping our youth develop pride in their cultural heritage while also learning and appreciating the rich cultural diversity of others. CASA’s Hispanic Heritage festival is an opportunity for volunteers to bring children on a fun and educational outing which included loteria games, traditional crafts like creating papel picado and

building shrines for Dia De Los Muertos, and trivia booths to learn more about Hispanic history and geography.

This year, CASA was excited to bring back the Latinitas Magazine booth where youth reflected on culture and what it means to them through creative expression and video blogging. Last year’s Latinitas booth resulted in a great video with youth sharing what the word “culture” means to them. One young man with family from Mexico and Brazil shared, “The word culture means where you came from, to appreciate where you came from. It’s about family and what your family believes. I appreciate every race in my family because that’s what made me.”

The event took place at Southwest Key’s community room and the attendees enjoyed a lunch of tamales with pan dulce for dessert. The highlight for most of the children was the music and dancing. The talented St. Edwards University’s Ballet Folklorico group performed, leaving the children in awe of the beautiful traditional dresses worn by the dancers. The children also got to show off some of their dance moves when they shared the stage with Patrick Perez, motivational youth speaker and street dancer. Perez’s energy and talent brought both joy and laughter from the children as they tried to imitate his moves. By the end of the afternoon, all children, even the shy ones, ended up on the dance floor.

This event was a true community collaboration with tremendous support from Southwest Key, Curra’s Grill, Chuy’s Bakery, Latinitas Magazine, St. Edwards University Ballet Folklorico, LULAC District 12, Tesoro’s Trading Company and Patrick Perez.

CASA

(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County

Volunteer Spotlight Dagoverto Zavala grew up in Mercedes, Texas. His family can track their history in Texas back through seven generations. Dago’s parents were hard working and pioneered success for their family by being the first to achieve bachelor’s degrees. He says that now everyone in his family has some level of higher education and Dago himself moved to Austin to attend UT after high school.

He didn’t stay put in Austin though: after school he headed to Mexico City to work on his Spanish and went to law school in Washington, D.C. He’s back in Austin working for Austin Energy and says he loves how friendly the city is, and enjoys the beautiful water he kayaks and swims. Dago began volunteering with CASA in 2011 and knows “what it’s like to have someone supportive in your life to your share concerns, help you out of tough situations, and just listen to you. I had my parents but these kids need someone to look out for them.” Dago works with CASA teens and while he admits it can be difficult working with youth who are already going through so many life changes, on top of their experiences in foster care, he wants to be where his help is most needed.

TresXtres Campaign Aims to Increase Organ Donation Among Hispanics in Central Texas

By Monica Peña

Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA) announces “tresXtres” (threexthree in Spanish), an initiative to increase the enrollment of organ donors among Hispanics living in Central Texas. The call-to-action campaign is launching in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage month to encourage Hispanics living in the area to get three friends or family members to register to be organ donors. It takes less than three minutes to register and at the end of the three-month campaign the goal is to have 3,000 new organ donors registered in the official state registry.

“There are more than 5,000 Hispanics in Texas on the national organ transplant list and not enough donors,” said Michelle Segovia of Texas Organ Sharing Alliance. “Through tresXtres, we want the Latino community in Central Texas to come together to make a difference.

In the United States, there are 115,000 people

of all ages, races, and religions in desperate need of life-saving organ transplants that may not come in time. At the top of the list of minorities in need of organ transplants are Hispanics.

The campaign is fueled by the concept that by telling three people to register online in less than three minutes. Together the community can achieve the goal of getting 3,000 more Hispanics registered to be organ donors in three months, and help save more lives. The word-of-mouth campaign will be driven mostly through social media, with www. facebook.com/tresXtresTX serving as the main portal.

There are currently more than 20,800 Hispanics in the U.S. on the national waiting list for organ transplants, most of whom are awaiting a kidney transplant. Hispanics make up 45 percent of the Texas transplant waiting list. The high percentage is due to the fact

that many of the conditions leading to the need for a transplant, such as diabetes and hypertension, occur with greater frequency among Latinos.

“I recently received my heart transplant, after waiting nine months to get it,” said Vick Alvarado, an organ recipient. “Not everyone is as lucky as I am, so we really need more Latinos registered to be organ donors. It takes less than three minutes to register to help save lives.”

TOSA is one of only 58 non-profit, federallydesignated Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the United States dedicated to educating and providing organ donation and recovery services to families wishing to donate and to those waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Founded in 1975, TOSA provides service to more than 100 hospitals and six transplant centers in 56 Central and South Texas Counties. Visit www.donevidatexas.org for more information and to register.

Vick Alvarado TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com 13

Sacred S u p erf o o d :

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia Katie Walsh | words and photos

injuries, and also for what the Chinese would call “yin” energy—increasing the body’s natural fluids, hydration, endurance and libido, and for soothing joint pain.

4600 years ago, the seeds of Salvia hispanica (which you know as chia) were central to the Mesoamerican way of life. Used for worship, sustenance, offering and currency, the Aztecs and Mayans considered chia seeds sacred; the chia crop more important than even corn, the very substance of the human form according to their creation texts.

worship and charity. After Columbus arrived on the continent, Its non-Christian spiritual role caused the plant to be banned by the Spaniards.

teaspoon cinnamon) 3 tablespoons chia seeds 1 teaspoon whole flax seeds 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

The flower essence of chia is thought to provide spiritual growth and the expansion of awareness and intuition, stimulating the third eye chakra, according to Beth Hays of Integrated Essences.

Hays considers the essence to also be strongly linked with Archangel Michael, bringing peace, protection and a clear view of the truth.

Combine all ingredients in a small, covered bowl.

Stir well to break up chia seed clumps and integrate.

I find the best way to do this is to stir vigorously in one direction, creating a vortex, and then to switch directions and create a vortex moving the opposite way.

Although the gifts of chia have largely been forgotten by modern America, they can easily be rediscovered and folded into the everyday diet.

One of the best ways to do this is by adding a teaspoon or two of the seeds to your water bottle or glass of juice to make a simple “chia fresca.”

Chia with lemonade is a traditional Mexican favorite; I love mixing it with half lemonade and half iced tea. Just make sure to give it a half hour or so to plump up.

35 years ago, the seeds of Salvia hispanica were applied to terracotta figurines and marketed by Joe Pedott of San Francisco as furry green Chia Pets, becoming a country-wide rage of watered decor that in short time withered, died and were likely shoved in a closet corner or garage sale display thereafter. For many of us, this is all we know of chia.

What we likely don’t know is that its name derives from the Mayan word chiabaan, or “strengthening,” and that it is as nutritious as it is medicinal. When combined with water, the small seeds swell to a tapioca, gel-like consistency that makes a wonderfully refreshing drink and produces soluble fiber-ful mucilage that assists the body in both digestion and blood sugar regulation.

Chia is also extremely energizing, and carries a history of life-giving. Packed with 24% protein, 22% cholesterol-free Omega 3, and 25% fiber, Aztec warriors survived long conquest on nothing but a ration of chia seeds and water, and native tribes of the Southwestern U.S. used them to make it through forced, brutally long marches and missions.

The Mesoamericans used that gel as a natural, antimicrobial bandage for wounds and other

Perhaps it is this property that made them a prime offering to the gods and important part of ancient

Cover bowl and refrigerate, re-stirring or shaking about every 15 minutes.

Chill until seeds are entirely hydrated and mixture has a tapioca-like texture, about 1 hour. Serve cold with fresh chopped fruit and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

You can also use chia seeds to make a raw, mocktapioca pudding. Here’s my recipe for just that, using horchata, or Mexican spiced rice milk, and a sprinkling of flax for good measure.

Horchata and Chia Seed “Tapioca” Yield: 2 cups, 2-3 servings Cook time: 5 minutes, plus 1 hour to soak Ingredients: 1 cup horchata (can be found at Latino markets or made at home; substitute almond milk plus 1/2

Shouts to HealthyFoodforHealthyLiving.com, AllThingsHealing.com, Integrated Essences and Dr. R. Bourne for the historical info and stats.

Content and recipe originally published on http:// www.WhiskedFoodie.com.

Good Times at Güero’s

For great tunes and great rita’s!

Please join us for live music on our outside jardin stage, every Thursday through Sunday. Thanks to the fans & bands who support us!!! All outdoor shows are “weather permitting”

October Line-up

Taco Bar

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

----------------------------------------------------------------WED 10/3 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 10/4 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) FRI 10/5 LOS FLAMES (6:30) SAT 10/6 LARRY LANGE & HIS LONELY KNIGHTS (6:30) SUN 10/7 MC & THE MYSTIXS (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 10/10 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 10/11 THE FABS (6;30) FRI 10/12 LOS FLAMES (6:30) SAT 10/13 EL TULE (6:30) SUN 10/14 TRENT TURNER & THE MOONTOWERS (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 10/17 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 10/18 MATT SMITH’S WORLD (6:30) FRI 10/19 LOS FLAMES (6:30) SAT 10/20 ERIN JAIMES & HER BAD HABITS (6:30) SUN 10/21 MITCH WEBB & THE SWIDLES (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 10/24 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 10/25 THE BANZAI PROJECT (6:30) FRI 10/26 LOS FLAMES (6:30) SAT 10/27 ROSIE & THE RAMBLERS (6:30) SUN 10 28 CHICKEN STRUT (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 10/31 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00)

www.GuerosTacoBar.com

Chronicles of Undercover Mexican Girl:

Getting a Little More Texan Each Year

By Alexandra M. Landeros

horse. The last time I’d been on a horse was in the 11th grade. For some reason, I decided I wanted to get into equestrianism, and I convinced my mom to let me take horseback riding lessons. This was in Southern California. I lost interest after a few weeks, and moved onto my next adolescent hobby.

I joke now that although I grew up in Los Angeles, I’m a Texan now – I have the cowboy boots to prove it, and there’s no going back. But it’s gone beyond a joke. So much of my life is now deeply influenced

by Texas culture.

It wasn’t that way at the beginning, about fourteen years ago, when I was living in suburbia, married to a computer engineer, shopping at Costco, and playing Pictionary or Balderdash on Saturday nights in a climate-controlled room with ultramatching furniture. (Was that really me?)

photo by Holly Moyers

Back in July, I was moved to write a story about horseback riders who actually rode on the city streets. It started at the Sunset Valley farmers market in South Austin. For several weeks, I had been seeing a husband and wife ride their horses, English style, to pick up their weekly groceries.

But Sunset Valley is a peaceful pocket of Austin. I was curious about a few cowboy types I’d seen riding in the more urban areas. Who were these cowboys brave enough to cross over Ben White on South Congress, or ride on the streets with anxious drivers behind them. Someone mentioned to me about a guy tying up his horses outside El Sol y La Luna on 6th St. and Red River.

I was soon connected to Sam Olivo, famously (or infamously – depending on how you’ve heard about him) known as the Sixth Street Cowboy. I set up an appointment to meet him where he keeps his horses. We’d do the interview on the way north to downtown Austin... on horseback.

Well, muleback to be precise. I rode Mula, the mule, while Sam Olivo rode Red the

Now, most days, you will find me sitting sweaty in a rocking chair on my back porch cedar deck with my husband and Catahoula hound dog, playing old-timey music around somebody’s campfire or outdoor saloon, picking eggs at someone’s farm alongside a herd of goats, jumping into a creek at somebody’s ranch amongst the cows, boiling loquats or persimmons for home canning, or exploring the hidden trails of local parks such as Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park – she herself used to be a livestock rancher.

So far, I’ve only been on one horseback ride with Sam Olivo, but we intend to continue the adventure and the stories. I’d like to learn to be a real cowgirl and ride as confidently as Sam – to be able to ride fast without feeling like I am being shaken up like a city-girl rag doll. I want to spend less time on the computer, and more time playing the fiddle. I want to spend less time at the supermarket, and more time in my garden growing vegetables. Less time shopping for clothes, and more time making them. I want to spend less time waiting in traffic, and more time waiting for the sun to rise in the fields.

Tiny Taiga Condensation

By Blake Shanley

There sometimes arrives that moment, particularly when that moment is one you’re after and trust will arrive, when you realize that everything you thought, felt and did that seemed disconnected, irrelevant, pointless or unrelated suddenly convenes and merges at this one extraordinary intersection where you clearly can see how all of it actually was working together to lead to this place, this time and this incredible experience. And your lungs fill and your eyes widen and you finally feel open to the world. When that occurs, there is such wonder and excitement in it all, you can’t help but want to share it with any and everyone you can.

Tiny Taiga is that intersection for me and it is now open for your and my sharing pleasure.

questions, to research answers, to try new things, to step outside of the norm and to create a new norm. It is a cozy, welcoming place that can provide something different for each person that walks in the door, and provides a choose-your-own-adventure, if you so choose, to your own moment of “aha!” and “ahh…”.

It is a one-stop corner shoppe intended to assist each person in many powerful ways on their own personal journey toward feeling good and being healthy and happy.

Please, oh, please, come explore Tiny Taiga at your earliest convenience. 1200 E. 11th Street #106 and join me online at ww.Facebook.com/TinyTaigaAustin. I look forward to continuing to share it all with anyone and everyone even remotely interested.

Tiny Taiga is a little shoppe of superfoods, healthful snacks, teas, herbs, supergreens, healing spices, books, natural body care, essential oils, inspired gifts, amazing smells and great energy. It is a collection of the supplements, foods, things, concepts and books that I have come to believe through years and years of research and experiment are potent, powerful and healing for virtually everyone. It is a place to come to ask

Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Friday

They say personality traits in families skip a generation. My grandfather was a rancher in Jalisco, and my grandmother lived on a hacienda and farm outside of Durango.

Horseback riding and being outdoors was a natural way of life for them.

My parents moved to the United States in the mid-1970s, striving for a comfortable life with modern amenities. But I’m proud of my Mexican heritage and my roots. Do I have what it takes to reach into my past and reclaim a lifestyle that used to be? Do you?

Discount tickets on sale now at TODO Austin // October 2012 // TodoAustin.com 15

Bronze Age Group and TODO Austin present

Austin Days of the Dead/ Días de los Muertos Festival October 18 - November 3

Austin Days of the Dead Festival is a combination feast, party, procession and vigil celebrating the city’s multicultural heritage. It’s an all-inclusive affair blending Austin’s popular Halloween merriment with the cultural significance, pageantry and gravity of Día de los Muertos rites and traditions.

Austin’s shared Tex Mex/Tejano heritage is highlighted at numerous celebratory performances at the Long Center, Bass Concert Hall and venues from Antone’s to Flamingo Cantina to One World Theatre, and at traditional observances at Mexic Arte Museum and the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center.

www.AustinDaysOfTheDead.com