African American Cultural and Heritage Facility Opens
at 912 East 11th Street, was home to the family of one of the first freed slaves in Travis County. The house was designated for renovation and expansion to become the African American Visitors Bureau to highlight the history of the culturally rich neighborhood.
The City Council allocated $550,000 of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funds to the Heritage Facility Project. Long-term economic benefits of the project will support the revitalization efforts along East 11th and 12th streets.
The City of Austin’s new African American Cultural and Heritage Facility opens this month with a new building and restoration of the historic Dedrick-Hamilton House. The development of the cultural institution will benefit Austin, not only in terms of culture, diversity, resources, tourism, and activities, but also economically.
The area referred to as the heart of the African American community in East Austin, once hosted some of the most famous rhythm and blues singers at the nearby Victory Grill and was integral in the civil rights movement. The facility will add to this cultural significance with programming for arts, culture and entertainment and will house the Capital City African American Chamber of Commerce that provides services focused on supporting African American businesses citywide. Activities will be scheduled in partnership with the community.
Art in Public Places commissioned artist Reginald Adams to create a mosaic mural for the new facility. “Reflections” depicts several vignettes featuring historical buildings, documents, and a portrait of William Thomas Dedrick, a field laborer thought to have been among the first freed slaves in Travis County and whose former home is now a part of the facility. The mural, approximately 8’ x 25’, also includes portraits of people who made a significant contribution to the advancement of the African American community in Austin.
In 2006, voters supported a General Obligation bond referendum that provided funding to create three cultural facilities for minority populations, Hispanic, Asian, and African American. The Dedrick-Hamilton house, a historic structure
Putting Down Roots: 8th Annual Austin Urban Music Festival By Otis Lopez
The Austin Urban Music Festival is something of a divining rod for the city’s African American music community. That it’s celebrating its eighth anniversary is no small fete for its producers, SoulTree Collective, who have built an outdoor familyoriented event featuring the modern sounds of Black America.
Brandy
Austin Urban Music Festival, headlined this year by Brandy and Anthony Hamilton, promises to hold appeal for both local revelers
Chavez “Si Se Puede!” March People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources hold the annual Cesar E. Chavez March on Saturday, March 23. In honor of one of the most important leaders of the 20th century, marchers commemorate Chavez’s legacy of worker’s rights, civil rights, environmental justice, equality for all, peace, non-violence, and children and women’s rights.
and ecstatic visitors who enjoy its consistent high quality and mix of modern and classic beats. Coinciding with the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, the largest meet in the southwest and first major outdoor relays annually, music and sports fans join athletes from Texas high schools, colleges and universities nationwide, as approximately 40-60,000 people descend on the city. Brandy headlines Friday, March 29, at Auditorium Shores. Her distinctive sound is characterized by her unique timbre, voice-layering, throaty riffs and beat-driven R&B. Having sold 30 million records worldwide, her collection of hits for Epic and RCA Records include, “What About Us?,” “Full Moon,” and “Put It Down.” The Grammy Award winning Anthony Hamilton, headlining Saturday, March 30, possesses an
Starting at Terrazas Library (1105 E. Cesar Chavez) at 10 a.m. and ending at Austin City Hall Plaza (301 W. Cesar Chavez Street), the event offers an opportunity for families to get involved and learn about helping the community. Featured speakers, music and entertainment will be on hand at the conclusion of the march. Participants may bring their own signs or purchase flags from PODER. For more info see poder-texas.org
arresting voice which has made him a favorite staple on the scene since 2003. A consummate performer, the R&B singer-songwriter and record producer rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album, “Comin’ from Where I’m From,” in 2003. Today, he is still captivating audiences around the world as his records climb the charts. Gates open at 3 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. Tickets ($25 Friday, $30 Saturday) are available in Austin at Mr. Catfish and More Restaurant (1144 Airport Blvd. #220), Legendary Cuts (4700 Loyola Lane), Cal’s Beauty Supply (3404 Oak Springs Rd.), Cal’s Beauty Salon (7112 Ed Bluestein Blvd., #135), and Double D Grocery (4501 East M.L.K.). For more info, go to austinurbanmusicfestival.com.
Austin’s Musical March for Peace Organizers of the annual Million Musician’s March for Peace on March 16 say the purpose of the event is to build toward a mass movement for peace and equal rights worldwide.
to the memory of Nick Travis, co-founder of Million Musician’s March for Peace. The public is invited and encouraged to bring instruments and make some noise. Find more info at instrumentsforpeace.org
Speakers and noted Austin song-slingers perform on the south steps of the State Capitol from 1–3 p.m., then march with instruments down to City Hall by way of East 7th St., through the heart of SXSW on 6th St., arriving on Willie Nelson Blvd. for a 4 p.m. concert featuring Guy Forsyth, Carolyn Wonderland and others. With the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, the directors are dedicating this year’s march
04 TODO Austin // March 2013 // TODOAustin.com
Anthony Hamilton
Million Musicians March | Photo: Chavez March