TODO Austin November 2016

www.todoaustin.com VOLUME VIII / NOV 2016

Puttin’ on The Ritz.

Vietnamese Art No Kill City Ora Houston on Prop 1 Austin Powwow

Community Empowerment Texas Civil Rights Project’s Award namesake Renato Ramirez and TCRP Director Mimi Marziani

SHOWCASES THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MUSIC KLRU-TV, Austin PBS broadcast 18.1 / cable 9 klru.org

The eight-part series explores the art of music recording, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the birth of brand new sounds. Featuring more than 160 original interviews with some of the most celebrated recording artists of all time, Soundbreaking explores the nexus of cutting-edge technology and human artistry that has created the soundtrack of our lives.

Airs weekdays, November 14-23 at 9 pm

AI RI N G O N W NET S TA RTIN G N OV EMB ER 1 4 TH

George Martin: Abbey Road Studios

Johnny Cash: Don Hunstein ©Sony Music Entertainment

Linda Perry: ©Colin Finlay

Adele: Sony Music Archives

Marvin Gaye: Jim Britt Archives

Tiesto: ©Jordan Loyd 2015

Jimi Hendrix: Marc Sharrat/REX/Shutterstock

G E T T H E CO M P L E T E L I N E U P AT K L R U.O R G

Also This Month Part Dreamer. Part Trouble. Always Anne.

ALL NEW

Black America Since Mlk: And Still I Rise

Thanksgiving Night: Anne of T H A N KSG I V I N G Green Gables & Pollyanna THURSDAY NOVEMBER 24 8/7c

Last Waltz

Nov. 15, 22 & 29 at 7 pm

Nov. 24 starting at 7 pm

Nov. 25 at 9:30 pm & Nov. 28 at 8 pm

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes a personal journey through the last 50 years of African American history, charting the incredible progress made – as well as the obstacles that remain.

Savor a new adaptation of the classic novel about the orphaned Anne Of Green Gables. Followed by, an adaptation of the children’s classic novel Pollyanna, about the young orphan whose effortless charm captures the hearts of her town.

The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group The Band, held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976. The event was filmed by director Martin Scorsese and made into a documentary. The Last Waltz has been hailed by critics as one of the greatest concert films ever made.

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

SMBR spotlights minority business The City of Austin’s Small & Minority Business Resources Department recognized several local businesses on Oct. 25. The department is celebrating 11 years of diversity in contracting.

Each year, SMBR recognizes firms that exhibit high standards in contracting, outreach, and performance. Two companies were noted for their exemplary work as primes on local contracts, Santa Clara Construction, Ltd., Prime Contractor of the Year, and Wiss, Janey, Elstner Associates Inc., Prime Consultant of the Year.

Bishops call for end to death penalty The Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement recently calling for the abolition of the death penalty, denouncing its effects not only on victims and others immediately affected, but also on society. “Capital punishment vitiates our hearts’ capacity for mercy and love,” the bishops write, noting that “the death penalty not only does not correspond to the common good, it actually does great harm to it.” iACT Thanksgiving service Interfaith Action of Central Texas’ 32nd annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and Celebration is Sunday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m., at St. James Missionary Baptist Church. The free event, open to the public, welcomes Austinites of every faith tradition. A dessert reception and “The Jacob Play” at 5:30 p.m. are also part of the afternoon program.

Community engagement Friends of Mt. ZARC and the Travis County/Austin Area Community host a meeting on Saturday, Austin’s MULTICULTURAL media source for EIGHT YEARS • Find us at TODOAustin.com

Nov. 5 at 2951 East 14th St. from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. to examine the connection of black community churches and non-church internal/external assets.

Also on the same date, AISD representatives will present a Building Bridges Town Hall, hosted

by Rachel Naugle, at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex from 1:30-3 p.m.

Texas Book Festival The 2016 TBF weekend takes place Nov. 5-6, spread throughout the grounds of the Texas State Capitol and along Congress Ave. Nationally renowned presenters will include Don DeLillo, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Diana Kennedy, Thomas Dolby, Emma Cline, Padma Lakshmi, Amor Towles and more.

Children Giving to Children On Saturday, Nov. 26, 11 a.m., bring in the holiday season at Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade. The parade route starts at the Capitol at 11th and Congress, moving south on Congress to Cesar Chavez. The event benefits Operation Blue Santa so bring new, unwrapped toys to donate.

Highlights include inflatable balloons, floats, children’s characters, marching bands, cool cars and Santa.

Library cards online Locals can now save time by filling out library card applications online. Library cards are free for Austin residents, and non-resident cards are available for $120 annually or $35 quarterly. Nonresidents can also apply for free limited access. A library card allows you to borrow books and library materials online or at any Austin Public Library.

Emerald Green Flag over Texas Author/historian Dan Arellano met with State Rep. Laura Thompson in Oct. to discuss the state recognizing the Emerald Green Flag of the first Texas Republic. “The first republic was founded by our Tejano ancestors,” said Arellano.

“We must insure that our Tejano, indigenous, Irish and American ancestors that fought for freedom 23 years before the Alamo are not forgotten and must be acknowledged.” Thompson agreed to present a proposal to her colleagues and perhaps sponsor a bill acknowledging the 7th flag that has flown over Texas.

Volume VIII, Number 7

Bob Dylan makes this fall an unforgettable one

By Lesly Reynaga

This fall has proved to be one to go down in history, and not necessarily because of what has been one of the most scandalous, tiring presidential races. For once this time of year, let’s focus on an issue worthy of outmost American pride, and that is the unprecedented announcement of Bob Dylan as the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in October.

Bob Dylan is possibly the most ingenious, unpredictable and fearless music personality in American pop rock music history. Kicking off his career with what became folk hymns in the second half of the 20th century (“Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” among others), Dylan’s career has been defined by a revolutionary approach of redefining himself. Although his musical style has changed dramatically through the decades, his timeless lyrics, ranging from political to romantic topics, were present from the early years in his career.

Countless Biblical and poetic references, which take serious analysis and exploration to understand, have made his songs exceptionally unique to his art.

The news about the 75-year-old superb songwriter being the first musician to receive the award has triggered mixed reactions. There are those who claim that song lyrics are not the same as poetry, and that is certainly true for the big majority of songwriters’ work. But Dylan is not like the rest of the world’s songwriters and I’m not the first nor the only one to believe it.

His over-five-decades’ worth of lyrics have been and continue to be studied by top scholars at Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. Most of his compositions, such as “Desolation Row,” “Visions of Johanna” and “It’s Alright, Ma,” are true masterpieces that stand alone as poetic lyrics on a page. If all the music and lyrics we listened to

CONTRIBUTING STAFF // Cat Cardenas, Evelyn C. Castillo, Rose Di Grazia, Callie Langford, Genoveva Rodriguez, Diana Sanchez, Lesley Varghese

CONTRIBUTORS // Elyse Aviña, Alka Bhanot, Ashna Bhansali, Lauren Bruno, Roy Casagranda, Cindy Casares, Lobo Corona, Nora De LaRosa, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Ora Houston, Yadira Izquierdo, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ali Khataw, Carey W. King, Ramey Ko, Harish Kotecha, Julia Lee, Isabel Lopez-Aguilar, Otis Lopez, César E. López Linares, Cristina Parker, Raul Rangel Uribe, Rian Rendon, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Blake Shanley, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Rama Tiru, Blanca Valencia, Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, Vanna Vasquez, Lichen Zhen

PRODUCTION SERVICES // Anthony Garcia

ONLINE EDITION // TODOAustin.com

PUBLISHER/EDITOR // Gavin Lance Garcia info@todoaustin.com ART DIRECTOR // Dave McClinton // dmdesigninc.com MANAGING EDITORS // Meredith C. Cox, Lesly Reynaga ASSOCIATE EDITORS // Sonia Kotecha, Liz Lopez, Monica Peña, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins, Yvonne Lim Wilson

on the radio was nearly as good as Dylan’s, this world would be dominated by intellectuals.

I had the opportunity to attend two Bob Dylan concerts in October. After his fifty-something years of career, he still continues to attract thousands to see him live. In one of the shows he played his signature song “Blowin’ in the Wind” to the audience’s surprise--he is known to avoid performing his 1960s material. Listening to this song got the audience’s hearts and even brought tears to my eyes. There he was, a man standing on the same stage as Elvis Presley once did in Shreveport, LA. A man who not only changed the course of history in music but who has reached the hearts and minds of millions around the globe through his unique talent. And now, he is the first songwriter to stand right next to Gabriel García Márquez as one of the best literary artists of all time.

We are living through exciting times, and just as Bob Dylan has redefined the definition of literature, we all get to take part in changing the course of history by voting this November.

COVER // Photo by César E. López Linares 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. © 2016 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 // NOV 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03

Council Member Casar raises community voices for diversity and inclusion

By TODO Austin staff

When Gregorio Casar was elected in 2014 as the youngest City Council Member in Austin’s history, we all had high expectations. He has, by far, exceeded our hopes. Casar has been a successful champion for working families, for the poor, for immigrants, and for inclusive public institutions-even when powerful interests have opposed his positions.

In his former job as the Policy Director for Workers Defense Project, Casar championed rules to get workers a fair shake in Austin. He also fought for immigration reform at the national level and was an advocate for affordable housing.

agreement with the Travis County jail to send a strong signal that immigrants should be treated equally in our criminal justice system.

We’re impressed by Casar’s achievements, but we’re even more inspired by how he’s accomplished them. He’s kept his promise to raise the voices of everyday people in our city and especially in North Austin’s District 4.

Casar and his staff helped begin Austin’s first neighborhood associations in mobile home communities. One of these associations successfully, through community organizing and a lawsuit, stopped price hikes and evictions in their community by a new out-of-state landlord.

This organizing work in mobile homes has inspired more tenants across Austin to assert their collective power. In partnership with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, new tenants’ groups across Austin have stopped unfair and unlawful evictions across Austin—with Greg Casar always standing by their side.

Casar has worked to support formerly incarcerated individuals as they created the Second Chance Democrats, an organization of Austinites with conviction histories and their allies. The Second Chance Democrats, in partnership with Casar, shepherded the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance through the City Council. Fair Chance Hiring is an anti-discriminatory law that requires employers to consider a job candidate’s qualifications first, without the stigma of a conviction history, before running a background check at the end of the hiring process.

There was bitter opposition to Fair Chance Hiring from some corners of the city. That opposition was overcome by the powerful stories from members of the Second Chance Democrats who shared their personal experiences of facing discrimination and stigma. The City Council overwhelmingly passed Fair Chance Hiring into law, making Austin the first city in the South with this kind of civil rights measure.

Now, as a Council Member, Casar has led successful efforts to get thousands of Austin workers in the private and public sectors a minimum wage of over $13.50 per hour. He and Council Member Renteria authored the Fair Housing Initiative, which, when passed by the Council, dedicated historic amounts of budget dollars to affordable housing.

He’s also had success on public safety issues.

He amended the City’s budget to include body cameras for police officers, and he led on initiatives to end the backlog of sexual assault evidence. He’s amended the City Council’s 04 TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Casar continues to show how the right City Council offices can meaningfully partner with the community to create progressive and historic change. He’s a powerful voice on the dais, but he’s proven that he can be even more powerful by raising the voices of the community.

TODO Austin is committed to inclusivity and diversity in our city. That’s why we’re proud to issue a strong endorsement for Gregorio Casar. We can’t wait to see what he does next representing District 4 and citizens throughout Austin as he is re-elected to serve our city.

Council Member Gallo eager to continue her work in next four years

Many of the neighborhoods in District 10 are at risk for wildfires. Over the past two years, Gallo has worked with the Austin Fire Department to create specific wildfire protection plans and increase department funding to improve response times.

By TODO Austin staff

In 2014, Sheri Gallo was elected as the first 10-1 Austin City Council Member to represent District 10. Gallo‘s family has lived in Austin for six generations. Prior to serving on the City Council, she spent over 35 years as a local real estate business owner.

In her past two years of service, Gallo’s areas of improvement have included community engagement, advocating for affordability, real traffic solutions, wildflower risk, improving neighborhoods and quality of life, among others.

As a Council Member, Gallo’s commitment to District 10 community engagement has been one of her top priorities. During the past two years, she and her staff have spent days, weekends and evenings attending over 500 District 10 neighborhood meetings and community events.

Her District 10 office has hosted eight Town Halls on a variety of subjects and brought city staff expertise into the District 10 neighborhoods. She also publishes a newsletter that is emailed weekly to District 10 residents.

Gallo has heard very clearly that homeowners, renters and business owners want the City Council to stop increasing their property tax and utility bills every year. She voted to fully implement the 20 percent homestead property tax exemption by 2018. She has also been the leader in increasing the senior tax exemption to reduce seniors’ property tax bills. As a fiscal conservative, Gallo voted against the 2016 city budget because it raised property taxes and utility fees and did not responsibly reduce city spending.

Council Member Gallo serves on Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Council Mobility Committee and is committed to finding real solutions to the traffic congestion that affects us all on a daily basis. She made sure that $63 million for District 10 roads was included in the mobility bond to improve Loop 360 intersections and add vehicle lanes to Spicewood Springs Rd. She was the first Council member to allocate funding to provide implementation of the new real-time Adaptive Signaling program. Every signaled intersection in District 10 will be improved by computerizing the traffic light system.

Gallo’s focus has not just been on these big issues but also on the smaller problems that affect all of us on a daily basis. Her District 10 office is always available to help residents with reducing speeding on neighborhood streets, creating safer routes to schools for children, repairing broken sidewalks and improving neighborhood parks.

Gallo believes that fixing these problems makes an immediate difference in people’s lives and makes our neighborhoods safer and better.

As a realtor, Gallo saw that people typically choose a neighborhood before they choose a home. She understands how critical it is to maintain the best quality of life possible in our neighborhoods. She was the leader in including additional provisions to our city code to strengthen enforcement that allowed the City to shut down the short term rental party houses that were disrupting neighborhoods.

Gallo has expressed that over the past two years she could have probably earned a PhD in 20 different policy areas as she learned about running the 11th largest city in the nation and managing a $3.7 billion budget. “It has been an amazing and fascinating experience,” she said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my community and look forward to serving the residents for another four years.”

TODO Austin is proud to issue a strong and enthusiastic endorsement of Gallo’s reelection bid to continue her service to District 10 on the Austin City Council.

Folk Tales: Black Women’s Literacy Society. Saturday, Nov. 5, 6 - 8 p.m.

Folktales meets the third Friday of the month. For more information email Peggy Terry at folktaleslitsociety@hotmail.com.

Exhibition in the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery: Ceromantia by Roberto

Saturday, Nov. 5 and 12, 1 - 5 p.m. Adult Art & Mindfulness Classes.

Munguia. “The work in this show hints at an imagined primordial

Learn how to create expressive art using alcohol ink on Japanese

state of awareness, below the surface, root-like, having to do with

Yupo paper. $35 per class. Zen Garden.

Flamencura Spring Student Show. Sunday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Student Dancers (child-adult) perform flamenco dances. Ticket Prices: age 0-15 $5 Adult $10. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.flamencura.org. Boyd Vance Theatre.

both physical and metaphysical processes, dreams, Myth, and the

translucence of Existence.” Runs through Nov. 22.

Monday, Nov. 7, 10 - 11:30 a.m. GAACC Business Buzz. Put your

Figúralo: Figurative Art. This 2016 Youth Exhibit will feature the

With guest speaker Byron Blevins, Strategic Account Manager of the

The Occupation of the American Mind. Friday, Nov. 18, 5 p.m. Film screening and discussion. Boyd Vance Theatre.

exploration of artistic mediums through figurines, figurative images

Google Maps team. Free. RSVP. Conference Room

and figurative narratives. Drop off will be November 21 - 23. All

entries must be delivered to the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery at the

Wednesday, Nov. 9 and 16, 7 - 8:30 p.m. The Inner Matrix Book

ESB-MACC between 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Each entry must also include

Club. Explore author Joey Klein’s proven approach to living a truly

artwork title, artist name, school, age/grade, contact number and

rich and meaningful life using his core teachings and the practices of

date. For more information please visit maccaustin.org or contact

“Conscious Transformation.” Free. RSVP. Community Room 1.

Lori Navarrete at 512-974-3785 orlori.navarrete@austintexas.gov.

Rhythms African Drum Workshop. Sunday, Nov. 20, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Dance Studio Instructor: Tonya Lyles. To reserve a drum or for more information contact Tonya Lyles at sistadrums@yahoo.com.

Broadway Bound presents Aladdin. Nov. 26 - 28, 7 p.m. The Carver Museum’s Broadway Bound presents Aladdin. Tickets $7. Boyd Vance Theatre.

Keys of Life with Daphne McDole - Piano Lessons. Tuesday: 4:307:30 p.m. Thursday: 7 - 9 p.m. If interested, please contact Daphne McDole at missmcdole@gmail.com.

Capoeira Kids Class Tuesday & Thursday. All ages welcome, from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.; Dance Studio Instructor: Feijao, supervised by Contra Mestre Esquilo. Fee: $50 per month. Contact Feijao at 512-636-8665.

business on the map with a dive into Google magic for business.

Saturday, Nov. 12, 5:30 - 10:30 p.m. Bollywood Milestones Concert.

Join us on the last Tuesday of each month at the ESB

Dinner and concert performed by the Raj Pandya Orchestra. Produced

by Ekal Vidyalaya, a movement to help eradicate illiteracy from rural

-MACC (600 River St.) for a special screening from the Golden Era

and tribal India. $35 individual, $500 table (8). Ballroom

of Mexico’s cinema. Seniors will enjoy a healthy lunch immediately following the film. Please arrive by 9:15 a.m. as screenings begin at

Thursday, Nov. 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. All Things Korean – Kpop Dance

9:30 a.m. Admission is free. Please call 512-974-3789 to RSVP, as

Discussion & Practice. Meet others who share an interest in Korea and

space is limited.

its music Free. RSVP. Community Room 8.

I will vote no on Prop. 1, no “go big” bond

By Ora Houston |

AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT #1

On November 8, I will vote “no” on Proposition 1 - the “GO BIG mobility bond” - also known as the “Transportation Bond.” As the people’s elected council member for Austin’s District #1, I voted to not support the bond when it was presented to city council.

I want to explain my reasons why and hope you will consider these as you make your choice. Remember, your choice is your voice. No matter your choice, be sure to “go down the ballot” and vote on the “GO BIG” transportation bond.

First of all, this will make Austin’s automobile traffic worse. Managing automobile traffic is Austin’s most pressing transportation problem and the Bond will make traffic congestion worse. The projects outlined in the proposal will increase congestion. Yes, increase congestion. Those projects will reduce car lanes throughout the city, especially on key thoroughfares.The Bond will cause more traffic back-ups because the projects will remove existing turning lanes as well as the center turning lane (a.k.a. “chicken lane”).

Automobile capacity of our streets will also be reduced by creating more bus-only lanes on arterial streets during peak traffic times. The Bond also does not address finding options

for drivers before they even get into the city.

Now, I don’t claim to have a complete list of District #1’s transportation needs today.

I want to work with experts and council members from across the city to make a list of my neighbors needs, but I’ve heard and support some specific ideas. Just as examples, District #1 could partner with CapMetro for rapid transit on FM 969.

District #1 would also benefit from serious consideration of the “Green Line” from Manor into Austin. These are just two ideas.

I’m confident more, and maybe better, ideas would come from District #1 working with all Austinites to define a transportation plan.

My other reasons include the flawed costs presented to the public, the flawed process used to create this proposal, the lack of inclusiveness, and no consideration for some parts of the city.

The real costs of the GO BIG Transportation Bond are unclear, the property tax impact on Austinites is unknown, and this bond proposition comes really close to using up all of Austin’s borrowing capacity. The work described in the Corridor Improvement Projects are a key example of how unclear the Bond’s costs are. Assistant City Manager Robert Goode found that just the make-over of those corridors will cost triple the claimed amount: $1.5 billion versus the $482 million in the Bond proposal. The real costs are unknown and the real impact to taxpayers is unknown.

This process was flawed in many ways. The Bond issue was defined with limited input from some council districts, no input from other districts, and it is a “one size fits all” approach to Austin’s varied neighborhoods. The Bond affects the traffic congestion experienced by District #1 residents and affects District #1 residents financially, but District #1 did not

participate in the definition of the Bond.

Furthermore, the Bond was defined and designed in just 6 months – 3 times too quickly. Experience and practice point to 18 months being required to “get it right.”

District #1 has specific transportation needs, just like each of the 10 new council districts.

The GO BIG Bond’s approach of “one size fits all” does not fit in District #1.

I will vote no on Prop 1, because it will make traffic worse, because it costs too much, and because it wasn’t defined in the spirit of 10-1.

Then I will continue to work at city council to define effective actions to address Austin’s traffic problem.

You have to decide your position on this important issue.

Finally, please, no matter your position on the bond, remember to “go down the ballot” and vote your preference on the “GO BIG” transportation bond.

TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

Three groundbreaking Vietnamese art and history exhibits now open

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

The Asian American Resource Center (AARC) brings together three innovative exhibits, each uniquely pioneering, for a special art exhibit: “Vivid Strokes: Contemporary Paintings from Vietnam,” “Vietnam to Austin: Restoring Community,” and “Vietnamese American Art: Selected Works.” All three exhibits opened in October and will be on display through Friday, Dec. 30.

“Hope,” mixed media by Ann Phong

“Vivid Strokes: Contemporary Paintings from Vietnam” showcases 16 recent paintings from six internationally acclaimed Vietnamese artists: Thanh Chuong, Ha Tri Hieu, Hong Viet Dung, Pham An Hai, Doan Hoang Lam, and Doan Xuan Tang. All works are on loan from the International Modern Art Gallery (IMAG) in Houston. IMAG, founded by Vietnamese art dealer Quynh Nguyen in 2014, is dedicated to promoting emerging and established Southeast Asian artists in the United States.

Since the late 1970s, artists in Vietnam have enjoyed increasing artistic freedom where previously the communist government had expected all art to conform to the social realism style. Today, Vietnamese artists continue to explore different directions in art.

Each painter in “Vivid Strokes” maintains their distinct style, with interests in rural sceneries, local folk culture, lacquer, cubism and abstract expressionism. Hieu and Dung are members of the famed artist group Hanoi Gang of Five, five Vietnamese artists who exhibited together locally and internationally from the late 1980s to mid-1990s.

“Vietnamese American Art: Selected Works” brings together selected artworks by established Vietnamese American artists Ann Phong, Nguyen Khai and Nguyen Phuoc who grew up in the Southern part of Vietnam, lived through the war, and resettled in the U.S during their adult years. The artists delve into complex memories of their past to create compelling

art pieces that expose their turbulent life experiences. This exhibit was produced by the AARC with community partner Vietnamese American Heritage Foundation and curated

by Nancy Bui, President of the Vietnamese American Heritage Foundation.

In addition to the two art exhibits, the AARC is re-introducing “Vietnam to Austin: Restoring Community,” originally produced by the Austin History Center in partnership with the Vietnamese American Heritage Foundation in 2009. The exhibit was the first of its kind in the country to depict the history, transition and contributions of local Vietnamese Americans

in Austin through historic photos, documents, periodicals and archives.

“Vivid Strokes” is part of the AARC’s ongoing Community Art Exhibit Program, which displays artworks that celebrate the diverse and dynamic cultural heritage, history, identity and creativity of Asians and Asian Americans.

The mission of the Asian American Resource Center is to provide cultural spaces, resources and programs through an Asian American Pacific Islander perspective that serves the Austin community. Please visit austintexas. gov/aarc for more information.

Artist Khai Nguyen (left) traveled from California to attend the opening with his wife (second from left), family friend and AARC Exhibit Specialist Vivian Lin (right). They are posed in front of “Moonlight,” mixed

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!!!

NOVEMBER Line-up

TACO BAR

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

OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 11/2 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 11/3 LOS FLAMES @ 6:30 FRI 11/4 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 11/5 THE BREW @ 2:30 / EL TULE @ 6:30 SUN 11/6 MCLEMORE AVENUE @ 12:00 / THE RECUPERATORS @ 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 11/9 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 11/10 BEYOND THERAPY @ 6:30 FRI 11/11 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 11/12 THE TEXAS TYCOONS @ 2:30 / JOHN ARTHUR MARTINEZ @ 6:30 SUN 11/13 EL TRIO MUSICAL @ 12:00 / BLUE MIST @ 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 11/16 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 11/17 GLENN COLLINS & THE ALIBIS @ 6:30 FRI 11/18 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 11/19 JIM STRINGER @ 2:30 / AUSTIN HEAT @ 6:30 SUN 11/20 THE JACKNIVES @ 12:00 / MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES @ 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 11/23 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00 THU 11/24 CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING @ 6:30 FRI 11/25 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ 6:30 SAT 11/26 EL TIBURON @ 2;30 / MICHAEL MILLIGAN @ 6:30 SUN 11/27 THE SIDEMEN @ 12:00 / CHICKEN STRUT @ 3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 11/30 KDRP RADIO SHOW @ 6:00

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City of Austin’s Museums and Cultural Programs

YOUR

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FORUMS SHARE

what you want from your Museums and Cultural Centers

DISCUSS

New Ideas for Programs

OPINION

aU s ti n s ym ph on y orch es tr a

MATTERS

November 9, 6:30-8pm

George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center November 10, 6:30-8pm

Asian American Resource Center

JOIN US!

November 15, 6:30-8pm

Elisabet Ney Museum November 16, 6:30-8pm

Dougherty Arts Center

Visit our Website for more information!

AustinTexas.gov/MuseumsandCulture

your perfect

Date night

starts here

Upcoming event: Handel’s Messiah Tuesday, December 6, 2016 Hyde Park Baptist Church, 8:00 p.m.

Austin Symphony with Chorus Austin Download the app: Connect: Ryan Heller, conductor

AuSTin SymPHony & CHoRuS AuSTin

tickets/info

æ

The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Please call 512.974.3914

SeASon SPonSoRS

Download the app:

Connect:

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Connect:

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Connect:

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All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

Connect:

(512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org

meDiA SP onSoRS

Join Renato Ramirez and TCRP’s efforts to empower Texas communities

master of business administration at The University of Texas at Austin and a doctorate in finance and economics at the University of Tennessee. His financial management teaching jobs led him to a career in banking.

By Lesly Reynaga

“Over the past 40 years, I have enjoyed serving communities in rural Texas as well as in Mexico,” Ramirez states. “In 1983, I accepted an offer to become the CEO of a start-up in Zapata. The expectation was that we could grow the bank to $75 to $100 million asset base. The next 33 years, we grew the bank to over $500 million and earned over $100 million.”

Native Texan Renato Ramirez, South Texas IBC Bank’s chief executive officer, is no stranger to the struggles of the most vulnerable groups in our community. Born in Zapata in 1940, then a small rural town in the Rio Grande border, Ramirez has grown up close to the issues that Tejanos face.

Ramirez’s parents owned and ran an automotive shop in Zapata, and his grandparents’ had a ranch that harvested melons, tomatoes, onions and hay. He recalls his father’s work dressing up the eight-mile bridging road to Ciudad Guerrero on the other side of the river without much care for using county equipment on the Mexico side.

Ramirez remembers Ciudad Guerrero and Zapata being one community back in the day. Flooding after the construction of Falcon Lake in Zapata led the whole town to move four miles east of the river. The small town’s schools were not college accredited back then and graduates had to take a test for college admission. That’s when the Ramirez family decided to move to Laredo for better educational opportunities.

Ramirez obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Texas A&M University, a

The downside of keeping pets alive: Is the no-kill city really as pet friendly as it claims?

By César E López Linares

Cooper jumps, shakes his tail, and barks loudly. He looks very happy to see Anna Gallegos, one of the more than 500 volunteers working at the Austin Animal Center, as she approaches his kennel to take him out for his daily walk. The seven-year-old male Chinese Sharpei mix has been in the shelter for more than 120 days and is lucky to just be enjoying a walk.

If Cooper were in a different city, he would most likely be on a waiting list to be euthanized.

But that doesn’t happen in Austin, considered the largest no-kill community in the country since 2010. This title is certainly a big achievement, but it has also created a singular problem. Local shelters like AAC are at capacity, housing up to 700 animals at a time, and sometimes receiving as many as 50 a day. And now, city officials and advocates are exploring how to solve the problem and trying to figure out why Austin, nationally known as a petfriendly city, would have so many unclaimed pets.

The city Animal Advisory Commission explored passing an ordinance requiring the spaying/ 08 TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

This year’s 26th Annual Bill of Rights Dinner, TCRP’s major fundraising event that celebrates the accomplishments of the year, will be held on Thursday, Nov. 10. An important component of this annual ceremony is the Renato Ramirez Community Empowerment Award, which recognizes notable members of the private sector for their commitment to community empowerment and a fairer and just society.

The 2016 award recipient is Alamo Drafhouse Cinema Founder and CEO Tim League. League and his team at the Alamo Drafthouse partnered with the League of Women Voters and the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Bruce Elfant’s office to find new and innovative ways to register voters and encourage civic participation. The initiative included donating space and resources for voter registration and sponsoring a PSA contest for high school students.

Ramirez has dedicated many years of his life and career to the recognition of Tejanos in our state’s culture and history. He is one, if not the most, valuable member of the team that made the 12year journey to build The Tejano Monument on the front lawn of the Capitol grounds a reality in 2012.

In the early 2000s, Ramirez joined the board of the Texas Civil Rights Project, an organization that uses legal advocacy to empower Texas communities and create policy change. He recalls the dismantling of the Texas Youth Commission due to children abuse as one of TCRP’s biggest accomplishments. “That was a good battle,” he said. “Many others, such as family abuse, wage theft, voting rights, abusive law enforcement agents, and many others need to be challenged.” neutering of animals taken in for the first time by the shelter–but it was voted down after some commissioners said that unaltered pets are not the real cause of the overpopulation.

In six months, there were 3,002 dogs impounded for the first time at the city shelter, but only 30 percent of them were claimed by their owners. Of those, only 2.4 percent were sent home without being sterilized, according to a study by Austin Animal Services.

“I don’t think that [spaying/neutering after a first impoundment] is the solution we need now,” Austin Pets Alive’s Mike Kaviani said. “We need to tackle why this incredible amount of dogs are showing up and not getting reclaimed by their owners.”

Spaying and neutering would increase the population in shelters, instead of reducing it, since that would require dogs and cats to stay longer waiting for the procedure. Emancipet, a clinic that provides vet services for the city shelter, has a fourmonth waiting list for this kind of procedure.

“The shelters want to get the animals in and out as soon as possible, and they were worried that if the procedure makes these animals stay more, then it would clog out the shelter,” David Lundstedt, chair of the Animal Advisory Commission and author of the “spay/neuter on first impoundment” proposal, said. “So they’d rather just get them back to their owners.”

Other event special guests will include James C. Harrington Social Justice Award Honoree Burt Neuborne and TCRP Rising Leader Award Honoree Nik Sallie Franklin.

Tim League, Renato Ramirez Community Empowerment Award recipient.

Photo by Annie Ray

But, why are dog and cat owners still abandoning their animals in shelters? Experts believe that there’s still a lack of responsibility in the community, even though Austin is considered one of the friendliest cities for pets in the country.

“A lot of it is just an education thing,” Kaviani said. “We should make people understand [how important it is] to put identification in their pets, to microchip them, to know where the dogs are taken when they are lost, to make people know where the shelter is.”

Money may also be a reason why people decide not to claim their dogs or cats. At the AAC, an owner must pay a $150 fee for the first impoundment.

If the owner allows their animal to be spayed or KUT photo

“[TCRP] relies on the good heart of our constituents to get funded,” Ramirez states. “I wish more people would understand that the work of the TCRP is very important to the less fortunate.”

For ticket information and further details, please visit texascivilrightsproject.org. neutered, the shelter discounts the fee.

For shelters, the main priority is to find a home for the hundreds of animals that they take in. Since euthanasia is not an option anymore, adoption still seems to be the best thing to do.

Some experts believe that “if we could get 20 percent more of people in the country to go to shelters instead of going to a breeder or a pet store, then the overpopulation would be gone.

That is why the AAC, as well as Austin Pets Alive, execute different strategies to incentivize adoption, which include promotions in social media, special events, and waiving the adoption fees for low income families.

To Do Música

Austin, met with Mauricio Callejas during a jam session in downtown Austin to discuss the idea about a world music project that reflects the essence of Latin American music. The band PianoSur grew from there. Members include Alvarez, Tonico Vanalli, Eduardo Cassapia, Andres Acevedo, and Callejas. PianoSur will be at Strange Brew, Lounge Side on Saturday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m.

By Liz Lopez

BROWN SOUND NEWS Bradley Jaye Williams announced that Conjunto Los Pinkys will no longer be performing their regular Sunday gig at The White Horse. He extended his thanks to “all of our supportive friends, families, musicians, dancers and especially the entire staff at the White Horse: Denis O’Donnell, Marshall McHone, Nathan Hill, Howdy Darrell, Drew, Ginny, Sonny, Gary, Blue, Dave and everyone else for being such generous hosts for Conjunto Los Pinkys successful, 4-year run of Sunday tardeadas!”

There will be a Gilbert Davila benefit dance to help with medical expenses. Numerous musicians in the area have agreed to perform, including: Lo Nuestro band, Jaimito Rodriguez, Marcelo Gauna, Julian Escobar, Big Frank Gomez with Clemencia Zapata, Victor Barrera and Ben Marinez as of press time. All proceeds are going to the Davila family. Food donations for the event can be made to Pauline Davila.

Thursday, Nov. 10 at Austin Moose Lodge.

This past month, Steve “Rat” Silvas, musical director/keyboards for Canonazo says that lead male vocalist “Robby G” will pursue a solo

Perseverance and hard work lead young mom to become Tejano Idol 2016

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PianoSur

career after almost two years with the band.

“We at Canonazo totally support his decision in this matter and are sure he’ll do well.” The new vocalist is Marko MC who “comes with great musical credentials – a great songwriter, singer that starred in his own videos,” performing his own “Ella,” as well as appearing on K1’s Mananna Manana.

Julian Limon Fernandez announced that Los Texas Wranglers are being considered for several nominations for the 2017 Grammy Awards.

Fernandez said, “I want to congratulate Joyce Adams, and all my Los Texas Wranglers musicians for their hard work. We are truly honored; thank you Johnny Hernandez for all you do, you are not only a Tejano Music legend you are my dear friend and my brother. Los Texas Wranglers will always

keep you in our hearts.”

Julian Olivarez is seeking musicians to join him in a new creative venture. “After long consideration I’ve decided to return to Conjunto with my own band! We have my compadre Marcus Canales on drums and su servidor on box & harmonies (sax/ keys when necessary). We need a bajo/guitar player and a bass player!”

In celebration of Día de Muertos, El Sol y La Luna will host the “Tribute to the 4 Divas,” and a karaoke contest. The contestants can register a name and song by calling 512.444.7770 prior to the event, as well as make reservations. Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m.

In early July 2016, Esteban Alvarez, a Steinway artist from Costa Rica who lives and works in

Continental Drift, Flyjack and The Hazard Hounds are performing on Friday, Nov. 4th at The Sahara Lounge.

--The Jonas Alvarez Band will be performing at HEB Cafe Mueller, Friday, Nov. 18, 6 p.m.

--Los Texas Wranglers have several performances this month including two in Austin: the Blue Santa Parade, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 8:30 a.m. and the “tardeada” at Little Mexico on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.

--The Gulf Coast Playboys will be playing Cajun music at The Austin Food & Wine Alliance in the Texas Hill Country on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m.

--La Gypsy and her band will perform a theatrical show with her own music from a CD to be record, including Flamenco songs. Nov. 12 at 9:30 p.m. at El Sol y La Luna.

Veronica Flores. Photo by Bobby V

By César E. López Linares

Defeat was for Veronica Flores nothing more than an impulse to work hard and try again. After having participated in the Tejano Idol contest in 2015 without getting to the top 5, Flores--a mom of two toddlers from Raymondville, TX--took voice lessons, challenged herself and took criticism seriously. And this year, her efforts led her to win the Tejano Idol’s sixth edition.

“Last year, I wasn’t really sure about what I wanted to do,” she said. “But I’ve always been taught by my parents that you are not always going to win, so you should appreciate the journey. It’s about the journey to get there.” She beat 15 contesters at the finale, held Oct. 16 at Dance Across Texas Hall in Austin.

As part of the first-place price, she received $1,000, as well as the opportunity to record with Freddie Records label and photo and video shooting sessions. Flores, who chose Selena’s hits “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” and “Si Una Vez” to convince the judges, feels proud to have been raised in a family where music has always been present.

“I just love Tejano music,” she expressed. “I grew up listening to it. When I was 9 or 10 years old, my parents would always play Tejano music really loud. We would wake up to hearing bands like Grupo Mayo and Jimmy González.”

With Tejano influences such as Selena and Elida Reyna, but also pop stars like Michael Jackson and Celine Dion, Flores has co-written more than 30 songs with her uncle Jaime Flores, who also participated and finished fifth in this year’s Tejano Idol.

Tejano Idol is an annual contest organized by the Austin Tejano Music Coalition, a non-profit that promotes the genre in Texas, relying in fundraising and even food sales in order to carry through their events.

TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 09

Texas Conference for Women to host worldclass talent for inspiration and empowerment

By Monica Peña

The 17th Annual Texas Conference for Women will host thousands of women from across the state for a full day of networking, inspiration, professional development and personal growth on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The one-day conference will feature keynote addresses from Amal Clooney, international human rights lawyer; Abby Wambach, two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and pay equity advocate; Diane Von Furstenberg, iconic fashion designer, philanthropist and author; Nina Tassler, highest ranking Latina in network television and recently retired chairman of CBS Entertainment; and Linda Cliatt-Wayman, Strawberry Mansion High School Principal in Philadelphia.

“We could not be more excited about our lineup of game-changing speakers,” Johnita Jones, president of the Conference Board, said. “Our attendees will hear so many words of wisdom and determination and will be inspired to set out and make change, in their own lives and communities.”

Among the over 100 speakers at the Conference

25th Austin Powwow

will be Kemal Harris, stylist and costume designer for “House of Cards”; Christine Carter, sociologist and senior fellow, UC Berkley Greater Good Science Center and author of “The Sweet Spot: How to Find your Groove at Home and Work”; Robin Hauser Reynolds, documentary filmmaker (“CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap”); Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, co-founder, CEO and editor-inchief of Her Campus; and Nely Ganan, first Latina president of U.S. television network Telemundo, Emm y Award-winning producer and author of “Self Made.”

Amal Clooney

Breakout sessions will be led by more than one hundred experts in the fields of business, philanthropy, health, finance, media and professional development to the largest gathering of women in the state. The nonprofit, nonpartisan event draws women of all ages and backgrounds who are interested in building communication skills, leadership strategies and work-life balance tools. For more information on the conference, please visit txconferenceforwomen.org. more. Finally, there will be a traditional dance contest with $25,000 worth of cash prizes.

By Vanna Vasquez

During November, most people think about turkey and holiday deals. However, Great Promise for American Indians are inviting the public to celebrate Native American heritage month with them at their annual Powwow.

In previous years, the event was held at the Tony Burger Center in Sunset Valley, but due to their growing turnout, this year’s festival will be held at the Travis County Expo Center. Admission for the festival is $5 for adults and free for children under 12 years old. Parking will be free and absolutely no alcohol or drugs are allowed.

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By Rian Rendon

Hundreds of participants and supporters gathered in downtown Austin for the city’s 29th annual AIDS Walk on Saturday, Oct. 16. As always in the spirit of love, this year’s event was dominated by an energy of promise, positivity and awareness.

Food trucks and info booths lined the cheerful sidewalks as live music performances echoed throughout downtown Austin’s Palm Park. By the time walkers had completed the 2.75-mile trail, over $220,000 had been donated to the cause.

Executive director Lois Duncan said the purposes of the festival is for people to have fun while also learn about the history and culture of American Indians. “We want to preserve our legacy and save our culture by sharing it,” Duncan said. “We don’t want it to disappear.”

and AIDS, is one of such organizations. Marcus Sanchez of ASA spoke with TODO Austin about their continued commitment to Latino and other at-risk outreach initiatives. Their most recent effort is a bilingual Spanish/English outreach campaign called Paleteria Pontelo. The recently launched initiative creatively targets the at-risk Latino community by providing safer-sex supplies, information about pre-exposure prophylaxis and testing services (paletas included). Paleteria Pontelo can be found at the Q Austin on Medical Arts Street and at ASA’s Cameron Road headquarters.

There are an estimated 6,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in Central Texas. Approximately one in five are not aware of their status. Annually, ASA provides direct care services to over 1,500 people and HIV prevention education to over 10,000 people in Central Texas. More information can be found at asaustin.org.

The funds, which were raised by a combination of group and individual donor efforts, will go to support the services provided by 11 Central Texas AIDS organizations. For many of them, the funds will help benefit continued outreach to minority and at-risk populations (AIDS Walk fundraising stays open until Nov. 16 so there is still time for the community to support our friends and neighbors living with HIV).

AIDS Services of Austin, an organization with a mission to enhance the health and well-being of the community and people affected by HIV

The perfect fall trip for true beach lovers

By Rose Di Grazia

Most people are not thinking about taking a trip to the beach in the fall since school has started again. But real beach lovers don’t let certain times of the year interfere with their beach plans. In fact, anytime of the year is a good time for a beach trip in my book! Winter Texans and snowbirds know this is a prime time to head to the playa since the rates on hotels have dropped and the weather is slightly cooler. But tourists can still walk on the beach and now feel a nice breeze and still get a tan and swim. For Austinites, Port Aransas is the best and closest beach.

They’ll be celebrating their culture with numerous activities and performances at the 25th annual Austin Powwow and American Indian Festival on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m.10 p.m.

The festival will include events for guests to enjoy. For those interested in American Indian cuisine, a wide range of authentic foods will be at a food court including their most popular food, frybread. They will also have over 100 booths of authentic arts and crafts at the Indian market. A heritage stage will showcase American Indian culture through a variety of performances such as drumming, dancing, singing, storytelling and

Minority outreach among several efforts to benefit from AIDS Walk Austin

Port Aransas is only about a four-hour drive from Austin. My home away from home is Seashell Village, which is in walking distance to the beach and all kinds of good eats. You know you have arrived in paradise when you pull up and see the palms swaying and hear the seagulls overhead.

At the village, one can relax by the pool or take a five-minute walk to the beach. This resort is the perfect place to stay with dogs, so look for one of their pet-friendly rooms. Each room offers a mini yard area just outside your door. The rooms are clean and cozy with a full-sized kitchen. For more information, go to seashellvillage.com.

The beach is breathtaking this time of year. You’ll

be lucky if you see a few senior citizens walking their dogs. This time of year it’s you and the sound of the waves and a few local beach bums. Nothing but peace and beauty is all around.

After a day on the beach, head to La Barataria for the best sunset view of the water and the boats and the best happy hour. Plop down in one of the wicker chairs and let your mind drift out to sea as the sun sets on the water and the sound of the palms gets louder and louder with the evening beach breeze. Order the cheese plate fit for a king. This plate is big enough for a family of four with all kinds of imported cheeses, grapes, nuts, fresh baked bread and olive oil you just want to drink. The wine list is extensive and affordable. But you may not have room for dessert because the food is so rich and filling.

The restaurant is located at Island Moorings Yacht Club and Marina. More information is available at labaratariarestaurantwinebar.com.

For a day out of the sun, stop in the Art Center. You can take a class or view the beautiful paintings of the beach. Help the center relocate to their new space by purchasing the art, jewelry, or greeting cards. Come for the yearly art show and help support the local artists in May every year.

Come to the beach for the day, a weekend or two weeks. This is one beach you won’t want to leave.

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

HC4A hosts the second annual Aadhaar Gala on Saturday, Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m. at Crowne Plaza, 6121 N. IH-35. This year’s event features Aadhaar Glamour Walk presented by M-Ethnique, Monsoon Dance’s Bollywood fashion show, live music, photography by Srivas, celebrity models, a three course dinner from Taj Palace, booths, a silent auction including a trip to India and more. $50. hc4a.org

JEWISH + ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVALS

By Liz Lopez

The Austin Jewish Film Festival, running Nov. 5-11, began in October 2002, by screening its first film at the Alamo Drafthouse. Fourteen years later, AJFF offers the best quality Jewish documentary, drama and short films from around the globe.

The Saturday, Nov. 5 opening night film, “A Tale of Love and Darkness,” is written and directed by Natalie Portman, who stars in the leading role as Tania Oz. The film screenings continue daily beginning at noon until the final day on Friday, Nov. 11, with a shorts program featuring films from Canada, France, USA and Israel. The films are offered at the Regal Arbor Cinema at Great Hills (unless otherwise noted).

For the full list of films, locations and to obtain festival passes and tickets for each, visit austinjff. org.

The Austin Asian American Film Festival promotes Asian and Asian American cultures and experiences through the media arts by showcasing top quality cinema and supporting the creative talents of Asian American artists.

This year’s festival will be held Nov. 3-6 at the Blanton Auditorium on the University of Texas campus. A selection of Asian and Asian American films from established masters and exciting newcomers alike are offered, including the opening night film “Tyrus,” a documentary about former Disney film production illustrator Tyrus Wong; the centerpiece film, “Breathin’: The Eddy Zheng Story,” a portrait by Ben Wang that captures Zheng in all his complexity, tracing his remarkable journey from an adolescent criminal to a respected advocate for prison reform and youth violence prevention; and the closing night film, “After The Storm,” by Hirokazu Koreeda, following last year’s “Our Little Sister” with another sensitive take on a divided family.

Festival badges, passes and individual tickets are available at aaafilmfest.com.

ProyectoTEATRO’s award-winning youth company has the frightful pleasure to present “¿Quién Asusta Ahí?”

(Who Lurks There?), an original comedy written and directed by Luis Ordaz Gutiérrez, Nov. 4-13 at ESB-MACC. The devil, hired by a mysterious investor, has an idea to bring together supernatural beings in order to train them under his “modern techniques.” $8-$15. proyectoteatro. com India Fine Arts hosts a “healing concert” Saturday, Nov. 5, featuring Vidushi Bombay Jayasri, vocal, Embar Kannan, violin, VV Ramanamurthy, mridangam and KV Gopala Krishnan, kanjira at Dell Fine Arts Center, 6 p.m. Bollywood and Beyond is Sunday, Nov. 13, 5 p.m. at Westlake H.S. with Dr. L. Subramaniam, Kavita Krishnamurthy and an Indian/Western music ensemble. $19. Kids 12-under free. austinifa.org Join in on the fun at the Austin Celtic Festival with a full schedule of world class music, dance, food and fun for the family, Nov. 5-6 at Fiesta Gardens, 12-7:30 p.m.

There’s Highland games for both adult men and women, and children too. Celtic animals abound, plus a dizzying array of workshops on music, dance, Irish language, Scotch tasting and more. Tickets must be purchased online at austincelticfestival.com Trevor Noah has hosted TV shows in his native South Africa including music, TV and film awards and the South African Comedy Festival. After two seasons of his own late night talk show at home and trailblazing appearances on network U.S. late night TV, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” brings his standup show to Bass Concert Hall on Friday, Nov. 11, 8 p.m. texasperformingarts.org Austin Shakespeare presents “Present Laughter” Nov. 16Dec. 4 in Rollins Studio Theatre. Noël Coward’s rollicking romantic farce is set in the 1930s, starring award-winning actor and Austin Shakespeare favorite Marc Pouhé.

Coward’s semi-autobiographical play is full of seduction, sophistication, and a lot of cocktails, as love affairs rise and fall. Tickets start at $29 for the comedy. thelongcenter.org For the third consecutive year, Grammy, Stellar, Dove, BET and NAACP Image Award-winning Gospel megastar Fred Hammond returns to the road with the Festival of Praise Tour 2016, the star-studded national event he founded. This year’s lineup features Hezekiah Walker, Israel Houghton, Regina Belle, Karen Clark Sheard and Casey J. Saturday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center. uterwincenter.com

SOUND ON SOUND FEST

By Meredith C. Cox

Sound on Sound Fest will take place Nov. 4-6 at Sherwood Forest outside of Austin, home of the annual Sherwood Forest Faire. Although this brand new event is a creation of the same people who brought Fun Fun Fun Fest to life, this event’s atmosphere is expected to be much different than FFF Fest’s typical location at Auditorium Shores.

“There was a lot of discussion regarding how you make a festival not just another festival,” Graham Williams of Transmission Events and festival creator said. “They’re often pretty cookie cutter in their line up. [But with Sound on Sound], instead of ‘bands in a field on stages,’ we’ll have bands and fans in a crazy experiential spot that is wild and fun. You won’t see as many plain white tents everywhere.”

Fans can expect music from local artists like Magna Carda, American Sharks, Calliope Musicals, Explosions in the Sky, Moving Panoramas, Emily Wolfe, and Hard Proof, among others. But there are also bigger names like Beach House, Run the Jewels, Mac DeMarco, Courtney Barnett, Big Boi, Thee Oh Sees, Phantogram, Purity Ring, Young Thug, and Pussy Riot.

Sherwood Forest Faire is located approximately 40 miles outside of Austin. General Admission passes start at $85 for one day, and $169 for the full festival. There’s also a $445 VIP “Treat Thy Self” package available. Camping access starts at $75 and tents and sleeping cots are available to rent if you don’t already have your own.

There is also RV access at the park. Shuttles will be available for $5 from downtown Austin.

For the full lineup, additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit soundonsoundfest.com.

TODO AUSTIN // NOV 2016 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 11