TODO Austin May 2018

Beginning our tenth year of brining you diverse Austin news.

www.todoaustin.com VOLUME X / MAY 2018

Austin-Pune Sister City Initiative CelebrASIA 2018 JMBLYA Austin Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival

DON JOSÉ GARCÍA:

“HANDS THAT SEE”

GET HIRED. GET TRAINED.

GET WORKING! Looking for a fun and rewarding summer job? The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is now hiring for a variety of Aquatics positions! Enjoy flexible schedules and pay starting at $13.84 per hour. Training provided, with no prior experience required. Apply today!

NOW HIRING: • Lifeguards • Swim Coaches • Cashiers

L IFEG UA R DAU ST IN. COM

C E N T R O U R B A N O HABLA Austin iACT Hope Awards Interfaith Action of Central Texas hosts the 2018 Hope Awards, one of the most uplifting nights of the year in Austin, on Tuesday, May 1, at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. iACT will be celebrating 30 years of service to Central Texas with an intimate conversation with Luci Baines Johnson and Evan Smith, as well as stories from people that iACT programs serve, such as Hands on Housing and the Refugee program.

11th Farm to Plate Sustainable Food Center’s 11th Farm to Plate will feature chefs from 30 of Austin’s most acclaimed restaurants on Wednesday, May 9, at the historic Barr Mansion. The annual benefit focuses exclusively on serving local food and beverages and showcasing the sustainable farm and ranch offerings of Central Texas. Austin ISD’s Nutrition & Food Services and SFC’s Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre facilitator, Lorena Sanchez Cruz, will be presented with the Sustainable Food Changemaker award. All proceeds from Farm to Plate benefit SFC’s programs that support our local, sustainable food system.

Foster the Music Month May is Foster the Music month. #Fosterthemusic

local businesses will partner with KING to raise funds in support of Central Texas youth in foster care. For the most updated list, visit http:// kidsinanewgroove.org/foster-the-music/.

Water rates drop All retail customers, including residential, multifamily, commercial and large volume customers of Austin Water will see a rate decrease effective May 1, under a plan approved by the Austin City Council in March. The average residential customer will see a $2.40 reduction to their monthly bill.

Waller Creek Field Day Waller Creek Conservancy will host its first annual Field Day on Saturday, May 12, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Palm Park, 711 E. 3rd St. Attendees can enjoy family-fun health events as well as games for all ages. The programming includes a yoga class

by Yoga in Da Hood, a cooking demonstration

by Green Ninja Cooks, a step performance by Campbell Elementary and live music by G’beda.

Various activity stations will be set up across the park where children can participate in games and receive tokens redeemable for free prizes.

MEASURE discussion on race Area research and education nonprofit MEASURE, in collaboration with several community stakeholders, is convening a community discussion on Saturday, May 5, 4 p.m. at the Pflugerville Public Library to seek ways to reduce the number of black children who are disproportionately charged with assault resulting from in-school incidents.

This dialog session comes after a report released

by MEASURE earlier this year showed that black students were 3.5 times more likely to be charged with assault for the same infractions as their counterparts in PFISD schools.

Kids in a New Groove, an Austin-based nonprofit that provides Texas youth in foster care with a committed, one-one-one mentoring relationship through free, weekly music education, is honoring National Foster Care Month with its second annual fundraising campaign, Foster the Music #Fosterthemusic. Throughout May,

Green business leaders announced Green business is good business, especially in Austin. This year 33 businesses have been recognized for their commitment to sustainability as Austin Green Business Leaders, bringing the program total to 228 member businesses. The following organizations have been recognized as platinum members: Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden, Ecological Estates LLC, Texas Green Realty, Texas Indie Solar and The Westin at the Domain.

Austin’s MULTICULTURAL media source for EIGHT YEARS • Find us at TODOAustin.com

Volume X, Number 01 PUBLISHER/EDITOR // Gavin Lance Garcia info@todoaustin.com 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

City budget talk tour targets community feedback

It’s budget engagement time again, and this year Austinites have many opportunities to provide their feedback. Guided by the Council-adopted Strategic Direction 2023, this year’s engagement seeks input on the return Austinites would like to see from their investment in local government.

This new outcome-based approach is the next step in aligning the City’s budgeting process with a specific set of strategic priorities laid out by the Council.

From the end of April through the middle of July, Austin residents can choose from a variety of options to provide input and feedback on the City budget. The City has planned several Budget Talks out in the community. It also has posted an online information and survey tool that will remain open through the duration of the engagement process.

All of the engagement opportunities are designed to determine the priorities of Austin residents prior to the development of next year’s budget.

different voices in the process as possible,” Cronk said. “Community participation is vital to ensuring that we develop a City budget that works for everyone.”

THE BUDGET TALK TOUR WILL BEGIN MAY 12 AND CONTINUE THROUGH JUNE:

• Council Member Ora Houston, District 1: 10 am to Noon Saturday, May 12, Millennium Youth Complex, 1156 Hargrave St. • Mayor Steve Adler, Citywide: 6:30-8 p.m.

Tuesday, May 15, at the Austin Central Library, 710 W. Cesar Chavez St., 78701 (This event will be televised on ATXN and live on the City’s main Facebook account.)

• Council Member Delia Garza, District 2: 6:308 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, The Learning and Research Center, 2800 Spirit of Texas Drive, Austin, TX 78719 • Council Member Pio Renteria, District 3: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center, 2100 E. 3rd St. 78702 • Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6: 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, May 21, at Spicewood Springs Library, 8637 Spicewood Springs Road, 78759 • Council Member Ann Kitchen, District 5: 6:308 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, South Austin Senior Activity Center, 3911 Manchaca Road, 78704 • Council Member Alison Alter, District 10: 6:308 p.m. Monday, June 18, Shalom Austin, 7300 Hart Lane, 78731 • Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Drive, 78757 Additional information for events in Districts 4, 8, and 9 will be available in coming weeks.

Austin City Hall

Each of the Budget Talk meetings in the community will be hosted by the Council Member representing that district, and will feature opportunities to speak with budget staff as well as Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk. A citywide event, hosted by Austin Mayor Steve Adler, will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Austin Central Library.

“A city’s budget is a reflection of a city’s values, so it’s important for me that we engage as many CONTRIBUTING STAFF // Rose Di Grazia, Callie Langford, César E. López Linares, Genoveva Rodriguez, Diana Sanchez PRODUCTION SERVICES // Anthony Garcia CONTRIBUTORS // Alka Bhanot, Roy Casagranda, Cat Cardenas, Cindy Casares, Evelyn C. Castillo, Lobo Corona, Nora De LaRosa, Gregory L. Fenves, 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, Art Markman, Cynthia Aashi Morales, Cristina Parker, Carola Rivera, Paul Saldaña, Peter Salovey, Marion Sanchez, Sameer Shah, Blake Shanley, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Rama Tiru, Carola Rivera, Aaron Rochlen, Blanca Valencia, Lesley Varghese ONLINE EDITION // TODOAustin.com

Anyone can request interpretation services by calling 3-1-1 no later than 48 hours before the start time of the meeting you wish to attend. To request sign language interpretation, people can call 512-972-9848.

The City’s current budget is $3.9 billion and funds critical services for Austin residents, from public safety and mobility to parks and recreation and animal services. For more information about the City budget and the 2018 engagement process, visit AustinTexas.Gov/Budget.

COVER PHOTO // Ali Khataw 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. © 2018 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 // MAY 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03

Public events to launch historic Austin-Pune Sister City Initiative

Dhamankar, who will also be co-leading an

A historic Sister City Initiative has been formed between Austin and Pune, Maharashtra— the first sister city initiative between Austin and a city in India. A Memorandum of Understanding has been exchanged between Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Pune Mayor Mukta Tilak.

record and preserve Indian American history.

The initiative will foster exchanges in the areas of sustainability, health, smart city, business, culture and education. This, in turn, will provide opportunities for businesses, organizations and individuals to share and grow. Delegates from the Austin Economic Development Department Global Business Expansion Division and Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce visited Pune in January 2018 to pave the way to the Sister City Initiative.

A series of joint cultural events will be taking place for the public to join in the celebration between April 28 and May 16.

intergenerational social integration discussion through literature and other materials.

On Tuesday, May 1, the Indian American Coalition of Texas along with other area Indian American partner organizations will formally donate documents to Austin History Center to These materials will be available to the public for historic reference and research. The event will be held at the Austin History Center, located at 810 Guadalupe St., from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

The next event, presented on Saturday, May 5, will also be hosted by IACT at Lost Creek MUD Community Center, 1305 Quaker Ridge Dr. It will feature a lecture on climate governance

by University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs Dr. Joshua Busby followed by a round table discussion with invited dignitaries from the City of Austin. APSCI will present literary readings focused on topics about the Earth by Pune and Austin Indian authors.

The final event in the series, organized by

Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival returns Cinco de Mayo weekend Over Cinco de Mayo weekend, Austin-based non-profit organization Rancho Alegre Radio will present its Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival at various venues in the Austin area. The annual showcase of traditional, accordion-driven music will feature over twenty different groups from all over Texas, including festival headliner Flaco Jimenez.

Additionally, the event is partnering with the Austin Tejano Music Coalition, which will present the Austin round of their popular Tejano Idol talent search competition along with performances from previous contestants.

Hermanos Peña, the veteran family band from Dimmitt, Texas, are scheduled to play a double bill, with a time slot on Saturday, May 5 at Stubb’s and the tardeada at One-2-One Bar on Sunday, May 6.

In addition to the music at both Stubb’s locations, a wide variety of local food, arts and crafts and other vendors will be onhand, in partnership with Austin’s own Las Ofrendas founder tk tunchez.

The festival kicks off Friday, May 4 with an evening show at Stubb’s Graceland Grocery in Oak Hill from 4 - 8 p.m., with the main event taking place from 11 a.m. to midnight at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater. The weekend will be wrapped up with an early evening tardeada at One-2-One Bar on Sunday, May 6th from 6 - 8 p.m. All events are free, open to the public and family friendly.

APSCI, is a cross-cultural literary exchange on Wednesday, May 16 from 7 - 8:30 p.m., at the Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd. A panel discussion will be moderated by newscaster Ms. Hema Mullur of KEYE TV featuring literary professionals of diverse backgrounds. Pune author Ms. Dhamankar, Hispanic author Antonio RuizCamacho, Chicana poet Ire’ne Lara Silva, African

American

academic

Dr.

Helena

Woodard, and Indian American poet Saryu Parikh will participate at the event.

Future events of the Sister City Initiative are being planned towards a Friendship City designation. These include a Hackathon involving both cities in early fall and a visit by a delegation from Austin to Pune in late September, including Austin City Council Manjiri Dhamankar

member Alison Alter, and the Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos. For more information

The Austin-Pune Sister Initiative is proud to welcome author and entrepreneur Manjiri Dhamankar from Pune, India for the inaugural cultural/literary exchange initiative.

Hosted by South Asians’ International Volunteer Association, the first event will be held Saturday, April 28 from 3 - 5 p.m. at Hill Country Church, 3351 Little Elm Trail. There will be a Meet & Greet with Ms. 04 TODO AUSTIN // MAY 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

about upcoming events, visit facebook.com/ austinpune or contact austinpunesistercity@ gmail.com.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

“Every year, we are excited to bring this free, family-friendly event to the community, to showcase so many different performers of this incredible, authentic, traditional Texas music in the heart of downtown at the iconic Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheater,” says Baldomero Cuellar, Rancho Alegre Radio Executive Director and self-described “Head Queso.” “But this year is even more special: We’re back to a three-day celebration. We’ll be taking it to a new venue in southwest Austin, we’re partnering with our colleagues at the Austin Tejano Music Coalition, and presenting one of the most legendary and celebrated performers in American music history. It’s a pretty great way to commemorate the fifth year of our festival.”

Since beginning in 2012, the festival has grown year over year and moved to Stubb’s over Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2017 after a two-year hiatus. In the four previous years, the festival has presented nearly 70 different groups and special guests. This year is no exception, with over a quarter of the lineup playing the festival for the first time. In addition to Jimenez, notable performers include legends Chano Cadena, Chencho & Frank Flores, and Bene Medina, as well as Austin groups Los Texas Wranglers, Conjunto Los Pinkys, and Street People.

Rounding out the lineup are veterans and up-and-coming groups and future stars from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley. Los Arcos

Flaco Jimenez

For festival goers and fans, Rancho Alegre Radio has launched a mobile app with performer biographies, lineup details, venue, vendor, and sponsor information, FAQ’s and more. The app is available on Google Play and the App Store. More information about and a schedule of Rancho Alegre Radio’s events and other work is available on the organization’s website at ranchoalegreradio. org. For vending opportunities, email lasofrendas@gmail.com.

Rancho Alegre Radio is dedicated to preserving and promoting Tejano and Conjunto music. Other projects include digitizing recordings, interviewing legendary and up-and-coming artists, maintaining and constructing a historical record of Tejano and Conjunto music, and connecting artists with professional and business services.

The Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival is supported in part by Compadresmusic, Texas Folklife, Fern Landscapes LLC, El Norteño Foods, Lovemytejano.com, JF Mechanical, Gonzalo Rodriguez Quality Home Building and Maintenance, Austin Manual Therapy, and Full Gallop.

First Saturdays At The Carver. Saturday, May 5, 12 p.m. The George Washington Carver Museum’s free, once-a-month event called First Saturday is created for people of color that should not be missed. This event celebrates a range of themes each month. It’s family friendly, diverse, and the programming is intelligent. Activities, music, vendors, discussions, and more.

That’s My Face Film Screening. Friday, May 11, 6:30 p.m.

That’s My Face is a young adult film series. May’s screening is “Malcom X” (1972), directed by Arnold Perl. James Earl Jones narrates this fascinating and moving documentary about the life of the assassinated black leader through various sources.

Rated PG. “Punk Noir: Dawn Okoro.” On exhibit through July 21. A selection of monumental works that explore Afro-punk creative expression. Featuring portraits of black musicians, filmmakers, photographers and other creatives, “Punk Noir” revels in the divine feminine and masculine energy in the artist’s subjects. Through color, pose, and clothing, Okoro conveys a sense of grit, glamour and grace. This is reinforced by her gestural use of copper to obscure the body and alludes to issues of erasure, self-agency and resistance.

Increasing access for low-income students at our nation’s top schools

By Gregory L. Fenves (The University of Texas at Austin, President) and Peter Salovey (Yale University, President)

Over the fall, millions of high-school students across the U.S. participated in the annual process of submitting college applications to attend the nation’s best schools. But sadly, only a small percentage of these applications will be from students who come from lower- and middleincome families. And that’s a problem.

While there’s no clear consensus about what policies help expand the middle class and create jobs in this era of massive technological change and global competition, there is one thing that Americans historically have agreed on: Education is the surest path toward upward mobility and prosperity.

Today, as presidents of two remarkable — though strikingly different —universities, we recognize that as a nation, we must do more to provide opportunity for promising students from lowincome families to attend America’s best colleges and universities — public and private.

Awards of Excellence 2018. Saturday, May 19. Zocalo.

Established in 2009 by the MACC Advisory Board, this award recognizes remarkable Latinos for the highest artistic excellence they bring to the cultural arts of Austin. Awarded to individuals or groups from any artistic discipline who have demonstrated distinguished service, leadership, dedication, outstanding performance and a lasting contribution to the arts.

“Recollecting Memories” by Caroline Ryan. AARC ballroom. On display through June 19. Artist Caroline Ryan explores family dynamics using old candid family photographs as references for her paintings. The artist reveals the astounding differences between her parents and her family’s struggle to communicate with each other as a means of accepting and understanding the past and present.

“Orphans” by Jose Rodriguez. On exhibit through June 2.

M-F 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sat. 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Sam Z. Coronado Gallery. The exhibition is an exploration of issues that arise from migration and dislocation. It is comprised of 365 small drawings and objects conceived as an installation. Rodriguez is interested in bringing some degree of significance to otherwise overlooked man-made objects that have somehow lost their definition.

“Antique Cameras” by Peter Shen. AARC Foyer. Over 50 antique cameras dated as early as 1880s from Mr. Peter Shen will be on display. Items include a vintage box camera, roll film camera, folding camera, range finder camera, movie camera, twin lenses camera, instant camera and SLR camera.

“Concepts: From the Natural to the Surreal” by Nayeli Miranda. On exhibit through June 2. M-F 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Community Gallery. “My work is a reflection of myself: my life, experiences, ideas, feelings, and beliefs,” Miranda says. “My culture has had a big influence on my artwork: the unique shapes and forms, the vibrant colors, and the many Mexican artists that I admire..”

When these students miss out on a tremendous education, the nation misses out on their untapped potential as inventors, entrepreneurs and leaders. This is why our universities have joined the American Talent Initiative, along with 86 other top public and private colleges and universities, to recruit, enroll, and graduate 50,000 additional talented, low- and moderateincome students by 2025.

Yale is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut, enrolling fewer than 6,000 undergraduates. The University of Texas at Austin is Texas’s flagship public university with 40,000 undergraduates. Our two universities differ from one another because of who we serve and the scale at which we serve them. Yet our educational missions are the same — to produce transformative thinking, learning, and research for the benefit of all members of society.

Today, former UT Austin students from families in the lowest income quintile, on average, are earning close to three times what their parents earned annually — all by the age of 30. Yet many more students who could benefit are, for many reasons, not attending. In response, UT Austin announced that it would invest strongly in financial aid for low- and middle-income students, adding to a 2016 commitment of $15 million for middle-income financial aid.

Yale has long offered generous, need-based financial aid to low-income families. Parents of

“Where I Belong” by Lizzie Chen. AARC Hallways. On Display through June 29. Mixed-race families open their doors to share lived experiences of Asian American Pacific Islander youth in Austin. Exhibit is co-curated by Lizzie Chen and the Asian American Resource Center. Lizzie Chen received Masters in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. As a first generation Taiwanese American, she is interested in capturing the stories of marginalized communities through photojournalism, such as the immigrant community. More info at lizziechen.com. have the resources and support they need to succeed and graduate once they are admitted.

Yale has pledged to enroll an additional 225 Pell Grant-eligible students and an additional 150 first-generation students over the next four years.

These increases will be made by our current expansion of Yale’s undergraduate population by 15 percent and reaching out to students who may not otherwise apply to Yale.

Gregory L. Fenves

families earning less than $65,000 annually are not asked to make any financial contribution to their child’s Yale education. Tuition, room, board, books and personal expenses are covered.

Beginning next year, students from these families will also receive an additional $2,000 startup grant in their first year.

But simply getting students to college is not enough. Many students, especially those who are the first in their families to attend college or who come from low-income households, face additional obstacles once they arrive on our campuses. So, we are making sure these students

UT Austin, through targeted mentoring and support efforts, has increased its four-year graduation rate by approximately 14 percentage points over the past five years. This has had a dramatic impact on the lives of many lowincome students who previously would have struggled to graduate on time or at all. It has also created 1,000 extra spaces in each entering freshman class, providing more educational access to qualified students than ever before.

Regardless of our differences, Americans share a belief in the promise of equal opportunity and upward mobility. Education has long helped lift generations of young people, helping them achieve more than their parents could have ever imagined. By removing obstacles in the paths of low-income students, we can do our part to keep that promise alive.

The American Talent Initiative is a pledge and a path toward making that worthy goal a reality.

TODO AUSTIN // MAY 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

Don José García, also known as

“Hands that See”

By Ali Khataw Don José García can be found in Oaxaca, Mexico living a simple life. He is profoundly proud of his indigenous race. Currently at the age of 70, Don José has developed a deep connection with red clay. Meeting him was a lesson in resiliency. It has been 16 years since he lost his vision, due to the appearance of glaucoma in both eyes, but that has not been an obstacle for his passion, as he has won numerous international awards.

Once he reflected his philosophy in a poem:

I do not have the valor of King Arthur I do not have the beauty of Nanciso I do not have the wisdom of Solomon I do not have the strength of Samson All I have is a body of man... and from within the heart I find life When asked about his vision he says that he does not see anything, but “I feel that my eyes are in my hands, that is why they call me ‘hands that see.’ I make clay figures as if I could see, while working with great force and dedication with all the beauty that clay has.” His hands feel the wet clay and create primitive works of beauty that are in museums and private collections. His wife, Teresita, is his muse and helpmate. It is her image that is reflected in his work. Almost all of his robust depictions of women have her features and signature beauty mark.

Always dressed in the traditional Zapoteco del Valle, pant and shirt of white cotton, bandana in the neck, and a felt sombrero, Don José García is recognized for his ethnic and cultural identity worldwide.

06 TODO AUSTIN // MAY 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

He learned to make art out of red clay in an autodidact form--it truly is a beautiful history that he has applied many times and does not get tired of it. He says he never went to a studio, never had a teacher to teach him techniques, but only looks for knowledge in the clay.

Don José works with a special clay obtained in the local area of his residence. He prepares the clay following the timeless tradition of his predecessors, grinding it into a fine powder and then sifting several times through a sieve. When clean and free of impurities, he moistens the clay, then covers it with plastic and places it in a dry place to “rest.” He later takes out small quantities needed for the piece he is working on, kneading it and adding more water until the clay is the proper consistency. For some of his large-format pieces, he combines a number of techniques such as molding, etching, modeling, and appliqué.

He mentioned that when he was 7 or 8 years old he would go out into the streets when it would be raining. When the rainfall would stop he would

dig in the rainwater-formed creek beds and make clay figures such as elephants, horses and giraffes.

His friends would want to limit him, but they never could stop his urges to exercise his great creativity.

The story of love-at-first-sight of Don José and Teresita, who have been married for 30 years, developed from declined marital proposals and engagements that are worthy of a soap opera. In Huida, Chiapas, where she traveled to sell flowers cultivated by her father, a young rich man asked her for her hand in marriage. She was 16 years of age and had no plans of getting married, although she made an excuse that she was taken and engaged to marry a Jose. Later, she met Don José in a bible study group and since the moment he saw her, he knew she would be his wife. They were engaged and married in 1987. Since then, they have lived and worked happily together. Teresita feels extremely happy she has Don José as her husband, but not only that, he is her teacher and the teacher of her children and grandchildren in the creation of red clay pottery.

FR EE

MAY 2018

Something for everyone

AUSTINTEXAS.GOV/MUSEUMSANDCULTURE

Film Screening: “Malcolm X” (1972)

CELEBRASIA: FIVE YEARS, FIVE SPICES

George Washington Carver Museum

Asian American Resource Center

May 11, 6:30-8:30 PM

May 12, 11-4 PM

Border | Promise

James Earl Jones narrates this fascinating moving documentary about the life of the assassinated black leader through various sources.

1165 Angelina St, 78702 austintexas.gov/carver-museum

Unique food, cultural performaces, culinary demonstrations and interactive childrens activities make this festival one you won’t want to miss!

8401 Cameron Rd, 78754 austintexas.gov/aarc

DATE NIGHT @ THE DAC: CUMBIA!

O. HENRY PUN-OFF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dougherty Arts Center May 16, 7-9 PM

O. Henry Museum

Celebrate with Chulita Vinyl Club while getting playful dance instruction from professional Latin dance instructor Melissa Corpus of MeliSamba.

The pun-off consists of two punning competitions, Punniest of Show and Punslingers. Enjoy live music at 11a and the competitions that will run until 6p!

1110 Barton Springs, 78704 austintexas.gov/dac

May 12, 11-6 PM

409 E 5th St, 78701 austintexas.gov/o-henry-museum

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.

Upcoming event: “The MighTy Russians, PaRT ii” Olga Kern, violin, performs Tchaikovsky & Prokofiev may 18 & 19, 8:00 p.m.

Long center’s Dell Hall the ASo concludes its 2017–18 masterworks Series season with a program that includes four of Russia’s great composers: Rachmaninoff, tchaikovsky, prokofiev, and Stravinsky, along with one of its great pianists, olga Kern.

Recognizing

SeAS o n Sp o nS oR

me Di A S p o nSo RS

oLgA KeRn

Download the app:

Connect:

Download the app:

Connect:

Download the app:

Connect:

Download the app:

Connect:

Download the app:

Connect:

tickets/info

(512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org

for Soldiers at the Symphony All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

GET SWIMMING! Register for swim lessons, programs, and teams:

austintexas.gov/swimming Financial aid available. Call 512.974.9330.

To Do Música BROWN SOUND NEWS

| By Liz Lopez

Multi-talented Texas artist Patricia Vonne will release her seventh album, “Top of the Mountain,” on Bandolera Records on Friday, May 25. She is known around the world as a musician, songwriter, actress, and filmmaker, just to name a few. After her return from a European tour this month, the Austin album release show will be held on Saturday, May 26 at the Continental Club, 1315 South Congress Ave. Vonne takes the stage at 10 p.m. and Joe King Carrasco follows at midnight.

bilingual Tex-Mex and Latin strands that, taken together, form a rich and colorful tapestry.

“I am very proud of this new work,” she said. “’Top of the Mountain’ celebrates the defiant human spirit in the midst of adversity and the Higher Power that lights our path.”

The new album was produced, mixed and engineered by Rick Del Castillo and Michael Ramos, engineered by Joey Benjamin and mastered by Mark Hallman. The album features Vonne on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, castanets and electric guitar as well as several special guest musicians. These include Fort Worth sax virtuoso Johnny Reno; Grammy award winner Max Baca from Los TexManiacs on bajo sexto; Grammy award winners Joe Reyes and David Grissom; longtime performing and songwriting partner Robert LaRoche on guitar; and Scott Plunkett (of Chris Isaak’s band) on keyboard.

The defiant, stand-your-ground title track, “Top of the Mountain,” sets a declamatory tone as the rest of the album winds a sinuous path through the border radio groove of “Lil’ Lobo;” the careening rocker “Graceland Trip;” a flamenco-flavored tribute to Vonne’s mother, “Madre de Perla;” the spaghetti western soundtrack “Western Blood;” and much more. The album track listing also features “Citadel,” “City is Alive,” “Illuminaria,” “Tidal Wave,” “Canción de la Boda (Wedding Song),” “Lekker Ding (Sweet Thing)” and “God’s Hands.” Featuring co-writes with Joe “King” Carrasco, Alejandro Escovedo, Willie Nile, Steven Medina Hufsteter of the Cruzados and longtime performing and songwriting partner Robert LaRoche, Vonne explored new aspects of her multi-cultural creativity.

For ticket information, upcoming tour dates, videos and more, visit patriciavonne.com.

Patricia Vonne

With the release of “Top of the Mountain,” Vonne reaches new heights in her musical career. Following on the heels of her acclaimed all-Spanish 2015 album “Viva Bandolera” (which made the Top Eight list in the Huffington Post), Vonne’s new effort incorporates all the multi-faceted components that define her unique musical persona: rock, folk, flamenco,

--Oscar Ornelas has posted up all of his shows through June on his Facebook page. He has some new music available that is produced

by Austin Music Industry Awards’ Producer of the Year Adrian Quesada. Ornelas states on his page, “Download my music! Whatever you pay goes towards recording new music! Thank you!” More at oscarornelas.com.

--Mayor Steve Adler and The City of Austin proclaimed April 26, 2018 as El Tule Day in Austin. To enjoy their great musicianship, make plans to listen to them at the Festival De Cumbia En La Capital 2018, now in its fifth year, on May 19. The festival showcases Austin’s diverse version of all things Cumbia with two stages of bands, DJs, Las Ofrendas Market and visual artists. On the schedule is El Tule (ATX); DJ Guatemala (GT); Plan Sonidero (MX); La Frenetika (CO); Organizacion Kumbiambera (MTY, MX); Volcan (SA); Parranderos De La Kumbia (MTY, MX) and DJ Put A Fyah (VE).

Barracuda, 611 E. 7th St. $10 entry at door (no pre-sale tickets necessary), but check for

Cecilia + the Broken Hearts

updates and specials on the Facebook event page.

--Join Tequila Rock Revolution as they celebrate Cinco De Mayo and the release of their first single. Austin’s original rockeros Boca Abajo will be joining the fiesta as well. Saturday, May 5 Tequila Rock Revolution is on at 10:30 p.m. followed by Boca Abajo at midnight. One-2One Bar, 1509 S. Lamar Blvd. Ste 600 Tickets available at holdmyticket.com.

R E C O M M E N D E D

S H O W S

Metalachi, the world’s first and only heavy metal mariachi band, will be performing with Money Chicha at the historic Scoot Inn, 1308 E 4th St., on Thursday, May 10. Doors at 6:30 p.m. All ages show with GA tickets available ticketweb.com.

--Cecilia and the Broken Hearts will have a two set show Saturday, May 12 from 9:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Estrella De Leon on vocals; Jay Bernal on vocals; Melanie Morgan on accordion; Mincho Jacob on bass; Fabian Rincon on drums; Joseph Loney on percussion; Joe Rocha on guitar. Las Perlas Austin, 405 E 7th St. --Heard Presents: Red Sun Rising with Rival Waves on Saturday, May 26. Doors 8 p.m. at the Parish, 214 E 6th St. Ste C. Tickets at bit. ly/RedSunRisingATX. Music by Red Sun Rising and Rival Waves.

--Join the celebration of music, dance and art for Cinco de Mayo on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Performances include Trajes Típicos de Latinoamérica at 11 a.m.; Ballet Folklorico Highland Park Elementary at 11:20 a.m.; Mariachi (LAPP) at 11:30 a.m.; Ballet Folklorico (LAPP) at noon; Teatro (LAPP) at 12:10; Plow Boyz (Special Performing Artists) at 12:30 p.m. The event will be at Southwest Key Programs Centro de Familia, 6002 Jain Ln. For more information, contact Melissa Villarreall at mvillarreal@swkey.org.

--Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby is near and the Parlor & Yard Day Party is hosting a

party with a live mariachi band, DJ Mahealani7, piñatas, taco specials and more! Saturday, May 5 at 2 - 7 p.m. Parlor & Yard, 601 W 6th St. --Customer Appreciation Day - The 13th annual Link Wray tribute will be held with a cavalcade of guitarists including Denny Freeman, Eve Monsees, Mike Vernon, Rosie Flores, Thierry LeCoz, Homer Henderson, and Rick Broussard.

Don Leady and Teisco Del Rey will close things out before 13 guitarists play “Rumble.” Don’t miss it on Tuesday, May 8. Doors at 9 p.m. Free at Antone’s, 305 E. 5th St. --Del Castillo is a cross-cultural power in music.

Their original sound blends, rock, Latin, blues, and world music. Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with the internationally known band on Saturday, May 5. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. GA Tickets are available at ticketfly.com.

--Celebrate “Cuatro de mayo” with two energetic bands – Bombasta and Los Skarnales. South Texas “barrio-big-band” Bombasta blends horn-driven cumbia rhythms with politicallycharged, cerebral flows into an infectious, borderless, Spanglish dance-party for the 21st century. The energy of their spirited live shows vibrantly redefines protest music with inspired, unencumbered compositions, revealing honest, resistance themed vocals that ring true, now more than ever.

Los Skarnales celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2014 with the release of “Vatos Rudos Forever,” a collection of 34 songs spanning the band’s beginnings to the current line-up, demonstrating the band’s diverse sounds.

Recently, the band released a new EP entitled “Another Day, Another Borrachera” on Smelvis Records. Once again, the Vatos Rudos from Texas are at it again, mixing global roots music with their Chicano style showing off their Pachuco Boogie sounds. Friday May 4. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m. Tickets $12 - $15 available at ticketfly.com. Antone’s, 305 E. 5th St. TODO AUSTIN // MAY 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 09

ScoreMore’s JMBLYA comes back bigger than ever

By Cat Cardenas

In 2010, J. Cole, Big Sean, and Wiz Khalifa were months away from their first major label debuts when Austin-based ScoreMore shows tapped each of them for different shows across Texas. Within a year, they would go from up and coming hip-hop artists to mainstream acts with massive followings.

It had only been a year since Claire Bogle and Sascha Stone Guttfreund founded the promotion company as University of Texas sophomores, but they were already gaining a reputation for spotting promising acts.

Since then, they’ve booked sold out shows, produced El Paso’s Neon Desert Music Festival and, this May, put on the fifth annual JMBLYA hip-hop festival. In Austin, they’ve dominated the hip-hop market, becoming tastemakers who introduce fans of the genre to their new favorite acts each year.

Urban Betty Salon: A community gem

“We started working with J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar in 2010,” Guttfreund said. “Since then we’ve worked with Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Chance The Rapper and many more...We just got there before others did.”

music scene changed when ScoreMore

But Guttfreund says there isn’t a secret to their ability to find hip-hop’s next greatest thing — they’re just big fans of the genre.

this group of people were bringing rap shows

This year, the biggest acts on JMBLYA’s billing are J. Cole, Cardi B and Migos. Both J. Cole and Migos are no strangers to ScoreMore, but the addition of rapper and breakout hitmaker Cardi B is a move that will push excitement for the fest over the top. The three-day festival is also taking a different approach by stopping in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, with tickets starting at $40 each.

Guttfreund said these are huge factors in why the festival is such a hit. Compared to larger festivals like ACL, tickets are just a fraction of the price, making it accessible to more fans.

“We also choose to do large festival events in program, Project Princess, encourages clients to bring in old prom dresses for girls and keeps them in a closet to distribute to girls who couldn’t afford to go to prom otherwise. Neff also raises money for the Down Syndrome Association, Austin Pets Alive, and Austin Classical Guitar. During this year’s SXSW, Neff went downtown and gave haircuts to 350 homeless people.

Urban Betty Salon is in the business of making people happy. The owner Chelle Neff not only provides a chic salon for stylists to cut hair, but she also gives a great deal to help the local community.

The salon, located on Suite 1107 at 1206 West 38th St., is a gem beyond their quality services. Neff offers a yearly free clothing swap in which clients bring in their clothes and also take what they want. The rest of the clothing is donated to Safe Place. Another

Urban Betty has plans to open a second salon in the next year in South Austin. For now, come and be pampered at this salon that cares about its clients and the community.

For more information, visit urbanbetty.com.

10 TODO AUSTIN // MAY 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

“I grew up in Austin and I was already going to shows my whole life, but I started to realize where the rappers actually showed up,” Castillo said.

“We didn’t develop a scene — we just provided the curation that we loved and other people loved it too,” Guttfreund said. “JMBLYA started at Austin Music Hall with 2,000 attendees. We had over 25,000 last year. That’s solely the byproduct of the people appreciating what we do.”

For years, I had been going to get coffee and Mexican food in the same shopping center and never knew this hair salon was just around the corner. Just recently, I went in for the first time to get my hair done by Katie West. Katie is a very talented and kind stylist. She is also the head of education at the salon, which offers Betty Boot camps for dads who would like to learn how to style their daughters’ hair as well as blow drying, makeup and curling iron classes. Katie listened to me and got a real feel for the style I was after and even gave me a fantastic head massage.

By Rose Di Grazia

came onto it.

Since joining the team, Castillo said he’s seen the entire scene evolve. Even outside of ScoreMore events, acts that they’ve previously booked are becoming headliners at other festivals. From his days listening to markets that haven’t had them previously, like El Paso or San Antonio,” Guttfreund said.

Houston’s Screwed Up Click to now, he said he’s seen hip-hop become more and more of a respected genre.

Another crucial part of ScoreMore’s success?

Their tight-knit collaborative working environment, which hasn’t changed since the promotion company was run out of a shared apartment. This is especially evident for ScoreMore’s marketing manager Edward Castillo, who’s been with the team since 2011 when he worked as a street team member.

After starting out selling tickets and putting up flyers, Castillo became the company’s first full-time employee. A lifelong hip-hop fan, Castillo said he watched as Austin’s

A guide for Latinx to survive Cinco de Mayo

By René Castro

Cinco de Mayo is coming right up and you know what that means, besides all the margarita deals and the parties downtown.

We’re about to see a bunch of people wearing sombreros and ponchos and yelling things in Spanish who have otherwise never spoken a word of Spanish in their lives. Get ready to hear a bunch of “hola muchachos” and “si yo ‘keyeh-ro’ tacos por favor” and a whole lot of people singing “Despacito” while mumbling the lyrics.

But that’s ok. Just breathe. In and out. This, too, shall pass.

I’ve prepared a field guide for Mexican Americans and Latinx to pull out whenever they see someone totally disregard the value of their culture for a cheap happy hour. Use it liberally.

1. When you see people in sombreros and ponchos: In May, in Austin, they’re probably burning up. Yeah, the sombrero will keep the sun off of them but that poncho is going to get mad steamy. Do not feel anger that they wear the traditional garb of your ancestors with flippancy and little respect. Instead, pity them and their inevitable heat stroke.

“I think ScoreMore has provided a voice for the youth,” Castillo said. “When I came here, people weren’t booking as much rap or hip hop because it wasn’t seen that way. But all of a sudden you had kids booking these shows and hundreds of people were showing up and people had to start taking notice. I don’t know if we’re responsible, but I think we helped play a big role in showing people that it could be successful.”

2. When you see people taking tequila shots and yelling “Viva Mexico!”: And they’re not pronouncing it (Meh-hee-co). This is a tough one. I mean, really, the joke’s on them. They’re probably using a tequila that was meant for mixing, so their throats are going to be literally on fire in the moment and don’t get me started on how they’re going to feel the next morning.

3. When you hear people shouting out a grito: Join them. And do it right. Show them how it’s done. Everyone loves a good grito--it warms the soul, like hot chocolate, or winning the lottery. It hits that special place.

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

Drop in to Originator Studios (718 Northwestern Ave.) between 1-4 p.m., Sunday, May 6 for a unique VR experience created by the “VR Cine Chicas Cohort” of Latinitas. Students and mentors explore Latinx culture in East Austin by documenting longtime establishments and interviewing locals for a work that brings light to the area’s history and changes from the perspective of the next generation.

CelebrASIA Austin Asian American Resource Center

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, the Asian American Resource Center is proud to present its fifth annual food and heritage festival, “CelebrASIA Austin: Five Years, Five Spices” on Saturday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To celebrate the five year anniversary of the AARC, the center’s theme is “five spices.” Combinations of five are common in many Asian cuisines, making an endless number and variety of spice mixtures.

These different spices can complement or subtly contrast each other, leading to the richness and complex flavor palettes within every dish.

During this year’s CelebrASIA, the event’s culinary chefs and vendors will provide their own interpretation on how different spices can combine to make unforgettable dishes. Participating local Asian Pacific American restaurants include Atia’s Kitchen (Pakistani), Jenna’s Asian Kitchen (Pan Asian), Mom’s Taste (Korean), Tito Adobo (Filipino), SnoMo (Taiwanese), and Asahi (Japanese).

Attendees will enjoy outdoor cultural performances throughout the day, with Hema Mullur of CBS Austin serving as emcee. Children will enjoy spice-related arts and crafts, a moon bounce, and multiple other ongoing activities.

In addition, visitors are welcome to explore the indoor Cultural Experience Rooms, presented by local community organizations and featuring activities, clothing, decor and artifacts from various regions of Asia and the Pacific Islands.

No on-site parking will be available. For alternative parking and transportation options, the AARC is partnering with Cap Metro to provide Park and Ride service with free Cap Metro Day passes on bus route #325-Ohlen from Dobie Middle School (1200 E. Rundberg Ln.). Direct shuttle service from KIPP Austin Collegiate (8004 Cameron Rd.) will also be available.

Admission is free and open to the public. The AARC is located at 8401 Cameron Rd.

LA VOZ LATINA CACTUS CAFE

The third-annual Austin Refugee Day Festival and Soccer Tournament is Sunday, May 6 at Givens District Park. The free event is open to the public and will be a fun day for the community, celebrating the city’s refugee population. Events include a 7-on-7 soccer tournament, kids’ activities (inflatables, velcro wall, bounce house), carnival games, face painting and more. atxrefugeedayfestival.com Big Medium’s West Austin Studio Tour (West) is a free, annual, self-guided art event spanning across two weekends this month. West provides opportunities for the public to meet local artists and artisans of Austin in their creative spaces, including studios, galleries, pop-up shows and happenings. This year’s sixth celebration of West is May 12-13 and 19-20, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For more info go to west.bigmedium.org The second annual Taco Libre offers a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with tacos and live music. Saturday, May 12, at the historic Republic Square, 3-10 p.m., witness a gathering of some of the region’s best taquerias served with a side of a lucha libre wrestling featuring Thunder Rosa, with music from Jenny and the Mexicats, Gina Chavez, Los Skarneles and Superfonicos.

Tickets at prekindle.com/austintacolibre Modern Outsider, The ABGB, Texas Music Office and KUTX present the Texas Record Label Bazaar Saturday, May 12 at The ABGB, 3-7 p.m. Come find your favorite new album, browse through vinyl, CDs and merch from some of the best independent labels across Texas. Enjoy live music, an Amurica TX photo booth trailer and watch Fine Southern Gentlemen screen print rad tote bags for carrying records.

Six Square features Tia Blount Boyd and Michael Blue Smith in the exhibit “Black Behind the Lens” this May. Join the photographers May 17, from 6:30-9 p.m. as they discuss exploring the art of the black body and “Black Behind the Lens,” a dynamic perspective on the beauty in vulnerability. The exhibit launches May 10 and runs through July 28 at Six Square Gallery, 1152 San Bernard Street. www.sixsquare.org Austin Symphony Orchestra presents “The Mighty Russians,” featuring Olga Kern performing Tchaikovsky, May 18–19, in Dell Hall. The all-Russian program includes three of the country’s great composers, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Igor Stravinsky, along with one of its great pianists in Kern.

Kern returns to Austin to perform the brilliant Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2. austinsymphony.org

Home Street Music, founded by Austin based songwriter and musician Vanessa Lively, will present its debut concert “La Voz Latina - A Tribute to Latin American Female singers,” on Saturday, May 5, at the Cactus Cafe.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with tickets $12-$15 (also available in advance).

Suzanna Choffel, Vanessa Lively, Leti Garza, Stephanie Bergara, Ley Line and Lively will be paying tribute to Violeta Parra, Mercedes Sosa, Lila Downs, Lhasa de Sela, Celia Cruz, Isabella Parra, Eva Garza, Selena, Eva Ayllon and more. The show will open with a popular Mexican folk tune sung by one of the Home Street Music participants, Helen Hopkins. She was homeless, but now lives at Community First! Village.

Lively’s dream was to create a music program for Austin’s homeless and recently homed community, and to empower artists through music to create change within their communities. In May 2017, she was awarded the Artist Activist Award by Music2Life - a nonprofit founded

by Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul and Mary) and his daughter Elizabeth Stookey Sunde; this grant enabled Lively to create Home Street Music.

Home Street Music provides a safe place for artistic expression and musical creation to come to life along with providing the tools to make music and build community. Lively started the first pilot last November with an eight-week program offering a weekly musical song circle. “I always have carried with me the desire that my music is touching people and helping people in some way,” Lively states. “I was thinking of a beautiful open studio space allowing people who are living on the streets, or have lived on the streets to come together and to be creative and musical together.”

The concert is part of a broader season of programming, which includes a vocal workshop component to be held on Saturday, May 12, 10-11:30 a.m., at Community First!

Village, led by Choffel.

TODO AUSTIN // MAY 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 11

HOW TO LEAVE NO TRACE:

DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY Visiting an outdoor space in Austin?

Remember to Pack It In and Pack It Out! Trashcans aren’t always nearby - when visiting a park, trail, or other outdoor area, bring bags and reusable containers so you can pack out all trash, pet waste, and leftover food.

Learn more ways to #LeaveNoTrace and protect Austin’s natural spaces at austintexas.gov/leavenotrace.

AUSTINTEXAS.GOV/LEAVENOTRACE