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Help Clifford Help Kids 2009 is one of Autumn’s most important annual social affairs. American YouthWork’s annual fundraising event is Thurs., Nov. 12, 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. at the Austin Music Hall and features live music by Grammy nominated Latin rockers, Grupo Fantasma. Begun in 2001 by music icon Clifford Antone and sister Susan Antone with the help of friends who mirrored the Antone’s passion for music with their devotion to helping kids in need, the event has raised over $1,000,000 and enabled students to receive services and educational opportunities they need to succeed, including counseling, health care, career placement services and college preparation. Fantasma goes on at 9 p.m. GA $22. For gala tix, contact www.americanyouthworks.org/events 512.705.7240.

Help some 143,000,000 orphaned children around the world at Adoption Rocks, a benefit concert taking place Sun., Nov. 13 at the Long Center. Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk and John Pointer headline two shows (at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.). Adoption Rocks is a charity organization which provides confidential, compassionate assistance to women who are facing unplanned pregnancies. The musical celebration was inspired by an Austin family who adopted an Ethiopian daughter. Formed in 2003, Dumpstaphunk was named after a song by Ivan Neville and their informal first performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival made the act an instant hit. Tickets are $100 each ($50 of which is tax-deductible). www.thelongcenter.org

The remarkable Chandra Washington, an instructor of dance on elementary, secondary, and university levels, a published poet, an accomplished spoken-word artist, songwriter and vocalist, and an Artistic Director of multi-disciplined performance, projects etc., is holding a series of classes at the George Washington Carver Museum from Tues., Dec. 8 through Sat., Jan. 16. Offerings (which range from 4-6 classes/$45-$60) for adults include Tuesdays: “Learn to Group Sing in Harmony”; Wednesdays: “Stretching for Flexibility & Relaxation”; Thursdays: “Dancing Your Soul”; Saturdays: “Ancient Hip Hop Dance.” A youth class (grades 8-12), “Perform Your Poetry,” is scheduled for Monday afternoons (6 wks/$60). The Carver is at 1165 Angelina St. To register for classes, call 512.974.3671.

Also on Sun., Nov. 22, Austin’s Institute of Interfaith Dialogue presents an Intercultural Friendship and Dialog Dinner to demonstrate the idea of people living peacefully together, regardless of group, faith, or ideology. We have a great deal to learn from one another. Together, listening and responding with openness and respect, we can move forward to work in ways that acknowledge genuine differences but which are built on shared hopes and values, to attain peace and to help bring about the long-awaited cooperation of world civilizations, and to encourage justice, love, respect and altruism.” 6:30 p.m., Hilton Austin, Salon J, Sixth floor, 500 East 4th St. Go to austin@interfaithdialog.org & 512.947.7505 for more info.

For the past quarter century, a multitude of Austin faith traditions have come together for the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration. A different faith group hosts the event each year, which typically includes food, prayer, song and dance. This year’s celebration will take place on Sun., Nov. 22 at First Baptist Church, 901 Trinity St. in downtown Austin. The Service begins at 3:30 p.m. with a reception to follow at 5 p.m. featuring food delicacies from around the world. In 2007, Hyde Park Baptist church pulled out as host at the last hour, refusing to let non-Christians worship on their property. Thus, the longstanding tradition’s theme this year, “Courage,” seems fitting. The event brings together over 1000 people to share gratitude for shared gifts and blessings.

Tamales are a Mexican American staple of the season and there’s no better place to whet the appetite than at Austin-based food writer Claudia Alarcón’s lecture “A Brief History of Tamales” on Thu., Nov. 19, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Long Center. The event is the first in the “Foodways of Mexico” series produced by the Mexican Center of UT’s Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies. Alarcón will speak on the Pre-Hispanic origins of the tamale and its continued importance in Mexican cuisine. There are hundreds of varieties of tamales around the continent with an estimated annual consumption in the hundreds of millions. Reception follows the talk. 512.232.2423. mexctr@uts.cc.utexas.edu

Artist and UT Professor Beili Liu will discuss “Mining the Material: Time and Process” as part of a free lecture in the Art and Diaspora: Asian in America series on Tues., Nov. 17, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Blanton Museum of Art. The Chinese native’s time and process based installations look at transience, fragility and time lapse while embracing a broad range of mediums in her work: from everyday materials to digitally processed images, video, and sound. “Often, what I learned from the material calls for a particular set of elements: structure, spatial orientation, location, light, and sound. Other times, I respond to a space or location that I come upon by chance. It asks to be transformed or fulfilled. And through the spontaneous dialogue with the chosen material and sensitive spatial compositions, I attempt to deliver it.” Congress Ave. (200 East MLK ). 512.471.7324

Imagine Austin Launches Forums

The City of Austin’s Community Forum Series, “Imagine Austin,” begins this month as a part of the two-year process to create a new comprehensive plan for Austin.

The first series of forums will be held throughout the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction from Nov. 9-12. Registration is at 6 p.m. with the forums at 6:30 p.m. The Nov. 10 forum will be held at St. David’s Episcopal Church beginning at 8 a.m.

“The overall goal for the meetings is to pull together Austinites’ hopes and aspirations for the future of the city,” said Gregory Claxton, Associate Planner for the City of Austin. “Once we get that, Imagine Austin’s consultants (Wallace Roberts & Todd) will work with staff and the Citizens Advisory Task Force to identify broad areas of common ground across all of those responses. That common ground is the first step in putting together a shared vision for the future of Austin. That Vision becomes the guide to developing the rest of the Comprehensive Plan—when we start looking at individual parts of the plan—like land use, transportation, health and human services, etc. We’ll use the vision as a touchstone, to ensure that all of those parts stay in sync.”

Residents are encouraged to bring their children, friends and family to participate in fun, interactive exercises designed for both adults and kids. Input gathered from the forums will be used to develop the Austin Comprehensive Plan, which is designed to guide the future growth and development of the city for the next 25 years.

“We all remember dreaming about the future as kids,” said Garner Stoll, Assistant Director of the Planning and Development Review Department. “But as adults, we don’t have the opportunity to do that very often. These events will give people a chance to dream big about the future of their city and to think about the steps that will help us get there.”

To ensure there’s a broad ethnic contribution mirroring the city’s demographic, Claxton promises, “The first thing that we do is simply ask ‘who’s here?’ at each meeting—that gives us hard numbers. We know from our October Kick-Off that there are key groups we’re not reaching. That’s one of the key things that Estilo Communications is working on with us—reaching out to different parts of Austin’s different communities and inviting them to come out. We’re also really working to reach out to people through their schools. We’ll also have Spanish interpretation services at four of the meetings (Baty, Bowie, Travis and Reagan).

“However, our work on this goes beyond meetings. With our online survey and our Meetings-in-a-Box, we’ll be able to follow-up the Community Forums, reaching out to folks and letting them go through our questions wherever they’re comfortable, whether that’s at home, at the library, at a neighborhood or church meeting, or simply with friends. The combination of knowing where we have gaps, plus having a tool for following up is what we’re relying on to bring everyone into this process.” For more, visit http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/compplan/.

toDo austinVolume I, Number 006

Publisher/Editor - Gavin Lance Garcia,contact@todoaustinonline.comArt Director - Dave McClintonwww.dmdesigninc.com

Associate Editor - Erica Stall Wiggins Contributing Writers/Artists – Brandon Ramiro Badillo, Heather Banks, Deborah Alys Carter, Isabel Corona, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Alexandra M. Landeros, Oliver Nicolas, Tom Palaima, Marion Sanchez, Blake Shanley, Maverick Shaw, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Dean Windsor, Jill Winters

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Contact us with stories, submissions, etc. at:Contact@todoaustinonline.com / 512.380.9021

ON THE COvERPhotographer: JoJo Marionwww.jojomarion.comAssistant: Parker LittleStylist: Susie JaureguiModels: Everdil, Deanna, Felipe and Kerry Awn.Special thanks: Mr. and Mrs. Jauregui, M.D.L.A.N.L

UT Prof Warns of Immigrants Dire Future

Latino immigrant families face the threat of permanent poverty cautions University of Texas Social Work and Women’s and Gender Studies professor Yolanda C. Padilla in a recent survey of the biggest social concerns of our time (www.utexas.edu/features).

Padilla was one of several School of Social Work faculty members asked by the University to weigh in on society’s chronic problems. Addressing the issue of immigration policy, she writes, “Strong families have created the foundation for the thriving U.S. Latino community. Latino communities are filled with hustle and bustle, decent home ownership and parents who work two jobs. Historically, Latinos, especially children of immigrants, have been characterized by healthy beginnings and steady educational and economic mobility. The policies we create today can support this vitality and advance economic prosperity or they can threaten or even reverse current gains. Key among these policies is immigration policy.

“Why does contemporary immigration policy have the potential to dramatically change the course of Latinos as a whole? Latino families cannot be neatly separated into various immigrant statuses: those who are citizens and those who are not. In reality, immigrant families tend to be mixed status, families that contain a mix of citizens and noncitizens. Thus, any policy denying social access—to health care, education and public benefits—to any segment of the immigrant population is apt to affect the social and economic prospects of the larger Latino population.

“The fate of a large segment of our country is at stake. The Latino population is projected to grow significantly in the next few decades, making up 24.4 percent of the nation’s population by 2050, nearly double the current 12.6 percent. Already, nearly 25 percent of children younger than age 5 are Latino. Texas is projected to become a majority Hispanic state as early as 2026.

“We are at a crossroads. Experts agree that without attention and better policies, Latino immigrant families will begin an irreversible downward trend toward pervasive poverty. There is no doubt that Latinos have strong values and a desire to achieve. If we continue our course of closing access to work, denying benefits, blocking access to higher education and instituting ‘immigration reform’ that does nothing to strengthen families, we will have disabled the Latino community for generations. U.S. history has repeatedly shown that unequal protection under the law breeds entrenched poverty and all that comes with it—social, educational and occupational stagnation. And the effects persist through generations. We have a responsibility to document and speak up about the ramifications of today’s policy proposals for tomorrow’s Latino population—to do our part to help change the course of Latino history to one that builds upon current Latino successes.”

Farmer’s Market Sowing Seeds on East Side

The aptly named HOPE Farmer’s Market launched October 25 in East Austin at E. 5th & Waller Street with a design to help “grow a community,” saidmarket manager Greg Esparza. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday.

“There’s a strong sentiment that we’re at the right place at the right time,” Esparza said about the project, which stems from the HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Campaign, a nonprofit that brings artists and media to places in need. “We’re lucky to be in East Austin when there’s renewed interest and a community developing around food, music and art.”

The location is the longtime address of renowned visual artist Rejina Thomas’ Graphic Glass Studio. The market features more than 20 food vendors and several artisans offer their products in a gathering space of local farmers, artists, community groups and families where shoppers can find fresh foods, learn about community, agricultural and healthy lifestyle programs.

“The market benefits local producers by giving them a place to exchange what they create and grow,” Esparza added. “It’s a celebration of the culture of the place as well.”

Diversity was a central component of HOPE founders Andi Scull Steidle and Brian Steidle’s plan. “We want the turnout to be representative of the community at large,” said Esparza. “There’s a big opportunity to build a place in East Austin where long-time area residents can have another space that has a sense of celebration and can be shared with a younger, new crowd that’s arriving in the neighborhood. Gentrification has its issues but this is something creating good energy, where passionate interests can be the focus. East Austin is an old place and new place at the same time.” For more info call 512.699.6077.

Mexic Arte’s Dia de los Muertos parade

Imagine Austin forums are underway photogrAphy CIty of AustIn

Yolanda C. Padilla knows the immigration score

East Side Farmer’s Market smelling sweet

04 TODO Austin // november 2009 // TODOaustinonline.com

Amparo Garcia-Crow, one of Austin’s most successful dramatists/director-writers and performers, has a passion for storytelling.

“Anyone who knows me or has been invited over to my house for the holidays or a birthday knows that I love stories, they are often what I ask for as presents,” she states. “And of course, being a writer--and instructor of writing--I love the beauty of narrative.

“I love watching people reveal who they are through stories.”

Though always ready to design and create experiential and cultural events, Garcia-Crow’s new spoken word series, “The Living Room,” raises new possibilities. “Because I make my living being ‘creative’ any which way I can, I am hosting this event to make possible a bigger story, a burlesque musical called ‘Strip City.’”

The Living Room is an on-going fundraising project to support Amparo’s residency in NYC with Mabou Mines and the creation of her new musical. “’Strip City’ features the notorious ‘perfect Texan’ Candy Barr and the emcee Lenny B.,” says Garcia-Crow, who founded Inspirit Studios in 2006 as a clearinghouse for her dramatic, narrative and musical creations. “Lenny B. (a takeoff on Lenny Bruce) who was a burlesque trunk baby, his mother was a comedienne for burlesques and his first wife was the beautiful Honey Harlowe.”

Garcia-Crow was inspired by “the vintage quality of 50s/60s burlesque juxtaposed to the story of the capture in Texas, which involved a sex trade business that took runaway girls like Candy Barr and forced them into prostitution for big political and powerful men. This is a story that has many complexities, particularly when the even bigger story I want to tell is ‘how do you save your soul’ in the midst of such travesties? Both Lenny B. and Candy B. had a lot of run-ins with the law because of hypocritical obscenity laws which in themselves were a cover up for the sinister folks who were the perpetrators. And did I say it’s a musical with puppets?”

The Living Room will utilize the driven Garcia-Crow’s extensive professional network to bring an eclectic mix of stories around a specific theme. “It is a space for creative people who are comfortable in front of an audience and want to share their stories in order to

satisfy a need for creativity and connection.” Beginning Dec. 5 at 8:00 p.m., The Living Room will be scheduled every first Saturday night of the month through June, 2010 at the Alleywood Studios, 1902 South Congress behind the White Crane Chinese Herbs building.

“My residency with the internationally renowned Mabou Mines is a privilege since they are my long life heroes of the theater. They create gorgeous theatrical pieces that always push the envelope of beauty and provocation.” To take full advantage of bringing to life the story, Garcia-Crow will travel back and forth to New York to develop the project through her residency.

Her need for creativity and connection is “my lifeline, and even more relevant to all of us when in truth, we have all become so cyber-driven. We connect anonymously, as opposed to face to face or sitting next to each other like millions of ancestors have before us, telling each other the story of the day and in this case, telling each other the story of living, of our very delicate lives.

“The atmosphere of The Living Room is meant to be intimate, it’s a small space to start and it’s a place to meet up with long lost and new friends that we only see, more and more these days, at funerals. This is a way to commune together while we’re very much still alive and kicking!”

The Living Room, though not a venue for professional storytellers, has already lined up some of Austin’s most imaginative voices including David Jewel, CK McFarland, Tim Mateer, Steven Tomlinson, Jessie Sublett, TJ Gonzales, Alfredo Santos, Connie Leaverton, Leon Rodriguez, Aralyn Hughes, and many more. “They all have in common the courageous, the impulse to sign up and start the dialogue,” Garcia-Crow adds. “For December, we’re playing with the idea of ‘Ghosts from Christmas Past’ as a prompt. In January, we will probably do ‘Tales of Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll,’ and other wonderful topics like that. We will have six per night and a surprise music guest. “It’s story time for grownups, basically.” To reserve your seat or to sign yourself up as a storyteller call 441-6085 or go to www.amparogarciacrow.com

By Dean Windsor

AustIn DAnce umbrellA presents Compagnie Julie Dossavi in “P.I. (Pays) or Presentations Intimes” on Tues., Nov. 10 & Wed., Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. at the Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center. Infusing contemporary African dance forms with jolts of high fashion and street culture, the Benin-born dancer and choreographer invites the audience through a physical journey of sexual, spiritual, emotional and intellectual intimacy intertwined with electronic dance music and percussion with a big dose of African dance and gymnastics. Dossavi’s distinctive works are modern, ethnic, expressive and abstract, delivered through riveting athleticism and grace. $18 adult GA; students $15 presale. $21/$18 at the door. www.danceumbrella.com

the sIxth AnnuAl AustIn AsIAn AmerIcAn FIlm FestIvAl celebrates the best in Asian and Asian American independent cinema from Thur., Nov. 12 through Sun., Nov. 15. Forty films are

scheduled for the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, UT Student Union Theater, and the Mexican American Culture Center. The films highlight the complexity and vitality of Asian/Asian-American communities through cutting-edge narrative, documentary and experimental films. The dedicated folks at AAAFF aim to bring awareness to global issues while supporting causes through media. Not only does the fest provide a channel for International Asian/Asian-American artists to promote their work, it supports and brings awareness to the community. For listings, www.aaaff.org

el InterIor (1109 West Lynn) is celebrating its 30th Anniversary Fri., Nov. 20, with music and refreshments from 6-9 p.m. Back in 1979, owner Marcia Lucas reached across ethnic and cultural boundaries by creating one of Austin’s first outlets of authentic folk art, clothing, textiles and home accessories, personally collected by Lucas from

artisans and producers from throughout Mexico and Guatemala. She envisioned our present multicultural community years before it came into being and spread her love of folk art & textiles, as well as the techniques and the culture behind them. From her early retail space downtown to the current location in Clarksville, Lucas has nurtured Mexican artisans and helped encourage and support their sustainable and traditional lifestyle and culture. 512.474.8680 www.elinterior.com

“I have a crazy, crazy love of things,” wrote Pablo neruda in “Ode to Common Things.” Cheers to the AustIn symPhony orchestrA for its Texas premier of composer Cary Ratcliff’s engaging new oratorio inspired by the Neruda poem, “Ode to Common Things,” which will be paired with Mendelssohn’s ever-popular Incidental Music to “A midsummer night’s Dream” (Op. 21 & 61) Fri., Nov. 20 & Sat., Nov. 21 at the Long Center.

Austin’s own Grammy-nominated choral group conspirare, arguably the finest choral group in our hemisphere (with featured sopranos Amy Mathews-Muttwill and Kimberly Gerber for these performances), plus guest soloists Ava Pine, Dana Beth Miller and Bryan Griffin will take curtain calls. Tickets start at $19. www.austinsymphony.org

the AustIn lAtIno theAter AllIAnce opens “La Pastorela 2009” Dec. 3 at the Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River Street). Latinos’ counterpart to “The Nutcracker,” the revered Christmas tradition is a family-friendly musical comedy which tells the story of a group of shepherds trying to reach Bethlehem who meet with devilish obstacles. The contemporary musical comedy is based on a traditional Yuletide play from Native-American and Latino communities tracing back to the late 16th century when Spanish priests first introduced it to the Native people. Mark your calendars for Thursdays

through Saturdays, Dec. 3 - 19 at 8 p.m. at the MACC. $12 Adults, $8 Students/Seniors. Tix at www.austix.com.

If the music sounds sweeter than sugarplums, the dancers seem lighter than air, and the snowflakes sparkle more brightly than ever before, you’re not dreaming. bAllet AustIn’s 47th production of “the nutcracker” is Texas’ longest running production of the classic. The Nutcracker features the memorable music of Tchaikovsky, the choreography of the inimitable Stephen Mills and musical accompaniment by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Among this year’s celebrities playing the role of Mother Ginger are Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo, City Manager Mark Ott and singer-songwriter Sara Hickman. The Nutcracker will be performed at The Long Center at 7:30 p.m. on Dec., 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 21 and 22; and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 6, 13, 19, 20 and 23. For tickets, go to www.balletaustin.org or call 512.476.2163.

Good Times at Güero’sFor great tunes and great rita’s!Please join us for live music on our outside Jardin Stage,every Thursday through Sunday.All ouTdoor ShowS Are “weATher PermiTTing”

november line-upSun 11/1 3:00-6:00 Tex Thomas & his danglin’ wranglers----------------------------------------------------Thu 11/5 6:30-9:30 bobby Fuentes & The All StarsFri 11/6 6:30-9:30 los FlamesSat 11/7 6:30-9:30 erin Jaimes & her bad habitsSun 11/8 3:00-6:00 will indian & The Arrow heads----------------------------------------------------Thu 11/12 6:30-9:30 The FabsFri 11/13 6:30-9:30 los FlamesSat 11/14 6:30-9:30 The Jon Justice bandSun 11/15 3:00-6:00 The mitch webb Trio----------------------------------------------------Thu 11/19 6:30-9:30 Johnny gimbleFri 11/20 6:30-9:30 los FlamesSat 11/21 6:30-9:30 larry lange & his lonely KnightsSun 11/22 3:00-6:00 Too blue----------------------------------------------------Thu 11/26 gobble gobble! Closed for ThanksgivingFri 11/27 6:30-9:30 los FlamesSat 11/28 6:30-9:30 Ted roddySun 11/29 3:00-6:00 Chicken Strut

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

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Julie Dossavi The Sixth Annual Austin Asian American Film Festival Pablo Neruda

W ith its colorful, uncluttered design engaging both traditional and

whimsical elements and easy-to- navigate tabs for news, events, and more, Asian Austin (www.asianaustin.com) is indeed a great place to learn about and keep up with the vibrant and active Asian community in Austin.

Asian Austin was conceived by Yvonne Wilson in 2007, when, as a new parent, a desire to explore and share her Chinese culture with her son led her on a search to connect with the Asian community in Austin. Although she had lived in Austin for a number of years since attending The University of Texas, “it was like starting from scratch,” said Wilson. When she did begin to look, she had trouble finding information about groups and events, and realized immediately the need for a centralized resource for those interested in learning about Asian organizations, events, businesses, cultural events and educational opportunities. With a journalism background, and a vision of a one-stop resource for not just the Chinese community in Austin, but also the Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Filipino, Thai, Malaysian and other Asian groups, Wilson conceived the idea of Asian Austin. In Wilson’s words, “We share a love of family, a passion for our culture, including our cuisine, language and art. We care about business and working hard. We care about the community as a whole, the politics of our city and country. We are Asian Austin.” Wilson shared her vision with her husband (a web page designer), and the web site was launched.

Wilson grew up in San Antonio, and as a member of a large, close-knit family, she was immersed in Asian culture there, attending Chinese school and church. Although her parents spoke English in the household, her grandmother, from the Canton area of China, also lived with them, and taught her to speak Chinese. Although her heritage was such a big part of life, “I always thought of myself as an American first,” Wilson says. Becoming a parent herself, her desire to celebrate and recognize their Chinese heritage became a priority.

Wilson is happy with the community’s response to the web site and the connections she has been able to make so far. She enjoys learning and engaging with the different community events and reporting about them on the site, and helping to connect people with similar goals and interests. As a stay at home mom with two young boys (4 years and 14 months), her biggest challenge is finding time to keep the site updated.

She has developed relationships with UT Austin and the Austin Asian-American Cultural Center, and they help her keep the site up-to-date by alerting her of upcoming happenings. She would love to see the Asian community continue to connect, communicate, and thrive, and hopes that her site can be a facilitator for that growth. Ultimately, she would like to reach all of the Asian groups in Austin. “There are so many more that I have not yet reached. This would be my challenge -- to reach out to every single one of these Asian groups in Austin,” says Wilson. She also hopes the site will be a resource to anyone interested in the culture; families with adopted Asian children being just one example.

The site is full of news regarding upcoming events and summaries of recent happenings, both of which Wilson is currently writing. The Austin Asian American Film Festival is featured, and includes an interview with festival Executive Director, Masashi Niwano. Soon she will post an interview she did with Filipina actress and singer Lea Salonga (well known for her role in Miss Saigon). Also coming up is the Asian Food Festival, and not too far off, the Lunar New Year. If that were not enough, Wilson would like to start a children’s group to facilitate speaking and/or reading books in the languages of their ancestors. It promises to be a busy year for Wilson and her family, connecting to her heritage and bringing others together in the same spirit.

By Erica Stall Wiggins

512.454.9663 x215 • 888.440.4649 x215109 Denson Dr. Austin, TX 78752

shawna@bellsintl.com • www.bellsintl.com

Bells InternationalPromotional Products | Advertising Specialties

yvonne Wilson, Publisher and editor of Asian Austin

08 toDo austin // november 2009 // toDoaustinonline.com

“Native Austinite.” Who, by definition, fits that description in our community and by whose standard? Perhaps it’s the bronzed-skinned Joneses next door, the corporate thoroughbred with the corner office, or the ultra-hip urban family keeping the mortgage broker hopping. Lois Duncan, Executive Director of the Austin-based charity, Great Promise for American Indians, says the true Native Austinite may be “a child you sit beside at school that may or may not have darker skin, black hair. And you probably think they are Latino/Latina, but actually what gives them their color is indigenous DNA. If you look at the early combining of European influences and indigenous influence, the Spanish people were not dark; they were white skinned, so it’s that mixing in the big melting pot that makes them blend into society.”

Though Thanksgiving is a pleasant holiday for many Americans, it also represents the time in United States and Latin American history when foreign invaders overtook the indigenous peoples and nearly wiped out their culture. Pascal Regimbeau, chair of the wildly successful Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival and the owner of the Austin restaurant Chez Nous, states, “I know some families who stay away from Thanksgiving. It would be the same thing as celebrating Columbus Day. It’s kind of a controversial situation to some and not a big gathering time. People, as a joke, refer to it as ‘The Last Supper.’”

As we chose to celebrate or ignore the “historical” holiday, a question arises from the mix of legend and fact: Who is a member of the indigenous people of current day America and where are they in Austin?

Dr. Mario Garza, Executive Director of the Indigenous Cultures Institute, an organization that sponsors programs, speakers and performances that preserve the cultures of Native Americans in Central Texas, spends countless hours debunking myths about Native Americans. Today, Garza is arguably Austin’s keenest observer on the city’s indigenous population.

“I always tell Mexican Americans and other Hispanics, if you want to see a Native American, look in the mirror,” states Garza. “Do you see a white person with light-colored skin, eyes and hair? Or do you see dark features – skin, eyes, hair? My wife’s uncle went to the Indian

casinos in the Southwest reservations and said, ‘They look just like us; they look Mexican.’ That’s because we’re all indigenous, Native American—native people—many of us with no European/white DNA markers, whatsoever.”

Garza’s Institute was founded by members of the Meakan/Garza Band, later collectively named Coahuiltecan as was the language they spoke in Texas upon the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. From his perspective, Garza sees a people often referred to as “immigrants” reclaiming their native land. “Local residents can look around and anyone they see that strikes them as ‘Hispanic,’ ‘Latino,’ or ‘Mexican’ is actually a person with indigenous ancestry – a Native American. White archeologists and historians have written that Texas Indians have ‘disappeared’ into the Hispanic communities. We have kept a lot of our indigenous culture alive – our practices, food, traditions – are not Spanish, they’re Native. For example, if a Hispanic gets together with his family often, and eats tamales and menudo, he is practicing his indigenous culture.”

Duncan, whose organization has built the 18-year-old Austin Powwow into the largest one-day powwow in the nation, describes the situation analytically, “There is a system of enrolling in the different nations where we maintain our own system so that people of any given nation are given certain rights. In the early days, it was not cool to be Indian. So unless you lived on a reservation, you probably didn’t enroll nor were counted when they listed numbers.

“We don’t know the numbers of Native Americans in the Greater Austin area,” says the head of Great Promise, formed in 1992 to preserve the traditions, heritage and culture of the first Americans. “Now remember, most people were discriminated against and property was being lost through the Bureau of Indian Affairs through the 1980s, and so we’re not real comfortable with authority figures. Most people will not sign up in a census and say ‘I am American Indian.’ We still have issues with alcoholism, unemployment, the lack of education, so we don’t line up to be counted. We’re trying to figure out who we are by talking to each other.

“You look at the Indians from the Southeast, where a lot of slaves intermarried with tribal members. That’s resulted in issues being raised

about people with mixed heritage. Of who belongs and who doesn’t,” Duncan states. She marvels at the wealthy Chickasaw nation, which has embraced the “white corporate” culture. “The Chickasaws are a mini-AIG, if you will. They give their nation complete health coverage and support their councils everywhere, such as in Austin where they are building a new library.”

The question of where Mexican Americans fit into the equation is another matter. Garza points out that Mexican Americans ignore their indigenous heritage because they don’t realize what’s happened to them. “The Native people I’ve met who embrace their indigenous heritage are well informed about how historical factors and social movements have impacted our race. And some Native people have told me that their grandparents told them they were Indian; or that there were stories about their family being Indians from Mexico. I think we are a people who are awakening to the rich and vibrant culture that we’ve kept alive, without even knowing.

“Basically, historical, political and social events—like the way that the Spaniards colonized our people, Indian extermination policies, and other discriminatory actions—caused Native people to go underground and hide their indigenous identity for the sake of survival,” continued Garza. “Given the choice of being an Indian, ‘indio,’ or indigenous person and being killed or removed to a reservation, or being a Mexican citizen with rights under the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo and staying in your homeland—most people chose to identify themselves as ‘Mexican.’

“It’s called survival. Here in the U.S., after years of claiming to be Mexican, in the 1970’s, there was a movement to have us declared ‘white’ so that we’d have the same rights as mainstream society members and avoid the problems of discrimination. When being ‘white’ didn’t protect us from discriminatory practices, there was a movement to declare ourselves a minority – calling ourselves Mexican-Americans, then Hispanics, then Latinos. All the while, from one generation to the next, we became more and more distanced from our indigenous identity, even though many of us are still almost 100% Native and still retain most of our indigenous culture.”

Friction between Mexican American

heritage and Native American heritage exists and sometimes plays a role in community decisions and discussions. Duncan explains, “We’re concerned about what we call the ‘dominant culture,’ which is growing to be the Mexican culture. They’ll be the ones that will decide our fate. But actually, we’re from the same genes. The question is ‘how far south did your ancestors go, mine stopped here, mine went on down there.’ We’re trying to find out how to hang onto our culture. We know we’re never going to be the dominant culture. We just want to hang onto preserving our native languages, have people know where they came from. That’s the best we’re going to do. To hang onto the spiritual things that make us who we are. Our culture is one of connections between elders and children.”

Garza counters that although Hispanics will be the next “dominant culture,” they all too often reject their Native American heritage and embrace their Spanish-European identity. “We’ve been taught in schools and in movies and the media that when the Spaniards arrived they encountered savages living in an undeveloped wilderness. The Papal Bulls of Pope Nicolas V and Pope Alexander VI declared that we were less than human because we were not Christians, which gave the first Europeans the right to kill or enslave us. Thus began the destruction of our civilizations, our cultures and our identity. Our indigenous ancestors have been portrayed as dirty, ignorant, subjugated savages – now, who would want to identify with that image?”

“For some American Indians there is a clash with their brothers in Mexico and Central America, said Duncan. “I think a lot of this is bleed-over from prejudice from whites. There are other things there. It was a time when peoples traded with one another. There were no borders and no problems. You traded with those close to you and yes, as one nation bumped up against another there were battles over territory.”

As an example, Duncan states, “There was some of that in play but this whole thing about somebody from Minnesota or Northern California being so upset when they come to the Austin Powwow to see all of the people with Hispanic names in our program. Well, ‘hello?’ How did they get those Hispanic names? Because they were forced to take them. American Indians got

By Kathleen Fitzgerald

toDo austin // november 2009 // toDoaustinonline.com 09

their Spanish names when they were conquered by Europeans. Baptism was forced on them and you were given a Christian name and a Spanish surname. So as things get diluted, a Latino may not even know they are American Indian. It’s a loss of culture.”

Duncan believes the situation is changing. “I think for many of us who live where the two come together, in a period of a few years things have gotten so much better. The idea of patriotism runs deep within the Native American culture.” Duncan explains it as spiritual motivation. “If you look at the percentage of the population of Indigenous American Indians in the military, it’s huge. There’s this warrior spirit defending the homeland. Well, hey, the homeland is basically governed and its policies all made by people who did these things to us. But it’s still the only homeland we have and know.”

To continue the dialogue and further cooperation, Garza’s Indigenous Cultures Institute and Great Promise for American Indians have began serious collaborations. “His organization started out focusing on Indian tribes of the border region, particularly Coahectan, and now because we work together, there’s a blending of activities. So if you’re an American

Indian kid, it used to be where you would have maybe two programs in your school each year, whereas now we’re doing more. Dr. Garza and I worked really hard on this about a year ago. He had the first American Indian radio program on KOOP, hosts the Heritage Stage at the Powwow, and in the meantime we are sponsoring each other’s events. We’re not necessarily going to help our people realize greater advantages through material goods, but through experiences. And like any ethnic group, we get centered around holidays.”

Duncan’s organization, meanwhile, is trying to reach into the corporate world to connect tribes. “American Indians who live in this area have to embrace their brothers, no matter what nation they’re from. We can go back to the time went there were no borders, no delineations, no dividing lines; before the Europeans came. And we traded and we got along, and we got along with the neighboring bands. For the most part we got along, we figured it out. But somehow as nation building took place, there came a clash. If we’re truly going to keep all these Indigenous cultures alive, and they’re many and various, we’ve got to do some bridging and support one another.”

Powwow photos courtesy Great Promise

Dr. Mario Garza

toDo austin celebrates what unites us while closely mirroring the changing demographics of Austin.

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contact Kathleen Fitzgerald at

Kathleen@todoaustinonline.com

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[driv-uhn]as to succeed or excel:the will behind motive.

It’s said that Tejano music survives on its instincts in Austin. Though it has transformed over generations from primarily a local, ethnic form of music to a genre with wide appeal, Tejano struggles with its foothold in the capital city.

Despite the harsh cultural climate, it is surprising then to hear Tejano strains emanating from a 6th Street venue, of all places. Serendipity brought Mi Casa Tamales & Cantina owner Joseph Kerestury together with Tejano music promoters Mix Master Promotions and Vic’s Promotions to reintroduce Tejano to the scene at the venue on the corner of E. 6th St. and Neches. “Tejano Thursdays” will feature live music acts and deejays while D.J. Lil Mondo freestyles on Fridays. Live bands will be offered on selected Saturdays, including Austin’s elite Tejano outfit, A-T Boyz, on Saturday, November 14 at 8 p.m.

“Texas and Tejano music is a staple and very big piece of our long term business plan and is essential for long term success” Kerestury says matter-of-factly. “I hope to bring more culture and diversity here in a positive and productive light. We would like to bring a Hispanic following to 6th

Street using the music staple that is Tejano music and the strong roots that follow.”

The biggest obstacles, Kerestury contends, is not the market share but the challenge of providing live music on the ultra competitive entertainment strip and in Austin in general. “We hope to survive by providing a piece of the cultural puzzle that has been missing on 6th Street, being focused on Tejano and Latin-based music.

We need to adopt and expand on a following in order to survive where competition is so strong, and we need fans and believers of Tejano music to come out and support their heritage and music. I see bright and better things in the future for 6th Street; it is our job as a community to continue to take care of it and make sure it continues to expand and grow in a positive way.”

The San Antonio nativehad no intention of bridging cultural divides when he opened Mi Casa Tamales this year. Making the iconic Mexican food staple sell was a large enough challenge. “The restaurant came about when my mother, Shirley Kerestury-Diaz, started making tamales every holiday season as a non-profit fundraiser for her day care centers about 15 years ago, Mi Casa Child Center in San Antonio. The tamale sales were such a great success she decided to open an establishment about five years ago dedicated to providing the best tamales in Texas as Mi Casa Tamales,” he says.

Kerestury joined the family business soon after and opened up a small store just outside of San Antonio

where he peddled tamales and Mexican imports while handling his website, TamaleStore.com. “I was able to sell tamales across the country over the holidays. In the month of December last year, Mi Casa Tamales sold over 500,000 tamales and looks to increase that number by expanding its market into the Austin area.” After graduating from Texas State University in San Marcos, Kerestury decided to open up the Austin location earlier this fall. Being of mixed ethnic heritage, he feels he has a grasp on intercultural relations and that this can contribute to him making a successful go on 6th. “I see crossover to be very possible. I myself am an example of that, being half Mexican and half Anglo. People often forget that Tejano is more than just a style of music; it is a culture in itself of people who chose to come to Texas to provide a better life for their families.

“We are all Tejanos in that sense. Tejano music is a fun, rich in culture style of music that can and should be shared by all Texans.”

Music has played a big part in the San Antonio location on weekends. The Alamo City of course has a huge support system for Tejano that dwarfs Austin’s. “Tejano does usually associate with an older crowd,” Keresturysays with a concerned brow. “But that’s not to say younger patrons can’t be in favor of it as well. I think a big part of the lack of younger followers is a lack of availability in popular venues here in Austin, and we are located in one of the best venues in the world being on 6th Street. But older crowds do come out to 6th Street as well and are always welcome.”

In recent weeks, Mi Casa has featured several Tejano acts including a group made up of members of Ruben Ramos’ band. Kerestury’s attitude is that he is ready to contend with Austin’s ostensible indifference for Tejano music. “Hispanics are growing fast in numbers in Austin, along with Texas in general. I think there is absolutely room for our style of music, it is a must. Hispanics must demand their music be heard and continue to support and educate their youth so the roots of the past don’t begin to fade with time.”

By Oliver Nicolas

Mi Casa owner Joseph Kerestury taKing teJano to 6th

A-T Boyz play Mic Casa Saturday, November 14

Paul Oveisi, the owner of Momo’s nightclub, contacted me back in July asking if I wanted to book this new weekly series that showcased World Music every Tuesday. He noticed my East Side World Music concert series, “Bemba Beat,” happening every other Saturday at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard. When Paul mentioned that KUT 90.5 was sponsoring the series, I knew that so much good would come from this that there was no way I could turn the opportunity down.

Every Tuesday in November, and throughout the rest of the year, we’ll feature artists from our town that play beautiful music emanating from and/or inspired by regions that many people don’t have the opportunity to visit. Since coming on board, artists have come out of the woodwork, eager to be a part of the series. I have become, what seems like, a leading grass roots World Music promoter in Austin. If, in fact, I’m acting as a spearhead for the movement, I’ll try to bring more diversity to the music scene and try to book as eclectic as possible. My mission is to shine a light on World Music.

World Music thrives in Austin but it’s definitely a challenge. I listen to foreign tunes all the time because they’re new and

different. I feel that it’s one of the few genres that still carry love and compassion in the tunes. When I listen to music from around the world, my imagination takes me to those regions and allows me to escape from the ordinary, momentarily. I feel that there are a lot of people that want to experience this, too, and if I can just pound this night out, the people of this beautiful city will feel the same way I do. Since taking on this role as a World Music promoter, or even just a leader in music diversification, I have had venues contact me left and right wanting to have World Music at their venue. It’s beautiful . . . it really is. This is a new Austin and I’m here to welcome it.

Next up at Momo’s on tuesday, November 10 are Charanga Cakewalk, Amie & Sangeet Millennium and Arthur Yoria. Charanga Cakewalk features the man called the king of cumbia lounge, Michael Ramos, a true world citizen. As a soloist, Amie performs classical Indian sitar with tabla accompaniment, light-classical and folk-based vocals with lyrical melodies driven by intricate, lively rhythms fusing Indian with jazz music. Yoria describes his music as Ghettotech, Southern Rock, Melodramatic Popular Song. He usually uses loops, beats, noises, percussion, melodica, harmonica, various props, his voice and guitar during his performances.

On tuesday, November 17, we feature Naga Valli, the Inheritance and Masne Trube. Naga Valli, originally from India, is a powerful vocalist and song-writer who combines Pop, Rock and Eastern Soul. Naga’s self-penned music comes from deep in her heart. The Inheritance is a lively act you don’t want to miss at 10 p.m., followed by Masne Trube, a new Austin group dedicated to exploring the brass dominated dance music traditions they describe as “the Big Balkan Beat,” blaring trumpets, reeds and tuba often in odd meter beats and modalities unfamiliar to the Western ear.

Then on tuesday, November 24 we’ll see Charanga Cakewalk, the Batikum and the Gustavo Rodriguez Band. The Batikum consists of Luiz Coutinho and Victoria and Zeta who combine American Blues, R&B, Rock and Jazz Fusion. Rodriguez’s Band is influenced by Bob Marley, Jackie Mitoo, Herbie Hancock and many others.

When guests come to World Music Night, they are exposed to music created and or inspired by different cultures around the World. If you would like more information, please see us atwww.bembaentertainment.com

12 toDo austin // november 2009 // toDoaustinonline.com

Luiz Coutinho

by brandon ramiro badillo

MAVERICK’S TAKEby Maverick Shaw

Van Naps are the best when you need a lemon tree. Should I go out for awhile? Just not sure if I am a GLOBO GYM PURPLE COBRA... Wondering what the world is coming to. A synaptic cleft flooded with serotonin wants to thank you for the love and support in my time of dying. WTF! Is my dog Houdini? Nevertheless...Time to hit the GYM-NAUSEAM.

PONY (I’M)TERvIEW

MAvERICK: you gettin ready for Chrysta Bell’s show at MoHawk?i better take a quick nap...6:51pm

PONY: Yes!!!! you better!! 6:52pm

MAvERICK: mmmhmmm...6:52pm

PONY: See u in less than an hour btw people love love/sick!!!!6:52pm

MAvERICK: i guess i’ll take my pocket canon?I KNOWi have more comments on it!!!what’s our next project? polkadot shoot?6:53pm

PONY: Really!!! yahooooo!!!6:53pm

MAvERICK: so naptime...see you soooooon...oh, is bob coming?6:53pm

PONY: yep!!! I’m sure I’ll have something crazy when I get back from jerzzzz6:53pm

MAvERICK: ugh. take. me...6:54pm

PONY: yeah bob is our driver!! LOL! we can’t stay out too late thoughk nap nap6:54pm

MAvERICK: fine...just for an hour or twozzzzzzzz

Maverick Shaw. An American artist who takes inspiration from the frustrations of youth, romance, dreamscape and desire. [www.papergloss.com]

Pony poses at the studio [www.myspace.com/primopony]

It’s highly recommended that you put this special event on your calendar because it’s going to be a blast.

www.eastaustinstudiotour.com

East End IBIZ DistrictEast Austin Studio Tourvroom Art Party __ 1111 East 11th | Sat. 11/14 - 6:00pm to 11:00pm Vroom Scooters and Ecoxera co-host the Vroom Art Party, featuring paintings and photography from six local emerging artists – from haunting and surreal landscape paintings to black and white photographs from around the world. The space is designed by Bercy Chen. With live music, drink, photo booth.

Snake Eyes vinyl __ 1101 Navasota | Sat 11/14, Sat 11/21 & Sun 11/22- Live Music (TBA) Paintings, Drawings, Photography, and Sculpture - art on the walls include: Zack Prossick Brown, Sam Parsons, Tara Cuccia, Gary Rosas, Claire Hulfish, Lacy Richter, Craig Holloway, and Andrea Bonin. Free wine, cheap sandwiches and snacks.

East Side Yoga __ 1050 East 11th | Sun. 11/15 & Sun. 11/22 - 2pm-5pm Free 10 minute relaxation yoga class held every half hour. Showcase inside – “Creating Sacred space with Sacred art,” Artist - Shining Mockingbird (www.omvillage.com)

The Fork ‘n’ Icehole __ 1209 east 11th | sat. 11/21 – noon-6pm Live music on the outside stage free adult beverages. Showcasing local artists inside: Hope Perkins, Joel Ganucheau and Jake Bryer.

Primizie Osteria Italian Cafe and Wine Bar1000 E. 11th St. Suite 150 | 11/14 & 11/15, 11/21 & 11/22 Exhibiting Art from Gabrielle Stein & Graham Franciose. Live Music 11/14 & 11/21 - 4:30-5:30. EAST Happy Hour, complimentary wine and hors’d oeuvres, Menu discounts with tour tickets.

throughout the tour . . .

Blue Dahlia Bistro __ 1115 East 11thBlue Dahlia Bistro will be featuring the work of Mary Coronado & Kelly Rae Burns. Stop by to see her amazing screen prints, and enjoy $3 glasses of wine. With special “to-go” cheese plates and meat boards to take with you while you stroll around the east side.

Bydee Art Gallery __ 1050 East 11th, Ste 120Happy and colorful artwork with a peaceful message. FrenZI: Haitian music censiman: Trinidad Steelband music

Soma vida, Work/Life Balance and Wellness Center __ 1210 Rosewood Ave. | Sat 11/14, Sat 11/21 - Sun 11/22 - Live Music (TBA) Showing 3 Artist’s Work: Sandy Waltuk, Dawn Winters, and Joseph Santori. Gourmet Waffles and Coffee from Hola Aloha. Mini Massage Sessions, Yoga

The East End IBIZ District __ 1222 Rosewood Avenue, 78702 “There’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear.” Charlie Chauvin, April Garca, Chris Chappell, Peter Staats, Nicole Dedrux, David and Sewah, & Lila

The Artists village at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard DiverseArts’ music and performing arts park __ 1106 E. 11th St. | Sat 11/14, Sun 11/15, Sat 11/21 & Sun 11/22 - 10am-6pm12 visual artists, 2 food vendors. Recorded and live music. Good food and a cool rest stop.

The East village __ 1200 E. 11th St.Come visit the 8 artist exhibits (consisting of 20+ artists) within the The East Village, the newest piece by Bercy Chen Studio. The Cuban Dog Gallery, Tiru Gallery, Austin Details Art at the East Village, Kathryn Paige, Loose Collective, Real Gallery, Rebecca Bennett + Eclectic Images Photography, Specht-Harpman

Eclectic Images __ 1200 E. 11th St., Suite 101Eclectic Images will be hosting the art of Rebecca Bennett throughout the E.A.S.T. tour.

taking pictures, some riding bikes. I’m sure there were different reasons for people to have participated in this particular occasion, but to someone just watching, it appeared simply as a unique community genuinely enjoying the opportunity to come together to celebrate. I was fine with that analysis and I enjoyed watching it. I then returned to Xemumba and caught Azul, a beauty with a rich voice hailing from Mexico City. Truly wonderful, and that was my Saturday on the East Side. I would be hard-pressed to find such awesome activities filled with such a wonderful mix of people with such incredible energy within six short blocks all in one glorious afternoon anywhere else in town.

That segues into the East Austin Studio Tour (E.A.S.T.). This year the tour has doubled in size and spread out over two full weekends, because it is THAT COOL. The tour is on the weekends of November 14-15 and 21-22, with workshops and other events taking place during the week. The Studio Tour began in 2003 and is ultimately a self-guided tour that takes you through over 200 galleries, studios, homes and other “venues” that are exhibiting local artists of all genres. Hundreds of people walk or ride bikes and scooters up and down the streets of the East Side while following a well-designed, finely-printed map and a beautiful book showing examples of the art from the artists. There is also music, food and drink to be had. There are clusters in certain neighborhoods of many different exhibits and “happenings” where you can see a multitude of artists all within a few blocks.

There is a fantastic vibration and an excitement on every corner and you will walk away from the experience saying, “Wow, Austin has a really great art scene.” A notable cluster is definitely on 11th Street: BYDEE Art Gallery, an Artist Village of fifteen-plus artists at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, eight different exhibits at The East Village (corner of 11th and Lydia), Staats Photography, Luis Abreux, Tiru Gallery, et al. There will also be music and food at six different locations on 11th.

I intended to write solely about the East Austin Studio Tour (E.A.S.T.) but was inspired to start with a little narrative about the sparklingly sunny, sublimely temperate, wonderfully rich Saturday I recently experienced.

I started with my usual granola at Blue Dahlia Bistro on 11th Street on the front patio, but on this day, the neighborhood was getting a special treat. Across the street was Xemumba, a Latin music festival occurring at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard (next to victory Grill), providing a delicious soundtrack to the day. No matter what time you walked, drove or biked down 11th Street today, your ears were smiling. I don’t know that anyone could see or hear the festivities and not get a warm and fuzzy feeling, tap their foot or just allow a little grin to make its way across their face. I wish this festival, or something like it, occurred every weekend. It was soothing to my soul and it seemed to pump life into every inch of the street. The walls of the buildings seemed a little brighter, the trees a little greener, the air a little crisper. I was pleased to buy some gorgeous copper earrings (thank you, Rene Guest Jewelry) and a tasty lemon agua fresca at the festival.

I then decided to take a drive down to 5th and Comal to see the Dia De Los Muertos parade assembling. On the way, I passed Cheer Up Charlies at the corner of Waller and 6th. This little gem of a trailer-vendor on a large lot within an unpretentious chicken-wire fence serves up delicacies like raw, organic chocolate and fresh coconuts, and features movie nights. Regardless of what it serves, and whether you know the movie reference, the name can’t do anything but make you feel good. To my joy and surprise, today there was an art event with some very cool sculptures and lots of cool people buzzing about. But on to the parade!

The Saltillo Rail Station was teeming with people of all kinds. Some fully decked out in Day of the Dead regalia with extravagant headpieces, some just there to observe, some

toDo austin // november 2009 // toDoaustinonline.com 13

By Blake Shanley

blake shanley and byDee Arts’ brian Joseph From Dia de los Muertos parade

Brandi CowleyAustin Fashion AwardsWinner in Best Women’s Cut

Nominee: Critics Choice Award for Best Hair StylistNominee: Best Men’s CutNominee: Makeup Artists, Best Use of Color

Best Hair Stylist 2009 Rare Magazine

Brandi Cowley is Now at bô salonwww.bosalon.com | www.brandicowley.com

2004 S. Congress Ave | Austin Texas 78704 | 512.448.0060

Brandi CowleyAustin Fashion AwardsWinner in Best Women’s Cut

Nominee: Critics Choice Award for Best Hair StylistNominee: Best Men’s CutNominee: Makeup Artists, Best Use of Color

Best Hair Stylist 2009 Rare Magazine

Brandi Cowley is Now at bô salonwww.bosalon.com | www.brandicowley.com

2004 S. Congress Ave | Austin Texas 78704 | 512.448.0060

The 47th Annual Production of

The NutcrackerChoreography by: Stephen Mills | Music by: Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky

DEC 5- 23 | THE LONG CENTER

Austin’s holiday tradition

Musical Accompaniment by The Austin Symphony

Tchaikovsky takes us to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy as we present Austin’s holiday tradition, The Nutcracker. With the world’s most recognizable music, our 47th annual production continues to bring families together in celebration of Texas’ longest running production of The Nutcracker.

For Tickets:Visit www.balletaustin.org or call 512.476.2163

Chronicles of Undercover Mexican Girl by alexandra M. Landeros

Volume 1.4

Every year on November 11, Americans observe Veterans Day to honor military veterans, particularly those who have served in the United States armed forces. I had always felt detached from this holiday because none of my relatives or close friends had served in the American military. In fact, my great-grandfather on my paternal grandmother’s side, Luis Aguilar, served just prior to the U.S. entering World War I - fighting for Mexico against the Americans.

According to his journal of April, 1914, the U.S. Marines landed in the Port of Veracruz to intercept several German ships transporting weapons to the Mexican federal government, which had been taken through a coup by Victoriano Huerta. It was then that my great-grandfather realized that the American government wanted Venustiano Carranza and his revolutionaries to have control. Luis and his young friends eagerly joined the army because they’d been taught the value of patriotism—same as American children—to love their country first. So off they went to fight under Huerta’s presidency against the invading Americans.

He wrote in his journal, “How lovely it would have been to hear the shout ‘the soldier Luis Aguilar died for his country!’” In Veracruz, as he described it, he could have easily died from the many plagues and diseases brought on by the thick vegetation in the intensely hot, tropical climate. But he never made it to the actual port, and his troops only got as far as the surrounding areas. As he claimed in his journal, had the American troops been ordered to advance further inland from the Port of Veracruz, my great-grandfather would have been one of the first casualties and wouldn’t have been alive to write his stories.

Twelve years later, during the Cristero War (1926-1929), my great-grandfather on my maternal grandmother’s side, Tirso Gurrola, fought as a counter-revolutionary to overthrow President Plutarco Elías Calles, who had strategically aligned himself with the winners of the Mexican Revolution. Calles was deeply atheist, and as a devout Catholic, my great-grandfather fought not for his country, but for his Church. Two years before my grandmother died, I was fortunate to record her memories of her father’s stories.

I learned that, twice, Tirso Gurrola escaped capture and imminent death. The first time, he had been taken in for interrogation. He identified himself with a fictitious name, but still suspecting him, the government officials searched his clothing. Knowing he had his wedding ring in his pocket with his wife’s name engraved—Aurelia Gurrola—he convinced the officials to let him first

use the bathroom before being searched. He hid the ring in a bar of soap while washing his hands.

His second close call occurred when my grandmother’s family decided to temporarily escape Durango. Great-grandmother Aurelia and a brave family friend came up with a scheme to sneak Tirso out of their hacienda in the village of Tapias. They tied him up so that he was compact and lifeless as a pole, wrapped and placed on the back seat floorboard of the car. Aurelia’s brave friend was a strong Mexican American woman from Detroit, and when the government officials asked about the wrapped pole, she explained that she was a photographer from the U.S. and that if they dared un-wrap the package, they would be responsible for the damaged film. Not willing to take the risk, but still skeptical, they kicked the “camera.” Tirso must have made himself stiff as a board because they let Aurelia and her friend go.

Several years ago, I researched the archives of the Mexican Congress and found the following from the November 25, 1926 legislative session (translated): “The 2nd of October, the Chief of Military Operations in the state of Durango communicated that in the town of Santiago Bayacora, a rebel movement had taken place. A gang of approximately one hundred men was led up a nearby mountain by Knight of Columbus, Cristero rebel Tirso Gurrola. [By the end of October, most of the Cristero rebels had been killed or captured and] Gurrola’s rebellion had completely dispersed. Tirso Gurrola had fled and his whereabouts were unknown. In the state of Durango, the Government continues to search for dispersed rebels—the only rebels that remain in the country—with the certainty than in a few days, they will be completely exterminated.” My great-grandfather had indeed fled to the U.S. via Eagle Pass with his wife and two sons (my grandmother and her younger sister fled separately pretending to be the maid’s daughters). They remained until it was safe to return to Mexico. Through the stories passed down in my family, I’ve learned the intimacies of two Mexican wars. But I’ve never had the chance to get a personal perspective from American wars.

Then I came upon a treasure trove of American military history in Austin: the Brigadier General John C. L. Scribner Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry. The museum’s mission is to “tell the story of the Texas Military Forces from 1823 through the present and into the future, support the mission of the Texas Military Forces, honor our veterans, educate our fellow citizens, promote esprit d’corps among the men and women of the Texas Military Forces,

and inspire our youth to serve.” Located on West 35th Street just west of Mopac, the museum resides in Building 6, which was built in 1918 as a mess hall complete with a bakery and kitchen facilities. The exhibition begins with the Texas War for Independence (1835-1836) and extends through all major conflicts, including the 1846 Mexican War.

The Military Forces Museum is slated for a major renovation, but I suggest visiting now while the artifacts are still contained in a plain, unorthodox museum-type setting, to be enjoyed in quiet and solitude. The Museum and its archives house more than 10,000 artifacts, 6,000 books, 20,000 historic photographs, and more than three dozen historic military vehicles and artillery pieces. In my visits to the museum on late Sunday afternoons, we’ve been the only people there a majority of the time.

The upcoming phase I renovations will be structural (roof repairs and electrical upgrade), with the phase II and III renovations targeting aesthetics including new exhibit space. While the later phase renovations will certainly help the museum join the ranks of higher-end museums such as the Blanton and the Bullock, I feel that with too much polish, you lose some of the charming quirks: the creaky floors, the eerie drafts, and the mysterious corners.

War is gritty and complicated, and it’s difficult to absorb its true meaning by reading history books, let alone watching Hollywood movies with romanticized imagery, or viewing spectacularly designed exhibitions. The reality of war cannot be neatly categorized or beautifully displayed. The best presentations of war are the personal accounts, so consider yourself lucky if there are veterans still alive among your family and friends.

15 toDo austin // november 2009 // toDoaustinonline.com

truth & beautyBy Deborah Alys Carter

Q: “Dear Deborah, I’m not afraid to be the first to wear something different in fashion looks. but the issue is how do I make the most of my figure, which is not so slim?”~ Full Figure

A: Dear FF, when you say that you ‘Aren’t afraid to be the first,’ I need to ask, “Why not?” Fashion scares the hell out of me and anyone else who has ever worked in it, and chasing it can be like chasing a paper bag

in a wind storm. You never said whether you’re male or female, whether you crave attention or shy away from it. Flamboyant clothes draw

attention and it doesn’t matter what size you are, so there’s that. But if you want to look fashionable and attractive without being flamboyant, you should probably stay away from flash-of-the moment trends. Decide what your personal style is and the silhouette that looks the best on your body. Keep the basics dark, then spend a lot of color and attention on collars, ties, big earrings clunky jewelry, interesting shirts

and jackets and splurge on great shoes.

Write Deborah at contact@todoaustinpress.com

photo by Shand Walton

Blue Dahlia BISTRO1115 E. 11th St. // 542-9542www.bluedahliabistro.com

East Side PIES1401 Rosewood Ave. // 524-0933www.eastsidepies.com

HOOVER’S Cooking1104 E. 11th St. www.hooverscooking.com

J Kelly’s BBQ900 E. 11th Street // 499-0910http://jkellysbbq.com/

Kenny Dorham’s BACKYARD1106 E. 11th St. // 477-9438www.diversearts.org

LongBranch INN1133 E. 11th St. // 472-5477www.scoot-inn.com

Primize Osteria ITALIAN Cafe & Wine BarPrimizie CATERING//472-92991000 E. 11th St., Suite 150 // 236-0088www.primizieaustin.com

VICTORY Grill1104 E. 11th St. // 472-8669www.historicvictorygrill.org

Bercy Chen STUDIO1111 E. 11th St. Suite 200 // 481-0092www.bcarc.com

BYDEE Art Gallery1050 E. 11th St., Suite 120 // 480-3100www.bydee.com

DiverseARTS902 Juniper St. // 477-9438www.diversearts.org

Door Number 31050 E. 11th St., Suite 250 // 391-1773www.dn3austin.com

ECLECTIC Images Photography1200 E. 11TH St. #101 // 947.7864www.eclecticimagesphotography.com

Paperoot STATIONERY1210 Rosewood Ave //334-9199www.paperoot.com

ProArts COLLECTIVE1009 E. 11th St., Suite 100 // 236-0644www.proartsaustin.org

Shoehorn DESIGN1010 E. 11th St. // 478-4190www.shoehorndesign.com

Staats PHOTOGRAPHY1150 San Bernard Ave. // 473-2277www.peterstaats.com

Studio 1071111 E. 11th St., Suite 100 // 477-9092www.studio107.com

Austin NATURAL Family Medicine1210 Rosewood Ave. // 909-1600www.somavidaaustin.com

Complements by AbramProfessional Hair Designer1101 Navasosta, Suite 2 // 469-940

Eastbound ACUPUNCTURE1210 Rosewood Ave. // 506-1608www.eastboundacupuncture.com0

East Side YOGA1050 E. 11th St.www.eastsideyoga-austin.com

SOMA Vida1210 Rosewood Ave. // 628-1580www.somavidaaustin.com

STYLE Rite Beauty Salon1000 E. 11th St. // 472-5731

Telepathic TATTOO1101 Navasota, Suite 1 // 478-5752

Tim Sample MASSAGE Therapy1210 Rosewood Avenue // 426-0083www.somavidaaustin.com

Car-Nu CARWASH1201 East 11th St. // 494-0023

Harrie’s ANTIQUES1000 E. 11th St. // 322-5147

Ideal SOUL Mart1326 Rosewood Ave. // 320-9929

J & J Drug1131 E. 11th St. // 472-5328

QUICKIE Pickie1208 E. 11th St. // 479-0136

RS FOODS1219 Rosewood Ave. // 320-0082

Snake Eyes VINYL1101 Navasota // 220-7019www.snakeeyesvinyl.com

Trailer Space RECORD Store1401 A Rosewood Ave. // 542-9001www.trailerspacerecords.com

VROOM Scooters1111 E. 11th St. #150 // 524-1455www.vroomscooters.net

Austin REVITALIZATION Authority1105 Navasota St. // 469-1705www.austinrev.org

Balcones RECYCLING1101 E. 11th St. // 472-3355www.balconesresources.com

BiGAUSTIN1050 E. 11th St., Suite 350 // 928-8010www.bigaustin.org

Carver Museum and CULTURAL Center1165 Angelina St. // 974-4926http://ci.austin.tx.us/carver/

ECOXERA 1111 E. 11th St. #100//628-1300www.ecoxera.com

Esperanza DEVELOPMENT1111 E. 11th St., Suite 250//480-9844www.esperanzadev.com

NOKOA-The Observer1154 Angelina St., Suite B // 499-8713www.nokoatheobserver.com

Paradigm ShiftCharles Medearis - Attorney at Law Sandra Ramos Political CONSULTING1200 E. 11th St.

The VILLAGER1223 Rosewood Ave. // 476-0082www.theaustinvillager.com

The historic, diverse, eclectic and rapidly growing

Come see what you didn’t know was right under your nose.EAST END 11th Street - Jazz + Arts District.

EATS + DRINKS + LIVE MUSIC

ARTS + DESIGN + CREATIVES

YOGA + SERVICES + SALONS

STORES + SHOPS + GROCERY

MORE BUSINESSES ‘N SUCH

DEVELOPMENTESPERANZA