TODO Austin February 2017

We were great before you, we will continue to be great without you.

www.todoaustin.com VOLUME VIII / FEB 2017

Alamo for All Black History Month Inauguration Weekend Rallies Mardi Gras

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS broadcast 18.1 / cable 9 klru.org

KLRU KIDS SHOWS STREAMING 24/7 ON THE PBS KIDS VIDEO APP! IT’S FREE TO DOWNLOAD AND WATCH! COMING IN APRIL, KLRU WILL OFFER THE PBS KIDS 24/7 CHANNEL OVER THE AIR ON 18.4.

Learn more at KLRU.org Also This Month

Spy In The Wild, A Nature Miniseries

Spy Creatures explore the rarely seen emotions of animals, revealing whether they are as strong and complex as our own. Join the spycams as they are accepted into a wild dog pack, witness elephant love, and are mourned by a troop of monkeys!

Wednesdays at 7 pm; Sundays at 5:30 pm

Independent Lens Tower

Explore the deadly August 1, 1966, mass shooting at the University of Texas that left 16 dead. “Tower” reframes the events of that day via the perspectives of those who lived through it and examines the effects of the shooting over the last 50 years.

February 14th at 9 pm; February 17th at 8 pm

Maya Angelou: American Masters

Journey through the prolific life of the I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings author and activist who inspired generations with lyrical modern African-American thought. Features new interviews with Oprah Winfrey, Common, the Clintons, and others.

February 21st at 7 pm

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is community supported. More than 85% of our funding comes from the public. PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING IN KLRU.

C E N T R O U R B A N O HABLA Austin

Regional equity summit In collaboration with Austin Community College and nonprofit community organizations, the IDEAL center will host a Regional Equity Summit.

Community members, students, and ACC faculty and staff are invited to share information about how to support systemic change for increased inclusion and equity in the region. The summit is Friday, Feb. 3 at ACC Eastview Campus, Rm 8500. Topics to be addressed include systemic issues that impact inclusion in education, government, social services, arts and economics.

APD Vision Zero in action The Austin Police Department and the Austin Transportation Department are kick-starting a new, coordinated effort to implement the City of Austin’s Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to eliminate crashes that kill and severely injure people in Austin. The initiative started Jan. 23 with targeted enforcement of traffic safety laws on Austin streets, followed shortly by distribution of educational materials about transportation safety. Police officers will target behaviors and locations that result in a disproportionate share of crashes in which people are injured or killed, as well as behaviors that contribute to congestion and air quality issues.

Specific locations and enforcement efforts are being informed by APD and ATD data.

TX education failure As a new education secretary takes office to reform America’s schools and with new research showing the positive effects of higher education on earnings over a lifetime, the personal-finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2017’s Most & Least Educated States. How educated is Texas? The state came out the ninth least educated state and 49th in high school diploma holders.

Culture Alive grants The City of Austin Cultural Arts Division announced the launch of the Culture Alive funding initiative on Jan. 26. In an effort to achieve greater cultural equity, Culture Alive will support a variety of artistic expressions and traditions practiced within diverse ALANA (African American, Latino, Asian, and Native American) communities and/or cultural groups in Austin’s MULTICULTURAL media source for EIGHT YEARS • Find us at TODOAustin.com

Austin. Awards up to $5,000 are available for eligible applicants. Culture Alive funding will be awarded on a monthly basis, and applications will be due the last Monday of each month.

Spirit of East Austin Austin Mayor Steve Adler, the Spirit of East Austin working group, and City staff have been focused on the diverse challenges and needs that East Austin faces. Council Member Delia Garza, who represents the area and has made food access one of her main priorities, has been working with the Healthy Food Access working group and other stakeholders on diverse policies to address these needs. The City of Austin announced on Jan. 28 new partnerships, a collection of projects, and community engagement opportunities for future efforts.

The Resistance Against Donald Trump Begins in Texas

By Greg Casar

The resistance against Donald Trump and everything he represents should have its headquarters in Texas.

We are the largest state in America governed by a Trump-aligned regime. Trump’s government will have the support of the state Capitol as our leaders act to dismantle public education, destroy our social safety net and tear apart families.

There are many of us in Texas who will likely be their first targets. Our state is home to more refugees and undocumented immigrants than almost anywhere else in the nation. It’s for this very reason that Texans must take center stage in the Trump resistance.

During the civil rights movement, many Northerners made great sacrifices and played critical roles in defeating Jim Crow. But the true battle was fought and won in the South, where organized resistance and civil disobedience challenged segregation and Klan violence.

Spirit of East Austin forum.

Animal Center project The Austin Animal Center’s improvement project began in late January, on its campus, located on the Betty Dunkerley Campus, 7201 Levander Loop. Improvements will include new adoption kennels, new pet adoption visitation rooms, exercise and play yards, additional visitor parking, and improvements to storm drainage, walkways, directional signage and landscaping.

Big Jump bike project Austin has been selected as one of 10 cities to participate in a three-year initiative that combines community-based outreach and education strategies with the completion of an all-ages-andabilities bicycle network in order to achieve a “big jump” in bicycle ridership.

We’ve all been told to “give Trump a chance.”

Many leaders and talking heads, including Trump, are calling for healing and unity. I believe that’s wrong. There will be no healing for families who will be impoverished or torn apart by Trump. We can’t “give him a chance” to take away health care from people who will die without it.

In Texas, many of us who have advocated for policy change have gotten used to cutting deals, respecting the other side and playing nice. Things have changed. Trump’s followers will not go easy on us for playing nice. There is no compromising with hate and fear.

Texas’ right wing may have gerrymandered districts to deny representation to our communities, suppressed voter participation and handed public policymaking over to corporate interests — but even still, there are millions of progressive Texans with real political, economic and electoral power in our cities.

Volume VIII, Number 10

Langford, César E. López Linares, Genoveva Rodriguez, Diana Sanchez

PUBLISHER/EDITOR // Gavin Lance Garcia info@todoaustin.com

PRODUCTION SERVICES // Anthony Garcia

ART DIRECTOR // Dave McClinton dmdesigninc.com EDITOR //Lesly Reynaga // lesly@todoaustin.com MANAGING EDITOR // Meredith C. Cox meredith@todoaustin.com ASSOCIATE EDITORS // Liz Lopez, Monica Peña, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins, Yvonne Lim Wilson CONTRIBUTING STAFF // Rose Di Grazia, Callie

The lion’s share of local elected officials in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Dallas, El Paso and throughout South Texas are left of center.

That’s because, even though a majority of those throughout the state who go to the ballot box vote Republican, the hearts of Texans — especially in our cities — are populist, progressive and thirsting for change.

CONTRIBUTORS // Alka Bhanot, Lauren Bruno, Roy Casagranda, Cat Cardenas, Cindy Casares, Evelyn C. Castillo, Kevin Cokley, Lobo Corona, Nora De LaRosa, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Yadira Izquierdo, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ali Khataw, Ramey Ko, Harish Kotecha, Sonia Kotecha, Julia Lee, Isabel Lopez-Aguilar, Cristina Parker, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Sameer Shah, Blake Shanley, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Rama Tiru, Carola Rivera, Blanca Valencia, Lesley Varghese, Lichen Zhen ONLINE EDITION // TODOAustin.com

The progressive movement in Texas, more than ever before, can take the bold action necessary to inspire the residents of our cities to become a part of the Trump resistance.

This is a call to action: Build the resistance against Trump in your city. Trump may have won our state’s 38 electoral votes, but that doesn’t mean he’s won Texas.

Now is the time to get involved. Go to a protest.

Call, visit or write your city council members, county commissioners, mayor and state representatives and demand that they openly resist Trump, and then support them if they do so. Make a donation to, or volunteer for, a progressive movement-building organization in your community.

Act in solidarity with your neighbors, follow the leadership of those whose lives are most at risk and mobilize with them to defend everyone’s rights against vigilante violence or government violence — especially people of color, Muslims, immigrants and others who will be scapegoated.

And even when despair and cynicism seem rational, keep hope in your heart instead. We’ll need it. There’s a long fight ahead.

A previous version of this story appeared on the Texas Observer Friday, Jan. 20.

COVER // Dope Ass Artwork.

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. © 2017 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: info@todoaustin.com, 512.538.4115 TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2017 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03

What Martin Luther King Jr. May Have Thought About Our Nation Today

By Kevin Cokley

As we recently celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and we enter Black History Month, I wonder what MLK would think about the country for which he dedicated his life to fighting racial oppression and advancing civil rights. Would he be pleased with the state of affairs of our country? What does the presidential election say about who we are as a nation?

It is symbolic that about a week after we celebrated MLK Day marked the conclusion of the presidency of the first black president of the United States. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, MLK pointed out that in spite of how far America had come, there was still racial injustice.

In what is arguably the most famous line from his speech, he stated that he had a dream that his four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character. And character is, or should be, one of the most important virtues we look for in our leaders.

President Barack Obama was not a perfect president. No president ever is. He made his share of mistakes, for which he paid multiple political prices. However, it is patently unfair and just plain wrong to characterize his entire presidency as a failure with black Americans.

Beyond policies, President Obama does not get enough credit for the type of man he is — his character. He has been a remarkable role model for African Americans, for both males and females.

Here was a man who was a proud father of two beautiful black daughters and married to a smart and beautiful black woman, whose accomplishments he was proud to talk about.

He declared himself a feminist and was a staunch supporter of policies that supported women, including equal pay for equal work

and women’s reproductive rights.

Whether you agreed or disagreed with his policies, by any objective criteria Obama has demonstrated himself to be a man of strong character. During the stress that comes with being president, as well as the added racism he endured, he always conducted himself with class and dignity. By all accounts his character was unassailable. In this regard he was a president, of whom, we could all be proud.

If he were alive today, MLK would be taken aback by what has just transpired in this country. We have elected a president whose former attorney wrote that he should not be elected because of his character.

We have elected a president who was sued for housing discrimination, who allegedly called his son a “retard,” used the N-word, and referred to women in unsavory ways.

We have elected a man who, along with his companies, has been accused of mistreating women in at least 20 lawsuits.

We have elected a man who has said that he didn’t take care of his kids and that men who change diapers are acting like the wife. Most disturbingly, we have elected a man who essentially promoted sexual assault.

Study estimates more than 300,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas There are more than 300,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas, including almost 79,000 minors and youth victims of sex trafficking and nearly 234,000 adult victims of labor trafficking, according to a groundbreaking study by the Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (IDVSA) at the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work.

Human trafficking happens when one person is controlled through violence, deception or coercion in situations of commercial sex, forced labor, or domestic servitude.

Although human trafficking is known to be prevalent in large states with big urban centers such as Texas, the scope of the crime has been difficult to measure. Existing data sets, which focus almost exclusively on identified victims, have shed light on only a fraction of the problem.

Imagine the outcry that would have erupted had Sen. Barack Obama been accused of the things that have been documented about Donald Trump. Would there have ever been a President Obama?

Researchers conducted interviews, focus groups and web-based surveys with professionals at social service agencies who provide outreach and relief services to trafficking victims and survivors to establish benchmarks on human trafficking prevalence across Texas. Main findings include: • There are an estimated 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas.

• Approximately 79,000 minors and youths are victims of sex trafficking in Texas.

• Approximately 234,000 workers in Texas are victims of labor trafficking.

• Traffickers exploit approximately $600 million per year from victims of labor trafficking in Texas in the most at-risk industries and economic sectors, including migrant farm work, construction, kitchen workers in restaurants, and landscaping services.

• An estimated $6.5 billion is spent on the lifetime costs of providing care to victims and survivors of minor and youth sex trafficking in Texas, including costs related to law enforcement, prosecution and social services.

This article was originally published on MLK Day. Wording was adjusted to reflect the celebration of Black History Month.

To address this gap, in 2014 researchers launched the Statewide Human Trafficking Mapping Project of Texas with the goal of quantifying the prevalence and economic impact of human trafficking across the state.

This statewide research was a collaboration among IDVSA, the Bureau of Business Research at the IC2 Institute at UT Austin, and Allies Against Slavery, with funding support from the Criminal Justice Division at the Texas Office of the Governor.

“This is our first glimpse into the scope and impact of human trafficking in Texas.

Few states have this kind of insight into the number of people being exploited,” said IDVSA director Noël Busch-Armendariz, who led the study. “And more importantly,

04 TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2017 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

In addition to mining existing databases, researchers looked at risk indicators found in documented trafficking cases and used that information to define groups of people — community segments — considered to be at higher-than-average risk of trafficking.

Some examples of these community segments are homeless individuals, children and youths in the foster care system, and migrant workers.

• Researchers also established benchmarks on the economic impact of human trafficking:

But the reality is that like it or not, Trump is our next president. For our country’s sake, let’s hope that Trump’s past behavior is not, as psychologists say, a predictor of his future behavior. We need a president with strong character and a moral compass. MLK would have wanted that. Only time will tell.

Kevin Cokley is a professor of educational psychology and black studies, and director of the Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis at The University of Texas at Austin.

each count reflects a human being living among us in slavery-like conditions. Our findings certainly give us all a call to action.”

“The economic and social costs of human trafficking in Texas emphasize the importance of preventative solutions and help inform how to prioritize resources to support those who have experienced exploitation,” explained Bruce Kellison, director of the Bureau of Business Research.

“This is a watershed study for our state,” said John Nehme, the president and CEO of Allies Against Slavery. “This research helps bring human trafficking out of the shadows: the men, women and children who are victims of trafficking in Texas are no longer invisible.

The report will be a significant resource for policymakers, professionals, survivor leaders and community members as we continue to work together to end human trafficking.”

Thursday, Feb. 2, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. “Phone Home” opening reception.

“Phone Home” is an installation featuring the work of Washington D.C. based artist, Jessica Valoris. Inspired by elements of the xigga afro-philo-cosmology, a branch of knowledge and way of being that explores the truths of our origins, presence and universe through a Black cultural lens. The “x” in xigga represents the taboo, the marginalized, the excluded, the intersections and the unknown. Runs through April 8.

New exhibits: “Another Side” in the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery and “Concrete, Plastic & Metal” in the Community Gallery.

Opening reception Saturday, Feb. 4 from 6-8 p.m. “Another Side” is a selection woks by Nathan Nordstrom, also known as Sloke One. The exhibit will focus on Sloke’s abstract and graffiti art on canvas alongside photographs of his work in the U.S. and abroad.

“Concrete, Plastic & Metal is a photography exhibit by Hector Carmona Miranda. Exhibits run through March 25.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 1 p.m. Fredrick Douglas Unveiling. A special unveiling of renowned African American sculptor, Tina Allen whose work tells the story iconic African Americans. The item is on loan to

Curanderisimo: Indigenous Healing Workshops return in February. Sunday, Feb. 12 and 26 from 1-4 p.m. Join the ESBMACC in kicking off a new year of Curanderismo classes offered by nationally renowned curandera Marika Alvarado. Explore the history and techniques of these traditional healing arts. Limited space is available. $25/class for Austin Residents, $30/nonresidents of Austin.

the museum courtesy of the Berri T. McBride Family Trust.

Sunday, Feb. 12, 4 p.m. Black Composers Concert. In collaboration with Austin Chamber Music, we celebrate the musical contributions of African American composers. The concert will feature the sounds of Dr. Artina McCain, Dr. Marcus Wilcher, Igor Klanin, Ms. Icy SimpsonMonroe, James D. Rodriguez and Dr. Martin McCain.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 1 p.m. The Black CNN: Public Enemy Exhibit opening. This exhibit explores the social, political and cultural impact of legendary hip hop group Public Enemy.

People with autism can now enjoy movies without overwhelming their senses

By César E López Linares It’s a rainy Tuesday morning, definitely not a common time to go to the movies. The theater is totally empty 10 minutes before the film starts.

Suddenly, a family with a baby arrives. Right behind them, two women with a toddler girl.

Once the movie starts, a few more people pop in to complete the audience for the screening of “Dr. Strange.”

The theatre looks like any other, except that in this one the lights aren’t completely off and the sound volume doesn’t make the seats shake. No advertisements or trailers are screened. Just a brief welcome clip and the film starts right away.

The young girl in the audience is excited and she shows it by laughing and talking loud. And nobody complains.

This moment is unlikely to be seen in most theaters. In this room, however, it’s all good. It’s called “Alamo for All,” an initiative crafted by the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain and the Autism Society of Central Texas with a goal to create an ideal environment for families with young children and people with special sensory needs so they

Sábados en Familia: Celebrate Afro-Latinidad. Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Every month, the ESB-MACC offers a variety of new activities taught by professional artists. In February, explore Afro-Latinidad culture by reading Monica Brown’s “My name is Celia” in bilingual story time, featuring music classes taught by Roots & Rhythm founder, Sevylla del Mazo.

can all enjoy the film-watching experience.

“When ‘Star Wars Episode VII’ came out in 2015, parents were so excited to share the film with their kids, but we knew that it would be challenging for kids with autism to adhere to our strict notalking policy,” Alamo Drafhouse community engagement team member Amy Averett said.

“We’ve always done weekly ‘Baby Day’ screenings, but we recognized the need to rename it to ‘Alamo for All,’ so teens and adult guests with sensory needs would also feel welcome at these shows.”

The whole idea is to create a more relaxed cinema atmosphere and a less sensory overwhelming experience for people with autism.

“One common characteristic of individuals with autism is that they can be oversensitive or sometimes they are under sensitive,” explained Lindsay Birchfield with Behavioral Innovations, an organization that provides treatment to people with autism in Texas. “They have different responses to environmental factors such as light and sounds, which would probably make going to the movies a difficult activity.”

Saturday, Feb. 4, 6 - 10 p.m. CSA Year of the Rooster Celebration.

Join the Chinese Society of Austin for a Lunar New Year celebration with keynote speech by Dr. Mitchel Wong and Dr. Shannon Wong, plus lion dance, dinner, entertainment, door prizes and child care. Reservations required, tickets available online. $15 member, $22 non-member, $8 child (under 8).

Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 - 8 p.m. Oita, Japan Visiting Artist Kuniyuki Sashihara Reception. One of Oita’s most respected potters, Sashihara-San is known for his expressive, functional pottery.

He will be visiting Austin for several weeks as part of the City of Austin Sister Cities program. FREE. Friday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Storytime & Crafts. Explore the Cinderella theme in three different stories from three different cultural traditions: “The Persian Cinderella” (Israel), “The Golden Slipper” (Vietnam) and “Angkat” (Cambodia), plus craft station for kids of all ages. FREE. Sunday, Feb. 12, 1 - 2:30 p.m. “A Girl Named Sue.” Color Arc Productions presents a free public preview performance of selected poems, songs, and scenes from “A Girl Named Sue,” a new play by Vietnamese-American playwright Christine Hoang with songs by awarding-winning Korean-American singersongwriter BettySoo.

Texas Suzanne Potts said. “If it’s too loud, they cover their ears. If their senses are being attacked by sight, and sound and it’s overwhelming, they won’t be able to participate, they would leave.”

This special screening experience started at the end of last October in all Alamo Drafthouse theaters in Austin. All shows on Tuesday before 2 p.m. and some on weekend mornings are projected under the “Alamo for All” umbrella.

According to national statistics, autism is present in one out of 68 births in the U.S., and approximately 3.5 million Americans live with some kind of autism. Austin in general is known as a good place to live for autistic individuals.

“Our whole thing is ‘keep Austin weird,’ right?,”

Potts continued. “So, autism families definitely do things differently. Sometimes they are outside the norm, and that’s OK here. It’s not seen as something completely different.”

Autism is considered a snowflake disorder, since no two individuals are alike.

“I think delay in communication, a core feature of autism, is something that can impact their ability to participate in community events such as going to the movies or going out to a restaurant,” Birchfield expressed. “The more we can try to set up accommodations to encourage them to participate in these events, the more they’ll enjoy opportunities that you and I enjoy.”

“Alamo for All” screenings have the room lights dimmed, but not totally off, and the volume is lower than usual. Also, the very famous Alamo Drafthouse no-talking, no-disruptions and nolatecomers policies are relaxed.

“Some of the people with autism make noises, or scream ‘what is that?,’ or need to get up and flap,” Executive Director of the Autism Society of Central TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2017 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

In the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery:

Another Side

Opening Reception Saturday, February 4, 2017 | 6-8 pm Music by DJ Orion and DJ Chorizo Funk

Selected Works by Nathan Nordstrom aka Sloke One

Exhibit runs through March 25

In the Community Gallery:

Concrete, Plastic & Metal Photography by Hector Carmona Miranda 600 River Street, Austin TX 78701 512-974-3772 • maccaustin.org The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call 512-974-3914 or 711 Relay Texas.

Good Times at Güero’s For great tunes and great rita’s!

Please join us for live music on our outside jardin stage, every Wednesday through Sunday. THANKS TO THE FANS & BANDS WHO SUPPORT US!!!

FEBRUARY Line-up

TACO BAR

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

OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING” -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 2/1 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 2/2 LOS FLAMES @ 6:30 FRI 2/3 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 2/4 THE BREW @ 2:30 / EL TULE’ @ 6:30 SUN 2/5 JELLY @ 12:00 / THE RECUPERATORS @ 3:00 WED 2/8 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 2/9 JORGE TAMAYO & FRIENDS @ 6:30 FRI 2/10 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 2/11 TEXAS TYCOONS @ 2:30 / THE EAST SIDE KINGS @ 6:30 SUN 2/12 DON LEADY’S ROCKIN REVUE @ 12:00 / BLUE MIST @ 3:00 WED 2/15 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 2/16 THE SOLID SENDERS @ 6:30 FRI 2/17 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 2/18 JIM STRINGER @ 2:30 / AUSTIN HEAT @ 6:30 SUN 2/19 WENDELL WILLIAMS @ 12:00 / JONAS ALVAREZ BAND @ 3:00 WED 2/22 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 2/23 TEX THOMAS @ 6:30 FRI 2/24 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 -----------------------------------------------------------------------SAT 2/25 AL DRESSEN @ 2:30 / GLEN COLLINS & THE ALIBIES @ 6:30 SUN 2/26 TRIO MUSICAL @ 12:00 / CHICKEN STRUT @ 3:00

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au s ti N s ym ph oN y o rch es tra

your perfect

Date Night

starts here

upcomiNg eveNts: February 17, 8:00 p.m. pixar In Concert pixar movie clips with live music by your aSo! Long Center’s dell Hall

512.827.2620 SUNDARAMDESIGN.COM

tickets/info

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LOGO DESIGN BRAND DEVELOPMENT WEB DESIGN

February 24 & 25, 8:00 p.m.

“Vive l’espagne!”

French composers and the sounds of Spain Long Center’s dell Hall

S ea S o n S po n S o r S

4201 West Parmer Lane Bldg. C • Suite 250 • Austin, TX 78727

pixar in ConCert

pHiLippe Quint

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(512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org

Me d i a S p o n So rS

All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

Local and state progressive leaders stand up to Trump and Abbott’s anti-immigrant attitudes

been arrested and booked into jail is in the country legally.

“I respect the job of our state leaders, but I will not allow fear and misinformation to be my guiding principles as a leader sworn to protect this community,” Sheriff Hernandez responded to the Governor’s threats. “The voters, who elected state leaders and me, expect and deserve a collaborative effort to come up with solutions to this very complex issue.”

The Sheriff’s new policy will also face challenges at the Texas Legislature, where so-called antisanctuary cities bill SB4 has been introduced, with a matching bill in the House. Implications include providing individual discretion to police officers to act in an immigration enforcement capacity, leading to racial profiling by rogue officers and encouraging “stop and frisk” policies, interfering with local law enforcement’s authority to set their own public safety priority, and inviting lawsuits against local government for friendly immigrant policies and/or practices, “written or unwritten.”

By Carola Rivera After the immense turnout at the Women’s March on Austin and around the world on January 21, the mood in the capital city was optimistically progressive. An estimated 50,000 supporters of human rights, equality, healthcare and multiple other causes of social justice raised their voices in what was the largest march in Texas history, according to event organizers.

The uplifting atmosphere continued as Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez released her plan to limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Travis County Jail just days later.

The announcement was a direct response to community organizing and brought the Travis County Sheriff’s Office policy in line with what Travis County residents voted for in November. The issue of immigration detainer policy was a key factor in the 2016 Travis County Sheriff’s race.

“The public must be confident that local law enforcement is focused on local public safety, not on federal immigration enforcement,” Hernandez said. “Our jail cannot be perceived as a holding tank for ICE or that Travis County deputies are ICE officers.”

The policy was particularly timely as Donald Trump assumed the presidency, having promised to deport two to three million immigrants during his first year in office, and to increase use of federal charges that criminalize the act of migration to manufacture the socalled “criminals” he wants to deport.

Immigrant community members praised the announcement.

“We have arrived at this point where we’ve not only convinced the people but also our leaders to make a change regarding the decisions that harm our immigrant community,” ICE Out of Austin organizer Carmen Zuvieta said.

The struggle to end deportations from the Travis County Jail goes back to the implementation of the Secure Communities deportation program in 2009, and former Sheriff Greg Hamilton’s cooperation with ICE, even at the cost of millions 08 TODO AUSTIN // FEB 2017 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Women’s March

of dollars to Travis County taxpayers in increased time immigrants spent in the jail. At the peak of deportations from Travis County, Hamilton’s policy made Austin’s deportation rate one of the highest in the country, with an average of 19 people deported per week.

Right as the progressive victory came to be, Governor Greg Abbott’s office released a memo depriving any county that does not honor ICE detainer requests of all state grant funding. The measure could hold hostage funding for social services provided by the county, such as services for victims of domestic violence. However, honoring detainers under the massive deportation program planned by the Trump administration could be even more costly. At the peak of deportations in Travis County from 2012-2013, detainers cost the county between $3.8 million and $7.3 million, more than the $1.8 million per year that the county stands to lose in state funding.

The tension continued to intensify as President Donald J. Trump signed a number of executive orders against border, immigrant and refugee communities in late January. As stated by the Border Network for Human Rights, the executive orders aim to extend the criminalization of immigrants to put millions of American families, workers, students, and communities at risk of mass deportation; call for tripling the number of ICE agents and add an additional 5,000 CBP agents; suspend refugee admittance for four months and pander to Islamophobia by barring immigration from certain countries; seek to punish local communities for working to ensure that their approaches to public safety include protecting immigrant communities from crime; and continue his commitment to building a wall symbolizing American contempt for Mexico, Mexicans, and border communities, but which offers no substantial constructive contribution toward any policy goal.

Several pro-immigration leaders around the state issued statements in light of the news.

“Today’s Trump directives mark the start of his mass-deportation crusade and make clear that he will try to rule through race-based terror and criminalization,” Advocacy Director of United We Dream and DACA beneficiary, Greisa Martinez, said in a speech delivered in a press conference.

“Trump announced that he will increase the size of the deportation force which took my father and broke my family apart, he said that he’s going to build a wall to keep families like mine out. He would create a militarized zone along our border where our communities are under constant watch and religious screenings to keep Muslims out.”

Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz expressed his disappointment in Trump’s decision without consultation with border leaders. “It’s a sad day in Laredo, Texas,” Saenz said. “And frankly the entire border. We respect him (Trump) as our president, but we respectfully disagree with this notion of a wall.”

Juanita Valdez-Cox, Executive Director of La Union del Pueblo Entero, reinforced the repercussions that a border wall could bring to immigrants, the economy and the environment. “The walls already constructed have taken land from property owners, carved up wildlife habitat, and pushed migrants to cross in increasingly more dangerous sections of the border,” Valdez-Cox assured. “The wall sends a message to visitors, our economic partners, and family members on both sides of the border: you are not welcome here.”

Austin’s and Texas’ governments are at odds as the blueberry in the tomato soup continues to fight for its principles.

“Austin must not back down on our principles of justice, public safety, and constitutional rights,” District 4 Council Member Greg Casar commented. “We are not alone. Cities across the country are refusing to be blackmailed by anti-immigrant leaders. We will protect our cities’ residents, resources, and the ability granted to us

by Texas voters to govern responsibly. History is on our side, the law is on our side, and we will fight for our principles to the end.”

Days later, the Governor went on to state on a Fox News interview that he would have Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez removed from office if she does not rescind a policy that would limit compliance with federal immigration authorities.

“Neither Governor Abbott nor the Legislature have any authority to remove a duly elected Sheriff, whose office is established by the Texas Constitution,” Congressman Lloyd Doggett stated. “The Governor shows contempt for both the Texas Constitution and the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution.”

Abbott insists Texas sheriffs such as Hernandez must comply with so-called ICE detainers, which are requests to allow federal agents to further investigate whether a person who has

One Resistance Rally

To Do Música

Patricia Vonne announced her self-titiled debut CD with twelve tracks has been reissued.

It is now available at Waterloo Records for physical copies and download.

By Liz Lopez

The iconic South Congress Avenue Mexican restaurant, El Gallo, closed its doors after 60 years in business. The closure also affected musicians Sylvia Donley and her father, 89 year-old Manuel “Cowboy” Donley, as they had been regularly strumming boleros at this venue for quite a while.

BROWN SOUND NEWS Nikki Lopez released her solo debut album and video production, “Pegue Un Grito,” on Dec. 17, presented by Lopez Entertainment.

The artist states on her Facebook page that this is “Tejano music’s first visual album.” The music production is by Mario Vigil from All Day Everyday Productions, Lupe Moya shot the music videos and Joey Rodriguez is the executive producer. The title track by songwriter Humberto “Beto” Ramon, with background vocals by Savannah Votion, was followed by the next release, “Aquella Noche,” and both songs have been receiving support from fans.

“The number one song requested by Tejano women is the ‘female empowerment’ song, ‘Pegue Un Grito,’ which is a wonderful cumbia to dance to and has the message which defines a Tejano Woman today!,” San Antonio based publicist Hernando Abilez commented on Lopez’s music.”‘Aquella Noche’ is the smooth ranchera, which is the Tejano version of the Top 40 mega-hit ‘I Knew I Loved You’ by Savage Garden.”

She is scheduled to begin a tour this month with her band and her performances will include choreography with dancers and costume changes. The vocalist stated the “costumes collection has begun” and is grateful to the designer, Kim Fall.

Winter wonders at Paramount Theatre The 2017 spring season at Paramount and Stateside Theatres offers several warm February evenings out on the town with a schedule of Texas music giants and national touring favorites.

Joe Ely is a true state musical icon whether flying solo, or with his longtime pals The Flatlanders.

He’ll celebrate his birthday with a concert on Friday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. at Paramount Theatre. Ely has carved out a career as one of Texas’ finest musical voices. Expect timeless hits, highlights from his 2015 release “Panhandle Rambler,” and collaborations with very special guests.

Delbert McClinton celebrates the release of his 19th studio album “Prick of the Litter.” As Lyle Lovett said, “If we could all sing like we wanted to, we’d all sing like Delbert.” Friday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. at Paramount Theatre.

On Thursday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. at Paramount Theatre, Snap Judgment, the smoking hot new public radio show and podcast, drops in for performances by the nation’s top storytellers.

Mauricio Callejas, an ESB-MACC artist in residence, continues with “Live at the MACC,” a recording session with a live audience. For this second session, singer-songwriter Juan Antonio de los Angeles is the guest and the public is invited to be part of this recording process. He will perform traditional songs from Mexico, Latin America and some of his original work. Doors open at 7 p.m. and close when the recording starts at 7:45 p.m. $10 cash only at the door on Saturday, Feb. 4 at ESBMACC, 600 River St. For more information, visit Mauricio Callejas’ Facebook page.

Joe Ely

This month more music videos are planned to be released, as well as the start of work on another album. Look out for her performance at the Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair 2017 in February. Details are available at 210-772-1271 or the artist’s Facebook page.

Garnering national attention for the selection of nonfiction narrative that straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster, catch the radio show on KUT 90.5 on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m.

Enjoy an evening with Sam Baker, one full of stories and songs from his current take on the world on his upcoming CD, “The Land of Doubt.”

Baker writes, “The sunken city rises in this land of drought, the border is restless in this land of doubt.” He tells his stories with wit and straight forward lyrics, with narratives ranging from marginalized people to his humorous stance of where we are in this world. From touching songs to hysterical rhetoric, the evening will cover a large vista from his perspective. Friday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m. at Paramount Theatre.

Rick Fuentes announced his new band, Brown Express, has released a new album, “Rick Fuentes & The Brown Express” and clips of all the songs are available on their website, brownexpressmusic.com.

Devin Banda has now announced she has a full band and has scheduled their debut performance on Friday, Mar. 10 at Monster Burger Bar and Grill, 901 Esplanade St. in Cuero, Texas. Band members are Eddie J Cordova (bass); Chris Salinas (drums, back up and segunda voz); Chris (Houdini) Perez (guitar); Aaron Salinas (keyboard) and Nick Hernandez (accordion). A debut album is planned for release in March from Warbucks containing ten songs, with nine originals.

Follow Yoli Romo on Facebook for updates and for booking information, contact 210526-4671.

Haydn Vitera released a new music video, “Qué Pasará,” featuring fellow artist Vanessa

Del Fierro and members of the community.

“Filmed in old East Austin, this video showcases some iconic Austin Latinos who have represented La Raza in a huge way, including the legendary Grammy winner Ruben Ramos “El Gato Negro.” The song and video are a celebration of all that the Mexican American and migrant worker communities have brought and continue to bring to this country. Directed by Gilbert Villasenor Jr. and produced by Cevallos Brothers Productions, in collaboration with David Vitera and Rafael Franco.

RECOMMENDED SHOWS Conjunto Los Pinkys’ members Isidro Samilpa (accordion), Bradley Jaye Williams (bajo quinto/accordion), Henry Tello (drums) and Los Texmaniacs’ Max Baca (bass/bajo sexto) and Josh Baca (accordion/bajo) perform Sunday, Feb. 5, 5 - 8:30 p.m. at The White Horse, 500 Comal St. --Yayo Castillo y Rumores band will be performing on Friday, Feb. 3 and Los AT Boyz on Friday, Feb. 10 as part of the Tejano Concert Series at Tropicana Bar and Grill, 1141 Airport Blvd. $10 cover. Call 512- 436-1027 for set times and reservations.

----The band 35MM (Austin) composed of Claude McCan on keys, Masumi Jones on drums, Alán De León Uribe on bass, and Fumihito Sugawara on guitar will be playing 50-60’s “Lounge-SpyMovie-Bossa-Nova-Tango-Rock” at 10 p.m., followed by Rey Arteaga with classic Cuban dance beats at midnight (Arteaga on congas and vocals, Carmelo Torres on timbales, Gordie Johnson on bass, Russell Scanlon on guitar, Oliver Steck on cornet, and Daniel Wyman on piano). Friday, Feb. 3, Stay Gold, 1910 E Cesar Chavez St. ---Felipe Borrero “El Tiburon” is scheduled to perform with Big Band Tejano on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Texas Star Saloon, 3 - 6 p.m. in Maxwell, TX. Duo Tiburon will be at the Austin Bergstrom Airport on Tuesday, Feb. 14 1 - 3 p.m. tiburonmusic.com.

35 MM Band

Trailblazing singer-songwriter Terri Hendrix is still going strong – and feeling more inspired at 48 than ever before. Last year, she released her 15th album, the emotionally fearless and disarmingly intimate “Love You Strong.” Recently picked by Acoustic Guitar Magazine as one of Texas’ 20 essential singer-guitarists, she holds her own onstage and in the studio with some of the best musicians in Texas, most notably, Austin City Limits Hall of Fame guitarist/pedal steel player Lloyd Maines, who’ll be onstage. Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. at Stateside at the Paramount Theatre.

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Mama Sana provides first-hand insight into women of color’s health

By Cat Cardenas Following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Austin non-profit Mama Sana took to the streets to make the voices of mothers and women of color heard. Founded in 2010, Mama Sana/ Vibrant Women works to provide prenatal and postnatal care to women of color.

Paula Rojas and other community organizers co-founded the group following a survey they conducted with low income mothers of color in Austin. They met women in welfare offices and schools, asking them to share their experiences and concerns.

The group received a wide variety of responses from housing issues to discrimination they felt within the education system, but their healthcare as mothers struck the group the most. “[Prenatal care] wasn’t the issue that came up most frequently, but when it did come up it was very intense,” Rojas said. “People had very, very hard experiences when pregnant. They felt mistreated during their pregnancy and during the birth.”

Amongst the two groups of women, Rojas said

their main issues were very different. For Hispanic women, the primary issue was access.

Many of the mothers Rojas works with are undocumented and are wary of seeking healthcare because they fear getting deported. But even if the mothers do seek out treatment, the application process can take months and clinics that will take them are often overworked.

“From start to finish, you might be well into your second or third trimester by the time you get your first appointment,” Rojas said.

On top of that, Rojas said the issue is made more complicated by the language barrier that sometimes exists between healthcare providers and expectant Hispanic mothers.

“This is a very personal, intimate issue,” Rojas said.

“It’s hard enough to have these conversations in your own language, but for someone who doesn’t speak your language it’s hard to get your questions answered and the care you need.”

Among the black low-income mothers who were surveyed, the main concern that arose was the quality of the care they received. Many of them reported feeling discriminated against throughout their pregnancies, and felt as though they were being racially profiled. As a result, they didn’t feel comfortable with their care providers.

But for both groups of women, Rojas said she saw the main problem being a lack of agency.

“Both groups talked about not being consulted when things escalated during the pregnancy or

CASA

(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT BOB JEFFERIS is no stranger to responsibility and his 35 years as a geologist, engineer and project manager for the energy industry prove it. Working for a global company, Bob found himself on very diverse teams, getting to meet wide varieties of different people.

He got to manage enormous projects on land and the ocean, both in the U.S. and abroad. Some were enormous, including a $16 billion project with more than 50,000 workers. So when he neared his retirement and considered what to do in his “next life,” Bob was drawn to CASA. “One thing I liked about CASA is you actually have a lot of responsibility for a volunteer job,” he says. “It’s not the same but its equivalent.”

He has found that the skills which were valuable for him in industry--organization and prioritization, working well with a wide variety of people, and overcoming disappointing results to name a few--are equally valuable on a CASA case. It was a perfect fit. “Having worked with engineering data and heavy equipment and manufacturing for 35 years, getting into the social area was a big change,” he explained. “But that’s one of the reasons I really enjoy it.”

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Mama Sana

not receiving much support from the healthcare providers,” Rojas said.

To combat these issues, Rojas and the other women went to school to become licensed midwives, hoping they could make the mothers who sought them out feel more comfortable throughout and after their pregnancies.

As midwives, Rojas said their approach is largely based on ensuring the women feel supported.

“I care for women who don’t have anywhere to live, who don’t have access to resources to take care of their basic needs,” Rojas said. “What makes a healthy pregnancy is the ability of the woman to care for herself. All of those social stressors can challenge the mother and baby just as much as a health-related issue.”

City Theatre’s mustsee upcoming shows

By Rose Di Grazia

Not seeing the play “Crimes of the Heart” is a crime and crying shame in my book! The City Theatre did a stupendous job at putting on such a brilliant play.

The original production was Beth Henley’s first full-length play. It was the co-winner of the 1979 Great American Play Contest at Actors Theatre of Louisville. It made its New York premiere in 1980 and received many Tony nominations, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the New York Drama Critic Circle Award for Best American Play.

The play is set in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, five years after Hurricane Camille (circa 1974). Let us examine the Magrath sisters, who star in Henley’s play. Their mother hung herself, along with a cat, when they were young, leaving the sisters in the care of their grandmother and grandfather. Lenny, the oldest sister, is an old maid with a bad ovary. Meg, the middle sister, is a chronic liar who abandoned her boyfriend and has everyone convinced that she makes her living as a singer. She actually works at a pet food company. And Babe, the youngest sister, has just shot her well-known husband because she “didn’t like his looks.” The shooting of Zackery,

Over the past few years, Rojas and the other midwives have seen different threats to women’s healthcare. With Trump in office, Rojas said their concerns have only grown. They believe access to prenatal care and women’s ability to make decisions about their bodies will only worsen.

Because of this, the group joined the other members of Communities of Color United, a grassroots coalition, in the One Resistance march on Friday, Jan. 20.

“The real work isn’t the march, it’s what’s going to come after,” Rojas said. “It’s about building the power of the people who are directly impacted, organizing people on the ground, and creating institutional changes. We want reproductive justice for women to determine whether they want to have babies or not. If they do, we want to be able to support them.” a state senator, reunites the strange sisters at their odd childhood home. With emotional troubles in the past and immediate troubles with the law, each of the dysfunctional Magrath sisters is forced to face the consequences of her crimes of the heart.

Imaginative and hilarious, unpredictable and moving, this play is a contemporary classic. This must-see play runs through Sunday, Feb. 12.

Another upcoming City Theatre production you can’t miss is “Three Tall Women.” Earning a Pulitzer and three Best Play awards in 1994, Edward Albee’s play is a masterwork of modern theater. As an imperious, acerbic old woman recounts her life, she is tended by her duteous house keeper and a young lawyer hoping to get her accounts in order.

Albee’s frank dialogue about everything from incontinence to infidelity portrays aging without sentimentality. His scenes are charged with wit, pain and laughter, and his observations tell us about forgiveness, reconciliation and our own fates. Representing individuals characters, and yet the same “everywoman” at different ages in her life, these “tall women” lay bare the truths of our lives—how we live, how we love, what we settle for and how we die. The show runs Friday, Feb. 17 - Sunday, Mar. 5.

For more information, visit citytheatreaustin.org.

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

Following its critically acclaimed 2015 debut, Stephen Mills brings a contemporary ballet back in time for Valentine’s Day with Belle REDUX, a dark and sexy retelling of the centuries-old tale, “Beauty & the Beast.”

Ballet Austin’s innovative work draws inspiration from the film noir and haute couture, with Graham Reynolds contributing a powerfully romantic score. Feb. 10-12 at Long Center. balletaustin.org

Black History Month As Austin’s Black population has met critical challenges in recent years, its cultural assets continue to underscore the breadth and creativity of the community. The public is invited to share that heritage during Black History Month.

Black History Month Community Sing-a-Long, with songs inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, is Wednesday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. in the Boyd Vance Theater at the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center.

Recognizing the Crisis Awards Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. at the Boyd Vance Theater, honors Dr. Leonard Moore of UT’s Division of Diversity & Community Engagement, Dr. Reginald Baptiste, Director of Pre-Health Professions at the Dell Medical School, and Dr. Rosalee Martin, Professor of Sociology at Huston-Tillotson University.

The Austin Section of National Council of Negro Women is hosting its first Black History Month Talent Show for local youth on Saturday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. at the Boyd Vance Theater. Find audition info on Facebook and Twitter accounts.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, 12-6 p.m., Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce hosts Black Makers Pop-up Market & Art Show. The event focuses on local black business owners with vendors offering vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, beauty products, locally-sourced eats and more.

Paradox Players’ The Taming is a raucous, all female “power-play” about a female contestant, Katherine, who has political aspirations she wants to match with her beauty pageant ambitions. She seeks the aid of an ultra-conservative senator’s aide and a bleeding-heart liberal writer/blogger who is more than happy to help her out. Friday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. at Howson Hall Theater. www.paradoxplayers.org Mexic-Arte Museum’s Mix ‘n’ Mash: XOXO opens with a festive party and art sale on Friday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m. The exhibit features the works of over 200 artists displayed on panels donated by Ampersand Art Supply.

DJ uLOVEi spins for attendees who can peruse limitededition pieces uniquely crafted for the exhibition, including a special selection of Valentine’s Day inspired artworks. mexic-artemuseum.org Austin’s premiere live music and poetry event, Prototype, a night of artistic soul, is back with an all new line-up of singers and poets, Sunday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. at Speakeasy. The event is a mixture of sultry NeoSoul and captivating spoken word, hosted by Brandon Thornton and singer/songwriter Mike James Jr. With DJ Dontizl Shepard and live music by Distinguished Soundz Band. prototypeatx.com Austin Shakespeare presents Old Times, Feb. 15–Mar. 5 in Rollins Studio Theatre. What begins as a trip down memory lane among a couple and an old friend quickly becomes something more, as long-simmering feelings of fear and jealousy begin to fuel the trio’s passions, sparking a seductive battle for power. A mysterious drama about a love triangle and the seductive battle for power. austinshakespeare.org

Austin City Councilwoman Ora Houston will have a town hall meeting at Windsor Park Library on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. concerning bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community in the Austin area. Her focus will be on the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Austin Symphony presents Vive l’Espagne!, with the music of Chabrier, Lalo and Bizet-Shchedrin, Feb. 24–25 in Dell Hall. The performances feature French composers who were influenced by the sounds of Spain. The night will include Chabrier’s famous “España,” guest violinist Philippe Quint performing Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole, and Bizet- Shchedrin’s “Carmen Suite.” austinsymphony.org

The Black Excellence Tribute, Saturday, Feb. 18, 6 p.m. at AISD Performing Arts Center, co-founded

by Aaron Ross and Sanya Richards-Ross, celebrates the achievements of local, national and international people of color through dynamic storytelling using music, poetry, digital short stories and impactful speaking. The keynote speaker will be hip hop icon and activist David Banner.

The 13th annual People’s Gallery exhibition at Austin City Hall features 125 artworks in a range of media, created by artists from across Central Texas. The exhibition is designed to showcase regional artists and encourage public dialogue, understanding and enjoyment of visual art. Join the community at a free opening reception with live music and light refreshments Friday, Feb. 24, 6-9 p.m. austintexas.gov

Mardi Gras 2017 It’s Mardi Gras time in Austin, so laissez les bons temps rouler. Start things off with local treasure, Austin Samba, which brings 50 performers and special guests to the Stateside Theater for the “Big Easy” on Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18, 6 p.m. doors. Austin Samba will cook up a gumbo of classic New Orleans tunes simmered in Brazilian percussion and spiced with beautiful choreography. Enjoy a wild mash up of Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Jerry Lee Lewis and Clifton Chenier, that celebrates the irresistible joy of Mardi Gras and Carnaval with rhythms and dance from throughout Brazil.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, the beloved cultural institution, Carnaval Brasileiro, marks its 40th anniversary at Palmer Events Center. One of Austin’s longest running annual traditions, which began as a 1975 celebration for UT Brazilian expatriates and friends, has turned into the largest indoor Brazilian Mardi Gras celebration anywhere on the globe. It’s an epic evening with an infectiously danceable pulse of samba drums, an endless parade of exotic costumes and the uninhibited euphoria of over 6,000 attendees.

The heart and soul of the festivity is found in the authentic, fiery Brazilian carnaval music provided by high energy bands. At the center of attention once again is Austin Samba, composed for the occasion with approximately 160 local drummers and dancers trained in performing authentic renditions of Rio’s great carnaval groups, the escolas de samba.

They’ll be joined by Brazilian native Dandara Odara, who leads the Pragandaia Band. Their music is inspired by the rich, sensuous swing of Brazil and Bahia’s African-based culture. Odara’s sound comes from a mixture of sources involving rhythms from the Caribbean, Africa, and Cuba.

Tickets to Carnaval Brasileiro are $40 advance/$50 door and are available at sambaparty.com/tickets and Waterloo Records, Nelo’s Cycles, Studio Brasil Salon and Lucy in Disguise.

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FEBRUARY 18-19

ONCE

Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL, Once is a truly original Broadway experience.

Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, Once tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs.

FEBRUARY 26 FEBRUARY 4

KATHY GRIFFIN

FROM THE TOP with Host Christopher O’Riley