TODO Austin January 2013

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Volume IV, 9 / January 2013

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Photo by Sarah Wilson

Demographic Composition of U.S. Congress Sign of Real Change? By Evelyn C. Castillo Just a little over four years ago, America sent its first non-white president to the White House. Now, this year we’ve sent the least whitest Congress to Capitol Hill. Washington is finally catching up with the times.

The 113th Congress, the most diverse class of Congress in U.S. history, was sworn-in earlier this month. It included a record number of Latino lawmakers, 36 to be exact. Four of them, Democrats Joaquin Castro, Pete Gallego and Filemon Vela, plus Republican Ted Cruz, are from Texas.

For the first time, a Hindu will serve in the House of Representatives and a Buddhist in the Senate, making it the most religiously diverse class.

The number of African Americans increased by four, Asian Americans added five new members and 20 more women were also elected. There are also four new LGBT members, including the first openly gay Senator and the first openly gay congressman of color.

The following tidbit of information also got me going: for the first time ever there are actually a handful of Congresspersons that were born in my decade, the 80s.

All of this business of diversifying Congress makes me think that electing the first African American president in our nation’s history was the easy

part. Now comes the hard reality—will they all get along?

Judging from the previous Congress, where members drew their lines in the sand as if they were battling it out at the Alamo, I am inclined to say no. There’s a lot of new blood in town, however, and they’ll want to prove themselves and show that they can actually get stuff done. On the other hand, for the returning veterans, I’m sure that hitting the replay button on one of the most partisan, unproductive and most unpopular Congressional sessions in recent memory is hardly a part of their game plans. Or, so I’d like to think, but then again, I’m an optimist. Besides, it would be hard to imagine a Congress worse than the 112th.

There is at least one hot-button issue from the previous session where some progress might be made. That is the issue of immigration.

Regardless of the increased number of Latinos in Congress, which is nowhere near enough to push any legislation through to the president’s desk, I believe this is possible due to the last election, which proved a wake-up call to Republicans. The GOP knows it will need to court the Latino vote more critically if it ever wants to reclaim the White House.

On the basis of that fact alone, I can envision some sort of deal being worked out to pass comprehensive immigration reform during this session.

Another lawmaking body, closer to home, will convene later this month.

Our Texas Legislature returns after two years. Here’s hoping all these elected officials—local, state and national—stop fighting and start fixing things.

TODOAustin.com Taking Austin’s multicultural message to the global stage, TODO Austin is proud to announce the launch of our new website, TODOAustin.com. The vibrant new site provides the content appearing in the current TODO Austin printed journal, along with outstanding multimedia features, enhanced event listings, special creative features and staff and community-led blogs.

TODOAustin.com features links to archived past printed issues, where you can find stories and photos from TODO Austin’s past four years. Social media already connects the global web of Austin’s multicultural community. With enhanced social media networks, TODOAustin.com users will enjoy sharing, re-tweeting, pinning and boasting directly from the website. We will continue to engage our melting pot of cultures in positive, community-building dialogue, while providing Austin its only multicultural media both online and in print.

Volume IV, Number 09

Alexandra M. Landeros, Callie Langford, Cristina Parker, Blake Shanley

Publisher/Editor // Gavin Lance Garcia contact@TODOaustin.com • 512.538.4115

Contributing Writers/Photographers/Artists Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Heather Banks, Gonzalo Barrientos, Adriana Cadena, Roy Casagranda, Sirsha Chatterjee, Priscilla Cortez, Ruben Cubillos, Chi Dinh, Harmony Eichsteadt, Layla Fry, Briana Garcia, Monica Giannobile, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Ryan Hutchison, Yadira Izquierdo, Nandini Jairam, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Richard Jung, Ramey Ko, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, JoJo Marion, Valerie Menard, Crystal Moreno, Roberto Ontiveros, Preya Patel, Monica Peña, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Hani Saleh, Azim Siddiqui, Elaine Stribling, Chris Summers, Corey Tabor, Blanca Valencia, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Joseph P.A. Villescas, Bowen Wilder

Art Director // Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com MANAGING EDITOR // Evelyn C. Castillo Contributing Editors // Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins Senior Editors // Güner Arslan, Cindy Casares, Sonia Kotecha, Esther Reyes, Lesley Varghese, Yvonne Lim Wilson Associate Editors // Mia Garcia, Harish Kotecha, 02 TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com

Cover // Carrie Rodriguez, photo by Sarah Wilson 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. © 2013 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

Notes from Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin.

By Paul Saldaña and Briana Garcia.

One of the things that concerns me is that our communities are not having open conversations about race relations. Austin, for example, professes to be very progressive and liberal, yet we’re completely in denial. Too often we fail to remember the painful history and challenges as experienced by our “Brown” communities.

This doesn’t mean we must convince others to agree and/or accept, it simply means we should acknowledge our past mistakes. President Obama said it best: “At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized - at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do - it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.” - Paul Saldaña HABLA Top 10 Hispanic/Latino Issues, Stories, and People of 2012 HABLA has initiated a new, annual tradition by taking a look back at the previous year and ranking the Top 10 Hispanic/Latino issues, stories and people. Thanks to the community’s involvement and support, Latinos certainly amplified our voices in 2012 to take action on current affairs, public policies and quality of life issues impacting our local Latino community.

Throughout the year, many individuals took a leadership role to make a difference, reminding our fellow Austinites of the significant contributions of local Hispanic/Latinos. Together we made a difference.

Here’s our Top 10 of 2012, starting off with #10: 10. Cross Roads Events’ “Mexican American Experience” and Bellas Artes Alliance’s “Pan Americana Festival.” >> 9. The Raza Round Table. >> 8. “Abriendo Brecha-Making Our Way,” the documentary highlights Mexican-American Trailblazers in Austin. >> 7. Celebrating 20 years of success, Con Mi MADRE. >> 6. 40th Anniversary of the election of Gus Garcia, the First Latino elected to the AISD Board of Trustees, and the List of 17 Demands for Quality Education for Mexican-Americans. >> 5. Celebrating 50 years of service, Dan’s Hairstyling and Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop. >> 4. Juan Castillo, Austin American-Statesman reporter and Somos Austin blogger, on Latino news, happenings, culture and more. >> 3. NUESTRA CULTURA NO SE VENDE! – Protecting the Integrity of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. >> 2. The East Austin community inspires a city, takes a stand, votes in new trustees and takes back their beloved neighborhood and Allan Elementary School. >> 1. Voters TRUSTED AUSTIN and Latino leaders played a significant role in the successful strategies and passage of the 10-1 Single Member Districts Plan.

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Change in 2013 Begins With Reflection

reflect on whether we have moved closer to being

By Corey Tabor

needed to progress in life.

January is the month where everyone is motivated to have the best year of their life.

Change continues with realistic goals. As I speak

Top Five Austin Latino Moments of 2012

to young people throughout Central Texas, I often

By Cindy Casares

Many are looking to get in shape, get out of debt, gain another degree or get in a relationship. For many, a new year provides a fresh start and a clean slate. We believe that everything is possible and we can make the changes we have wanted to make in the last year, or three years or five years.

hear goals that are great ideas but not realistic for

This can be true but it can only be true if we realize what kept us from reaching those goals in past years. The year is new but we are not. We have habits and patterns we have formed that make us who we are and provide the results we receive. If we are going to get the most out of 2013, there are some strategic decisions we need to make to see change.

So as we set our goals, we need to think about

the person we want to be or accomplishing what we want to accomplish. It is the daily reflection time that allows us to see our mistakes and learn from them. It is the daily reflection time that allows us to see our progress and gain energy and motivation. As we reflect, we gain the perspective

most based on our American dream mentality. I am not saying the goal cannot be accomplished but a realistic goal for you is one that is more likely to be accomplished by you than not.

who we are; what is our personality, what are our skills, and what experiences do we have.

We need to talk to people who know us well to get a realistic understanding of who we are and what we are capable of accomplishing. Without the personality, skills, experience, we will find ourselves wishing for the same things we set as goals this year.

Finally change requires healthy routines. The most effective people in the world have learned the power of consistency; doing the same thing over and over again, building routines into their lives that allow them to see long-term progress by making small decisions day after day. At the beginning of the year, we are motivated to change everything at once but the real changes happen one step at a time. Pace yourself and know that small decisions make great changes. Simple decisions like waking up on time, reading something in your area of growth, investing in someone else’s life or taking

Corey Tabor

time to pray.

These daily decisions bring about long-term

It’s that time of year when we look back at the past twelve months and say, “Well, that was stupid.” Since the world didn’t come to an end on December 21, you are reading this list. I searched the year’s Austin headlines to find things that were really important to Austin’s Latino community. I present to you now, the Top Five Austin Latino Moments of 2012.

5. Lloyd Doggett Almost Has to Run Against a Latino U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett, longtime friend of the Austin Latino community, found himself in a pickle when Republican gerrymandering left him in a newly proposed 35th Congressional District designed to knock him out of office. The proposed new district extended all the way down to San Antonio, meaning Doggett would have to run against wündertwin State Rep. Joaquin Castro. Hispanic voters in Austin could have been faced with a Sophie’s Choice in the voting booth that pitted their cultural loyalty against a proven liberal lion. Luckily, the federal courts stepped in and separated the two with their own respective districts.

4. East Austin Named 7th Most Hipster Place in America This year, Forbes put in print what everyone in East Austin already knew: the neighborhood has been overrun by skinny jean wearing, mustachioed douchenozzles riding big-wheeled bikes. Now that it’s in Forbes, expect more old man bars to be replaced by bars filled with young men dressed like old men.

As a pastor and certified life coach, I have learned how to assist others in thinking through how to set effective goals for their future. I want to share those ideas with you this month.

change. You can make a change this year and if the end of 2013 and be pleased with what you see.

3. Sam Guzman Kicked to the Curb

Change starts with reflection. We live in a society that is so forward thinking we have lost the power of reflection. In my workshop, called Prioritize for Your Purpose, I teach about the importance of daily and weekly reflection. Each day, we should take 5-10 minutes to think through our day and

Corey Tabor is the founder and Lead Pastor of Full

When AISD School Board Trustee for District 2 Sam Guzman backed Superintendent Maria Carstarphen’s plan to bring in South Texas charter operator IDEA to manage two East Austin schools, despite overwhelming protests from parents, he showed the Latino

04 TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com

you apply these simple steps, you will look back at

Life Community Church, founder/President of III (Triple I) Coaching, and founder/President of The History in the Making Community Development Center. Find him at CoreyTabor.com

community of East Austin where his loyalties really lie. Guzman pissed the neighborhood off so bad, they voted to elect District 2’s first non-Latino school board trustee since AISD moved to representation by geographic area in 1992.

2. Tejano Monument While the dedication of a Tejano monument on the South Lawn of the Texas State Capitol is a statewide achievement, the capitol is located in Austin and therefore makes #2 on my list. I was present at the dedication in March and was happy to see children in attendance from several AISD elementary schools that participated in the University of Texas’ first Tejano History Curriculum. ACC’s professor of history, Dr. Andres Tijerina, was also on hand to give the crowd a lesson in Tejano History 101. “Everything Texans brag about today is Tejano,” he said, referencing chili, barbecue and cowboying to name a few. It only took 500 years to get there, but at least we made it before the Mayan end of the world.

1. Proposition 3 Passes Without question, this year’s most exciting development for Latinos—and everyone else—in Austin was the passing of Proposition 3 to change the way Austinites elect their city councilmembers. For over 40 years, Austin has been beholden to an at-large election system in which no one councilmember takes responsibility for any neighborhood. The result is that only those wealthiest entities with the power to buy an election are represented. The new geographic representation system also does away with the gentleman’s agreement, made over 35 years ago, which holds two seats—one Latino and one Black—on the city council. Problem is, those seats are often not filled with candidates chosen by communities of color. They’ve also become a quota system with one black and one Latino being the maximum any Austin City Council has ever held. Now, all of Austin’s citizens have a chance to elect someone who comes from their neighborhood and shares their concerns.

Cindy Casares is the founding Editor of Guanabee Media, an English-language, pop culture blog network about Latinos established in 2007, a columnist for The Texas Observer, The American Prospect, Latino Metro and Senior Editor for TODO Austin.

IMMIGRATION

Immigration Reform (Yes) We Can Believe In

By Cristina Parker

Since Latinos handed President Obama a second term, there has been a lot of talk about immigration reform. Democrats are making promises and Republicans are having epiphanies. It seems the time is ripe for enacting comprehensive immigration reform. But what exactly does that mean?

Immigration reform must include: 1. A pathway to citizenship. This means that immigrants who are currently undocumented would be given the opportunity to apply for permanent residency. After some time, they will be able to apply for citizenship. The application

process for citizenship can take many years and cost thousands of dollars. But granting immigrants the opportunity to apply for residency removes the specter of deportation and allows them to work.

2. An end to mindless border enforcement. Don’t believe the hype. The border has been secured ... and then some. The only people who face dangers posed by the border are those who have been pushed into the remote, arid desert in their journey to the U.S. because of the intense militarization of the border and an immigration system that doesn’t give people the chance to migrate orderly and legally.

3. An end to private prisons. It’s a well-known fact that lobbyists for the private prison industry wrote Arizona’s SB 1070 and that the federal government is contracting the detention of noncriminal immigrants to the lowest bidders. The humanitarian consequences of this for-profit prison system were documented by Detention Watch Network last year. Three of the worst prisons are here in Texas. You can read the report at detentionwatchnetwork.org/ExposeAndClose.

4. Family reunification. Living with one’s family is a human right. Therefore, we cannot accept any immigration reform package that wouldn’t allow people to bring their families or bars people from migrating with their families. The practice of tearing apart families by deportation and detention must stop immediately with a moratorium on deportations until the final deal is worked out. This must include married, binational same-sex couples who are currently at the mercy of individual judges because of contradictions between federal immigration laws and the Defense of Marriage Act. 5. A guest worker program that recognizes both the needs of business in the U.S. and the human rights of migrant workers who work here seasonally. The economic reality is that we need workers. But we have a moral imperative to protect the rights of these workers who in fact prop up entire industries in the U.S. These are the main ingredients. But immigration

is a complex system of legal, social, political and economic factors. There are other considerations, including reforming the VISA system and making the immigration system work for future generations of immigrants.

Unfortunately, we can count on those who will capitalize on the fervor to claim that immigration reform is something else. They will hide behind feigned environmentalism and old war on terror rhetoric.

Immigration reform is not: 1. Building more walls and fences at the border.

This would include more of the cameras, infrared devices, motion detectors, drones, and military weapons and personnel. The border is more than secure. It is highly militarized.

2. Rounding up and deporting 12 million people.

This would instantly bankrupt our economy and our government in addition to being a humanitarian disaster.

3. The “self-deportation” model that is exemplified by the policies of Arizona and Alabama. The idea being that we should take away the rights and livelihoods of undocumented people so that they will leave is abhorrent.

Many think 2013 will be the year for immigration reform. It’s up to us to demand that the final deal makes sense and respects people.

Undocumented Immigrants Remembered in Human Rights Day Rally

By Cristina Parker

Immigrant advocates in Texas marked International Human Rights Day on December 10 by decrying what they call “systematic violations” of international law and the U.S. Constitution. At a 1 p.m. rally at the border fence in El Paso, protestors demanded sweeping reforms of the immigration system.

Fernando Garcia, who directs the Border Network for Human Rights, said a decade-long crackdown has led to routine racial profiling, illegal searches, forced separations, shootings of innocent people and hundreds of deaths each year of migrants attempting to cross remote deserts, mountains and rivers.

“All of this has been the result of this almost ideological border enforcement - enforcement, enforcement and more enforcement. It has been very personal for many of us, because that could be one of our family members - our granddads, brothers and sisters - dying.”

Proposals for comprehensive immigration reform have been scuttled in recent years by those who say the border should be sealed first. However, the latest census data confirms that over the last five years, net migration from Mexico has fallen by almost one million, to zero.

After Latino voters turned out in greater-than-

expected numbers in the last election, many lawmakers are now signaling they are ready to rethink their anti-reform stance.

Garcia says most Hispanics seeking opportunity or family reunification prefer to do so by legal means, but a broken system has made that almost impossible. Contrary to political rhetoric, he adds, the nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants are not asking to jump to the front of the citizenship line.

“We understand that there’s going to be provisional residency, then permanent residency, and then, in a few years, citizenship. We know that it’s going to take a while. And we know that, yep, we’re going to be sent to the back of the line. But, right now, the line doesn’t work.”

Besides a pathway to citizenship, he said reforms should steer resources toward administrative problems - like the growing backlog of residency applications - instead of toward building more border walls and militarized enforcement efforts. Meanwhile, he stated, groups like his will continue to seek remedies for what they see as human rights violations through local, national, and international channels.

TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com 05

IACT Brings India Republic Day Gala to Austin Indian American Coalition of Texas (IACT) will be holding its annual gala on Saturday, January 26, from 3-8 p.m. in North Austin at Lanier High School, 1201 Payton Gin Road.

The free event, “India & United States – Partners in Peace and Prosperity!,” will commemorate India’s 64th Republic Day with a nod to building a greater partnership between the United States and India.

Featured guest speaker at the event is, Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of SAALT (South Asian Americans Leading Together). Iyer, an immigrant who moved to the U.S. from India when she was twelve years old, is a noted attorney who has advocated for effective policies and practices around language access, civil rights, immigration reform and

Courageous Conversations: Understanding the Impact and Role of Institutionalized Racism “Courageous Conversations” are quarterly racial equity trainings that explore the root causes of disproportionality and disparities through an examination of race, its manifestations, and the history of institutionalized racism and how it impacts communities of color and people living in poverty.

The public is invited to the first training of the new year is scheduled for January 29, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at 4900 North Lamar, HHSC Brown Heatly Building, Public Hearing Room 1410.

Race, and institutional and structural racism are at the core of disproportionate and disparate outcomes for communities of color and people living in poverty. In this training, provided by

voting rights. A former staff attorney at the Asian American Justice Center and Legal Director at the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, Iyer has also served as Trial Attorney at the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice where she worked closely on initiatives to address post 9/11 backlash discrimination.

The family-friendly event will include cultural performances, henna tattoos, Indian cuisine and drinks including samosa, tandoori, curry, Chole bhature Biryani and more. Local and state representatives are expected to be on hand as well.

IACT promotes political awareness among Austin’s Indian American community by educating and involving its members to effectively participate at all levels of government and the community at large. For more information on the event and organization, go to iactaustin.org.

Mayor Lee Leffingwell with IACT members at 2012 celebration. (Alosen photo)

the Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities (CEDD), participants will discuss: the history and impact of institutional and structural racism; the ethical concept of dual accountability; the correlation between health equity and racial justice; and current thinking and internal and systemic biases regarding why people are poor and how these biases contribute to racial inequality, impact decision making, service delivery, access to services and ultimately contribute to disproportionate and disparate outcomes in health, education, and many other systems serving vulnerable populations.

The training is free; however registration is required (deadline to register is January 25). To register for the session, visit: https://docs.google. com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFl0Yld HQVNjYkFKdGRNTU5mLWtvZ2c6MA Find this link in the online version of this issue. http://issuu.com/todo_austin/docs/vol_iv_iss09

Austin’s community advocates receiving UT Leadership Awards at the Carver Museum and Cultural Center. (UT photo)

UT Recognized with Excellence in Diversity Award

The University of Texas at Austin is among the recipients of the first-ever Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. UT was featured along with 47 other recipients in the December 2012 issue of the magazine.

Schools were selected based on initiatives to promote diversity, including those focused on race, ethnicity, gender, disabilities, veteran status and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

“Given our global society, it is imperative the education of our future leaders includes the benefits of a culturally and intellectually diverse campus environment,” said Gregory J. Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement. “UT is strongly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus that promotes a robust exchange of ideas, cross-racial and cross-cultural understanding, and the opportunity for all to participate. The HEED award reflects the strength of our commitment and success in enriching the campus culture.”

Upon taking office in 2006, President Bill

06 TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com

Powers made diversity one of his four strategic priorities. Since that time, he created the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, which hosts a number of broad initiatives that support the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, staff and student body as well as increasing the academic success of diverse student populations, including first-generation college students, students of color, students with disabilities and students in the LGBT community. Every college and school at the university has undertaken diversity initiatives that have created numerous pathways for diverse student populations to participate in a rich academic and social life at the university. As a result, UT is one of the most diverse public research universities in the nation.

The HEED award was established to serve as a reminder that diversity and inclusion must remain priorities in higher education.

Asian Austin About Town Lucky Chaos Theater Casting Auditions Lucky Chaos is casting actors, improvisers and performance artists this month for its 2013 schedule. Although its shows have an Asian flair, all ethnicities are encouraged to apply. The company, a project of the Austin Asian American Arts Collective, has a mission “to promote original works by artists of Asian descent or works about the Asian American experience, especially in performance and visual arts,” said founder Leng Wong. “We want our stories told. We want a place to do it. This is the place.”

concerning diversity and political representation.

CAAS organized several events that explored the participation of Asian Americans in American and Texan society and culture, including talks by internationally renowned speakers, George Lipsitz on “Why Asian American Studies Matters Now” and Caroline Brettell on “Participatory Citizenship and Civic Engagement: Asian Immigrants in DFW” and the panels “Asian Americans & Fisher v. Texas” and “Fisher v. U.T. & You: A Conversation with Civil Rights Leaders.” Such programs drew attention to the challenges faced by Asian Americans in gaining fuller integration in the United States.

Fall 2012 also witnessed the completion of CAAS’s strategic plan, which, as CAAS Director Dr. Madeline Y. Hsu said, “Maps out a three-year course of action in the areas of academic curriculum, programming, student and community outreach, communications, and fundraising. We heartily thank our hardworking and dedicated committee members: Ge Chen, Esther Chung, Rowena Fong, Smita Ruzicka, Lok Siu, Channy Soeur, Tony Vo, and Jennifer Wang, with particular applause going to our consultant Linda Dickens and program coordinator, Sona Shah, who spearheaded the process. With this roadmap in hand, CAAS is bound for a more expansive future serving Asian American students on campus and generating greater awareness and resources to support their perspectives.”

Producers ask that interested performers specify if they have improv training or other movement, dance, slam poetry, storytelling, puppetry, mime, mask work backgrounds. The group features lots of experimentation as the group dynamics drive its stories. Email leng@luckychaos.com to learn more audition details.

The 2013 schedule includes “Winter of our DysContent,” a Shakespeare show using a traditional Asian artform, playing the first two weekends of March with possible shows in April, “My Asian Mom and My Jewish Mom,” and “Normal Like Us - The Depression Chronicles.”

“Normal Like Us – The Depression Chronicles” (playing monthly, February to June) is a program about living with depression, bipolar and anxiety disorders, with traditional and interpretive scenes and stories taken from the performers’ stories with submissions from the community. “My Asian Mom and My Jewish Mom” (February) oscillates from fact to fiction, angelic to evil incarnate, and is a show about both the Asian and the Jewish mom.

The production is made up of three segments: scripted, with selections from published plays (directed by Mike Ferstenfeldt), plus stories submitted by the community read onstage in the form of monologues and spoken word, and traditional and interpretive scenes based on stories from the community.

U.T. Center for Asian American Studies 2012 was a year filled with many accomplishments at CAAS. Last fall, the presidential election and the Supreme Court case on affirmative action, Fisher v. U.T., directed attention to U.T. and issues

Bollywood Shake Austin Open House Bollywood Shake will be hosting a lively fitness party on Saturday, January 12, from 2-4 p.m. at its studio at 10700 Anderson Mills Rd. The group is offering up to 40% discounts on all classes for those who attend the event. There’ll be performances by Bollywood Shake students of all age-groups, instructor-guided dance workshops, raffles, prizes, music, dancing and more.

Families with Children from China Celebration Plan ahead for FCC’s 2013 Chinese New Year celebration on Sunday, February 3, from 2:30-5 p.m. at The Marchesa Hall (6226 Middle Fiskville Road). Hors d’oeuvres will be served, as well as a featured dumpling eating contest and silent auction fundraiser. For more go to www.main.org/ fccaustin.

P rofil e

- Ismail Lalani

By Harish Kotecha

Ismail Lalani, a minority accountant and tax practitioner from Pakistan, came to the states with nothing but his family and some personal belongings. A well-respected and well-off man in Karachi, he found himself just another person in the crowd in Dallas trying to make a living for his family. His four kids were young and his mother was growing old. His spouse, who had never worked back in Pakistan, had to take on mundane jobs as Lalani, who holds a bachelors and masters degrees, started from scratch, working multiple jobs at once in hopes to own his own business again.

Lalani’s hope didn’t take long to become a reality. He found work at an accounting and tax practice, and soon started a partnership in Dallas where he established his own clientele. Word got out about his experience and joyful nature, and a few years later he was able to start a branch in Austin. He moved to Austin, but it wasn’t all an easy ride going forward.

Dr. Madeline Y. Hsu

CAAS needs community support to ensure that Asian American Studies enjoys a vibrant future at U.T., as CAAS is one of only a handful of programs that promotes research and understanding about Asian Americans in the South and Southwest. Learn more at www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/aas/.

He started off with 15 clients in his Austin practice. Lalani and his wife, who had now joined the practice, went door-to-door trying to obtain business. With his experience and convincing power, he was able to grow his practice.

Regardless of the countless government and IRS deadlines, he was able to make time to study

Chinese Immigrants, Native Americans, and the Religio-Racial Politics of Reconstruction Native American and Indigenous Studies and Asian American Studies are often perceived as fields that share little in common with each other. This series, sponsored by the U.T. Center for Asian American Studies and the Native American and Indigenous Studies Program, features scholars whose work defies such perceptions by exploring how these seemingly disparate fields possess overlapping and frequently, contested histories.

Joshua Paddison shares his reflections on Friday, February 1, 12:30-1:30 p.m. in SAC 5.118. Paddison is a visiting assistant professor at Indiana University, where he teaches courses for the departments of Religious Studies, American Studies, and History.

- 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.

and become a certified Enrolled Agent, which gave him the same rights as CPAs to practice and represent taxpayers before the IRS. Over the years, Lalani has gained experience in every aspect of a business’ needs, including accounting, tax and payroll, but also loans, employment laws, business licenses, audits and more.

photo by Ravi Pothukuchi

Today, Lalani has a well-established practice serving various industries and providing a variety of services, employing many personnel. His daughter, Naureen Lalani, has joined the family business as a CPA. The Lalani family exerts the same familial nature with their clients and they hope to continue serving the needs of many more businesses. In the very near future, they plan on expanding their payroll services, and will provide full payroll service, including HR services, insurance, retirement plans, and more.

Lalani to learn more about his practice at www. nilalani.com or call 512-436-0204.

TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com 07

Celebrating Diversity

19th Annual MLK March The Austin Area Heritage Council presents the annual community celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, January 21. This year marks the 19th annual march, which begins on the University of Texas campus at 9 a.m. with a short program at the MLK statue.

The celebration, which has previously drawn up to 15,000 people, is sponsored by multiple community organizations, including the university’s John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies. Gregory J. Vincent, U.T. vice president for diversity and community engagement, said of last year’s event, “The march is a reminder of the tremendous efforts and personal sacrifices of those in the civil rights movement, and we hope it encourages participants to work for equity and social justice now.”

Bridge2Bridge From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

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In a display of uplifting diversity and multiculturalism in the city, the MLK march heads from the U.T. campus toward the Capitol for gospel music, then proceeds to Huston-Tillotson University where a multitude of activities are planned. Businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals are invited to march.

The MLK Community Festival kicks off when the march arrives at HTU and lasts until 3 p.m. It includes food and drink vendors, local musical artists and more.

Previous to the march, the 2013 MLK Youth Scholarship Awards will be presented at a program scheduled for 3-5 p.m., Saturday, January 19, at Austin Community College, 3401 Webberville Road, Building 8000 in the Multipurpose Room. The scholarship awards were created to recognize youth in the Austin community for their outstanding commitment and achievement, as well as inspire the next generation of healthcare workers. The award recipients will receive a $1000 scholarship courtesy of the Applied Materials Foundation and the Seton Family of Hospitals.

For more information on MLK celebration activities, go to mlkcelebration.com 12 TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com

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Mexic-Arte Museum’s Mix ‘N Mash fourth annual exhibition and art sale continues through January 13.

Ampersand Art Supply’s Elaine Salazar and Edwin Ramos donated over 200 art boards for the featured original works of art created by local, national, and international artists. Contributions are available for purchase with all proceeds benefiting the museum’s education and exhibition programming. mexic-artemuseum.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • In Fidencio Duran’s new series, “Heaven & Earth,” running January 19-March 30 in the Main Gallery of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, the artist continues his personal investigation into the relationship between mankind and the landscape we inhabit. Honored by numerous organizations, Duran is also a renowned muralist and instructor. maccaustin.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The National Theatre of Scotland returns with an evening of anarchic theatre, live music, and strange goings-on in “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart.”

Hart, an uptight academic, sets off to attend a conference in Kelso in the Scottish Borders, where the folk-studies community has gathered for a symposium. January 1619 at 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. Saturday matinee at Palm Door (401A Sabine Street). texasperformingarts.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Tejano music legend Oscar Martinez’s “The Big Red Bus” retrospective is on exhibit January 19-March 30 in the ESB-MACC’s Community Gallery. Martinez’s paintings capture his days touring with his orchestra. Honored by the Tejano Hall of Fame, Tejano Roots Hall of Fame, and Benson Latino American Collection at UT Austin, his music is archived at Texas Tech’s Southwest Music Collection. maccaustin.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Women & Their Work presents “Look to the Left,” a solo exhibition by artist Wendy Wagner, January 24-March 14. Wagner embraces youthful innocence and creates a distinctive make-believe world using painting, drawing, ceramic, soft sculpture and animation. Working with themes inspired by childhood, pets, family and fantasy, she extracts the enchantment from everyday life and infuses it in her art. womenandtheirwork.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • On the heels of a 2012 Grammy Award, new music ensemble eighth blackbird returns for ten days of residency activities at the University of Texas, bookended by concert programs Monday, January 28 and Monday, February 4, at McCullough Theatre, 8 p.m. The sextet combines the finesse of a string quartet with the energy of a rock band, delivering provocative and mind-changing performances. texasperformingarts.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Legendary flamenco/classical guitarist Esteban mesmerizes audiences with his stunning and passionate style of Spanish Guitar that is influenced by New Age, great love songs and Latin pop. He has topped the Billboard charts over eight times and earned thousands of accolades from critics and dedicated fans alike. A memorable evening is in store at One World Theatre on Sunday, January 13, 6 p.m. oneworldtheatre.org

TODO Arts

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FronteraFest 2013 // Various Theaters // It’s time to heat up your winter nights, with the holy-smokes-this-is-momentous, 20th anniversary season of FronteraFest at Hyde Park Theatre. With the Short Fringe, Long Fringe, BYOV, or Mi Casa Es Su Teatro, as always and ever, the fest is five weeks of alternative, new, and just plain off-the-wall fringe theatre. As they say, too bad there’s no actual way to expect the unexpected, because that is your only hope. fronterafest.com

Disney’s The Lion King // Bass Concert Hall // Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life, thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score including “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.” Imaginations run wild at the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Newsweek calls “a landmark event in entertainment.” It’s eagerly awaited return leaps onto the stage Jan 16-Feb 10. texasperformingarts.org

Igudesman & Joo // Long Center // “A Little Nightmare Music” is a unique show full of virtuosity, enchanting music and zany, outrageous humor from Russian violinist Igudesman and Korean/British pianist Joo. The new kings of classical music comedy have become a viral sensation with 30 million hits on YouTube.

On Monday, January 21, they’ll bring what Monty Python’s Terry Jones calls “surrealism to the concert hall” and take “its trousers down.” thelongcenter.org

The image of a group of huddled Austin Latino music promoters discussing Carrie Rodriguez was cryptic, capturing history and the future in the mind’s eye, all at once.

It was nearing South by Southwest season a few years ago and a showcase featuring artists of Hispanic ancestry was being arranged. The wish list of performers was narrow in focus but inspired: Carlos Santana, Los Lobos, Linda Ronstadt, Gloria Estefan, Jose Feliciano, Carrie Rodriguez. It was a role call of some of the most influential musicians in history. And, the outlier, Rodriguez, on the strength of a career only a decade old, already so highly regarded that she’s not only captured the heart of Americana music aficionados but infused the Latino community with a singular dose of Ameri-Chicana pride.

Photo by Sarah Wilson

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t” ou Go Y l l A Me “Give h t i w t Bold i B e l a Litt

“I have done quite a bit of touring abroad in this last decade, and every time I come home, I have an even deeper appreciation for our country and the cultural gumbo that resides here,” said Rodriguez in an interview with TODO Austin earlier this month. “I find a lot of beauty in the cross-pollination of our diverse cultural traditions.

I was recently part of a Woody Guthrie tribute concert where I saw Lila Downs sing ‘This Land Is Your Land’ with a cumbia beat and translated into Spanish. It was amazing. Her version was so true to the message of the song. I am proud to be a Cont. on pg. 10

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”

january Line-up

Taco Bar

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

----------------------------------------------------------------WED 1/2 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 1/3 LOS FLAMES (6:30) FRI 1/4 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 1/5 PAUL ORTA & THE KINGPINS (6:30) SUN 1/6 W.C. CLARK & THE RECUPERATORS (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 1/9 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 1/10 THE FABS (6:30) FRI 1/11 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 1/12 THE TEXAS TYCOONS (6:30) SUN 1/13 TRENT TURNER & THE MOONTOWERS (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 1/16 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 1/17 HARP ON THIS (6:30) FRI 1/18 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 1/19 PONTY BONE & THE SQUEEZETONES (6:30) SUN 1/20 MITCH WEBB & THE SWINDLES (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 1/23 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 1/24 RICH HOPKINS Y LOS LUMINARIOS (6:30) FRI 1/25 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 1/26 EVE MONSEES (6:30) SUN 1/27 CHICKEN STRUT (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 1/30 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 1/31 THE BANZAI PROJECT (6:30)

www.GuerosTacoBar.com

Cont. from pg. 9

fiddle playing chicana, and if that inspires some young folks to try something a little bit outside of what their cultural traditions dictate, then I would be very excited about that.”

“I left Austin when I was 17, and at that time I was a classical violinist and had never written a piece of music,” said Rodriguez. “I probably do listen to music in a different way now. However, whether it’s sung or instrumental, written this year or 300 years ago, music with soul still moves me in the same way that it always did. That being said, there are certain kinds of music that take age and experience to fully appreciate. Take Chavela Vargas for example. I don’t think the teenage version of myself knew enough about heartache to fully understand her power. I have a recording of her singing rancheras with solo acoustic guitar.

It’s raw, painful, and totally transcendent. I only put her on when I am ready to sit on the couch and cry for a while.”

All have their eyes – and hearts – on one of Austin’s favorite native-daughters as she releases her fifth full-length solo album, “Give Me All You Got,” on Ninth Street Opus Records, in January with a pair of Austin appearances at Waterloo Records and Stateside at the Paramount. Rodriguez, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who came to attention a decade ago performing with singer-songwriter Chip Taylor, has established an impressive roster of touring, recording, and cowriting affiliations with Americana music stalwarts such as Lucinda Williams, Rickie Lee Jones, John Prine, Mary Gauthier, Alejandro Escovedo, Bill Frisell and others.

The sound of “Give Me All You Got,” is “a little more infectious, rather than contemplative,” explained Townsend. “It still addresses Carrie’s roots in Americana, but also with a bit of a pop edge. I think it is her most mature record — every direction that is explored is distilled to an essential kind of expression.

There are transcendent elements working together in Rodriguez’s music career, one dominated by a series of dazzling fiddle playing and vocal performances and engaging studio recordings.

“Give Me All You Got,” which will be released January 22, will earn the attention of listeners with its seamless interweaving of adventurous melodies and stories of possessed beauty and subtle ire.

Rodriguez’s lyrics are reflective and intimate as she revisits memories in a voice almost intangible, displaying visceral bemusement and perpetual optimism. In “Brooklyn,” she sings, “Oh, I’d like to think that all those years of push and pull and me in tears were worth something.”

“I’m laying out some extreme emotional highs and lows, which feels good,” said Rodriguez.

“Take ‘Brooklyn’ (co-written with guitarist Luke Jacobs). It’s very autobiographical, and I remember thinking, would I really want to share this? I decided, of course, why hold this back? It’s something that a lot of people can relate to—the acceptance of failure in a relationship, learning from it, and moving forward. ‘Brooklyn’ is also a song about taking a pause in order to really experience what you are feeling, something I find increasingly difficult in this modern era of constant communication and stimulation.”

In a voice Lucinda Williams describes as, “A little smoky and sweet,” Rodriguez sings, “Sometime I gotta get a little bit bold / To try to get at the core of what’s going on in my heart ... Nothing wrong with a little clean air and a brand new start. Oh my, look at where we began / It’s no wonder I ran / You always wanted more.”

Rodriguez believes that moving back to Austin in 2010 helped influence the new album. “So much of this album was inspired by coming home to Austin,” she said. “I had been living in New York City for almost a decade when I moved back to my hometown. One of the first things that I realized I had been missing was waking up to the sounds of the birds. I live in a sweet little garage apartment in Hyde Park, so I am basically at bird level … I love it! The peace and quiet here allowed me to reflect on life in a way that I couldn’t do in New York.

10 TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com

Photo by Sarah Wilson

The pace is so fast there, it can be hard to be fully aware and in the present … you are always having to think of the next thing or you will be left behind.

A lot of the tunes on this record are reflections of life from a slightly more relaxed vantage point.”

“Hopefully, a little of everything that goes into my ears influences what comes out. I’ve never been one to stick to any particular genre. I am a fan of so many different styles of music — from Bill Frisell’s jazz guitar landscapes to Feist’s quirky, honest pop songs to Chavela’s gut-wrenching rancheras to Spending time on the frontier of Americana music, Chet Baker’s honey-voiced ballads.” and with three albums issued under her own name and major label support for the 2008, “She Ain’t At each stage of Rodriguez’s career — as a fiddler, Me,” the release of “Give Me All You Got,” marks a singer, and songwriter — she has learned the bold step for Rodriguez. The album was recorded importance of letting go. Born in Austin and raised with her own band at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, on a broad range of pop, traditional and classical California, and produced by the renowned Lee music, Rodriguez began training on the violin at Townsend, with whom she has worked closely in age five while simultaneously developing a taste the past. The songs — which she wrote, co-wrote, for fiddling under the influence of her father, or handpicked from the repertoire of longtime singer/songwriter David Rodriguez. Rodriguez’s collaborators — establish her musical identity father, an accomplished songwriter, took her on tour with him when she was a teen, but song more powerfully than ever before. craft, like improvising on fiddle and singing, “These new original tunes run the gamut of didn’t come automatically to her. After sitting in intense emotions, from heartache to budding on a sound check with her dad’s old Houston new love, from betrayal to resigned acceptance, pal, Lyle Lovett, she detoured from a degree as and finally to the sheer joy of simply being alive,” a classical violinist at Oberlin Conservatory of Rodriguez divulged. “For the first time, I feel that Music, set herself on course to become a fiddler the passionate spirit of my live show has truly been at the Berklee College of Music and has kept captured in a studio album. The experienced and up the pace since. Chip Taylor (of “Wild Thing” artful producer Lee Townsend led the way, and I and “Angels of the Morning” fame), discovered was surrounded by my closest friends, who have Rodriguez at the 2001 SXSW music conference shared many miles and much music with me over and invited her to play fiddle with him. Soon after, the years. We made this record with our hearts Taylor asked her to join him as both a singer and collaborator. open and our eyes closed.

“But, for me, it is her burgeoning composing abilities that help make the new album an especially beguiling and memorable listening experience,” Townsend observed. “Whether writing on her own or in collaboration with close musical colleagues like Chip Taylor and guitarist Luke Jacobs, Carrie’s formidable songwriting gifts are a revelation and the collective power of her songs and those she selected by other songwriters is both illuminating and astonishing.”

On “Give Me All You Got,” which includes songs

by Taylor and Ben Kyle (with whom Rodriguez recorded the 2011 EP, “We Still Love Our Country”), the recording’s emotional core resides in originals drawn from Rodriguez’s personal experience. “I feel less afraid to write about what’s really happening, both to me and to people around me,” Rodriguez said. The song “Sad Joy,” for instance, arose from a conversation with Taylor about a loved one who was maintaining a, “bright, beautiful attitude,” while dealing with Lou Gehrig’s disease. “Chip and I were talking about how, when we are faced with those kinds of things, as sad and difficult as they are, they can also bring about a type of joy. The simple joy of people loving each other and holding each other up — in times of both celebration and in mourning. We started strumming some chords, and there it was, a song that lays out those raw emotions without being shy about it. Celebrating them, in fact.”

SHOW INFO Celebrate the release of Carrie’s new album, “Give Me All You Got,” on Ninth Street Opus Records.

Tuesday, January 22, 5 p.m.

Waterloo Records - in-store performance (Refreshments provided by Shiner).

Friday, January 25, 8 p.m. Stateside at the Paramount - Concert tickets ($20) available at austintheatre.org

Something’s afoot in the palace of the Count of Almaviva as the Austin Lyric Opera presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s, “The Marriage of Figaro,” at Dell Hall later this month.

In the scope of a single “day of madness,” the opera takes us on a laugh-out-loud ride filled with schemes, masquerades and mistaken identities in this opera buffa (comic opera). Continuing their riotous escapades from “The Barber of Seville,” the infamous Figaro, his bride-to-be Susanna, and the Countess conspire to expose and embarrass the cunning, skirt-chasing Count.

Austin Lyric Opera takes Motzart’s masterpiece to new heights in their 2013 production with performances Thursday, January 31 and Saturday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, February 3 at 3 p.m. in Dell Hall of The Long Center for the Performing Arts. Ticket prices start at $19 and can be purchased online at austinlyricopera.org or at

Austin Intercultural Arts

By TODO Austin staff

Global Austin, in partnership with the City of Austin, is launching a new resource for anyone wanting more information about international-intercultural happenings in Austin. The International Austin website, www. internationalaustin.org, features an event calendar and includes a directory of international organizations and their resources. Designed to be a resource for locals and visitors alike, it also connects Central Texas’ diverse international organizations with each other.

the ALO box office, 701 W. Riverside Drive.

The production of The Marriage of Figaro marks the return of Jamie-Rose Guarrine (“The Magic Flute,” 2011) and bass Paolo Pecchioli (“The Italian Girl in Algiers,” 2011) to ALO, as they take on the roles of Susanna and Figaro in this riotously funny staging of Mozart’s classic.

“The Marriage of Figaro,” set in the palace of Count Almaviva near Seville, Spain, finds Countess Rosina in a situation with Dr. Bartolo, who is seeking revenge against Figaro for thwarting his plans to marry Rosina himself. Almaviva has degenerated from the romantic youth of “Barber” into a scheming, bullying, skirt-chasing baritone.

Having gratefully given Figaro a job as head of his servant-staff, the Count is now persistently trying to obtain the favors of Figaro’s bride-to-be, Susanna.

He keeps finding excuses to delay the civil part of has identified more than 200 potential member organizations in the areas of international business and trade, culture and the arts, education, and citizen diplomacy. The Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance at St. Edward’s University, the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at UT Austin, the Austin Intercultural Network, Euro Circle Austin and the Austin Polish Society are some of the key organizations involved in establishing the requirements and features of the website. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. -Chris Summers

The website includes a calendar of events by category, a search tool, and includes a directory of international organizations that produce events and the resources that they offer to the community at large. Global Austin is actively signing up key members to be included in the calendar with over 50 groups already registered.

Business, professional, non-profit, and student organizations are encouraged to join groups posting to the International Austin web site.

State of the Arts Conference: Strategies for Success // Texas Commission on the Arts and the Texas Cultural Trust host a conference January 31-February 1 at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol (701 E. 11th St.) featuring topics range from gaining financial stabilty to building new audiences, using social media to effective marketing, arts education to ADA compliance. There will also be keynote presentations, interactive break-out sessions and lots of opportunities for networking. For more information and to register: http://strat4success. eventbrite.com/

Thus far, Global Austin, which hosts close to 500 visitors a year through various programs,

Austin Cultural Arts Division The City’s Cultural Arts Division kicked off

the wedding of his two servants, which is arranged for this very day. Figaro, Susanna, and the Countess conspire to embarrass the Count and expose his scheming. He responds by trying to compel Figaro legally to marry a woman old enough to be his mother, but it turns out at the last minute that she is really his mother. Through Figaro’s and Susanna’s clever manipulations, the Count’s love for his Countess is finally restored. All are reunited, and so ends this “mad day” at the court of the Almavivas.

May 1, 1786, with Mozart himself directing the first two performances, conducting while seated at the keyboard, which was the custom of the day. Later performances were by Joseph Weigl. The first production was given eight further performances, all in 1786.

“Figaro” premiered at the Burgtheater in Vienna on

If you’re new to opera, Austin Lyric Opera offers free pre-opera lectures for all of its operas. One hour before every performance a lecturer gives a free 30-minute talk on the opera that follows. All preopera lectures take place on the main floor of Dell Hall at The Long Center. Seating is unreserved, and while there is no charge for admission, an opera ticket for that specific performance is required.

Doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the lectures, which begin an hour before the performance begins.

2013 with an announcement that Austin is the recipient of an NEA Art Works grant to support the development of a cultural tourism plan. Division Manager Megan Crigger and company will soon be convening its partners in the arts community, Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, the tourism industry, and local business leaders to focus efforts on marketing Austin’s rich arts and cultural offerings and growing cultural tourism.

Cultural Arts Division had many successes shared with its arts partners last year, including the release of the Arts & Economic Prosperity IV study and the Local Arts Index, in partnership with Americans for the Arts, along with an independent study, Economic Impact of the Creative Sector in Austn - 2012 Update, which yielded, according to Crigger, “A renewed awareness for policy makers and advocates to recognize the deep intrinsic and economic value of arts and culture in Austin.

These studies confirm that our vibrant arts and cultural community increases the quality of life for us all, creates jobs, generates tax revenue, and makes Austin a more attractive destination for travelers.”

The Cultural Funding program awarded 235 cultural contracts, reaching over six million audience members, including over 2.1 million tourists. The Art in Public Places program

completed eight public art projects at various sites, among them the Mexican American Cultural Center and Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park, and restored a significant historic and cultural landmark mural at the A.B. Cantu Recreation Center.

“Work done by community arts partners, led by mindPOP, and comprising arts organizations, business and philanthropic leaders, and AISD, resulted in an inventory of all AISD K-8 campuses and community arts partners,” said Crigger. “As a result, a final plan for systemic improvements in access to quality creative learning was revealed as part of the Kennedy Center Any Given Child initiative, along with announcements of over a $1 million from philanthropic partners, and the recent AISD Board approval of the AnnualAcademic Facilities Recommendation in support of Any Given Child.”

Austin Film Society received a $75,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Our Town grant in partnership with the Cultural Arts Division as the local arts agency to fund community engagement and design for Austin Studios’ expansion. In November, the group produced the Austin Creates! stage as part of the first Austin Fan Fest during the Formula One race, and ended the year with Austin’s New Year production.

“The Marriage of Figaro” is now regarded as a cornerstone of the standard operatic repertoire, and it appears as number six on the Operabase list of the most-performed operas worldwide. The opera was composed in 1786 in four acts by Mozart with a libretto in Italian by Lorenzo Da Ponte, based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro (1784).

TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com 11

Coach Chris’ Corner: Getting Fit in 2013

By Chris Summers

If you’re like most people you probably indulged a bit more than you knew you should have over the holidays. You also probably moved a lot less than you know you should have. This being January, the top three resolutions people make are about “change”: 1) “Get Fit,” more often stated as loose weight; 2) Quit Smoking; 3) Change Their Association, find a better level of friends to hang out with.

As you may have already realized, “diets” don’t work. Not because of lack of desire or will power to lose weight, but because they are, by definition, temporary. What’s required for lasting change is a change in habits. It’s been noted that, “first we make our habits, then our habits make us.” It takes 21 days to create or break a habit. When you break a habit you are actually exchanging one behavior pattern for another.

People typically just don’t quit smoking,

Does Austin Need a Folk Art Museum? Is Austin Ready for One?

By Kathleen Fitzgerald Austin Friends of Folk Art invite you to attend an expert panel and community discussion about creating a Folk Art Museum in Austin – a museum that embraces the creativity of folk art in all its forms, representing the broad cultural diversity of the Austin area. Area folk art enthusiasts have nurtured this dream for years, and this is a major step toward making the dream a reality.

AFFA is seeking to build a coalition of artistic and ethnic groups, as well as civic and business organizations and individuals to help lay the foundation for this effort. Since 1987, Austin Friends of Folk Art has orbited the world of outsider art and folk culture. From indigenous art to indie films, from tangos, to passionately collected ethnic crafts and fabulous original yard art, AFFA finds and supports the best folk art around.

On Friday, January 25, AFFA is hosting a community discussion about a potential folk art museum for Austin, featuring the following panel of speakers: Lance Aaron, Mexican folk art collector; Gary Hoover, entrepreneur and creator of innovative museum experiences; Marion Oettinger, curator of Latin American Art, San Antonio Museum of Art; Ned Rifkin, UT Professor of Art and Art History, former director of Blanton Museum; and Sherry Kafka Wagner, urban design consultant including museum design and acquisition.

12 TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com

they replace that habit with something else, hopefully something that is healthier. So if you want to alter your body composition, instead of some trendy crash diet, alter your behaviors.

The formula for a healthy body is pretty simple: Move More, Consume Less. One pound of body fat is equivalent to 3500 calories. So to loose one pound of body mass in a week you can either move more than you currently do per day (500 Cal worth) or consume 500 Cal less per day.

So how do you get started? Think about what you are putting in your engine. The F1 cars don’t zoom around the track with leaded fuel in their tanks. No, they run at high performance for a long time because they have high grade fuel. First, stay hydrated. Most Americans are chronically dehydrated and do not even realize it. Eat a Rainbow-a-Day. This has been my mantra since high school when I cut out all junk food. (Thanks, Mom) Make sure you get a wide variety of different colored foods every day; red, white, green, yellow, and purple/blue.

Start with your 9-13 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. This will also help with your fiber requirements. I believe in eating real food first, natural & organic is best when you can get The free event happens at 7 p.m. in room 305 of Fleck Hall at St. Edward’s University, 3001 S. Congress Ave., with an international reception to follow the discussion. AFFA is presenting this event with support from the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division.

Folk art comes out of a cultural tradition of hand-making functional objects that are necessary in everyday life–usually for utilitarian or religious purposes. Often the craft skills are passed down through families not considered schooled in art, yet some of these artists achieve a very high level of technical expertise and express a uniquely creative vision. This can make it difficult to draw a clear line between folk art and fine art. What is clear is that many artists develop outside the centers of academic training (a fact which in 1975 prompted Roger Cardinal to coin the phrase “outsider art”) and that even academically trained artists (like Picasso) find inspiration in the materials, techniques, vision and energy of traditional folk arts.

AFFA’s definition of “folk art” is broad and flexible enough to embrace everything from urban mural art, Feng Shui and Southwest Petroglyphs to Moroccan fortune-telling, Oaxacan wood carving and Byzantine icon painting. And that doesn’t begin to describe the broad range of our interests, which really include any art by any folk.

Founded in 1987 by a small but enthusiastic band of culturally curious explorers, AFFA has carried out its activities as a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization since 1988. For more information go to austinfriendsoffolkart.org

it (and afford it), and then minimally processed foods, and of course, taking supplements to fill the gaps our hectic lifestyle inevitably produces.

Carbs are Cool – fat burns in a carbohydrate flame. Carbohydrates help light the spark to tap the greatest source of fuel in your tanks. Fat contains nine Cal per gram, and protein and carbs only four Cal per gram. Cutting out carbs in your diet can have a negative effect on your mood, energy level, ability to build muscle and even to concentrate. So when fueling up for a workout, or just trying to make it through a busy day, eat good carbs like whole grains, fruit, leafy green veggies, and nuts.

While there is a lot involved in exercise psychology, body chemistry, and nutritional science, it still comes down to a simple formula, eat less and move more.

Coach Chris is certified in Personal Training, and Triathlon and Cycling coaching and has been studying the effects of nutrition on sports performance since his high school gymnastics days.

Make Fit Fun – If you don’t like to do it, you won’t be doing it very long. Be honest with yourself, if you dread a particular exercise, regardless of how much you know you need to do it, you will find excuses to get out of it. Find a way to make it more enjoyable. Join a hiking group, sign up with your favorite animal rescue group to walk the dogs, or take a canoe out on the lake. No matter what it is, get up and move. As you progress in your fitness plan you’ll find ways to increase the frequency, duration, and intensity.

This is the key to your fitness program.

Mask. An Afternooon’s Passage to India” was co-sponsored by Austin Friends of Folk Art and Marigold: Gateway to India on S. Lamar. Photo by Alexandra M. Landeros

South Asians’ International Volunteer Association

By Harish Kotecha

“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” ~ Betty Friedan Aging is one of the biggest fundamental truths of our lives. Despite its problems, aging is a journey and every person goes through a different set of experiences. What makes it so different for each and every person? Well, it depends on how a person perceives aging and what course of action he or she chooses to take.

In order to transform the aging experience into a fruitful and positive experience, South Asians’ International Volunteer Association (SAIVA) is working tirelessly and doing a phenomenal job at it. Based in Austin, SAIVA is a non-profit organization dedicated to South Asian seniors. The mission and vision of SAIVA is to help seniors become active participants in their own communities and in the process make them empowered in every possible way. These volunteering programs range from food preparations, clothes donation, to maintaining a library, and teaching a class.

Some of the well-known events that SAIVA has been a part of are; the University of Texas Food for Thought Drive, Be the Change, Salvation Army, and making donations to Animal Shelters.

CASA

Aging for immigrant seniors can bring in a host of problems to the people experiencing it. Health issues, loneliness, and lack of freedom to move around and meet people are some of the most challenging ones. However, seniors or volunteers at SAIVA have expressed that SAIVA has given them a reason to smile.

Through each and every activity they feel that they are able to add value to their own lives as well as in others lives. The weekly meetings on Wednesdays give them an opportunity to network and socialize with other seniors and give them a boost to live their life with a strong purpose.

Last October, SAIVA hosted their first fundraiser program, “Mithai and Rangoli.”

Mithai means sweets/desserts and Rangoli means a colorful display of patterns. The event was a huge success as the seniors not only prepared and sold sweets, but displayed great enthusiasm at each and every task. Like any other non-profit organization, SAIVA requires the help and support from the community.

Whether it is in the form of financial support, providing transport services to seniors, or offering volunteering opportunities to seniors, SAIVA can benefit immensely to carry on with their mission successfully. To learn more please go to saiva.org.

are challenging the food industry, encouraging communities to “go back to the land” by creating PBS Independent Lens at sustainable and eco-friendly gardens, advocating Windsor Park Branch Library for healthier options in local supermarkets, supporting local farmers’ markets, avoiding highly Join the Austin Public Library and local PBS processed fast foods, and cooking healthier affiliate KLRU-TV at the Windsor Park Branch, 5833 versions of traditional soul food.

Westminster Dr., monthly for Community Cinema, a free monthly screening series featuring films Tuesday, February 5 at 7 p.m. “The Powerbroker: from the PBS series, “Independent Lens.” After Whitney Young’s Fight for Civil Rights” by the screening, lively discussions bring citizens and Bonnie Boswell // During the 1950’s and 60’s, civil organizations together to encourage dialogue and rights leader Whitney Young navigated a divided action around important and timely social issues. society. He challenged America’s white business and political leaders directly, but his efforts to Community Cinema provides a chance to explore open the doors for equal opportunity were often the world of the acclaimed PBS series Independent attacked by Black Americans who felt his methods Lens outside your living room, before the episode were in contrast to the Black Power Movement of airs. Independent Lens takes you on a journey to the time. Whitney M. Young, Jr., was one of the unexpected places to meet ordinary people living most celebrated — and controversial — leaders extraordinary lives. For more information please of the civil rights era. “The Powerbroker: Whitney call 512-974-9840 or visit library.austintexas.gov.

Young’s Fight for Civil Rights” follows his journey from segregated Kentucky to head of the National The 2013 schedule includes: Urban League. Unique among black leaders, Tuesday, January 15 at 7 p.m. “Soul Food he took the fight directly to the powerful white Junkies” by Byron Hurt // “Soul Food Junkies” elite, gaining allies in business and government, delves into the historical and controversial including three presidents. Young had the relationship between the African American difficult tasks of calming the fears of white allies, community and soul food. How does our affinity relieving the doubts of fellow civil rights leaders, for soul food and its dietary traditions affect the and responding to attacks from the militant Black health of the African American community?

Power movement.

(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County

V ol u n t e e r S potlig h t Jimmy Ward grew up in New Orleans and has lived in many different places over the years (including Hawaii, his favorite) before arriving in Austin to marry his fiancé. His many moves come from having served 10 years in the Marine Corps, then working as a firefighter and for the Division of Corrections.

He now works as an investment advisor in Austin. He enjoys volunteering with the Greater Mount Zion Church and taking advantage of Austin’s fit lifestyle by spending lots of time hiking and biking on the local trails. Jimmy has been volunteering with CASA of Travis County for six months and shares that having been raised by his grandmother, his background has helped him build a good connection with CASA and the

children he serves. Throughout his case, he’s learned that, “Strong male leadership is definitely needed” in the lives of many youth in the child welfare system, and that they also “need an outlet to realize that there are other things in life than the negativity they’ve seen.” Jimmy shared that, “Seeing the impact you have on someone and doing something special for someone who doesn’t believe someone would do this for them” plays a big part in why he enjoys volunteering with CASA.

Community Cinema

Whitney Young In “Soul Food Junkies,” filmmaker Byron Hurt sets out on a historical and culinary journey to learn more about the soul food tradition and its relevance to black cultural identity. Hurt’s exploration was inspired by his father’s lifelong love affair with the high-fat, calorie-rich traditional soul food diet and his unwillingness to give it up even in the face of a life-threatening health crisis. Hurt discovers that the relationship between African Americans and culinary dishes like ribs, grits, and fried chicken is culturally based, deep-rooted, complex, and often deadly.

Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m. “Wonder Women!

The Untold Story Of American Superheroines”

by Kristy Guevara-Flanagan // From the birth of the comic book superheroine in the 1940s, to the blockbusters of today, “Wonder Women!” looks at how popular representations of powerful women often reflect society’s anxieties about women’s liberation.

Through candid interviews with soul food cooks, historians, and scholars, as well as with doctors, family members, and everyday people, “Soul Food Junkies” puts this culinary tradition under the microscope to examine both its positive and negative consequences. Hurt also explores the socioeconomic conditions in predominantly black neighborhoods, where it can be difficult to find healthy options, and meets some pioneers in the emerging food justice movement who TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com 13

Tengo Hambre

Panuchos, Gorditas, Pupusas: Masa’n’Stuff

By Katie Walsh

The crispy, hot filled masa cake is then topped Some tortitas might remind you of sopes, which with shredded chicken or other meats, cabbage are essentially the same thing except that the edges of sopes are usually bordered a bit. Make slaw, pickled onions, tomato, and so on. mini versions, and you’ve got sopecitos. Stretch They served theirs with shredded lettuce and the masa out into an oblong sandal shape, and cool slices of cucumber and avocado, plus they become huaraches. guacamole and a few different salsas we’d There is a large family of these types of masa, made in class. filling, and topping combo dishes among Panuchos are very similar to another Yucatan native South and Central American peoples. In favorite, salbutes. The only difference is that El Salvador, they have a very panucho-esque salbutes are fried fresh and topped, rather than dish which they call pupusas, usually stuffed twice-cooked and stuffed. Here’s a plate of with cheese and a native plant called loroco and served without toppings. In Colombia and freshly fried salbutes at Xcaret to try out: Venezuela, these are called arepas.

When I was first getting acquainted with Mayan cuisine, I took a cooking class at The Little Mexican Cooking School in Puerto Morelos that included a mini crash-course on foods, customs, and cultures native to the Yucatan and Riviera Maya. For our snack break, my girls Lucy and Deysi made a delicious plate of panuchos, a traditional Yucatecan antojito, or starter dish. The tortitas de chaya that I settled on that night are almost exactly like salbutes with the tiny Panuchos are made by cooking fresh, variation that the masa is freckled with fresh homemade tortillas on a comal, or in a pan, until chopped chaya, a spinach-like green. They puffy, cutting a careful slit in each, filling them were also serving tortitas with ground pumpkin with refried beans, and then lightly frying them. seed worked into the dough.

And of course, the Mexican gordita is itself very similar to the panucho, only stuffed a bit more and eaten more like a taco or a sandwich. The chalupa is really just a bit thinner version of a salbute. And some people confuse the chalupa with the tostada, which is a simple, flat fried tortilla plus toppings. Break the single tortilla into a bunch of tortilla chips, and you have nachos.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan has this joke about working in a Mexican restaurant and describing the various menu items to a customer. The answer to everything is “tortilla with meat, cheese, and vegetables.” “It’s all the same!” He says, “Why don’t you say a Spanish word, and I’ll bring ya something?!”

Some people might find the overlap or repetitiveness of masa’n’stuff combinations monotonous or limited, but I find it fun, even fascinating. If this many cultures have spun two or three simple building blocks this many ways, they’ve gotta be on to something, no? >> A version of this content was originally published on www.WhiskedFoodie.com. <<

Farm to Disco at Swan Dive with Chef Sonya Coté Chef Sonya Coté of The Homegrown Revival presents a fondue party inspired by disco era food and drink on Monday, January 14, 7-10 p.m. at Swan Dive, 615 Red River Street, to benefit the Capital Campaign of Sustainable Food Center.

For sixty dollars, you receive all you can eat at the fondue party (with all local meats, bread, veggies and cheese), two Dripping Springs Vodka cocktails per person and dancing to the beats of DJ Chino Casino. Disco dress is encouraged at Farm to Disco, which promises to bring out your inner bell-bottom freak.

The Homegrown Revival is an open-source project allowing others to learn, share and create farm grown 14 TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com

foods. The Homegrown Revival will raise awareness for the public on foraging, growing, sourcing and cooking locally sourced produce and proteins for daily meals.

For chef Coté, food is political, cooking is a form of activism and the revolution is on. Coté turned out award winning seasonal local food at the East Side Show Room for three years, building the restaurant and defining its food focus during her tenure there. She was awarded the Edible Magazine 2011 Local Hero Award for her work there and for her commitment to making significant contributions to the local food movement in Austin. She opened the Hillside Farmacy on East 11th, utilizing local food to create her deli/grocery.

Coté is a member of the prestigious Les Dames d’Escoffier and has been featured in local and national television and print for her part in the burgeoning food revolution and continues to support the hard work and diligence of local farms and artisans in every part of her craft. To learn more, go to thehomegrownrevival.weebly.com/

Chronicles of Undercover Mexican Girl: up new projects. Little by little, however, I started losing time as I

The World Is For Those Who Are Brave

By Alexandra M. Landeros

It’s 10:14 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and after working all day, I am now writing this column, hoping it’s not too late to turn it in to my editor.

Ever since I was laid off from my full-time job at the end of June, it’s been a constant race to keep up with all of my projects – both work and personal. Throughout my adult life, many people have commented to me that they would not know what to do with their days without a full-time job. I always wanted to prove them wrong.

I took my first job after graduating from college in 1998 and it’s been a repeating cycle of hope, excitement, boredom, and anxiety, since.

Less than half a year into a new job, I would feel the dread of waking up every morning. Monday through Friday, week after week, month after month, sitting at the same desk, seeing the same roads to and from work, eating microwaved leftovers out of the same plastic containers. Every few years, I’d change jobs, each time thinking I’d be happy once-and-for-all. Within a few months, the dread would sink in once more.

I’d constantly self-criticize my dissatisfaction with work. What was wrong with me? In 14 years, I managed to more than double my salary. I went from being a glorified secretary to the marketing director of a cutting-edge start up company, even having a chance to co-present at SXSW Interactive as a media expert. And even though I haven’t been offered health insurance since 2006, I’ve been in great health, thanks to discovering a diet of local and organic foods and regular, moderate exercise.

But I felt trapped, and not even any wealthier. The more money I made, the less I seemed to be able to save. I was digging myself further and further into a career I didn’t love and not showing much for it. When I was laid off at the end of June and had to go on unemployment benefits, which only paid half my salary, I was financially back to square one, making the same income as I had in 1998. Except, I now had two things: time and freedom.

started acquiring more projects. Before I knew it, I was too busy to even remember filing for my unemployment checks, which eventually decreased to about $20 or $30 a week. I let my benefits lapse – besides, I found that, less and less, I wanted a full-time job anyway, and I was sick of searching just to meet my eligibility requirements.

Although some days, it feels as if I have no time, getting on the computer at 9 a.m. and shutting it down at 9 or 10 p.m., it’s only because my day is no longer locked into a traditional office schedule.

I have the freedom to be distracted by housework, by conversations with my husband about music and politics, by my dog wanting a walk in the park or a play-training session, by tending to my garden, by making a fresh home-cooked lunch on the stove.

My life is no longer divided into compartmentalized blocks of time of commuting to work, working in an office, driving home, and spending time at home. It all flows together now. Every day is slightly different. Sometimes I take a Wednesday off and work on a Sunday.

Sometimes I work until midnight and sleep in until noon. I’ve never once felt trapped. If I’m working long hours, it’s because I want to.

At any point, I can walk away from my desk without having to ask anyone’s permission.

It’s probably no coincidence that my major projects involve some sort of freedom. I’m working with the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance to fight for food freedom. I’m working with the Latino Healthcare Forum to open up the minds of the residents of the Dove Springs neighborhood to lead healthier lives. I’m working with the Serie Project to liberate from debt to continue their program for artists. I’m working with Las Comadres to give flight to their new book, “Count On Me.” Even in my personal life, I am freeing things. I am ridding my home of useless clutter and clothes I don’t wear. I am letting go of thoughts, activities, and people that bog me down. I am reviving the soil in our backyard to grow stronger food. I spent time with my next-door neighbors to uncage and untie their dog and to teach them how to be better masters for their pet. I rescued a dog from a shelter to join the one we’d rescued last year.

I am even finally saving up enough money to get a new car, even though I am making less money than I did when I had a full-time job.

(It helps not to eat overpriced sandwiches downtown every day for lunch!) And in Texas, until we have amazing European-style public transportation, having a car does mean a great degree of freedom.

Slowly but surely, I am gaining enough reputation and confidence to charge a little bit more for my freelance work – not necessarily so I can make more money, but so I can work less and be able to have time to do all the things I love.

There’s one major thing I’ve learned throughout all of this. The only way to have true success is to allow yourself the freedom to fail.

Often, we shelter ourselves in stable but unsatisfying jobs, among friends who seem to have it all, in brand new houses in cookie-cutter neighborhoods, or in tepid relationships, because it’s easier to go with what everyone else has done rather than to launch ourselves into the unknown.

Not too long before I lost my job back in June, and I was essentially forced into the unknown, I found a quote on the side of the street.

I was walking around downtown Austin, going to get a sandwich (probably the same overpriced sandwich I’d eaten a hundred times before), when I crossed an alleyway and saw a half-wet piece of paper lying near the gutter: “El mundo es de los valientes.” The world is for those who are brave.

At first, I only had one 10-hour a week project, so I had an extra thirty hours to spend with my dog and my husband, play music, look for jobs, work on my writing and visit with people all over town to dream

So don’t be afraid. What you want is out there if you let go of your fears and insecurities. Happy 2013!

Tiny Taiga Condensation January 2013

By Blake Shanley

How about New Moment’s Resolutions? New Day’s Resolutions?

Every Moment is a New Day! A New Year! A New Era! A New Chance! A New Opportunity!

A New You! Or at least, it can be. Why make resolutions once a year that are so grand, so enormous, so serious and so specific, that you’re ultimately setting yourself up to let yourself down. Jump off the roller coaster and make Resolutions daily, hourly, monthly.

We live comfortably with this idea that who we were, what we did yesterday, what we said a year ago somehow means anything about today, tomorrow or five years from now. It doesn’t really mean anything. It’s an excuse. A crutch. A justification. A reason to keep doing it.

We can press “refresh” whenever we want! We can stop or start doing, feeling or being X right now. Or right now. Or right NOW. Right now keeps going. It refreshes indefinitely.

Letting go of yesterday’s ideas, actions, feelings, patterns and habits is something we can and get to do every day. So try it. TODAY. And if today didn’t work. Try TODAY. Sometimes we need to feel as though our slate is completely wiped clean so we give it a special date or occasion, but that’s a lot of friggin’ pressure. So wipe your slate daily if there is something on it you don’t like. Wipe it hourly.

Of course, if you do want to do some actual resetting of your system, cleansing of your body, wiping clean of your slate, you can come get some Living Clay and try drinking your old stuff. It sucks out the yuckies and balances your body so you have a clean slate for all of your New Day’s Resolutions.

Happy 2013!!

TINY TAIGA has a lot of that good stuff, just in case you’re interested.

1200 E. 11th St. #106 Austin, TX 78702 www.facebook.com/TinyTaigaAustin TODO Austin // January 2013 // TODOAustin.com 15

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The Crossing / 2012

In the Community Gallery

Tejano legend Oscar Martinez’s artwork captures the days his orchestra toured across Texas on a red bus.

Saturday, January 19

6-9 pm Reception and meet the artists 7:30-8:30 pm Performance by: Oscar Martinez featuring Larry Lange and his Lonely Knights

maccaustin.org •512-974-3772 • 600 River St. Mon-Thurs 10-6 pm, Fri 10-5:30 pm, Sat 10-4 pm The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or ise of our facilities please call 512-974-3772 or Relay Texas. La Ciudad de Austin está compromitda al Acta de Americans Incapacitados. Si requiere asistencia para participar en nuestros programas por favor llame al teléfono número 512-974-3772 o 711 Relay Texas.