Bollywood Fiesta June 29 p. 8
directed art.
Volume IV, 2 | June 2012
inside
José A. Velásquez, Paul Saldaña and Blanca Nereida Valencia Photo by Mark Guerra
Juneteenth: Good for the Soul p. 5 Asian Behavioral Health Network p. 7 Flamenco Dancer Pilar Andújar p. 11 Kids in a New Groove p. 12
contact@todoaustinonline.com
512.538.4115
www.TODOAustin.com new website coming
Bridge2Bridge From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
www.facebook.com/todo.austin
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
www.twitter.com/todo_austin
CASA
(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County
Volunteer Spotlight Mary Nev Talbott was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and comes from a large and close family. “I go to my family for everything, they mean the world to me,” said Mary Nev. She states that there are almost 250 people in her extended family, so get-togethers for the holidays and reunions are big. Today, Mary Nev lives in Austin where she loves the city’s laid back feeling, beautiful outdoors and friendly people. She enjoys gardening, hiking, reading and volunteering. Mary Nev has been a CASA volunteer for 10 years and has advocated for 10 different children. “Coming from such a strong family reminds me that every child needs family and strong connections to adults,” shared Mary Nev. “That is my hope for every child I volunteer for.” In her many years of volunteering, Mary Nev has always felt there is more to learn. “I’ve learned to be patient and be brave. Sometimes you have to ask the same question over and over to get the right answer for a child.” Her family is very supportive and always asks how things are going and how they can help, and she has a response ready at all times: “I always say, ‘You can help by becoming a CASA volunteer as well!’”
TODO Arts
june --------------------------------------------------Austin Civic Orchestra // Zilker Hillside Theater
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble presents Ballet Under the Stars on Friday-Saturday, June 1-2, 8:30 p.m. at Zilker Hillside Theater. This year’s performance, “The Best of AMDE,” includes many of the favorite dances that have shaped the company and its artists over the past 20 years. Featuring company E.D./co-founder Melanie S. Kregel and Latisha Coffey, artistic director. metamorphosisdance.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • In 1983, Arturo García Bustos generously donated several pieces of artwork to the bourgeoning Mexic-Arte Museum’s permanent collection; these prints, as well as loaned artworks from Mexico’s Museo de la Estampa, will be on display in a one-of-a-kind exhibition—“La imagen del México postrevolucionario”— through July 18. mexic-artemuseum.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Top-class Carnatic classical vocalists/violinists Ranjani and Gayatri of Mumbai, India, perform a thematic concert on Sunday, June 10, 4 p.m. at Jones Hall, St. Edwards University. The sisters’ music is imbued with a deep and abiding classicism that has been described as an exhilarating blend of vitality, melody and emotion. With Vidwan H.N. Bhaskar (violin) and Vidwan Manoj Siva (mridangam). austinifa.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Get Yo Mind Right #8 is Thursday, June 14, 9 p.m. at Hotel Vegas, $5/21+. The monthly party featuring psychedelic and dub influenced music includes resident DJ, Selector J (KVRX/ When Roots Attack), who sets the tone with strictly vinyl sets of dub & reggae. The Hotel Vegas date is highlighted by the energetic combat rockers en Español, La Guerrilla, plus guest DJ Moral Support and more. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • YWCA Greater Austin recognizes the achievements of five of the city’s most creative and smart women on Friday, June 15, at the annual Women of the Year Awards Soiree at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. The organization has served the community for over 100 years and has paid tribute for almost 30 years to talented, generous and dedicated women that inspire. ywca.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • A Taste of Juneteenth is scheduled at the Carver Museum and Cultural Center on Tuesday, June 19, 12:30-1:30 p.m., featuring Angela Shelf Medearis. The author of “The Kitchen Diva” will share recipes from her new work, “The Kitchen Diva’s Diabetic Cookbook.” A regular guest chef and segment creator on the “Dr. Oz” and “Today” shows, Medearis is the author of seven cookbooks and 100 children’s books. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center presents the summer’s first Cine de Oro flick, Acompáñame, on Tuesday, June 26, at 9:30 a.m. Directed by Argentinian master Luis César Amadori and starring Rocio Dúrcal and Enrique Guzman, the romantic comedy involves an invalid old woman who hires a working-class girl and a rich boy to accompany her on a trip abroad. Free. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ACO will present its free annual Zilker Park Pops Concert series Friday-Saturday, June 8-9, 8 p.m. “History of the March” is the theme with a collection of fine orchestral marches slated to be performed. With narration by Paul Gaffney and a raffle drawing for a chance to conduct the finale performance of “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and be prepared for a toe-tapping performance. Daughtry // Bass Concert Hall
Over the past five years, this multi-platinum rock band has scored four No. 1 hits, garnered four Grammy nominations, sold over seven million albums and played sold out concerts around the world. “Outta My Head,” the third single off of the band’s critically acclaimed album, “Break The Spell,” is the follow-up to the previous chart-climbing hits “Crawling Back To You” and “Renegade.” Wednesday, June 13, 7:30 p.m. Il Divo // Bass Concert Hall
Recently named Artist of the Decade at the Classic BRITS, Il Divo are the most successful international musical break-out story of the millennium, selling more than 25 million albums and pioneering the classical crossover genre. Their ground-breaking success has brought an entirely new sound to vocal music and the group have more than 150 gold and platinum awards in 33 countries. Tuesday, June 19, 8 p.m.
Presents a charity event
SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012
BOLLYWOODFeaturing EXTRAVAGANZA
Dhwani
10:30 AM TO 2:00 PM FREE LUNCH PROVIDED
I ndian Mus i c E nsemble For a fun filled evening with music & dance Several artists will entertain you!
Friday June 29th, 2012, 7 pm • $10 Entry Charge Mexitas, 1107 N. IH-35, Austin, Texas Enjoy Mexican food! Meet new people! Do not forget to pickup your Goodie Bag! Free Photos by Ravi yo u can Buy Tick ets at:
• HinduCharitiesForAmerica.org (PayPal) • Apna Bazar • Email: HinduCharities4America@gmail.com • Call: 512.335.8809 • Jose/Gilberto at Mexitas, 467.4444
Fulbright& & Jaworkski Jaworski ,,LLP Fulbright LLP 98San San Jacinto Jacinto Blvd. Blvd. 98 Suite1100 1100 Suite Austin,TX TX78701 78701 Austin,
proceeds used to procure school supplies for 600 Manor ISD Homeless Children
RSVP& & Questions: Questions: RSVP RameyKoKo Ramey Ramey@APAforProgress.org Ramey@APAforProgress.org Hindu Charities For America is a 501 (c) (3) Registered Charity, donations
Restaurant & Bar L a t i n Am e r i c a n C u i s i n e
Live Music
Mariachi Ta mazula every Fri at 8-10 pm + DJ Tainted Toys ’til 12 AM
Sat Sat Sat Fri Sat
6/2 6/9 6/16 6/29 6/30
Flamenco Dancer Pilar Andújar 8 pm Mary Welch y Los Curanderos 8:30 pm Jazz w/ Ken Chicosky and the Live Oak Quartet 8 pm Latin Night w/ The Brew 10 pm Flamenco Dancer Pilar Andújar 8 pm
We have relocated from our long time home on South Congress to Austin’s Historic Sixth Street.
TUE-THU 11 AM-10 PM // FRI-SAT 9 AM-1 AM // SUN 9 AM-4 PM 600 East 6th Street // 512.444.7770 // www.elsolylalunaaustin.com
HABLA Austin
Austin Pet Expo Sets August Date
Current affairs and issues impacting our community from Hispanic Advocates More than 30 local animal rescue groups and Business Leaders of Austin. One of Four Texas Voters is Latino // NALEO released a neeato document, a Texas Primary Election Profile, that might be of interest to you. Here are the goods: Electoral College Votes: 38; Latino population: 9.4 million (of a 25.1 million total); Latino vote share this year: 1.9 million; Latino Texas vote share: 21.3%; Latinos accounted for 65% of Texas’ growth since 2000; 24% of registered Texas voters are Latino. See the report at naleo.org. - Sara Inés Calderón Old Johnston High’s Vietnam-era Casualties Still Growing // “The annual reunions honoring the young men who walked the halls of Johnston High School, then lost their lives in the Vietnam War are bittersweet. Surviving family members are happy to see each other again at the ceremonies at Eastside Memorial High School at the Johnston Campus and the events vaguely take on the aura of a high school reunion, said Larry Amaro, one of the organizers of Johnston Memorial 2012 … ‘But it’s like a funeral at the same time,’ Amaro added. ‘They remember what the ceremony is for.’” See story at Somos Austin at statesman.com. - Juan Castillo Justice for Menchaca // Our good friend Judge Bob Perkins is leading the efforts to restore the rightful spelling of Jose Antonio Menchaca—a hero of the Texas Revolution and a defender of San Antonio and Travis County. Please visit the JusticeForMenchaca Facebook page and click on the LIKE button. Gracias! - HABLA 24/7 Hispanic Targeted News Channel To Launch in 2013 // For the first time in U.S. history, two major broadcast networks have teamed up to unveil a 24/7 news network that will provide culturally-relevant news and programming to the nation’s youngest, largest and fastest growing minority population. In a news release circulated in early May, broadcast news giants Univision News and ABC News announced that they will launch an “English-language channel for Englishdominant and bilingual Hispanics” in the U.S. The network will provide news coverage to more than 50 million Hispanic Americans. From politic365. com. - Paul Saldaña Brown Berets Legacy // Celebrating Chicano history is not complete without remembering the Brown Berets. In the 1960s, the Brown Berets, Mexican American activists, emerged as organizers in local Latino communities against police brutality and equal education … A new indie feature length film, based on “The Last Angry Brown Hat,” is being made to bring the story of the Brown Berets to an even wider audience. From LatinaLista.com - HABLA 04 TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com
and service providers have signed up to share the spotlight on Saturday, August 18 at the Austin Pet Expo, to be held at the Palmer Events Center. Attendees to the free event will find more than 125 exhibitors of pet related products, information, and services to help them care for their four-legged family members or adopt a pet responsibly. They’ll also be able to see trainers, groomers, and other special demonstrations including pet first aid. Shorty Rossi of ‘Pit Boss’ on Animal Planet is the featured guest at the event, which will include an agility course, a pet talent and costume contest, and info sessions with reputable local animal trainers and veterinarians. Non-pet organizations can participate by sponsoring local rescues and shelters. Please visit www.AustinPetExpo.com for more.
Teatro Vivo Summer Camp
Voter ID Trial Will Begin in July By Julián Aguilar T h e T e xa s T r i b u n e
The state’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice over the voter ID bill will commence in July, keeping alive the chance that the controversial measure could be in effect by the November election. The bill, Senate Bill 14 by Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, requires that voters provide photo identification before casting a ballot. The Department of Justice confirmed that a federal district court in Washington, D.C., will hear the case starting July 9, but declined to offer any additional comment. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office, which could not immediately be reached for comment, filed suit against the Justice Department after it declined to approve the measure in March. The department ruled that the state did not supply ample evidence that the bill would not infringe upon the voting rights of minorities and other eligible voters who do not have a photo ID. Late last month the department asked the court to postpone the trial.
Publisher/Editor - Gavin Lance Garcia contact@todoaustinonline.com Art Director - Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com Contributing Editors - Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins Senior Editors – Güner Arslan, Cindy Casares, Sonia Kotecha, Esther Reyes, Yvonne Lim Wilson Associate Editors –Layla Fry, Harish Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Callie Langford, Blake Shanley
The May 7 order issued strict deadlines for the state to meet if it wanted the proceedings to begin in July. Jerry Strickland, Abbott’s communications director, issued the following statement: “This morning, the partisans who oppose Texas’ Voter ID law once again attempted to delay the trial date—and the inevitable enforcement of the State’s photo identification requirement. The State of Texas continues to urge the Court proceed to trial in so that the Voter ID law can be implemented in time for the November elections. When the Court asked the Department of Justice if it had sufficient information to proceed as scheduled, Justice Department lawyers confirmed that they have been provided the information necessary for a July 9th trial date. Texas will continue to move as quickly as possible to ensure the Voter ID law can be implemented before the election in November.” Graphic by Todd Wiseman
“Voces y Visiones,” a camp for young women ages 11-14, runs July 16-August 3 at the UT Department of Theatre and Dance. The goal of the theatre camp is to support middle school girls in finding their unique voice and creative vision through the power of writing and performing. Do you know a young Latina that may benefit from this arts experience? The 3-week camp experience will help 15 girls realize their potential as artists, problem solvers and leaders. No previous theatre experience required. Applications and scholarship info available at www.teatrovivo.org.
Volume IV, Number 02
The May 18 decision comes despite an order earlier in the month in which the court blasted Texas’ efforts to produce the necessary data the department requested, and alleged that the state was dragging its feet in turning over the information. The department was asking for databases and voter information it says will prove the voter ID measure will have a “disparate and retrogressive” impact on minority voters.
Contributing Writers/Photographers/Artists –
–Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Heather Banks, Stefanie Behe, Padmini Bhat, Adriana Cadena, Jason Cato, Sirsha Chatterjee, Jennie Chen, Priscilla Cortez, Ruben Cubillos, Harmony Eichsteadt, Lori L. Garcia, Mark Guerra, Shailee Gupta, Mita Haldar, Jillian Hall, Mari Hernandez, Fabiola Hurtado, Ryan Hutchison, Nandini Jairam, Chaille Jolink, Jamie Jones, Ryan Jordan, Ramey Ko, Vandana Kumar, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, Darya Marchenkova, JoJo Marion, Mamata Misra, Lata Narumanchi, Cristina Parker, Monica Peña, Aleah Penn, Kathy Pham, Jorge Reyes, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Hani Saleh, Jaya Shukla, Azim Siddiqui, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Vanessa Valdovinos, Rocio Villalobos, Joseph P.A. Villescas, Bowen Wilder, Sait Yavuz
Cover: Photo by Mark Guerra at Rabbit’s.
TODO Austin: Multicultural Media for All of Austin. TODO Austin is a free print/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 do not 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 -P.O. Box 4142 -Austin, TX 78765-4142
Immigration Editorial
Immigrants’ Rights as Human Rights The United States can be a profoundly controversial place to think about human rights. Not one of the major questions about them can be taken for granted: where they come from, to whom they apply, how they could be fulfilled or enforced, or even if they have any place here at all. The idea that human rights are a domestic priority could surprise your average coworker or neighbor. When hearing the term, many Americans might think of people and places far from home. Part of the confusion comes from how human rights are commonly understood. Human rights reflect what we all need to lead lives characterized by dignity and freedom. That means freedom from things like torture, abuse, and persecution, but also freedom from want, and the rights to those dayto-day things like housing, health care, education, dignified work, nutritious food, and a healthy environment. It’s hard to imagine anything more close to home than these fundamental needs which millions of Americans struggle to meet each day.
urban Pennsylvania, southern Florida to rural Vermont, immigrant communities, regardless of documentation status, are organizing to put forth a new vision for a United States that honors human rights by making them a reality for all people within and on our borders. These communities are joining others in a growing nationwide movement that promises to change the systems causing suffering for immigrants and citizens alike. That’s change that would make life more secure, healthy, and joyful for all Americans. When
By Darya Marchenkova
communities organize to build a movement for human rights, it goes beyond a struggle to advance the interests of a specific group of people. It means committing to transform whole institutions and structures to make them work for all. More than a set of international bodies or documents, human rights are rooted in core principles. These include universality, which means all people are entitled to all their rights, and equity, the premise that all people make meaningful contributions and so should be able to give what they are able and get what they need. photo by Azim Siddiqui
That’s part of what makes it so remarkable that some of the communities stepping forward to present a vision for human rights in the United States—and express their willingness to work for it—are immigrants. From west Texas to
Good for the Soul
community. This successful event celebrates freedom and promotes healthy living.
By Otis Lopez
Juneteenth Historical Parade — Tuesday,
Austin’s annual Juneteenth observation is a venerable favorite among forward-thinking locals and the Greater East Austin Youth Association will mark Freedom Day, the oldest known African American celebration commemorating the end of slavery, with a series of family-friendly activities from June 9-24.
June 19. 10 a.m. Starting from Comal St. and MLK Blvd. Floats… clowns… marching bands… auto show and more.
Austin’s Celebrates Juneteenth
EVENT SCHEDULE
Rosewood Park Celebration — Tuesday, June 19. Noon – 9 p.m. Rosewood Park (1182 Pleasant Valley Rd.) Food, drink, kids’ area, rides and games, with live music featuring R&B, blues, hip-hop, gospel and more.
“The Youth Got Talent” Show Registration & Auditions — Saturday, June Historical Community Program — 9. Noon – 6 p.m. Doris Miller Auditorium (2300 Rosewood Ave.) // The Juneteenth talent show is an opportunity for children and young adults to show off their talent and skills. Bring you’re a-game to an open audition. Talent ShowSaturday, June 16. Noon – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 19. 12:15 p.m. – 2 p.m. Doris Miller Auditorium (2300 Rosewood) // The historically focused program begins right after the parade in Doris Miller Auditorium and includes dignitaries, a keynote speech, historical movements, spiritual, poetry, praise dance & more.
Juneteenth Green & Clean Neighborhood Project — Saturday, June Juneteenth Gospel & Praise Dance — 16, 7 – 9 a.m. Meet at 13th St. and Chicon // Join the Juneteenth Committee, G.E.A.Y.A and Community Volunteers as we gather to clean the streets of East Austin along Chicon and 12th St.
Saturday, June 23. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Doris Miller Auditorium (2300 Rosewood)
19. 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Comal St. and MLK Blvd. // Join family, friends, neighbors, community organizations and businesses at this highly visible, very powerful event that will raise awareness about the increasing prevalence of health disparities within the African-American
Rosewood) // Performers: Sir Smith, Chris Spivey an Nu Destiny, RNA the Messengers, Mt. Sinai Music Ministry under the direction of Deric Lewis, Eddie Ray Clark and the Voices of Resurrection, and many more.
Juneteenth Gospel Fest — Sunday, June 2K Freedom Run/Walk — Tuesday, June 24. 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Doris Miller Auditorium (2300
DiverseArts East Austin Blues Alliance Summer Series This season’s East Austin Blues Alliance Summer Series at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard (1106 East 11th St.) features some of the scene’s best proponents of blues and blues-derived music to be found anywhere in Austin. Get there early and take in performers including Harold McMillan’s East Side Blues Syndicate. The series is the latest DiverseArts’ initiative to unify the network of various creative constituencies who live and/or work in, and serve the culture-rich, increasingly vibrant East Austin Community.
A movement for human rights calls for a society that actively seeks to fulfill these principles: by removing barriers to human movement and full citizenship, for example, and by ensuring health care, housing, and education for all. Human rights are a powerful vision for governments, economies and societies that put people and our needs far ahead of profits or power. Far from asking for integration into a broken society that works only for the few, immigrant communities are showing leadership in a time when many Americans are searching for a story of a better future. A community organizer I know recently said, “human rights are about how we walk and who we walk with.” They can guide us to imagine a better society, but by recognizing the common strands that bind us all together, human rights also offer us a new way to relate to one another and the world around us. The commitment to work for the good of one’s new home—which one loves, values, and wants to improve—is a hopeful sign for the potential of an American social movement united across differences in citizenship and race. In a moment when the direction of our country promises to be decided for generations to come, it will be—as it’s often been in our history—immigrants who lead the way.
“The East Austin Blues Alliance is a newly formed, loose amalgam of musicians, music industry and creative professionals, clubs and venues who are dedicated to bringing positive attention to the wealth of talent, resources, and soul found east of I-35 on any given day,” said McMillan. The Summer Series is the first performance vehicle for the new group and continues throughout the summer, culminating with the first Annual East Austin Blues Fest next fall. Suggested donation $5 with kids under 12 free. Doors at 5:30 p.m. with the show running until 11 p.m. With organic and locally grown food from Sun Farm Kitchen and sodas available for purchase, plus free beer provided by Live Oak Brewing Co. Fourth Fridays are also continuing through the summer. The event takes place every fourth Friday of the month at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard and showcases art and craft vendors and live music while providing food, refreshments and free activities for children. DiverseArts collaborates with local businesses and artisans to provide a unique and relaxed cultural experience with the goal of bringing people together to celebrate the rich cultural legacy of central East Austin. For information about sponsorship, affiliation or participation, contact DiverseArts Culture Works at (512) 477-9438 or email director@diversearts. org. TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com 05
Ali Khataw and Jim Yatsu to Lead GAACC By Yvonne Lim Wilson
Historic Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce launch Just in time for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the new Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) celebrated the launch of a new organization, newly created from the merger of the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce (TACC) and the Austin Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AAACC). A press conference and reception were held at Austin City Hall on May 11. GAACC Board of Directors Co-Chairs Ali Khataw and Jim Yatsu presided over the event, unveiling the new website, logo and brand identity, and announced new Chamber president David Pena. The new logo, which features an inverted “A” is a mathematical symbol meaning, “For All.”
“Our mission and formula is to help people and businesses exchange goods, services, knowledge and ideas for the prosperity and vitality of the Central Texas region, creating successful benefits for all,” Khataw said. “The universal symbol we all speak is the language of math. And so we took our formula of ‘people + business + exchange = Prosperity for All.’” Yatsu added, “Now the new organization with joining forces of two strong boards of the former Asian Chambers and with the expanded membership, we can continue to make significant business impact to make Greater Austin area prosperous for all, through our programs and events to educate, connect, and advocate.” For more information, visit www.austinasianchamber.org.
UT Austin honors Asian American community leaders The University of Texas at Austin Division of Diversity and Community Engagement presented their third annual Asian American Community Leadership Awards on April 30.
Bringing together various cultures in a festive atmosphere The Austin Intercultural Network (AIN) celebrates the diversity of cultures in Austin and on April 28 held their third anniversary party/ fundraiser at Salon SoLaras on South Lamar. Austin realtor Chi Dinh founded AIN with friends originally as an Asian organization, but soon expanded it to all cultures. The group partners with more than 60 local organizations representing diverse cultures including Middle Eastern, Asian, Hispanic, African American, European and others. “Our mission is very straightforward: to promote cultural awareness in Austin,” Dinh said. The anniversary and fundraiser celebration was filled with international music, dancing, a silent auction, food and drink and a chance for old and new friends to connect. The group holds monthly networking events and other functions. The group is currently working to organize an intercultural festival in Austin and the fundraiser will help AIN gain non-profit status.
Annual Texas Asian Foundation scholarships awarded Congratulations to Edward Butt of Connally High School, Thomas Fuller of Stratford High School in Houston, Smrithi Hariharan of Lake Travis High School, and Lily Nguyen of Round Rock High School. All four graduating seniors received scholarships from the Texas Asian Foundation (TAF). “The Texas Asian Foundation is pleased to present these David K.G. Chan Scholarships to such accomplished students. We wish these students well as they pursue their academic careers and later in being productive citizens,” said TAF Board Chairman Alex Gonzales.
Austin City Manager Marc Ott congratulates GAACC Board of Directors Jim Yatsu and Ali Khataw.
UT President Bill Powers (left), Dr. Gregory Vincent, (fourth from left) and Dr. Madeline Hsu, Director of the Center for Asian American Studies (second from right) presented awards to the TACC, represented by Lucia Hur (third from left) and Sam Bakir (right); Tommy Hodinh (second from left), Foo Swasdee (center) and David Chiu (third from right).
While TAF has been awarding scholarships for many years, this is the first year to have the scholarships named in honor of David Chan, a founding member of the Texas Asian Foundation and Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce and former Chairman of LSI Internationals.
“These awards are recognition of a long period of creative contribution of giving back to the community,” said UT Austin President Bill Powers. “Thank you for making our community a better community for all of us, not just at UT Austin, but in Austin.” Natalie Madeira Cofield, CCAACC; Dusty McCormick of COA and David Pena, GAACC President.
The Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce (TACC) received the Community Partnership Award for their contributions to the business community. Tommy Hodinh, chairman and CEO of MagRabbit, a global software company, and Dr. Rommanee “Foo” Swasdee, owner of SATAY and Get Sum Dim Sum restaurants and River City Coffee, both received the Community Leadership Award. Both are founding members of the TACC and contribute to various community and charitable causes. David Chiu, the former mayor of San Marcos, who has the distinction of being the first first-generation immigrant mayor in the United States, was also honored with the Legacy Award. He now owns a restaurant in San Marcos and remains active in the Central Texas community.
The new Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff. 06 TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com
“If we’re going to be here, and my children will be here, we need to be at the table,” Chiu said of his political work in San Marcos.
The Texas Asian Foundation, represented by Board Members Sam Bakir (second from left), Alex Gonzales (third from left), Jim Yatsu (center left), Lucia Hur (fourth from right), and Foo Swasdee (right), awarded scholarships to Smrithi Hariharan (left), Thomas Fuller (fourth from left), Edward Butt (center right), Jason Pan (third from right) and Lily Nguyen (second from right).
Yvonne Lim Wilson is founder and publisher of Asian Austin at www. AsianAustin.com, an online news source featuring news about Asian American people, organizations and events in Austin. Visit Asian Austin for full calendar and event details! Contact Yvonne at yvonne@asianaustin.com.
Vincent Chin 30: Standing Up Then and Now By Yvonne Lim Wilson, AsianAustin.com
In 1982, Vincent Chin was the victim of a hate crime murder in Detroit. Thirty years later, more than half of Asian Americans report being bullied in the high school classroom, the highest of any racial group. All are invited to attend a screening of the documentary, “Vincent Who?”, which looks back at this horrific hate crime and the growth of the Asian American and Pacific Islander movement in response, followed by a panel discussion addressing these timely issues. The screening and discussion takes place Saturday, June 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the offices of Fulbright & Jaworski, 600 Congress Ave, Ste. 2400, featuring moderator Phil Yu of AngryAsianMan.com and panelists Zahra Billoo of CAIR-San Francisco Bay Area; Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus; Tom Hayashi of OCA; and Mee Moua of the Asian American Justice Center. A discussion of local civil rights, hate crime and bullying issues will follow the national discussion. For more information, contact Ramey Ko, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress board member, at ramey.ko@gmail.com or (512) 577-5729.
Asian Behavioral Health Network
COMUNIDAD SPOTLIGHT Austin Hindu Temple:
Origin and Universality of Sri Jagannatha By Mamata Misra Austinites will celebrate three important festivals at the Austin Hindu Temple in the tradition of Sri Jagannatha: Deva Snana Purnima on June 3, Ratha Yatra on June 24 and Bahuda on July 1. Here’s some background about the events. Prayers in the Rgveda mention taking shelter in the Daru (log of wood) floating in the ocean. Vedic scholars have interpreted this reference to be Sri Jagannatha, initially made of an unusual Daru found floating in the sea as mentioned in the puranas. The legends regarding the origin of Sri Jagannath are found in Mahabharat of Sarala Dasa, Deula Tola of Nilambar Das, Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana, Kapila Samhita, etc. They suggest tribal as well as Brahmanical links of the deity. Sri Jagannatha’s rituals support this view. Daitas of tribal ancestry perform certain rituals of the deities as close personal attendants while Brahmin priests perform Vedic rituals. The Brahma Purana identifies Sri Jagannatha with Sri Krishna. The Mahabharata by fifteenth century Oriya saint-poet Sarala Dasa states that the Daru was the mortal remains of Sri Krishna. Jagannatha is equated to Sri Krishna, Balabhadra to Krishna’s brother Balarama, Subhadra to his sister Subhadra, and Sudarshana is his weapon, the chakra. During Ramanavami, Sri Jagannatha is dressed as Sri Rama. On the day of Deva Snana Purnima, he takes the form of Ganesha. During Bahuda festival, he shines as Surya, dressed in gold.
By Sonia Kotecha
As a Social Worker, I have spent the past ten years working in the child welfare system both in Washington, D.C. and Austin. Throughout my career working with families, I often reflected on my own upbringing. I wondered what the child welfare experience would be like for me, a South Asian Hindu child. I hardly saw the faces of South Asian children on my caseload, rarely met a South Asian foster or adoptive parent, and I am among very few South Asian child welfare workers. And, I know through personal experience that the issues faced by many families brought to the attention of Child Protective Service are not foreign to South Asian families. So, knowing that the more social distance there is between communities, the more gross the stereotypes, leading to harmful interventions, or possibly no intervention at all. It is these personal and professional reasons that fueled my desire to help establish the Asian Behavioral Health Network (ABHN) in 2011. As we see a rise in the number of Asian families in Central Texas, there is a greater need to be proactive in educating the current behavioral health workforce about the various needs, stigma and help seeking behaviors of the Asian community. The Asian community is one that underutilizes social and therapeutic services available. The Asian Behavioral Health Network kicked off its first event on May 4 with a half-day conference titled, “More Than a Model Minority: Enhancing Counseling Practices, Advocacy and Community Outreach with Asian Americans in Central Texas.” ABHN partnered with the YWCA of Great Austin and the Austin Travis County Integral Care. Close to 50 professionals attended the training and received a wealth of data, insight, strategies and resources to better meet the needs of Austin’s diverse Asian community. Along with hearing from local experts, the attendees heard about various federal initiatives and trends from Municipal Court Judge Ramey Ko, who serves on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, and from a representative with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). The reviews from participants were overwhelmingly positive. ABHN has also started an online directory of behavioral health professionals with a special expertise and interest in providing culturally competent services to the Asian community. For more information about ABHN or to be added to the directory, please e-mail abhn.austin@gmail.com.
According to the Saiva tradition, Sri Jagannatha is worshipped as Bhairava, Sri Balabhadra as Ananta Naga, and Devi Subhadra as Shakti. Elements of Shakta and Tantra traditions are also found in the Jagannatha temple, in some of the daily rituals and during the month of Durga Puja. All the great masters and founders of different Vedic sampradayas, such as Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Ramanuja, Sri Madhavacharya, Sri Nimbarkacharya, Goswami Tulasi Das, and Sri Chaitanya have visited Puri and invoked Lord Jagannatha according to their sampradaya’s tradition. Some Buddhists invoke Jagannatha as Buddha. Similarly, some Jain scholars such as Hemachandra refer to Jagannatha as Tirthankara of Jain tradition. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and Sufi Saint Kabir had visited the Jagannatha temple and invoked the Lord in their own traditions. Most of the popular bhajans sung by the Odia community of Austin during the monthly change of vesa (dress) of Sri Jagannatha are compositions by Salabega, a 17th century poet and devotee, born of a Muslim father and a Hindu Brahmin mother. Literally, Jagannatha means the Lord of the Universe. The unusual incomplete form of the deity, suggests that the Lord can be viewed as with or without form. The black, white, and yellow colors of the siblings remind us of the single origin of all races in the world. The universal and all-inclusive nature of the Jagannatha tradition is a constant reminder of the declaration of the Rigveda – ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti, meaning, Existence is one, the sages speak of it in many ways. TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com 07
Read Books This Summer to Help a Child
Kids from Slums of India to Perform in Austin EKATVA, an energizing humanitarian 90-minute dance drama about Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of strength, peace and oneness, featuring children from India’s slums—ranging in ages from 11-15— will perform a free show on Sunday, June 10, 2 p.m. at the Long Center for Performing Arts. The intention of the experiment is to nurture goodness, love and strength in the hearts of the children during this journey by focusing on dayto-day interactions, activities, prayer, meditation, education, nutrition, global exposure, and much more. Through the tour, they hope to spread ripples of love and oneness through the world.
Pratham Austin Chapter is inviting Austin kids to participate in Pratham Summer Readathon (June 15 – July 15). By reading, Austin children will help raise funds and help less fortunate kids in India learn to read. To see how it works, visit www.prathamusa.org/ readathon. Kids of any age can participate in the Readathon. There, they can create their own web page and tell what books they’ll read, thus raising funds. Family and friends
can sponsor their reading by donating at the child’s web page. Kids will receive a Certificate of Appreciation. In Austin, families may contact Mamata Misra at misramamata@ gmail.com for more info. Pratham is a leading non-profit organization that every year helps three million underprivileged children in India stay in school and learn, also enabling 65,000 volunteer tutors. Pratham’s programs are efficient, cost effective, and scalable.
India and will bring the show to the U.S. and U.K. this summer. EKATVA children are ambassadors of the potential and spirit of those one billion human beings around the globe who must constantly struggle to overcome difficulties and challenges that arise from their lack of resources. But yet there is hope. Through this journey, the performers hope to spread seeds of goodness and compassion throughout the world and inspire global citizens to serve and care for those in need. Free tickets are available at: www.ekatvaaustin. eventbrite.com
“Ekatva” is a Sanskrit word for “oneness” or “unity.” In partnership with a leading Indian performing arts school, Darpana Dance Academy, EKATVA has been an inspiring journey for the 16 children from the slums. Created by an Indian NGO, Manav Sadhna—a partner organization of the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmadabad, India, which serves thousands of families in Ahmadabad’s slums—EKATVA is an experiment to touch the lives and spirit of 16 underprivileged children through dance and art, while inspiring the souls of thousands across the world. The children have begun to tour across
‘Bollywood Fiesta’ to Bring Indian-Hispanic Communities Together “Bollywood Fiesta,” a performance created to raise funds for the education of children in Manor, will be held on Friday, June 29 at 7 p.m. at Mexita’s (1107 N. IH-35). Over 600 children will need school supplies for the 2012-13 school year and 100 percent of the funds raised at the event will be used to procure these supplies. The concert features Austin’s Indian musical ensemble, Dhwani, a group whose original music spans several genres but is grounded in creative, modified Indian themes. Multilevel harmonies, classical tunes and foot-tapping beats are but part of the band’s musical style. Dhwani also strives to give back to the community by performing at fundraisers that support worthwhile causes, such as “Bollywood Fiesta.” Dancer Preya Patel will also appear. Patel is recognized internationally for her grace and command of the stage. As the featured dancer in two Bollywood movie productions, and a past company member of the blue13 dance company in Los Angeles, she is a highly respected teacher/choreographer whose enthusiasm for Bollywood stemmed from rigorous training in classical Indian dance, ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary styles.
The producers of “Bollywood Fiesta” hope to present not only Bollywood Indian music and dance but also Latino acts. “Indo-Mex” food will be on the menu with a cash bar. Professional photographer Ravi Pothukuchy will also have his mobile studio on site to take your pictures at no cost.
All proceeds will go to Hindu Charities for America, a 501 (c )(3) non-profit organization, to be used to procure and distribute school supplies for the Manor children, many of whom are in homeless situations. All proceeds are tax-deductible. To purchase tickets to the delightfully unique experience, $10 per person, children under 10 free, drop by Apna Bazaar, Mexitas, or go to Hindu Charities for America website at www. hinducharitiesforamerica.org where you can use PayPal, or call 512-335-8809. Checks may be written to HC4A, 2701 Glenwood Trl., Cedar Park, TX, 78613.
Pau l S aldaña hf Bl anca Nereida Valenci a h f J os é V e l á sq u e z
By Gavin Lance Garcia
Las Nuevas Voces del Austin Latino
Austin’s Latino trailblazers of the 1960’s and ‘70s have been widely celebrated in recent years, recognized for their respective contributions in a variety of fields. But what of today’s local Latino leaders? This month, TODO Austin begins a series of conversations with the next generation of notable Mexican American advocates, whose voices have become indispensable in the community. Currently, there are approximately 560,000 Hispanic/Latinos in the Greater Austin Area (42 percent of Austin’s population) with an annual purchasing power in excess of $10 billion. As Latinos reach critical mass, Paul Saldaña, Blanca Nereida Valencia and José Velásquez will be among those at the forefront of change, helping Hispanics reach their political, cultural and economic potential.
About Paul Saldaña: Co-founder of Adelánte Solutions, Inc., Saldaña was born and raised in Austin and has spent more than 20 years in local municipal government, public policy, public affairs and political consulting. He served as Chief of Staff for the first elected Hispanic Mayor of Austin, Gus Garcia, and is currently Executive Vice Chair for Legislative Issues on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce. Saldaña—married to Lisa VasquezSaldaña and a father of three—utilizes social media to amplify, motivate, and engage the local Latino community, especially on quality of life issues, with nearly 5,000 followers on Facebook, and is the creator of a “think tank” group and forum, Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA). José Miguel Anwar Velásquez, a native of East Austin whose family has resided there since the 1930’s, with a great uncle and great-grandfather literally paving the streets, engages not only the Latino community but the East Austin Community as a whole, civically and politically. He’s worked with the Travis County Democratic Party on its Hispanic Outreach for the past three years, as well as its Community Leadership Project. A founding member of Holly Neighbors Helping Neighbors, he is a supporter of the Pan-Am Rec Center, ESBMACC and Fiestas Patrias. A social media Svengali, his Hermanos de East Austin works via Facebook and Twitter to promote, engage and advance East Austin.
TODO Austin: In what ways are you supporting/ For example, our community is not monolithic representing the Latino community? and we have numerous subcultures within our local Latino community. Within these subcultures Saldaña: In 2007, I was a founding member of HABLA which has since been utilized as a platform lie various cultural value systems and we are to develop creative and sustainable solutions to quick to label and often make predetermined support the growing Latino community. Shortly assumptions about each other. We at times thereafter, I created Hispanic Voters Count in become our own worst enemy by asserting a Austin, also on social media outlets, specifically crabs-in-bucket mentality to tear each other created to engage Austin Hispanic business and down rather than to support a common cause community leaders to support local Hispanic Voter and/or each other. Before we can help others, we Registration and Get Out The Vote initiatives to must first help ourselves. The greatest example is demonstrate that Hispanic voters count in Austin. the disconnect between Hispanic Americans and Valencia: I am currently serving as one of the Hispanic immigrants. Vice Presidents of Hermanos de East Austin, which is composed largely of Latinos promoting civic engagement and providing opportunities of participation in community activities. In addition, I remain involved as an occasional volunteer with the Travis County Democratic Party. I have also recently joined a band that plays the modern day Pop and Rock en Español as well as the music of my childhood—with a modern spin.
Velásquez: The true impetus for Hermanos de East Austin was spawned off an idea that my carnalito, Francisco “Pancho” Iruegas, posited me before he passed. I asked him, “Why don’t more people like us that grew up in East Austin get involved in politics?” He retorted, “Show me big dog, show me more people like me doing it and we’ll come out. We have to feel comfortable being Blanca Nereida Valencia, formerly of Brownsville, in those places, those events, those situations. We is a UT-Austin alum with a BA in History and a have to see our reflection when we go and then teaching certificate. Currently a social studies we’ll come out.” teacher in Manor, her studies in Latino, Chicano, TODO Austin: How can people help change the and Mexican heritage at UT led her to become way Latinos think of themselves (raise their level of involved with the Travis County Democratic Party, self-esteem, pride)? where she helps educate Latino voters. She’s integral to Hermanos de East Austin and views Saldaña: I firmly believe that Latinos are definitely the group’s efforts much like the printing of the poised to influence the local landscape of quality Gutenberg Bible, helping the Latino community of life issues; however, we must first address ondisseminate information to help bring awareness going challenges within our own community before we can truly reach our greatest potential. and first steps toward action.
Valencia: First, interacting with others, whether it is other generations, other races, others of different socioeconomic statuses, etc., is crucial to understanding our role as citizens of our country and the world. This is how we learn about ourselves. We learn both what we share in common with others and what makes us different. Second, I think it is important that we young people finally take those steps on the path that was paved for us. The generations before us have paved the way for us to be able to attend great universities, with greater access to educational opportunities, to be able to walk in the same room as any other race without regards for socioeconomic status.
Velásquez, Valencia and Saldaña. Mark Guerra photo. TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com 09
Cont. on pg. 10
Cont. from pg. 9
We need to believe that we are just as deserving as every other person in this world to have access to all these great things, and then we need to walk the walk. Velásquez: I think Latinos have pride ingrained in our DNA. I think we are a very proud people. Regarding the question that you pose about Latinos having low self-esteem, I think you raise anyone’s self-esteem by helping them find their purpose or their place in this world. Help someone find what piques their interest, something they are good at and the self-esteem will come instinctively.
very results-oriented people. If we don’t see the immediate corollary of our actions, we can become disengaged. If we don’t feel the energy or life of what we are trying to accomplish, it becomes very difficult for us to continue. In the realm of political power, I believe the old guard needs to start helping usher in a new generation of leaders, people like Rep. Joaquin Castro, who inspire younger Latinos with the spoken word. We need to see our generation’s Senator Barrientos’, Commissioner Moyas’, Emma Barrientos’ and Martha Coteras’.
TODO Austin: In what ways do Latinos in TODO Austin: In what ways can the community Austin hold positions of power and influence in mobilize and engage in deeper levels of civic government, academia, the non-profit world, and participation and harness our growing political corporate America? power to bring about real change? Saldaña: In Austin, there were 10,526 HispanicSaldaña: The key to our future Latino political owned businesses in 2007, a jump of 49.4 percent power lies within our young Latinos. A recent over 2002, with $1.5 billion in revenue, according Nielson report reminds us that Latinos represent to a survey. In 2007, Hispanic-owned businesses the majority of the population growth in America in Austin represented nearly 11 percent of all small over the next five years. And while the overall U.S. businesses in Austin. In 2011, Austin was home population is aging, the Latino population remains to over 16,000 Hispanic-owned businesses, young. Various research studies indicate that many representing nearly 20 percent of all small Hispanics are tech savvy. That leads to Hispanics businesses in Austin. By 2017-2020, Austin will have outpacing all other ethnic groups in mobile data approximately 22,000-25,000 Hispanic-owned service consumption. Clearly, today’s Latino youth businesses. Latinos represent over 60 percent of are influenced by the various social media forums, the student population in Austin ISD. What impacts especially those available on smartphones. our local Latino community has an overall impact Introducing the concepts of grassroots organizing, on the entire Austin community and clearly we are activism and leadership with a focus on voter poised to impact the local economic and political registration and get-out-the-vote initiatives has landscapes in Austin. the potential to truly motivate and effect a climate change in Latino voting. This model approach can Velásquez: Latinos are involved in every one of be successful as long as the mobilization of our those arenas, but it’s very disproportionate. We are communities are culturally relevant and address still struggling to gain a full footing. the fundamental roots of our greatest challenges such as education and economic success. The TODO Austin: What are the most important issues messaging must be centered and relevant to the facing Austin Latinos today? lives of Latinos as they are actually lived. Valencia: We need to learn our history; to understand that while we have more than past generations, many things have not changed. In fact, they are even harder to fight for. A good friend told me that the problem with my generation is that racism and discrimination is embedded in our infrastructure, in our very systems. It takes more than just protest. It takes votes. It takes activism. It takes knowing your community, knowing what it needs most, and then holding those in office accountable. We also need to learn how to work together as communities, not races. For decades, possibly centuries, races have struggled to fight their own battles. I am not discounting racial pride in the least, but I strongly feel that in order to truly make change, we must leverage each other as a family. We should embrace our differences and consider them assets, then find what struggles we share and work together for the greater good of our communities. It does us no good to attempt to work alone when we are sharing such similar struggles. Lastly, we need to look internally. Instead of asking what others can change for us, we need to ask what we can also do for ourselves. Velásquez: I think Latinos are motivated by emotion. We are a very emotional people and 10 TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com
Paul Saldaña.
Blanca Nereida Valencia and SolAna Renteria.
Saldaña: The most important issues and challenges facing our growing Latino community are education and economic opportunities. In Austin, for example, Latino students represent more than 60 percent of the student population in Austin ISD. However, Latinos represent the highest drop-out rate in Austin, Travis County nearly 52 percent. Less than 16 percent of Latinos in Austin have a Bachelor’s Degree. Education equals economic success and self-empowerment. Latino engagement also continues to be a challenge, but clearly the future empowerment of our community lies within the future of our young people.
Velásquez: It’s an institutional calamity. In a city where Hispanics make up 42 percent of the population, holding one seat on the City Council is appalling. Voter turnout is down overall, but this can be remedied by moving all of our elections to November where there is naturally higher turnout. What also needs to be implemented is a move to a district system, as the people at Austinites for Geographic Representation are attempting to do.
TODO Austin: This is a big question, but what can we do locally to address the disproportionate suffering of Latinos (as compared to Anglos) in the Velásquez: The most important issues facing areas of education, poverty and socioeconomics? Austin Latinos today are education, housing, hunger and poverty. Education is the silver bullet Saldaña: The City of Austin’s Hispanic Quality to all of those social ills. With the high drop-out of Life Initiative provided a very astute analysis of rate of our youth, the downward spiral begins and observations and conclusions about our Latino population. Among them, a reminder that there ends with education. continues to be absolute population growth and TODO Austin: What are your views on Austin City a soaring share of the total population within Council representation and the effect on Latino the city and across the region. The majority of Austin? children in Austin are now Hispanic. As previously Saldaña: For years, I have firmly believed that acknowledged, Austin’s Hispanic community Austin needs a single-member-district Austin is not culturally monolithic but rather contains City Council election system. The outdated an amazing amount of internal diversity. There “gentlemen’s agreement” needs to be buried once is a potential emergence of two communities: and for all. Austin professes to be progressive and one fully integrated and engaged, and the other liberal, but when it comes to Austin politics, we are isolated, existing within a cultural bubble and this not. The central city urban core liberals continue subcommunity is decidedly disadvantaged. to enjoy electing our City leaders. While it is true that the gentlemen’s agreement created by the Valencia: Voting is so crucial! I cannot even begin Anglo community dictates a designated seat for to describe how important it is, especially in local the Latino and African-American communities, too politics. That is ONE way we can make change often it is the same central urban core and a few happen. Also, information is so key. Information political consultants that dictate to the Black and leads to awareness. After we know what’s Brown communities exactly who will serve as our broken, we know how to fix it. Listen to different representative. As a former City Hall insider, I can attest to many instances when issues would arise perspectives, draw your own conclusions, and get perceived to be Latino issues and the unspoken informed. You know your community best, so you word and expectation was that your Brown know what is best for your community. council member needed to assume a leadership role to address. My observations and experience led me to believe that there were two Austin City Council daises, a public and a private. I believe the conversation in the community has shifted towards healthy discussions about geographic representation and that it would create additional opportunities to elect more than one Latino to the Austin City Council.
Velásquez: This question has many facets, but in short, I believe electing more people (regardless of race) that truly understand the depths of poverty and the depths of hunger will have an immediate impact in these areas because they will be less inclined to compromise with school closures, provide opportunity for all, and will be more willing to offer a hand up.
ALMA Presents 13th Annual Sonidos del Barrio Austin Latino Music Association presents the 13th edition of Sonidos del Barrio on Friday, June 8, at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. Doors open at 5 a.m. with music at 6 p.m. Free admission. Commemorating the Trail of Tejano Legends, this year’s line-up will include Los AT Boyz, Paco Rodriguez, Alma Tejana, Cacy Savala, El Mariachi de Zeke Castro and Cañonazo featuring Nicky Lopez. ALMA will also present the Idolos del Barrio Awards for lifetime achievement to 10 local Latino music legends. This year’s honorees are Gilbert Alba, Steve “Rat” Silva, Philip Borrero, Ruben Hernandez, Zeke Castro, Johnny Gonzales, Robert Rodriguez, Mario Bustos, Albert J. Rangel and Felipe Martinez.
The mission of ALMA (meaning “soul” in English) is to increase knowledge and awareness in the community about local musicians and important historical figures in Austin’s Latino music scene, provide exposure and resources to local musicians, and to foster the development of young musicians who will keep Latino musical styles and traditions alive in the Capitol City. To fulfill its mission, ALMA produces a variety of music programs with the longest running program being Sonidos del Barrio, which was first produced in 2001. The music series was intended to showcase a broad array of Latino musical styles.
Sultry Flamenco Dancer
Pilar Andújar and Co. to App ear at E l Sol y L a Lu n a Internationally renowned Flamenco dancer and choreographer, Pilar Andújar, performs twice this month at El Sol y La Luna on Saturday, June 2 and Saturday, June 30 at 8 p.m. A dancer, choreographer and singer hailing from Madrid, Andújar has spent 20 years touring the world with some of Spain’s finest Flamenco companies, including Blanca del Rey and Antonio Gades. Her fusion of traditional “puro” Flamenco with modern emotionally charged “Flamenco Nuevo” has been called “sultry, commanding, and tender” by the “New York Times.” Now residing in Austin, where she recently married her partner who convinced her to move to the city from Madrid, Andújar recently formed her own Flamenco dance company. Patrons can expect Andújar and company to present a highly technical, energetic dance style in the format of a traditional Spanish tablao consisting of various group choreographies as well as solo performances. Andujar’s will be accompanied by Spaniard Celia Corrales (a Flamenco singer from El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz) and David Cordoba (a Flamenco guitarist from Altet -Alicante), as well as local percussionist Michael Longoria (of Atash and Os Alquimistas). Metroland wrote of her, “Pilar Andújar, striking in red, dances… with seething intensity. Her hips swivel beyond flamenco’s boundaries to the edge of vulgarity, but this is countered by her arms, which slice the air like scimitars. In a brilliant solo, she stalks the stage, elongates her arched
back, and whips around in passes like those of a bullfighter.” Andújar has performed as an invited artist at the Instituto Cervantes in Istanbul, Turkey, the International Festival of Baltic Ballet at the Latvian National Opera House in Riga, Latvia, the Spanish Embassy in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and the Spanish Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the guitar festival of Nha Trang, among other dates. As a choreographer for the company of Carlota Santana, Flamenco-Vivo, she created programs including Palillos y pies; Aires flamencos; and Franco Zefferelli’s Carmen. For the company of Yuriko Yoda in Japan, she created choreographies for Carmen, Ama, Zerda and Mrs. Macbeth. Andújar has also designed choreography and scenic movement for the theatre, including “Sainetes” and “La Comedia nueva o el Café,” for the National Classical Theatre Company in Madrid. ”She dances with an intense vertical core while her arms are a thing apart,” read an ExploreDance. com review. “It was like her vertical dimension was a rock over which the tides of her horizontal dimension washed with much elasticity. Ms. Andujar’s talent is infectious. I suggest throwing large bouquets of flowers at the stage as a way of asking for an encore.” The El Sol y La Luna performances are $12 at the door or can be reserved by calling 512-444-7770.
Follow us on Twitter at @bellasartesa
On Facebook at Bellas Artes Alliance
www.bellasartesalliance.com
photo by Lorie L. Garcia TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com 11
Music Lessons are a Lifeline to a Better Future for Foster Youth By Callie Langford
As a felony prosecutor in juvenile court, Karyn Scott was constantly surrounded by foster youth who were getting into trouble. “I saw a lot of wonderful kids with great potential, but they didn’t have a stable home environment or resources,” said Scott. Scott has always had a place in her heart for foster children. She’s served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate of Travis County volunteer and a few years into her work in the juvenile court, she started coming up with ideas for a program that would reach these children and help them set goals and achieve success in their young lives. Having managed local bands in the past, it was a natural progression for Scott to land on music. Scott founded Kids in a New Groove (K.I.N.G.) in Austin in 2009. “Music is a powerful way to reach kids that have been abused or neglected,” she explained. “It’s a great tool that provides structure and patterns and gives kids a nonverbal tool for expression.” The program
aims to help kids in foster care have the same access to achievement that other kids enjoy by providing private one-on-one music instruction to kids in foster care throughout Texas, with most students residing in Austin. K.I.N.G. has a vision to build a solid foundation for foster youth through music mentorship so that youth age out of care with tools for success. Students perform in recitals and shows, and learn about setting goals by working to earn new instruments through meeting various program objectives. The music teachers are all volunteers and they continue working with the foster youth even when they move to a different home or placement. Knowing they can count on their music teacher for those weekly lessons, no matter where they are, adds consistency to a very traumatic time in these children’s lives. K.I.N.G. also tries to ensure that children who are moved out of Austin don’t miss out by having expanded their program to Houston and Dallas.
R e s ta u r a n t, B a k e ry & B a r Tex-Mex breakfast and lunch since the 1950’s “Best Freakin’ Migas” – Best of Austin Awards
1511 East 6th Street 512.478-2420
Mexican Food and Cantina Great Lunch Specials and a great price Come try our Happy Hour from 4-7pm! 1107 North IH 35 • 512.467.4444
12 TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com
The music lessons are a lifeline to a better future for foster youth, a lifeline that is sorely needed. According to Casey Family Programs, only 3 percent of foster youth go on to graduate from college, and 22 percent will experience homelessness after aging out of care, but K.I.N.G. is working to beat the odds. The average number of youth who have gone on to college after leaving the K.I.N.G. program is much higher than the national average of children in the general foster care population. In addition, many K.I.N.G. students have earned superior ratings at performances and recitals, and even made records in professional recording studios. “K.I.N.G. is helping change the grim statistics facing youth in care by giving them an opportunity to engage in an activity that allows them to express themselves through a positive outlet, while also building confidence and providing a stable mentor,” said Sonia Kotecha, Director of Volunteers for CASA of Travis County. Many youth that CASA serves have benefited from the K.I.N.G. program. CASA volunteer Mary Nev Talbott worked with a teen girl in foster care who took a lot out of her lessons with K.I.N.G. “It really built her self-esteem,” said Talbott. “She was so pleasantly surprised when she learned that she had these hidden musical talents. She didn’t realize she could sing until her music teacher discovered her voice, and now it’s her favorite thing to do. A lot of good came from having the strong adult connection with her music teacher, and even her math scores improved as she learned music.” Kids in a New Groove currently serves 60 children in Texas but they are looking to grow. The organization needs more music educators to volunteer as teachers and mentors. They also need instruments donated to the program. You can find out more about helping them on their website, www.kidsinanewgroove.org.
East Austin’s first science, technology, engineering and math-focused summer institute
STEM Summer By Ryan Hutchison
Most of us remember summer as the carefree, happy time when “kids can be kids,” and take for granted the prospect of enriching experiences like summer camp, time with family, and trips to museums, parks, and libraries. Unfortunately, many children on Austin’s Eastside face a summer that is anything but idyllic. With the basic needs fulfilled by our community schools absent, summer break can bring a lack of safe environments and adequate adult supervision. Additionally, for many children in East Austin, the lack of access to enriching educational opportunities over the summer can lead to serious academic consequences. East Austin College Prep, in conjunction with East Austin Children’s Promise, the KDK-Harman Foundation and Southwest Key Boys and Girls Club, identified the difficulties children on the east side face during the summer and opened their doors in 2011 to hold East Austin’s first science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) focused summer institute. This summer learning experience brought fun and positive educational outcomes for 204 students. The mission and strengths of each partner contributed to the successful implementation of this comprehensive program. Thanks to additional investments by each partner, East Austin College Prep will open its doors again this June to provide engaging learning opportunities and activities for children and youth in the East Austin community.
East Austin Children’s Promise: It’s Not Just for Kids By Cindy Casares
East Austin Children’s Promise may sound like a program that only serves kids, but the idea behind it is actually to help the entire community of East Austin empower itself. Roberto Callero is one example of an adult who has taken advantage of this plan. He came to EACP in March looking for a way to learn English. The school’s partnership with Austin Community College to teach ESL was just the ticket. Below is the testimony of his ACC teacher, Jennifer King. Roberto joined our ESL class in March on the advice of his lawyer in preparation to take the U.S. citizenship exam. The lawyer told him he would be fine if he just worked on his English. Well, it worked. He passed. Roberto is from Mexico and has been in the U.S. for eighteen years. He is married and has three children. This is a big month for his family. Not only has he passed his citizenship exam, but his wife is also becoming a CPA, graduating from the University of Phoenix. Before taking this class, Roberto wasn’t sure he would pass his citizenship exam. I found out about his plans last month. To help him, as well as provide incentive to other students with similar goals, I quickly put together a civics unit. We dedicated three weeks to learning about the thirteen colonies, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and various historical figures. I was inspired to see how fascinated the whole class was in these lessons. Roberto’s chief concern was the writing portion of the test. To prepare him, we did several dictation exercises. All the while, the entire class practiced reading, writing, speaking, and listening to English. Roberto told me that his family has noticed his English improving. Even his daughters have commented on his progress. He told me that he feels he can now participate in his children’s academic lives. He said, “My wife told me, ‘You learned more English in two months than in eighteen years!’” I could not be prouder of him! And I love seeing his smiling face in class. He is a delightful addition to our group.
The 7-week, full-day summer learning program for students between the ages of six and seventeen focuses educational activities and themes in the areas of science, technology, math, engineering and health and wellness. To ensure the success of the program and high levels of academic excellence, as well as to engage the youth, the camp utilizes methods of effective and promising programs in STEM and Gifted and Talented research including experiential, hands-on learning techniques and field-based instruction with a focus on 21st century skills including robotics and digital technology. Weekly themes in the 2011 camp were complemented by special visits and discussions from specialists in STEM fields; including Erin Defosse, former engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Paul Hammerschmidt, a projects coordinator at the Coastal Fisheries Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This camp isn’t all work and no play, though. Educational programming and fun activities are scheduled in time blocks, students are broken into four grade-level groupings for instruction and participation in activities, projects, lessons and labs that are age appropriate and aligned to the overall lab theme of the week. Last year Living Systems lab week was complemented by a visit from a mobile petting zoo and a field trip to Aquarena Center in San Marcos to ride glass bottom boats. Sea Creature lab week, Shamu’s favorite, provided an opportunity to visit SeaWorld and Volente Beach park. Digital Storytelling lab week brought movies to life as students visited Austin Film Studios and got to see the Wizard of Oz on the big screen. Providing students a chance to build their own fond memories of summer and solving educational gaps in the process is why this STEM Institute is making a difference for over 200 students in East Austin. All children should be afforded with opportunities; they broaden horizons and bring the ability to dream and grasp their own unique future. TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com 13
TENGO HAMBRE
Eat, Drink, Be Cool: Three Tasty Recipes to Beat the Summer Heat By Katie Walsh
That Texas heat is creeping in, partna’. While Barton Springs, Deep Eddy and our air conditioners kick into high gear to cool us down from the outside, lest we not forget that what we snack and sip on can be just as (if not more!) effective at keeping us cool from the inside. Here are three easy recipes you can throw together to keep your cool as we marathon through our 100+ degrees of summer, all built around yummy cooling fruits and veggies.
Rainbow Fruit Pops
Who needs sugary artificial rainbow pops when you can make your own from 100% pure, fresh fruit? Try experimenting with your favorite fruits and colors. Yield: 6 (4-ounce) popsicles Cook time: 10 minutes, plus time to freeze
Ingredients:
1 dozen strawberries, finely chopped (about 1 cup) 1 medium mango, peeled, pitted & finely chopped (about 2/3 cup) 1 cup fresh chopped pineapple 2 kiwis, peeled and finely chopped 1 cup blueberries or grapes, finely chopped
Beginning with the strawberries, layer each type of fruit into popsicle molds, pressing down with your fingers to create even layers that fill the molds completely. Add more or less of any type of fruit, as needed. Place in the freezer for at least 4 hours to set up.
Tropical Gazpacho
A little soupier than a traditional gazpacho, this version combines a rainbow of tropical flavors from pineapple, papaya, mango and lime. It gets tastier as it marinates in the fridge. Yield: 6 entree-sized servings Cook time: 15 minutes, plus prep and 4 hours to marinate
I ngredients:
1 (46-ounce) bottle organic tomato juice (about 6 cups) Juice of 4 limes (about 1/2 cup) 1 medium papaya, peeled, seeded and diced, divided 2 medium mangoes, peeled, pitted and diced 1 small pineapple, peeled, cored and diced 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced 1 small red onion, peeled and diced 1 small red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and diced 1 Serrano chile, stemmed and diced* (with seeds for spice) 1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, chopped Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste Avocado slices for garnish
*Cover your hands with latex gloves or a grocery bag while chopping chiles to prevent the oils from burning your skin. f Place tomato juice, lime juice, half of papaya, and a handful of diced mango and pineapple in a blender and puree until smooth. f Pour mixture into a large mixing bowl and add remaining fruit, onion, cucumber, peppers, and cilantro. Stir well. Season with salt & pepper to taste. f Cover bowl and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. f To serve, spoon into bowls and top with avocado slices and fresh cilantro leaves.
Frame of Reference By Blake Shanley
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you … Um … liar, liar, pantalones on fire. Words are far more powerful, more potent and more lasting than any stick or stone. You can get a bit of surgery and bed rest for a broken bone. But the effect that words have on you and every living thing can affect and change the world around you drastically. Simply put, we have always been taught that words are just words. That they don’t mean” anything. Sure, you were told not to call your brother names 14 TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com
Pineapple Cucumber Agua Fresca
Tired of pounding down gallons of plain water? Aguas frescas are a perfect way to mix it up. (Don’t get me wrong though, they don’t replace the 8+ daily glasses of pure H2O your body needs.) This is a flavor combination I first tried at Taquería Arrandinas and quickly fell in love with. Try setting aside a few extra chunks of pineapple and slices of cucumber to throw into your glass or pitcher. Yield: Makes a large pitcher (about 8-10 cups) Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1 medium ripe pineapple, cleaned, cored and cut into small chunks 2 large cucumbers, seeded and diced (with peel) 4-6 cups water 1/2 cup raw sugar, honey or agave nectar (or more to taste)
Puree pineapple and cucumber in a blender or food processor until very smooth. f Combine pureed fruit with water. Start with 4 cups and add more to dilute to your taste. For a true, pure agua fresca, strain mixture through a strainer lined with cheesecloth. If you don’t mind pulp, skip this step. Combine with sweetener in a large pitcher and stir well to dissolve. Taste often and add more sweetener or water as needed. Serve cold or over ice. Allow to steep in the pitcher for an hour to overnight before serving. Follow Katie Walsh at Whisked Foodie (whiskedfoodie.com)
but really, you weren’t told that your words can, will and do instantaneously affect the living world on extraordinary levels, levels to which you frequently are not paying attention. Your words have enormous power and energy behind them, particularly in conjunction with your emotions and the thoughts that began and support them. Your words, all of them, set into motion a series of events that affect everyone in your environment, all without you even “thinking” about it. You only have to believe a fraction of the concept that your words and thoughts directly create your reality and the world around you in order to believe that this is somehow true. Remind yourself the next time you insult or “joke”
about someone, yell or complain about your finances, job, relationship or life. The next time you are “venting” or telling yourself you’re not good enough, ultimately setting that into motion on some level. Inversely, think about what happens when you say kind things or find the good in a situation, when you take a “positive” spin in a conversation and attempt to understand before you speak. When you speak words of appreciation, excitement and compassion, and when are kind and calm. With every word you are affecting the energy of a room, a conversation, a human being, an experience. You are telling the world your truth, and the world has no option but to respond accordingly. Pick your words carefully.
Plum Writing Chronicles of Undercover Mexican Girl:
Labels Divide By Alexandra M. Landeros
In a recent article on Glasstire.com, art critic Leslie Moody Castro argues how Mexic-Arte Museum in downtown Austin has become out of touch with the ever growing and diversifying local Latino (or insert your label of choice) community. As the Official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas, the organization seeks to enrich the community through education programs and exhibitions focusing on traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. It seems Mexic-Arte Museum has a fairly broad spectrum covered, that is, except for the Hispanics, Chicanos, Tejanos, and those who primarily identify with their native countries in Central and South America. Finally there are also those people who ultimately identify themselves as American, either because they’ve been here for several generations, or because they were born here, or because–why not? Other groups who have immigrated to the United States apparently had it just as rough as those coming from Mexico and other Latin American countries. In the mid-1700’s, nine out of ten indentured servants in our country were Irish. With the great potato famine of the mid-1800’s, a great number of Irish immigrants died during the ocean crossing due to disease and poor traveling conditions, and those that managed to make it to the port cities worked doing grueling, manual labor. During that time period, many Irish, especially those who were Catholic, were socially discriminated against.
being superficially “more Irish” than the Irish themselves, often referred to as “Plastic Paddies.” Although largely assimilated into American culture, similarly to Italians, many Irish continue to celebrate their heritage. 1960’s, the Irish American Cultural Institute was one of several organizations founded to raise awareness about the positive contributions of Irish in America. There is an Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago. In so many ways, Latinos share much in common with the Irish and the Italians: strong Catholic and family traditions, making a bigger deal of celebrating our culture than our counterparts born and raised in the motherlands, and even sharing half the month of October (with the Italians) in honoring our heritage. Yet, in so many ways, we are different. I feel there is a great resistance to being labeled “American”– -as if we let go of our cultural labels, we’d lose our identity, traditions, and history. I have so many friends who are of Italian and Irish descent, yet they don’t refer to themselves as Italian or Irish. It’s true, of course, that many of them also don’t speak the language, and in some respects, have no real connection to their heritage. But I don’t doubt there are others whose families have managed to pass down language and traditions, regardless of any laws or major collectives struggling to preserve their cultural identity. On the other hand, I have friends with Hispanic surnames who don’t speak Spanish, whose families have been here for many generations, and whose traditions are as American as apple pie. Some of these friends are okay being identified as American, in the same way the Italians and Irish have assimilated into this country. Yet, some of these friends, despite their fuzzy cultural heritage, wield their label (usually Latino or Chicano) like some kind of battle-axe. In her article about Mexic-Arte Museum, referring to the annual Young Latino Artists exhibition, Moody states, “YLA is wonderful, but it doesn’t actually have to exist.” I’ve often wondered why Latinos have this strong need to have so many
separate cultural, social, and political institutions, beyond those that celebrate our history and heritage. What if young Latinos had an exhibition along with other young artists? In seeing some of the art at these YLA exhibitions, more often than not, I can’t tell what makes the art “Latino” other than the last name of the artist. What if, no matter how much we cry out that we must have our own separate spaces—both in real life and on the internet—we are becoming more American anyway, whether we like it or not, as we spend more time in the United States? We seem to be creating a rift between whoever we think we are and whoever we think “Americans” are. Furthermore, we seem to be creating a rift between Latinos, Hispanics, Chicanos, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Tejanos, Mexican Americans and so forth. Growing up, I grew tired of hearing from Mexican American schoolmates that I was acting “white” for listening to European classical music or reading English literature. It’s no wonder that I grew to resent being “Mexican” if being so meant it wasn’t socially popular to educate myself. As I got older, those who were of Anglo descent would comment I did not act like the “typical” Mexican. What kind of conversation would have existed between my schoolmates and me if we didn’t have labels? What if the divide wasn’t between uneducated Mexicans vs. educated Mexicans, or Mexicans vs. whites? What if the divide was simply between those who loved books and those who didn’t? Maybe it is time for us stop letting others labeling us based on ethnicity—and time for us to stop labeling ourselves, when we can’t even agree what all these labels mean anyway, along with the supposed behaviors that go along with these labels. There seems to be a confusing paradox in wanting to be treated equally to “white” Americans, yet, we demand to be treated as different. More often than not, I see values and behaviors transcending culture and ethnicity. As we fight for equality in America, then, let’s prove that no matter what our skin color is, or how Spanish sounding our last names are, we can be American, too.
NPS photo
Italians immigrated to the United States mainly during the late 1800’s, also because of economic struggles, and they suffered similar challenges as the Irish. They were often discriminated against and had to take up the lowest paying, working class jobs. A majority of Italian immigrants to the United States had arrived by World War I, and by this point, most Italians have assumed a mainstream American identity. Yet, Italian Americans still celebrate their food, music, and art at family gatherings and community festivals, and there are various organizations working to preserve the culture, such as the National Italian American Foundation. October has been designated as Italian Heritage Month. One value that Italian Americans still hold on to is a strong commitment to family. In 1924, Senator Patrick Kenny stated, “The children of Irish parents born abroad are sometimes more Irish than the Irish themselves, and they would come with added experience and knowledge to our country.” The Irish diaspora in the United States is roughly six times of the current population in Ireland. Irish born outside of the motherland began to be criticized for TODO Austin // June 2012 // TodoAustin.com 15
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” June Line-up
Taco Bar
----------------------------------------------------------------FRI 6/1 LOS FLAMES (6:30) SAT 6/2 THE PEDERSON BROTHERS (6:30) SUN 6/3 THE TEXAS TYCOONS (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 6/6 LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:30) THU 6/7 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) FRI 6/8 LOS FLAMES (6:30) SAT 6/9 THE LEROI BROTHERS (6:30) SUN 6/10 TRENT TURNER & THE MOONTOWERS (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 6/13 LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:30) THU 6/14 THE FABS (6:30) FRI 6/15 LOS FLAMES (6:30) SAT 6/16 THE BANZAI PROJECT (6:30) SUN 6/17 MITCH WEBB & THE SWIDLES (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 6/20 LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:30) THU 6/21 MATT SMITH’S WORLD (6:30) FRI 6/22 LOS FLAMES (6:30) SAT 6/23 MIKE MILLIGAN & THE ALTAR BOYZ (6:30) SUN 6/24 CHICKEN STRUT (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 6/27 LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:30) THU 6/28 THE SUPER SWING REVIEW (6:30) FRI 6/29 LOS FLAMES (6:30) SAT 6/30 EL TULE (6:30)
1412 S. Congress Avenue • Austin, Texas 78704 Open Weekdays 11am-11pm; Weekends 8am-11pm
www.GuerosTacoBar.com
���� ��
���
Summer/Fall 2012 : 9:30am, last Tuesday of each month
For a special screening please contact Linda Crockett at 512-974-3789 or linda.crockett@austintexas.gov. All films are free admission.
October 30 September 25
August 28
July 31
June 26
Acompañame Rocio Dúrcal que trabaja en el museo de antropológia, responde a un anuncio solicitando Dama de compañia y Enrique hace lo mismo cuando pierde su pensión de estudiante. Como chofer de la Señora de sociedad conoce a Rocio, ambos son jovenes que aman la música. Una película llena de bellas canciones y de amor juvenil. Directed by Luis César Amadori, 1966. Spanish with no subtitles.
La Mujer Que Yo Perdí / The Lady I Lost This is the story of Pedro, a revolutionary who fights against poverty and injustice, and about the woman who loves him and who is willing to die for him even though she doesn’t belong to him. When war keeps them apart, he discovers love too late. Directed by Roberto Rodríguez, 1949. Spanish with English subtitles.
Vuelven Los García / The Garcias Return Two resentful families...two youths who love them...they will have to choose between the honor of their name, the loyalty between cousins and the love that is born in their hearts. This is a story full of pain, suspense, and love. Directed by Ismael Rodríguez, 1947. Spanish with English subtitles.
La Vida No Vale Nada / Life is Worth Nothing A lonely man named Pablo, played by Pedro Infante, goes to the city where he gets a job as a laborer in a widow’s antique store. Even though he makes the store prosper, the local priest demands he be fired, but the widow refuses. The two fall in love, but conflict arises when he gets drunk on her birthday. Directed by Rogelio González, 1955. Spanish with English subtitles.
No Borders: Los Super Seven’s Canto This fascinating look at the Grammy© Award-winning super-group follows the band from studio sessions to the release of their album Canto, and onto the concert stage. The group has grown into a global phenomenon with music that encompasses international sounds from across Latin America, with each member adding his or her masterful style. Directed by Wayne Miller & Michael Borofsky, 2001. English.
600 River St., Austin, TX 78701 512-974-3772 • maccaustin.org The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call 512-974-3772 or 711 Relay Texas. La ciudad de Austin está comprometida al Acta de Americanos Incapacitados. Si requiere asistencia para participar en nuestros programas por favor llame al teléfono número 512-974-3772 o 711 Relay Texas.
www.cityofaustin.org/parks