www.todoaustin.com VOLUME X / AUG 2018
Appropriate Culture
Ending CodeNEXT PRIDE Festival & Parade Salvage Vanguard Theater’s “Casta” Summer Jams by KUTX
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS broadcast 18.1 / cable 9 klru.org
Y W E 'R E S O H A P P
TO B E
Learn more at KLRU.org Airing this month
Outback
Wonders of Mexico
SciTech Now
A year in the life of the people and animals of the Kimberley region in North West Australia, which is a vast, rugged and remote wilderness.
This series showcases Mexico’s natural fiesta of color and life born out of these unique combinations of geology, geography and weather.
For centuries, churches have served as gathering places for communities around the world. Now worshippers are also gathering in a digital space.
Wednesdays, August 1, 8 & 15, at 7 pm
Wednesdays, August 1, 8 & 15, at 8 pm
Sunday, August 19 at 6 pm; Thursday, August 23 at 7:30 pm
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is community supported. More than 85% of our funding comes from the public. PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING IN KLRU.
C E N T R O U R B A N O HABLA Austin
City’s 2019 budget to be discussed at MACC Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk will deliver his budget message and submit a proposed fiscal year 2019 budget to Council at a special called meeting on Monday, Aug. 6. The public event a culmination of several months of stakeholder engagement - will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street. Protest and demonstration photo exhibit The Austin History Center invites the public to its newest exhibit, “Taking it to the Streets: A Visual History of Protest and Demonstration in Austin,” at 810 Guadalupe St. The exhibit highlights historical images focused on particular themes and movements that remain relevant today, such as human rights, environmental justice, inequality, impact of war, labor justice, and academic freedom. Bringing the past to life in our present, the Center is introducing an interactive component to the photography exhibit. The Center is asking the community to help expand the exhibit by contributing photographs, present or past, of protests or demonstrations that have taken place in Austin. The free exhibit runs through Oct. 28, 2018.
Taking it to the Streets exhibit at Austin History Center
Austin Water receives certification The Alliance for Water Efficiency recognized Austin Water with platinum certification for excellence in water conservation program operation and management. The utility became the fifth agency in the nation to complete the rigorous certification Austin’s MULTICULTURAL media source for EIGHT YEARS • Find us at TODOAustin.com
process and only the third to achieve the status. Austin Water is also the largest participating agency to date. The grade received certifies 100 percent compliance with all recommended best practices for an effective conservation program as outlined in the American Water Works Association’s G480 standard. Survive2Thrive launches book, app Austin-based nonprofit Survive2Thrive Founder/ CEO and local musician Courtney Santana announces the launch of her new book titled, “Off Kilter,” Aug. 1, which details her personal journey and delves into different stories of violence, abuse victims and abusers. The nonprofit also announced the beta version of its brand new app SANCTUARY (launching this summer), designed to give those affected by domestic violence assistance, transportation and housing options. ACF awards hurricane recovery grants Austin Community Foundation has awarded $781,000 to six nonprofits for projects addressing the long-term recovery efforts of communities affected by Hurricane Harvey, which devastated the Texas Gulf Coast and surrounding areas in Aug. 2017. The grants were distributed through the Central Texas Long-Term Hurricane Recovery Fund to support revitalization in areas neighboring Central Texas impacted by the storm. ATX to pilot vehicle deployment platform Austin is joining select cities and transportation agencies around the world to pilot a new autonomous vehicle deployment platform called INRIX AV Road Rules. Connected car services and transportation analytics provider INRIX announced the platform today as a foundation for cities and road authorities to communicate with operators for the safe and effective deployment of highly automated vehicles on public roads.
Ending CodeNEXT
forward for a Land Development Code that would create a livable Austin for everyone.
For more than a year we have joined the community in sounding the alarm that CodeNEXT was broken. Those efforts included our proposed plan for a more equitable, sustainable, accessible, vibrant, and community-driven process.
At the time earlier this summer, Council Member Houston addressed the equity component of the coalition’s objectives, stating she was “hopeful, with the adoption of the land development code, that individuals who call our fair city home, regardless of when they arrive or how long they have lived here, will be treated with respect and will have an acute sense of belonging to a community regardless of age, abilities, and income status.”
We appreciate that our colleagues have joined us in recognizing that CodeNEXT is flawed and that the public has lost all confidence in the process. The community has been sending warning signals for a long time that the process is off track, culminating in a citizen-led referendum with more than 32,000 signatures to put this issue to a public vote. We see this as a full stop and support departing from the flawed process that CodeNEXT has become. We look forward to the opportunity to adopt a new community-driven path. We thank the community groups and individuals as well as our city board and commission members who put in thousands of volunteer hours throughout this process. Additionally, we look forward to the community voting on any future land development code revision and trust that, regardless of where the City Council lands on this rewrite effort, the public will have their voices heard at City Hall. SIGNED - Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, Council Member Ora Houston, District 1, Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7, Council Member Alison Alter, District 10. The above joint statement, released August 1, comes after a June call to action by the coalition of City Council members to introduce a path
Coalition believe CodeNEXT inclusion efforts fell short
Austin Habitat for Humanity wins energy rating The Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Headquarters received an Austin Energy Green Building 4-star rating for being a resource-wise contributor to a cleaner environment through efficient energy and water use, better health and greater comfort. Austin Habitat for Humanity converted a former Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant into its central Austin ReStore and Headquarters.
Volume X, Number 04 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
Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo acknowledged that for many, CodeNEXT has been an overwhelming and often divisive process for our community. “We want the community to know that we hear your concerns, we recognize the effort embodied in your recommendations, and we are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work to craft a land development code that we as a community can support.” “We need a code that will solve problems rather than create new ones,” Council Member Alter stated regarding sustainability. “Austin is defined by the quality of our environment and civic spaces and so we seek a sustainable code that strengthens environmental protections, affirms our parkland dedication requirements and creates spaces for our community to come together.” On accessibility, Council Member Pool noted that while the term itself is fairly broad, at its core it’s about being within reach. “We want to calibrate our land use requirements to support our public transit and make sure that the ability to move around our community freely is in reach for all residents,” she said.
CONTRIBUTING STAFF // Anwuli Chukwurah, Rose Di Grazia, Callie Langford, César E. López Linares, Genoveva Rodriguez PRODUCTION SERVICES // Anthony Garcia CONTRIBUTORS // Steve Adler, Alka Bhanot, Rick Carney, Roy Casagranda, Cat Cardenas, Cindy Casares, Lobo Corona, Nora De LaRosa, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Ora Houston, 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, Richard J. Reddick, Oren Rosenthal, Paul Saldaña, Peter Salovey, Marion Sanchez, Sameer Shah, Blake Shanley, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Rama Tiru, Carola Rivera, Aaron Rochlen, Lesley Varghese ONLINE EDITION // TODOAustin.com
COVER PHOTO // Ballet Folklórico de México 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 // AUG 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03
Mayor Adler addresses AG Paxton’s false claims
I don’t want to get into a back-and-forth with you. Suffice it to say that Austin follows the law and does not thwart its enforcement, and we point out racial disparities only where they exist – and they do. Besides, if I refute your every single claim, point by point, it would come off like an indictment, and that wouldn’t do anything for our relationship.
to preempt and abridge our city’s otherwise legal conduct. After Austin acts of, by and for its people, the State swoops in to endanger our environment, make our community less safe, take away affordable housing tools and earned sick leave, all of which are attempts at interfering with the culture of Austin that, importantly, drives our economy and quality of life. Recently, you filed a lawsuit against eight community volunteers on one of Austin’s many boards and commissions alleging that the Austin Council’s acceptance of their volunteer service violates our city charter. This is a local issue involving our interpretation of our city charter and your suit typifies statelevel overreach and the assault on local control. You allege that a charter limitation on the number of land developers that can serve on our planning commission would apply to a retired real estate agent, a Travis County government attorney, and an executive director of an affordable housing non-profit. Really? There have got to be more important issues for the Texas Attorney General. It is no justification for suing us that a couple of Austinites petitioned to have you interfere with the local steps already initiated to deal with this issue. Our community should work together to resolve differences without having or inviting the Attorney General’s intervention.
The issue is not Austin breaking existing laws, it’s the State passing and threatening new laws
I must apologize to you. You became a fulltime Austin resident the same time I got
By Steve Adler, Austin Mayor
Dear General Paxton: We get it. You don’t like the way we do things in Austin and, because you live here as Attorney General, you have every constituent’s right to complain. Many Austinites write the local paper and that’s okay, too, but what you wrote in your op-ed was wrong.
I’m done using the word “racist” By René Castro Words are powerful tools. I’m often reprimanded by my wife’s family over my sometimes-foul language. “Why don’t you pick a different word?” they ask. The reason being is that using a choice word like the f-word conveys a meaning, and using a fill-in word like “freakin” to replace it is a deliberate choice to vacate that meaning. We pick words for what they can do, and words adapt and change throughout time to fit our meanings. Calling someone a racist these days means nothing. We’re all so numb to it--we hear it all the time. We lob it at everyone who might deserve it but in doing so we forget something very important: They don’t care. People who are racist don’t care if they’re racist. If they’re racist, they have rationalized their racism. “I can’t stand blacks because…”
“Those Mexicans are the worst because…” and because they have taken the time to rationalize their prejudice, they aren’t going to care if you call them one. Instead, they’re going to agree with you in a sort of “ifbeing-politically-correct-is-wrong-then-I don’t-want-to-be-right” type of way. The subliminally racist, such as people who clutch their purses when a black man walks by, will also get their shields up as soon as you call them racist. “Racists are bad people and I’m not a bad person! You’re just being too sensitive!” So the word “racist” is lost. We’ve hyperextended it. Racism is so ingrained in our society and we’ve been so (justifiably) eager to call it out whenever it arises that we never gave the poor little guy a chance to catch his breath. My solution? I’ll just start calling racists pedophiles. If I witness racism I’m just going to start yelling “Pedophile! There’s a pedophile over here!” and just make a scene. Because people still get riled up about pedophilia, and like I said, words are only as good as their effect.
America that’s too often forgotten. Our differences make us stronger. E pluribus unum! One reason Austin is so successful and safe is that we’re an extraordinarily welcoming city. We don’t care who you are or how you got here. We just want people in Austin to feel welcome and safe. That’s why we don’t freak out about which toilets people choose to use. That’s true personal liberty! Your Sam Houston quote is a good one: “Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may.” You and I differ, however, on the source of oppression. You see it in a ban on plastic bags or distracted driving. I don’t. Why does preventing litter or making traffic safer feel oppressive? Austin will do things our way for as long as we can in as many ways as we can because that is the will of our community. So far, it has resulted in Austin being named the best city in the U.S. to live in – multiple times. We could do things like they do everywhere else, but then we’d be like everywhere else.
Mayor Steve Adler
elected Mayor, and I never welcomed you. This is my fault and maybe why you constantly target Austin. Please let me make it up to you by telling you some things about this great city that I hope you come to think of fondly as home. First, we are prosperous. We all love to brag about how Texas creates jobs, but Austin’s unemployment rate is lower than the state’s and the country’s. And while some say we do things a little differently, the last thing we are is anti-innovation. In fact, Austin leads Texas in venture capital, startups, and patents. This isn’t your area, but we’re ready to share advice about how to expand the Austin economic miracle to the rest of Texas. Second, we’re safe. We’re the safest big city area in Texas and one of the safest in the country. We look out for each other. Remember the serial bombings last March? Except for when a state-wide politician spread ill-informed rumors on national TV, everybody worked in unison to quickly stop the terror. Because Austin’s immigrant communities trust our police officers, witnesses and victims step forward and we get bad actors off our streets. Our police make decisions based not on seeking political advantage, but on how to keep our community safe. Third,
04 TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
we
understand
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Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio are all great cities. Each has different strengths, values, and local economies. Each attracts different residents and businesses that contribute differently to the State in different cycles. Texas is stronger because she has a diversified portfolio of cities. No city is perfect – like most, Austin grapples earnestly with managing growth, and balancing personal freedoms, property rights, economic opportunity, environmental preservation, and affordability. Yet, cities are our best hope for trying new things and actually getting things done. Our nation’s greatest challenges are playing out in cities. And it will be cities that incubate innovation, provide economic engines, and lead in solving our greatest challenges, provided cities are given the necessary freedom and local control. We in Austin continue to believe, as did our founding fathers, that the government closest to the people governs best. I’m sorry for going on like this. We all can get stuck on our soapboxes from time to time. Ours are local decisions we recognize are made differently in different parts of Texas and that’s okay. I hope this gives you a better perspective on why we do things the way we do in Austin, and why we know doing so makes both Austin and Texas better.
The AARC will be closed to the public from Monday, Aug. 13 to Friday, Aug. 17 in order to accommodate repairs and updates to our facility. The AARC will resume all programs and normal hours of operation on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. For more information, please contact Hanna Huang, Acting Facility Supervisor, at 512974-1700. Saturday, Aug. 4 and 11, 2-5 p.m. Chinese Opera Club of Austin. The Chinese Opera Club of Austin is dedicated to an effort of introducing and presenting to the public the Peking Opera as a unique part of Chinese culture and tradition. The club is where the amateurs and fans of Chinese Opera from Austin gather to study, practice, perform and entertain. The club has an open-door policy, anyone who is interested is welcome to join. Contact Frank Yang at fyanggm@gmail.com for more details. Free. Community Room 1. Saturday, Aug. 18, 11:45 a.m. - 4 p.m. Austin Taichung Sister Cities Committee- Taiwanese Culinary Festival. Taste of Taiwan festival features cooking demos from Chef Tony Huang and Chef Amo Liang, food tasting of variety of Taiwanese food night-market style, and cultural performance shows. Free. Ballroom.
Bishops Urge Catholics To Reach Out To Immigrants By Catholic Spirit Staff
The Trump administration’s decision to separate, and later to reunite, children from their immigrant parents at the nation’s border was controversial to say the least. Catholics are free to debate politics, but there is no wiggle room on upholding the dignity of the human person, said Austin Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Garcia during a July 9 Mass as the diocesan Pastoral Center. During the Mass, the bishop blessed a delegation of nine Catholic Charities and diocesan employees traveling to assist at the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley’s Humanitarian Respite Center. The center has been inundated with immigrant families to welcome, donations to process and volunteers to manage. “The dignity of the human person should never be obscured by any law, or government or policy,” Bishop Garcia said. “I don’t care what affiliation you are. I don’t care where you are from. It’s unconscionable what we have done to children.
Saturday, Aug. 4 - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin monthly meet up. The Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin was first established in 1977 with the purpose to foster excellence in genealogy through educational programs and projects that preserve, produce and disseminate knowledge of genealogical or historical value. TGSA preserves Tejano and Mexican-American heritage by assisting with genealogical research; promoting authors who write about Hispanic history; promoting awareness of Hispanic history in schools and in our communities; facilitating learning by hosting and attending genealogy conferences, historical events, arranging for speakers and presentations; and continuing to promote the awareness of the Tejano Monument on the grounds of the State Capitol as a symbol of Hispanic contributions to the State of Texas. Saturday, Aug. 11 - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sabados en Familia. Join us for a day filled with free art activities. We offer a variety of classes throughout the day, each geared toward either Pre-K, youth (5-12), and teens/adults so the whole family can spend the day in an enriching cultural experience. Classes will be offered at 10 and 11 a.m. with free lunch at noon.
Friday, August 10 - 6:30 p.m. That’s My Face presents “The Mask You Live in” (2016), directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The story follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity. Pressured by the media, their peer group, and even the adults in their lives, our protagonists confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence. Experts in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, sports, education, and media also weigh in, offering empirical evidence of the “boy crisis” and tactics to combat it. Saturday, August 18 - 1 p.m. Free screening - Sports Detective: 100-Point Game Ball. Wilt Chamberlain is perhaps the most dominant player in the history of the NBA. One night, he scored a remarkable 100 points, a feat that hasn’t been matched in half a century. But whatever happened to the ball that scored that 100th point? Follow sports host Lauren Gardner as she tries to find out. Then follow investigator Kevin Barrows on his journey to the Kentucky Derby Museum where he examines a trophy that could’ve been falsely identified.
We can’t change the system. We, as brothers and sisters in this country, a beautiful and wonderful country, we have to work through the system. But what we can do is to offer an intimate human touch to those men, women and children who find themselves caught in this web.” Bishop Garcia posed the question, what would Jesus do? “I think what he would do is, he would be at the top of the hill of [the] border region and he would bow his head and cry,” he said. Certainly many tears are shed each day at the respite center where families recently released from immigration detention centers go to get a hot shower, warm meal, clothing and necessities before continuing their journey across the U.S. to be reunited with their children and families; however, the staff of four is overwhelmed with an average of 250 individuals coming through the door each day, said Sara Ramirez, the executive director of Catholic Charities of Central Texas. Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley asked their counterparts in other dioceses to come and work at the center to give the Rio Grande Valley staff a much-needed break. Catholic Charities of Central Texas was quick to answer the call. Austin area staff traveled to Brownsville July 10 to work there for eight days, Ramirez said. “Even if I can’t take away their problems and their
situation, and the concern that they have looking to their future, what I can do is say to them, ‘You know what? You are loved. We care,’” he said. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of GalvestonHouston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led a delegation of bishops to the border communities in the BrownsvilleMcAllen area July 1 and 2. Cardinal DiNardo, along with Auxiliary Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Rockville Centre, New York, and Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, Pennsylvania, spoke with many of the immigrants, addressing topics such as why they left home or simply asking the migrants where they were headed and how they were doing. The bishops
shared a meal with newly arrived immigrants to the U.S. at a Catholic Charities center and visited the controversial facilities where migrant children and teens have gotten their first taste of the U.S. –– in detention –– while temporarily separated from family. In a July 2 interview with Catholic News Service, Cardinal DiNardo said he hoped the bishops’ visit to the border “let all Catholics in our country know that we welcome immigrants. You cannot look at immigration as an abstraction when you meet” the people behind the issue and the church stands with those at the margins. Catholic News Service contributed to parts of this story. TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05
AUSTINTEXAS.GOV/MUSEUMSANDCULTURE
AUG 4, 11, 18, & 25
10 - 12 PM
Elisabet Ney Museum Ney Drawing Salon Series
AUG 9 - SEPT 2 AUG 9 RECEPTION
6:30 PM
Elisabet Ney Museum Meet Her Hands Series -
#BossBabesATX by Cindy Popp
Join us Saturday mornings in August, Cindy Popp’s colorful, humorous and Ney staff will assist you with your insightful self-portraits use found drawing exercises using Elisabet Ney objects, clothing, and makeup to take sculptures! control of her own feminine image. 304 East 45th St., 78751, austintexas.gov/elisabetney AUG 22
7 PM
AUG 25
8 PM
Dougherty Arts Center Date Night @ The DAC: aGLIFF Presents
Zilker Hillside Theater Presenting Noche de Folkore 2018
aGLIFF (All Genders, Lifestyles and Identities Film Festival) is proud to host a special pre-festival screening of Austin director Yen Tan’s “Pit Stop”.
Bring a picnic and be entertained by performances from students of the Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico School of Dance and Adult Performing Company!
1110 Barton Springs Rd., 78704 austintexas.gov/dac
2206 William Barton Dr., 78704 austintexas.gov/zilkerhillsidetheater
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.
Tickets On Sale Now! FRANK ERWIN CENTER
AUG 23 - 26
MarvelUniverseLive.com TexasBoxOffice.com 06 TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM TODOAustin
Shows to check out this new cultural arts season By Carola Rivera
LONG C EN T ER The Kraken Quartet. Saturday, September 8, 8 p.m. A massive force of percussion and electronics, The Kraken Quartet is a genre-crossing group known for its highly energetic and engaging performances. Since their formation in 2012, the Austin-based group has been heralded for merging elements of math rock, minimalism, indie, post-rock, electronica, and the avant-garde. Comprised of members Chris Demetriou, Andrew Dobos, Taylor Eddinger, and Sean Harvey, the group is proud to use Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and Grover Pro Percussion and Hammerax instruments. The Kraken Quartet has been featured on several festivals and broadcasts including South by Southwest, Fast Forward Austin, Audiotree Live, Austin Instrumental Music Festival, WNYC, KUTX, SoundSpace, and more. Ballet Folklórico de México. Thursday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. The award-winning folkloric ballet ensemble from Mexico City, Ballet Folklórico de México, returns to the U.S. this year for an extended multi-city tour and will take the stage in Dell Hall for one night only. Recognized internationally for its presentations of traditional Mexican dance, this world-famous company presents a spectacular show the whole family can enjoy. Called “captivating” by The New York Times and a company with “extraordinary flair” by the Chicago Sun-Times, Ballet Folklórico “sets the stage ablaze with vibrant color and engaging rhythms” (The Boston Globe) as it honors Mexico’s rich cultural history. Founded in 1952 by dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico brings together the music, dance and costume of Mexican folklore from pre-Columbian civilizations through the modern era.
Eddie B
Vicente Amigo. Sunday, Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m. A transcendent performer, composer and producer, Vicente Amigo burst onto the major stages of flamenco in his native Spain while still a teenager. Since then, he has earned a shelf full of awards, including a Latin Grammy in 2001 for Ciudad de Las Ideas (City of Ideas). Four years after his last album, and recently awarded with the Gold Medal of the Fine Arts by the Spanish government, Vicente is back with his most traditional flamenco album Memoria de los Sentidos—the class of flamenco which is felt and expressed by very few artists. Marcia Ball. Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. Texasborn, Louisiana-raised pianist, songwriter and vocalist Marcia Ball has had a long and storied career. As the 2018 Texas State Musician of the Year and a 2018 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame inductee, she’s won worldwide fame and countless fans for her ability to ignite a full-scale roadhouse rhythm and blues party every time she takes the stage. Her rollicking Texas boogies, swampy New Orleans ballads and groove-laden Gulf Coast blues have made her a one-of-a-kind favorite for music lovers all over the world.
T E X A S P ERFORM ING A RTS Taylor Mac, “A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (Abridged).” Thursday, Sep. 27 and Friday, Sep. 28, 8 p.m. Playwright, actor, singersongwriter, performance artist, director, producer, and “Critical darling of the New York Scene” (New York Magazine), Taylor Mac has performed in hundreds of venues across the globe. Named “one of the most exciting theater artists of our time” by Time Out New York, Mac creates extravagant performance events that provoke and embrace diverse audiences. Taylor Mac will escort you through an abridged version of this epic piece that was originally performed as a one-time 24hour event and was recognized on The New York Times 2016 lists of Best Performances, Best Theater, and Best Music. “A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (Abridged)” interprets the social history of the United States—all 240 years and counting—through popular songs ranging from murder ballads to disco, Walt Whitman to David Bowie, and beyond. The show is a dazzling experience that reflects our nation’s diverse and sometimes dysfunctional story so as to bolster a uniquely American sense of possibility. Ragamala Dance Company. Thursday, Oct. 18. 8 p.m. Minneapolis-based Ragamala Dance Company “is providing some of the most transcendent experiences that dance has to offer,” (The New York Times) and have created a genre of performance that brings together a contemporary Western aesthetic with an Indian ethos. Sharing the South Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam with audiences for over 25 years, Ragamala brings their multidisciplinary work “Written in Water” to the Bass Concert Hall stage. Inspired by the second century Indian board game, Paramapadham (the precursor to Snakes and Ladders) and the 12th century Sufi poem, “A Conference of Birds,” the show explores parallels
Ballet Folklórico de México
between ecstasy and longing in Hindu and Sufi thought. With original artwork and a score by composer Amir ElSaffar, “Written in Water” brings together internationally celebrated artists and features a live music ensemble with a unique alchemy of Iraqi, jazz, and Carnatic instruments. Eddie B - Teachers Only Comedy Tour. Saturday, Dec. 22, 8 p.m. Eddie B is comedy on steroids. While others waited in the wings for a shot at becoming a top standup comic, the Houston native soared to new heights by creating his own opportunity with the blockbuster “Teachers Only Tour.” Shattering attendance records, this tour has established Eddie as the official voice of teachers across the globe. Educators from America to Africa, Dallas to Dubai, New York to New Delhi (and beyond) are getting a lesson in the funniest ways to express their worst frustrations and they are loving every second of Eddie B’s uncensored, raw, and hysterically realistic portrayal of a teacher’s hectic life, from the point of view of an actual teacher. The phenomenon, which began with a series of videos entitled “What Teachers Really Say” (written, produced, and starring Eddie B) has tapped into a niche only this multi-faceted comic/teacher can comprehend. Eddie B says what teachers everywhere are thinking but couldn’t quite say out loud, until now. Teatro Línea de Sombra, “Amarillo.” Friday, Mar. 29, 8 p.m. “Amarillo” tells the story of a man who departs Mexico for a land of dreams: Amarillo, Texas—but vanishes before reaching his destination. Far away, a woman reconstructs his journey, imagining what might have transpired not only for him, but for the other thousands of faceless men and women who have taken the same path—and for those who were left behind.
Combining stunning multimedia projections, visceral imagery, and poetic storytelling, this renowned theater company from Mexico City creates a rich, poignant meditation on the harsh realities faced by immigrants and their families. Amarillo is performed in Spanish with projected English subtitles. Jorge A. Vargas and Alicia Laguna are the artistic directors. AUST IN SYMPHO NY O RCHE ST RA “Oz with Orchestra.” Saturday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m. One of the most beloved films of all time, The Wizard of Oz can now be seen and heard in a magical new production. John Goberman, Emmy-Award winning producer of “Live from Lincoln Center” and the creator of the acclaimed “A Symphonic Night at the Movies” presents “Oz with Orchestra.” See this classic film projected on screen while your Austin Symphony Orchestra performs along with the film. Come in costume as your favorite character! “Creative Expressions” - Celebrating Women Composers. Friday, Mar. 22 and Saturday. Mar. 23, 8 p.m. A real musical treat served up by your Austin Symphony Orchestra, celebrating the treasures composed by women through the ages. The evening’s banquet begins with “Overture in C Major” by Fanny Mendelssohn and continues with expressive works by “Lili” Boulanger, Clara Schumann, Vítězslava Kaprálová and awardwinning American composer Jennifer Higdon. Joined by the famed group Time for Three and prominent pianist Michelle Schumann, ready your taste buds for a palette of artistic decadence. There will also be a pre-concert talk given by Bob Buckalew at 7:10 pm. TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 07
City of Austin releases results of 2017 Creative Space Survey; opens survey for 2018 The City of Austin Economic Development Department has released results of its 2017 Creative Space Survey. Data collected from more than 500 artists, arts organizations, and creative-sector businesses will be used to inform the City’s plans for addressing affordability of work/performance space for local creatives. The survey also provides data integral to the development of creative space incentives, district designation, and creative space matchmaking efforts with partner organizations. Administered July–Sept. of 2017, the survey revealed several broad trends within Austin’s creative sector: Artists and organizations are looking for small to mid-sized spaces to grow • 81 percent of artists polled indicated their ideal workspace to be 500 square feet or less • 78 percent of organizations and businesses currently have space under 5,000 square feet, with 39 percent currently operating in small spaces under 1,000 square feet • 51 percent of organizations and businesses said their space was currently too small • 47 percent of organizations and businesses
Local artists invited to apply for 2019 People’s Gallery Exhibition The City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division, part of the Economic Development Department, invites Austin-area artists, galleries, museums, and arts organizations to apply for The 2019 People’s Gallery exhibition. The annual exhibition showcases work by local artists, in a range of styles and media, throughout Austin City Hall. Applications for the exhibition are currently being accepted through October 17 for 2-and 3-dimensional artworks in any medium. This year, the City is hosting an additional call: Install the Wall. Artists are invited to propose temporary, site-specific artwork installations for display in the Mayor’s second floor stairwell at City Hall for the duration of the 2019 exhibition. The total project budget is $3,000 and must include all materials, installation, and de-installation of the artwork. Applicants to the 2019 People’s Gallery exhibition—which will run February 22, 2019 08 TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
said their ideal space would be 1,000-5,000 square feet Artists and Creative Spaces are finding it hard to stay in Austin • 38 percent of respondents indicated they have paid for space they could not afford • 69 percent used a space they identified as not being ideal for their needs • 42 percent of respondents said they have considered leaving Austin for another city or state • 23 percent of organizations and businesses are in a precarious position with month to month leases • 12 percent of organizations and businesses shared that they currently do not have or are in immediate danger of losing the space they need within the next year Flex Spaces/Black Box Theaters and Classroom space are popular space requests When organizations and businesses were asked to identify what their ideal space would include: • 49 percent indicated flexible performance space and black box theaters • 52 percent asked for classrooms and teaching space • 34 percent were interested in workspaces for individual artists through January 1, 2020—may submit up to five artworks for consideration. Eligibility extends to artists 18 years or older, who reside or work in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis or Williamson Counties. A diverse panel of three local visual arts professionals serves in the jurying process, with a new panel each year in order to maintain a mix of artistic perspectives and experience in artwork selection. This year, local artists (and past People’s Gallery exhibitors) Vy Ngo, Ric Nelson, and Stephanie Sandoval, will review all submissions and recommend artworks for the 2019 exhibition An Artist Information Meeting will be held Friday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall Boards & Commission Room. This meeting will be video-recorded and available on the Cultural Arts Division website after the meeting for viewing on-demand. The People’s Gallery exhibition is designed to showcase regional artists and to encourage public dialogue, understanding, and enjoyment of visual art. For additional information, contact Exhibit Coordinator Suzanne Burton at 512974-6456 or by email at peoplesgallery@ austintexas.gov.
In 2017, the Economic Development Department issued the Music and Creative Ecosystem Stabilization Recommendations which outlined strategies for preserving and growing creative spaces in Austin. Austin City Council has implemented programs such as Arts in Sacred Places and the Art Space Assistance Program to further address this challenge. Despite these clear steps forward, the City acknowledges that there is still work to be done around this issue. “Results of the inaugural Creative Space Survey confirm the affordability issues facing our creative community and reinforce the need for a variety of solutions to both preserve the current and identify new long-term spaces for artists,” said Meghan Wells, Manager of the Cultural Arts Division. “Austin’s cultural ecosystem is at the heart of what makes us one of the country’s most popular places to live and visit, and the Economic Development Department is committed to working with
public and private partners to improve this situation for our artists.” The Creative Space Survey serves as a unique platform for artists, cultural organizations, and creative businesses to directly express their needs to the City. The data it generates not only helps City staff develop new strategies but also provides arts organizations with concrete information to support advocacy efforts and funding requests. First implemented in 2017, the survey will be issued annually in effort to understand how best to promote and incentivize the development of specific creative spaces and to track changes in the affordability of Austin’s creative spaces over time. The 2018 survey is open now through September 3. Complete survey results for 2017 are available for download at austintexas.gov/creativespacesurvey.
Creative Space Survey 2017
Do Austin artists have the space they need?
City of Austin Economic Development Department
From theaters and venues to studios and offices, artists and arts organizations need space to create and share their work. The City of Austin Economic Development Department’s Creative Space Survey* allows Austin’s creative community to speak up and share their space needs. *To view complete 2017 survey responses, visit austintexas.gov/creativespacesurvey
Share your creative space story by taking the 2018 survey at: austintexas.gov/creativespacesurvey
Arts organizations and businesses are looking for small and mid-sized spaces to grow
51% reported their space was
too small
78% of arts organizations and businesses polled currently have spaces
47% of respondents are ideally looking for small to mid-sized spaces saying
their ideal space would be between
1,000-5,000 sf
under 5,000 sf Artists are struggling to afford space in Austin
29%
of arts organizations and businesses expect a
rent increase they can’t afford
51%
of artists surveyed have
considered leaving Austin
because of space-related issues
CITY OF AUSTIN CULTURAL ARTS DIVISION AUSTINCREATES.COM
/CityofAustinArts
23%
of arts organizations and businesses operate on a
month to month lease leaving them at risk for rent increases
@CityofAustinArts
@EconVitalityATX
Work, money worries leave many musicians singing the blues Dell Med researcher identifies key factors affecting musicians’ mental health Researchers from Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with the mental health-focused SIMS Foundation, have identified work and financial stress as risk factors that may increase clinical depression and anxiety among musicians, according to new study findings presented at the 36th Annual Performing Arts Medicine Association International Symposium in Orange, California. A team led by Dell Med psychologist Lloyd Berg, Ph.D., analyzed survey results of 317 musicians in Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World.” The musicians were from nonclassical genres including blues, rock, country, hip hop, folk and world beat and had received mental health services from SIMS during the previous two years. They answered questions about levels of job-related stress, financial
Teatro Vivo presents “Real Women Have Curves”
worries, depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse. The study showed that compared with people who have lower levels of stress: • Musicians with higher levels of workrelated stress were more than twice as likely to have significant levels of depression and anxiety, even when money concerns were accounted for. • Musicians with higher levels of job insecurity were more than five times as likely to be depressed and six times as likely to suffer from anxiety. • Musicians with higher levels of stress related to work relationships were more than 1.5 times as likely to report alcohol abuse. This new study takes a deeper dive into specific factors affecting musicians’ mental health issues, adding to previous research showing that these entertainers are two to three times more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety compared to the general population and three times more likely to commit suicide. “Musicians are often portrayed in the media as ‘tortured artists’ who intentionally embrace emotional suffering as a source of creative Patrick Anthony; costumes by Melissa Swartz; and sound by Fabian Durán.
“Women are the force of our community, of our homes,” says Director Claudia M. Chávez. “As such, we can lift each other to achieve things we have not even dreamed of doing! Strength between women can be unbreakable and the most amazing bond!” Scenic design is by Tomás Salas; lighting by
“But the truth is they struggle with lots of job stressors including unpredictable work opportunities, low wages and juggling multiple jobs just to survive,” said Berg, who is also a musician. In the study, job insecurity included concerns related to being better known or better paid, lack of work and inadequate recognition of talent or success. Situations related to work relationship stress included conflicts with others in the music industry, worries about colleagues appearing at performances on time and having to fire another musician. “The results of this study put the tortured artist myth to bed, and hopefully directs musicians to address their mental health with interventions that address the unique stressors musicians face,” said Heather Alden, executive director of the SIMS Foundation, an Austinbased mental health organization that gives musicians and music industry professionals low- or no-cost treatment.
Salvage Vanguard Theater presents a staged reading of “Casta” Join Salvage Vanguard Theater’s staged reading of “Casta” by Adrienne Dawes, presented Friday, Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 25 at 4 and 7:30 p.m. , as part of Works Progress Austin.
Teatro Vivo proudly presents “Real Women Have Curves,” a bilingual comedy by renowned writer and producer Josefina López, August 3-19 at the Emma S. Barrientos-Mexican American Cultural Center. While they work in a tiny sewing factory, five women talk about their husbands and lovers, their children, and their dreams for the future. Ana, the youngest among them, just graduated from high school and dreams of going off to college, but she doesn’t have the funds. Although she needs the money, Ana doesn’t like working at the factory and has little respect for her coworkers, who make fun of her. But she keeps going to work and slowly gains an understanding and appreciation of the work and the women. From the perspective of the Latina immigrant experience, this story celebrates real women, their power, and the incredible bond that happens when women work together.
inspiration – or their lifestyles are glamorized as being untroubled and self-indulgent,” said Berg, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Dell Med.
A 2018 national survey of more than 1,200 working musicians conducted by the Music Industry Research Association showed that more than 61 percent said their earnings from music performance were not enough to make ends meet. Even though the links between musician life and depression or anxiety paint a relatively negative picture for music makers, there are some upsides to work-related emotional strain. For example, higher levels of touring-related stress – such as from having to play after a long road trip or feeling lonely or bored while on tour – was associated with decreased levels of anxiety and depression symptoms in more financially stressed musicians. Berg suggests that’s because being on tour makes them feel like their careers are advancing. Also, increased levels of performance-related stress – including auditioning, performing live music as a session player and coping with the effects of loud amplified music – were associated with a lower likelihood of alcohol misuse. Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies), and Susan Deans-Smith (Associate Chair and Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, Department of History and Faculty Affiliate, Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies) will follow the August 25 performance.
“Casta” is inspired by a series of casta paintings by Miguel Cabrera, a mixed-race painter from Oaxaca. Casta paintings were a unique form of portraiture that grew in popularity over the 18th century in Nueva España/colonial Mexico. The paintings depicted different racial mixtures arranged according to a hierarchy defined by Spanish elites.
Committed to engaging its audience with the culture and history of the Latino experience, Teatro Vivo is a leading bilingual Latino theater company in Texas. It has received numerous awards from the Austin Critics Table and B. Iden Payne Committee. Showtime is 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. General admission tickets are $20 and $25 for reserved seating. Tickets and more info at teatrovivo.org.
When a lowly apprentice is commissioned to paint a casta series for a wealthy patron, he tries to conform his work to a set hierarchy. The images revolt, illuminating a complex portrait of fluid Latinx identities. In anticipation of the 2019 premiere, this Works Progress Austin workshop will support two weeks of rehearsal time, incorporating new puppets by designer Julia Smith and new music by composer Graham Reynolds. Founding creative team members Adrienne Dawes (playwright), Jenny Larson (director) and KhattieQ (performer) will return to Austin as part of this final development process. An ARTIST TALK with the playwright and guest speaker Laura G. Gutiérrez (Interim Chair and
Launched in 2006, Works Progress Austin provides playwrights with the resources they need to bring their work to life. Salvage Vanguard Theater is a nonprofit organization that provides accessible, affordable, artistic exchange between a diverse, inclusive community of artists and audiences through high quality experiences that foster experimentation and generate conversation. Functions will be held at Hick’s House at Austin Seminary, 100 E 27th St. Tickets are $5 and available online or at the door. For more info, visit salvagevanguard.org. TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 09
To Do Música BROWN SOUND NEWS
| By Liz Lopez
Como Las Movies is NuevoWave, indulging in volume, danceable beats, pop, electrocumbia, good conversation and sweet dissonant sonic waves. Band Members are Nelson Valente, Greñas, Jeff “the Jaguar” and Rene Chavez. Como Las Movies will be having an EP Release party with 7-piece band Chief Perch as guest artists. The group is led by front lady and chief vocalist Ariel Herrera, who captivates audiences with her powerful and tasteful melodies. Guitarist/vocalist Mason Ables, drummer Nick Hamner, and bassist Aaron Lugo fill out a rhythm section that grooves with the best. Their trademark horn section is comprised of saxophonist/ keyboardist Jacob Ruegg, trumpeter/ percussionist/vocalist Logan Bartlett, and trombonist Brian Daniels. Chief Perch 9 p. m. and Como Las Movies 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 at the ABGB, 1305 W Oltorf St. --On Aug. 1, 1839, Austin’s first plots of land were auctioned off under what we now call the Auction Oaks in present-day Republic Square. This year, on the 179th anniversary of this occasion, celebrate the past, present, and future of our great city. The public is invited to celebrate the grand reopening of Republic Square with a free all-day, family-friendly celebration with live music and entertainment. Mariachi Capital, Patricia Vonne, DJ Set by Chulita Vinyl Club, Wesley Bray and the Disciples of Joy, Interrobang, Los Coast and Night Drive. Austin’s Birthday Bash will be held Saturday, Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. --Gilbert Alba announced his Super City Band has new music available. The lastest single, “Quisiera Quitarme La Vida” is now available on iTunes and Amazon. Visit his Facebook page for information. --Timberos del Norte have a Thursday weekly residency at Spider House Ballroom. They will be
Mariachi Capital 10 TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM
bringing the deep, infectious grooves from Timba to Salsa for your dancing or listening pleasures for two full sets. Doors at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. $5 for 21and over, and $8 for 18 and over. spiderhouse.com. -El Tule will be performing at Stubb’s Austin Indoors on Saturday, Aug. 25 after the Badfish - Sublime Tribute show. Tickets $6 or free with wristband to Badfish. Saturday, Aug. 25 10:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. 801 Red River St. stubbsindoor. frontgatetickets.com --Mauricio Callejas has a new song “Te Volveré a Creer” and he performed it recently at the Alianza Cultural monthly gathering last month. For more information, visit his Facebook page. ---Gina Chavez will have an EP release party and be performing at Antone’s on Saturday, Sep. 15, 7-10 p.m. For more information, visit Gina Chavez music Facebook page and website. --Join the Austin Chronicle and Central Texas Food Bank for the 28th Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival on Sunday, Aug. 26. Sample hundreds of Central Texas’ hottest salsas, dine on local foods, have a cold beverage, and enjoy live music. On the bill is music by five-time Grammy winner Little Joe y La Familia, El Tule, Altamesa, Big Wy’s Brass Band, and Chulita Vinyl Club. Admission is free with a $5 cash donation to the Central Texas Food Bank, or three nonperishable food items. Volunteer opportunities and more information at austinchronicle.com/hotsauce. --Luz Elena Valenzuela is a recent graduate of Southwestern University, holds a bachelors degree in Fine Arts, musical performance opera, with plans to attend graduate school in the near future. Aside from English, she sings in several languages, including Spanish, Italian, German, and French. Visit her YouTube channel, luzamora, to learn more about this versatile singer. She’ll be performing in Scotland as part of the Don Juan Project musical theater at the Fringe Festival in the month of August.
Chief Perch
R E C O M M E N D E D
S H O W S
Oscar Ornelas is a blues and jazz musician from Austin and has several shows scheduled for this month. The multi-instrumentalist from San Angelo has been performing for over 20 years. Catch him Wednesday, Aug. 1 with the Big O Trio at 9:30 p.m. at Speakeasy, 412 Congress Ave; Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 8 - 11 p.m. at The Skylark Lounge, 2039 Airport Blvd.; Saturday, Aug. 11 at 8 - 9:30 p.m., celebrating his wife’s birthday with a super special show also at The Skylark Lounge. Learn more at oscarornelas.com. --Austin-based AJ Castillo and his band will be performing along with Marcos Orozco and Conjunto Romo on Friday, Aug. 3. Cuauhtemoc Hall 1, 100 Patton St. in San Marcos, TX. For more information, visit the artists’ Facebook pages. --Johnny Gonzales “Johnny G” plays every Friday at 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Little Mexico Restaurant, 2304 South First (on the Patio). Free shows August 3 31. For more information, visit his Facebook page. --The Jonas Alvarez Band has several performances this month: Friday, Aug. 3 at Table 620 in Lakeway, 6-8 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 11 at Guero’s, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 17 at Central Market Westgate, 6:30 - 9 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 19 Table 620 in Lakeway, 11a.m. - 2 p.m.; and Friday, Aug. 24 at Central Market North, 6:30 - 9 p.m. --The Austin Latin All Stars consist of Austin’s premier group of musicians from all over the Latin diasporas whose special talents and musical abilities come together to produce a sound that can transport you to a place of passion, rhythm and fun. Members are Isaac Paña (trumpet), Lucas Quintana (Piano) George Walker (Bass), Juan “Lazaro” Sarria (Conga), Alexey Montero (Timbal)
and Luis Angel Ibañez (Vocal). Friday, Aug. 10. Intro Salsa Class 9:15 p.m.; live music 10 p.m. $10 for live music only and $15 with Salsa class. Patrons are welcome to take their own beverages. Esquina Tango, 209 Pedernales St. esquinatangoaustin. com . ---La Frenetika plays Colombian cumbia and vallenato, including Son, Paseo, Merengue, Puya, Guapacha and Rumba. Their rich cultural background is reflected in the diversity of rhythms they play sharing the joy of dance with everyone. Members are Andres Junca (Voz - Guitarra - Piano - Gaita); Sahabel Porto (Voz – Coros); Hugo Leija (Guacharaca); Javier “Pancho” Villarreal (Caja); Andres “El Parce” Acevedo (Bajo); Johnatan Jimenez “El Papa de Kaleth” (Timbales); Jose Costilla “Junior” (Congas); Cesar Osorio (Guitarra); Santos Cosme (Acordeon – Teclados). Saturday, Aug. 18, 9 p.m. to 1a.m. More info at lafrenetika. com. --¡Pachanga! Enjoy a party and dance along to salsa, merengue, and cumbia selections from the Latin music CD collection available at the library. The public event is hosted by the Austin Central Library on Friday, Aug. 31 from 6 - 8 p.m. 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. ---Austin-based musicians will be heading to the “Fiesta en la Playa “ Music Festival, so save the date for September 1. J R Gomez and Conjunto Bandits, Devin Banda, and Agustin Ramirez are among the Austin area musicians headed to Rockport, Texas.
CELEBRATING
DIVERSITY
BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin
93.3 KGSR’s Blues on the Green invites music lovers out to Zilker Park on Wednesday, Aug. 8 to enjoy a family and pet friendly night of homegrown music in a relaxed atmosphere. Grab your family, friends, dogs, and blankets, and join KGSR for Austin’s largest free concert series. kgsr.com.
Austin PRIDE Festival Festival Gardens
The Austin PRIDE Festival and Parade on Saturday, August 11, at Festival Gardens is the largest annual LGBTQ advocacy and fundraising event in Central Texas. Doors to the family-friendly event will open at 11 a.m. and festivities will continue until 6 p.m. The event will feature games and carnival rides, a family area, drinks, food, and over 150 booths of local non-profits organizations and businesses. The PRIDE Festival features dozens of participating non-profit organizations and social clubs informing and interacting with festival attendees. Austin PRIDE Festival is also proud to be the setting for Central Texas’s largest HIV testing day of the year, where several local services can reach those populations most at-risk for HIV. Each year, countless people find new organizations to join, causes to support and opportunities to volunteer. With over 400,000 attending in 2017, this year organizers expect an increase in attendance. Patrons of the event have come to expect amazing entertainment from Austin PRIDE with musical headliners and live performances, 50 plus vendors, games, activities, family zone and more. General admission festival tickets are available online. This year, Festival Tickets purchased in advance will be able to enter the Festival at ANY entrance. Parking is limited at the Festival. Attendees can ride share, carpool or use the Hike & Bike Trail on Lady Bird Lake. They may also use the two parking lots located to the North on Jesse E. Segovia or the parking lot located to the East of the Festival grounds. Austin PRIDE announcements will be released via its Official Austin PRIDE App! Download the Austin PRIDE App for iPhone and Android. Formed in 2010, The Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation (AGLPF) is a 100 percent volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to managing and organizing Austin’s annual PRIDE celebration and Stonewall Tribute. For tickets, go to www.austinpride.org
SUMMER JAM BARRACUDA
Come enjoy Bat Fest on Saturday, Aug. 18 as the world’s largest urban bat colonies (1.5 million Mexican FreeTailed Bats which take up seasonal residence beneath the Ann Richard’s Congress Street Bridge) take to the skies for their nightly flight. Enjoy live music, children activities, a costume contest and more. For tickets go to roadwayevents.com. Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico’s Noche de Folklor highlights dozens of dancers from the performing company and school of dance. The much anticipated rite of summer showcases colorful costumes and lively dances that reflect the rich and traditional culture of Mexico. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for the production at Zilker Hillside Theater, Saturday, Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m. Free. balletfolkloricodetexas.com. Experience the annual Quesoff on Saturday, Aug. 25, a celebration of all things melted cheese. Around thirty vendors - restaurants, top chefs, home-cooks, neighbors, brothers and sisters - will go head to head in four categories: Meaty, Spicy, Veggie and Wild Card. For tickets, go to mohawkaustin.com. Join the Austin Chronicle for one of the world’s largest Hot Sauce Festival with as many as 10,000 spectators each year on Sunday, Aug. 26. Get ready to sample hundreds of hot sauces, dine on local foods, and enjoy live music. For more info, please go to austinchronicle. com. Come enjoy Out of Bounds Comedy Festival starting on Tuesday, Aug. 28 where comedians from around the country show Austinites their comedy chops. It is a live performance festival that showcases the best in improve, sketch, and standup. For ticket info, go to outofboundscomedy.com. Starting on Thursday, Aug. 30, Capital City Black Film Festival will celebrate African American filmmakers from across the nation and provide a stage for burgeoning talent. This festival packs in the fun with four-days of events, seminars, parties, screenings and more. For ticket info, go to capcitybff.com.
Austin’s hip hop, R&B, pop and soul artists are beginning to take the city by storm. In appreciation of these artists’ creativity and hard work, KUTX and the Hakone Agency are putting on Austin’s inaugural Summer Jam on Friday, Aug. 31 at Barracuda, 611 E. 7th St. The event will be hosted by Austin’s #1 hip hop radio show, The Breaks, who have merged both national and local acts on their Saturday night radio show. The hosts, Confucius and Fresh, not only want to highlight the hottest artists in the city, but also to bring various pieces of the community together, uniting in appreciation of Austin’s vibrant music community. The lineup includes Mélat, Jake Lloyd, The Teeta, Deezie Brown, Kyle Lucas, Harry Edohoukwa, J Soulja and Sounds by JOAQU.N. Tickets are available at Eventbrite for $10. The event is committed to the advancement of Austin’s music community, therefore, 50 percent of each ticket sale will benefit a local nonprofit, Kids in a New Groove, which provides over 150 Central Texas youth in foster care with free, weekly music lessons and mentorship. Additionally, for each ticket sold, five trees will be planted in Madagascar through The Eden Reforestation Project. Event host KUTX features more local music than any station in Austin, as well as diverse selections from around the globe. The result is programming that reflects Austin’s creative spirit and diverse tastes. KUTX 98.9 FM plays more than 30,000 different songs and hosts nearly 300 live music performances every year. From KUTX Live events and Studio 1A performances, to the Austin Music Minute and coverage of music’s most influential forums and festivals, KUTX is driven by a desire to bring local audiences unparalleled coverage and access to the world of music. More information at kutx.org. TODO AUSTIN // AUG 2018 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 11