Austin's Virtu

Virtù [austin’ s

1|Austin’s Virtu| Issue 1

` [Virtu] Knowledge or Expertise in fine arts

Front and back cover photo courtesy of Marianna Tijerina and Lilian Holland Issue 1 |Austin’s Virtu| 2

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The Austin skyline as the Bat Cruises embark. Image courtesy of Geoff Duncan

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Table of

Contents 06

Letter from the Editors

08

Preserving Austin’s Oddness

12

Create Austin

14

From Farm to Community

18

How to DecorCAKE

20

Connections Across Sound Waves

24

What Genre of Music Should You Listen To?

28

What Dance Preformance Should You See?

30

A Modern Way

36

Acting in Austin

40

Script to Stage End

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Meet The Editors

Darlene Lai Hi, I’m Darlene Lai. I’m a freshman at LASA who enjoys music. I am in marching band and play percussion.

I also enjoys playing tennis, reading books, watching TV and hanging out with my friends. While I didn’t really know anything about cooking at the beginning of the semester, I have since gained lots of invaluable knowledge.

Dhiya Dhandapani Hi, this is Dhiya! I’m always looking for ways to get involved in theatre in Austin, and writing this article provided a great way to explore more into that community.

You should check out all the theatres and film festivals that you can to support the cool creative community we have going. Thanks for reading!

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Thanks For Reading Maddy Cisneros Hey, it’s Maddy here!! I’m a freshman at LASA who enjoys binge-watching Netflix, hanging out with friends and listening to country music. I chose to write the music portion of our magazine because for me, music has always helped me get through rough or even happy times and one of my favorite things is being able to find new music. I wanted to try to capture the Austin music scene from all different angles and give everyone who is passionate about music a chance to share their story. I hope you enjoy our magazine!!!

Lily Holland That’s me. The blonde girl looking the other way with the ribbon. Yeah, it’s a weird picture. Sorry. Thanks for (presumably) reading this magazine. If you just skipped to the part your kid made, that is is also fine.

This magazine was fun to make, and your kids are all super nice (at this point, I am assuming only the parents are reading this). I wrote with a focus on art because (a) art is pretty cool (b) I don’t know anything about any other type of fine art and (c) everything else was already taken, except food (sorry darlene).

Marianna Tijerina Hi! It’s Marianna,. I like to dance, run and play the guitar. I also like spending time outdoors, hanging out with my family and friends, and working on a bunch of random projects. I’ve been dancing for 12 years which is what inspired me to write about dance. I have been absorbed in dance since a very young age and have a strong passion for it. I love the choreographic aspect and the element of communication it gives people, as sometimes it is able to communicate things words can’t.

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Preserving Austin’s

ODDNESS [By Lily Holland] A diverse Austin community that is working hard to preserve the oddness, curiosity and culture of local art and artists.

Amongst the soaring skyscrapers and burning heat of the Austin landscape, flourishes an artistic community ripe with color, culture and a bright, alternative type of creativity. Odd things find a simple type of belonging here. From secretive murals to new-age tattoos, to swirling paintings and emotional jewelry.

After decades with funky art and strange sculptures, the growing city is losing it’s weird touch. The art community isn’t taking this loss laying down.

(above) The Austin skyline is always changing and growing. Taken in 2017, the city is already full of new buildings.

Photo Courtesy of Lily Holland

(above) Austin from a distance. The skyline is constantly changing.

Photo Courtesy of Lily Holland

(above) A ciy staple for decades, the HOPE Outdoor gallery is being relocated and recycled to make way for new buildings.

Photo Courtesy of Lily Holland

“A lot of people are losing touch with [what] the traditional, old Austin, [what it] used to be.”

A

ustin has always been a pillar of community and artistic talent. Many local nonprofits work to ensure that the sense of closeness and curiosity remains in the town even as it is expanding to become a modern metropolis.

People are given the opportunity to explore their city and experience Austin at the height of its weirdness and creativity with such programs as the Austin studio tours.

Local artists are invited to display and sell their art. This allows unknown artists to gain visibility and patrons. With increased artists, the community is strengthened, but competition also increases.

Many people are working to preserve Austin’s art and culture for years to come, as well as providing up-and-coming artists with means to turn their passion into a career.

“With Austin growing at the pace that it is... it’s becoming this tech center... a lot of people are losing touch with [what] the traditional, old Austin, [what it] used to be,” Oliver Spade, a spokesperson for Big Medium, said. Spade has worked with Big Medium, a non-profit started in the 80s since September 2018.

“I saw their mission, what they do… letting people really be engaged locally, really being appreciative of the things that make the art community,” Spade said.

Big Medium works to preserve the values and community of classic, odd Austin.

The bi-annual studio tours are an important facet of the Austin community and persist throughout the changes in the city. Thousands of people move to Austin every year and that is shown throughout the city.

There are more skyscrapers, more traffic, more people and the city is losing the creative sense and purpose that makes Austin “weird.”

The tours, Spade believes, show the strangeness of Austin and encourage newcomers to explore and understand the city they have moved to. “A lot of people are coming to the city, and seeing something that lets them explore and meet new people helps them adjust,” she said.

As the tours are a valuable way to gain customers and continue making art, getting in is very important.

“Usually, somebody knows somebody who knows somebody,” local artist Brenda Armistead said. “It helps to know people.”

She has participated in the tours for six years and works in other galleries and shows as well. In order to get into these exclusive events, she recommended networking, making friends and bragging.

“They’ll remember you” she said. “When they have an opportunity, they will tell you.”

Certainly this has worked for Armistead, the self-stylized “Granny Goodfish” as she is known on Etsy and online.

“It used to be a lot about community, a lot about encouraging weirdness, the oddballs and the people who might be on the fringes of society, inclusive of all those things,” Spade said.

Big Medium encourages the “Granny Goodfish” of the world to pursue a more creative life. Recent programs support new artists trying to make a career.

“We really try and promote inclusivity here, we just see people appreciate all the different things that are coming out of Austin... people who previously had no idea things like this are happening,” Spade said.

This is especially important for Sarah Sheppard, a recent Austin citizen and muralist.

She moved to Austin to experience a more available art scene.

“I like very graphiclooking images, a lot of black lines and bright colors,” Sheppard said.

“The biggest one I ever did was over by Dripping Springs, 125 feet long.”

Her huge pieces add life and movement to the Austin landscape and attract more artists to the area.

As a muralist, Sheppard has to work with her clients to create a piece that fits the space. “We start with planning. Then concepts... then I go a step

“It used to be a lot about community, a lot about encouraging weirdness, the oddballs and the people who might be on the fringes of society” (below) Brenda Armistead, an Austin potter, has begun to branch out int sculpture. . Armistead has lived in Austin for decades and has witnessed the changes in real time.

Photo Courtesy of Brenda Armistead

further and make it larger scale.”

Her work creates valuable bonds between Austinites and strengthens the community. This is especially important as the city becomes more mechanical and loses the artistic scene.

Originally from Dallas, Sheppard moved to a small town in Florida.

There was nothing to the scale of the studio tours that take place twice a year. The studio tours and similar programs attract aspiring artists to the city.

While Sheppard had lived in Austin for a couple of years, Armistead has lived in the city since the seventies. “[It was] a tiny little, dirt-cheap apartment,” she said. “I would literally pay $85 a month for a room, you are not going to find that anywhere in the south [of] town now,” she said.

Back then, ACC did not have an art degree and making a viable career in art was very difficult.

“As time went on, I met a nice guy and got married and had a family,” Armistead said, adding how she took a job in manufacturing. “That was my thing, but I always wanted to do art,” she said.

After her kids grew up, Armistead decided it was time to get back in the game.

“I took a class at Feats of Clay. And... it was off to the races after that,” she said. “I took out my credit card, I ordered a wheel and a kiln. Everybody thought I lost my mind.”

The artistic community in Austin has always been strong and it relies on inspired people like Armistead and Sheppard to keep it alive. New artists are needed to keep the scene thriving and dedicated people like

“Be patient with life.

Because when the time comes, when there is room in your life to pursue art...you will be ready.”

Spade are trying to provide ways for them to start a career in such a difficult industry.

“Big Medium has started programs to support up-and-coming artists... to turn their passion into a career,” Spade said.

While it may be difficult to get started in the artistic community, Armistead advised aspiring artists to keep collecting supplies and creating new pieces.

“If you have to take a day job, don’t despair,” Armistead said. “Keep scratching, keep pecking at your art. Be patient with life. Because when the time comes, when there is room in your life to pursue art, and you will be ready.”

Not everyone is interested in taking a day job though and creating a stable career from a creative passion is daunting for all young artists. “[Big Medium] is dedicated... to providing resources in accessibility for [artists] within Austin,” Spade said.

This is designed to inspire the younger generation to pursue a more creative life path. So far, the program seems to be a success.

Support for Austin’s artistic community is valued, and a fun way to support is the Studio Tours. The 2019 dates have already been scheduled. The East Austin Tours will be in November, on the weekends of the 16 and 17, as well as the 23

and 24. West Austin Studio Tours will be held earlier, in May, on the weekend of the 11 and 12, and the 18 and 19. For more information, visit them at bigmedium.org.

(below) One of the many groups working to expand and preserve art, Laguna Gloria hosts seasonal exhibitions celebrating local artists and expanding communities.

The statue was mad e e to repersent a cartoon character.

Photo Courtesy of The Contemporary Austin

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[By Lily Holland]

Create Austin [a guide to

Finding

your

N W E s

creative

side]

[CafE Monet]

Are you looking for somewhere cozy to relax with friends and get your creative side on? Cafe Monet is the place for you! Cozy up with a warm drink to paint a mug, or cool down with a refreshing juice and some aqua glaze. Regardless, this establishment is a great place to paint some pottery.

Vist them at cafemonet.org

[uncommon objects]

Everyone feels a bit creatively drained every once and a while, and there is no better place to get inspired than this quaint Austin establishment. Packed to the brim with curiosities and strangeness, this place is great to inspire your next piece. For hours, check uncommonobjects.com

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[Jerry’s artarama]

For the more relaxed, at home artist , visit Jerry’s Artarama. This store has everything: rainbow paint, canvas, classes and a great Austin location. Full of life and Austin culture, this store is sure to get you in the creative mood. Vist them at jerrysartarama.com.

Water Hills Roads

[Smudge Studios]

Smudge Studios, located on 38th Street, is an Austin based art studio that focuses on creativity and curiosity.

Patrons will enjoy a technique called splatter-painting, which is great for parties. More infromation can be found at smudgestudiosaustin.com.

[Laguna Gloria]

This place has double the art. Not only is the campus a stunning outdoor gallerly located on the lake, the historic lands offer a wide vareity of art classes througout the year. With class for both adults and childern, everyone can find something they love.

More infromation at thecontemporaryaustin.org

[Austin Tinkering School] If you are looking for a more relaxed, vibe, look no further than the Austin tinkering school. Fun, creative and Austin-only, the tinkering school has all your artistic needs. Offering a variety of camps throughout the year, its sure to be a blast. Book a class at austintinkeringschool.com

[Hope outdoor] [gallery] Austin’s beloved HOPE Outdoor Gallery is moving to a new location this year.

Carson Creek Ranch will now be the new host of the graffiti park. Find out more about the move at hopecampaign.org

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Farm community From Farm to

When people talk about the food culture within Austin, they think tacos, food trucks and Tex-Mex, but there is so much more to the food scene than people realize.

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W By darlene lai

alking through the vibrant greenery and into the dimly lit room filled with chatter, it doesn’t feel like your average restaurant, and Casa de Luz is anything but that. “It’s really a community center. An educational, experiential community center. People learn just by doing, so it’s really powerful,” Eduardo Longoria, the organizer of Casa de Luz, said.

Austin is filled with a variety of farm-totable establishments like Casa de Luz, which are places that get their ingredients from local farms in Austin. Each location has their own unique style and flavor as well as their own goals, accomplishments and backstories. Eden East for example manages their own farm, supplying both themselves and other restaurants. Other places like Emmer and Rye and L’Oca d’Oro buy fresh produce from local farmers and make sure their staff are under healthy and equal opportunities.

This includes prioritizing mental health and providing stable incomes instead of relying on tips.

Despite the many distinct operating

methods, together, each restaurant contributes to Austin’s community in their own unique way.

“There’s been lots of difficulties.

We started out doing farm-to-table in 2007 right when people didn’t really understand what the concept was here in Austin…

It was a gradual thing that developed into something that I really believed in that helps the local economy, relationships and friendships within the food community,” Sonya Cote, owner of Eden East, said.

While each individual’s experience is different, in general, there are many struggles involved with creating a farmto-table restaurant.

“Difficulties, from raising capital to stabilizing capital to the goodwill from guests and staff to sourcing ingredients,” Fiore Tedesco, co-owner of L’Oca d’Oro, said, “We change everything as needs to be changed in order to respond to what’s available.”

There are decisions that have to be made regarding how the restaurant is structured and run and what things have to be sacrificed.

Furthermore,

physical obstacles like the well-known temperamental Texas seasons can impact the growth of crops and prevent restaurants from getting their ingredients. However, many restaurants have been able to overcome these challenges and have begun giving back to the community.

The location of one of Austin’s most popular places to get vegan food, Casa de Luz, is not a restaurant.

“This is a nonprofit,” Longoria said.

“In other words, there’s no ownership.”

Longoria’s nontraditional way of running Casa de Luz has allowed the community to enjoy healthy food easily and learn about the food that they eat.

“If anyone wants to learn here, we give it away,” he said. The organization has been very open with their knowledge and is happy to educate people who are interested.

Casa de Luz began, ironically, as an abandoned meat packing plant.

“It was pretty horrible, but it had a lot of potential,” Longoria said.

Longoria and his partner Maryann set to

Fresh produce grown at and by Eden East. Photo courtesy of Ben Lai.

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“There’s no tipping, and we do that to enrich and protect our staff to make more stable incomes and livelihoods in a way that’s more progressive than typical hospitality.”

The vibrant entrance to Casa de Luz. Photo courtesy of Darlene Lai. The cooks at Casa de Luz preparing fresh produce. Photo courtesy of Casa de Luz.

Tim Welch, the chef de cuisine at Emmer and Rye. Photo courtesy of Emmer and Rye.

“You don’t see labels because a carrot is just a carrot. Squash is just a squash. It doesn’t require a label or a list of ingredients.”

A dish from Emmer and Rye. Photo courtesy of Julia Keim.

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The contemporary interior of L’Oca d’Oro. Photo courtesy of Ben Lai.

work on remodeling, and after a year, they began serving food. Based on the building’s appearance today, Longoria and Maryann were definitely able to fulfill that potential.

While it started as a small place for people to dine, Casa de Luz has evolved into a place where “people can sit together doing the most important part of our day, which is to nourish our [bodies],” Longoria said.

The social aspect of dining has really blossomed at Casa de Luz; sitting down at the restaurant, it was clear that Longoria managed to establish connections with many of the diners. He was able to greet many of his customers by name and started conversations like a professional.

The dishes at Casa de Luz are delicious, but simple, in order to capture the true essence of natural food. In addition, the cooks don’t use recipes.

Instead, they rely on their natural instinct to create food that is flavored

“It’s actually on a five-acre, working farm, where you can literally go see where your food is growing and then sit down and eat it.” just the right amount, created from allnatural ingredients.

“You look in the kitchen, you don’t see anything fancy; you don’t see packages, you don’t see a list of ingredients, you don’t see labels because a carrot is just a carrot,” Longoria said. “Squash is just a squash.

It doesn’t require a label or a list of ingredients.” The simple elegance of 100% organic food is something that all farm-to-table restaurants share, setting them apart from other places to eat.

Eden East is another one of Austin’s farm-to-table locations, created and owned by Sonya Cote. What makes Eden East unique from even other farmto-table restaurants is that “it’s actually on a five-acre, working farm, where you can literally go see where your food is growing and then sit down and eat it,” Cote said.

Allowing people to understand the effort and hard work put into growing

the ingredients within their food makes them appreciate and enjoy what they have. In addition, Cote said there is a factor of safety in that if recalls on romaine lettuce occurs, you know exactly where your food is coming from.

Therefore, not only are people able to explore the roots of the ingredients within their meals, but they can also ensure the quality of the produce.

L’Oca d’Oro, or The Golden Goose, is an Italian-style farm-to-table restaurant run by Fiore Tedesco and his partner Adam Orman. “[The] ideology of how we source ingredients, the relationships we have with the people that grow the ingredients, raise the ingredients that we use at the restaurant, [are] the only [ways] that we want to be attached to food,” Tedesco said.

With this in mind, the pair have created a place where people can enjoy nutritious dishes of fresh cheeses, bread and pasta.

“We make the kitchen basically brand new every day, all the ingredients [start] from zero… and go to finished products. Most of those products are cooked a la minute, right before the person is about to eat them,” Tedesco said.

The innovation involved with cooking new dishes every day is both negative and positive. The reason Tedesco gives for both the benefits and detriments is that chefs have to be creative every day as they face the daunting and sometimes tedious task of blending swirls of flavors together so they can create foods that are not only tasty but aesthetically pleasing as well.

Like artists, chefs have to express themselves through their craft, which in their case, is food. And like any artist, there will be times where you just can’t be imaginative or come up with new things on the spot. However, there are also times where you can create amazing and exciting new things. Art is unpredictable, and culinary arts is no different.

L’Oca d’Oro is unique not just in how they cook but how they treat their employees.

“There’s no tipping, and we do that to enrich and protect our staff to make more stable incomes and livelihoods in a way that’s more progressive than typical hospitality,” Tedesco said.

This way of providing a salary allows for there to be less discrimination or inequality in how much is given in a tip and provides a steadier source of income for the staff members.

Another restaurant, Emmer and Rye, shares the same concern of wellbeing for its staff.

“We do realize that mental health is definitely something that is important in this industry, so we always make sure to watch out for each other and take care of each other. If anyone feels like they’re slipping their head underwater, then we make sure to pick them up,” Tim Welch, the chef de cuisine, said.

The restaurant considers its employees as one big family, where the “older siblings” will train and support the “younger siblings” to ensure that everyone is comfortable with their jobs, allowing Emmer and Rye to provide the best service possible.

Additionally, Emmer and Rye cares deeply for the Austin community as a whole.

“It’s our privilege and our prerogative to be able to support the community that has supported us so much. When you achieve a level of success you have to be able to give back to that. We donate to charities and do events for charities, bringing us back to one of our basic functions which is supporting only local businesses in Texas,” Welch said.

Like Emmer and Rye, each restaurant has impacted and contributed to the Austin culture in more than one way, whether it’s providing a healthy method of dining or treating the staff in anequal and sympathetic manner.

However, all farm-to-table restaurants share a common characteristic. They have not only a big

“You have to plant a seed to grow a big tree, so we’re just planting seeds.” impact on the community, but “a big impact on the world. You have to plant a seed to grow a big tree, so we’re just planting seeds,” Longoria said.

These seeds are representative of concepts like healthy eating, being supportive of local farms, aiding those in need and even promoting social justice. Farm-to-table restaurants do a great deal for the city, so in return, consider going to one of these restaurants and planting some seeds.

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How to

DECORCAKE A seven step tutorial on Cake decorating

1 Next, cut the curved parts off of your cake so that instead of a dome, the cake has a cylindrical shape.

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First, make sure your cake is cool before decorating. Otherwise, the bread will tear and the frosting will make a mess.

2 Then, apply the crumb coat. This is a thin layer of frosting spread across all visable surfaces of the cake.

Chill the cake by putting it in a refridgerator until it feels firm. Check on the cake after about 10 to 20 minutes.

5 Now for the fun part. Fill a piping bag with buttercream and make patterns!

7

4

Afterwards, apply another layer of frosting around the cake. Be thorough so that only frosting can be seen.

6 Finally, enjoy your beautifully decorated cake!

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Austinites enjoy a free concert at the monthly summer event, Blues on the Green.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Parker

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Connections Across

[Sound waves] A glance into how live music shapes Austin’s culture and community [By Maddy Cisneros]

T

he “live music capital” is what most people know Austin as, but when you step into the music community in this bustling city, you realize it is much more than that. Artists with an undying passion for what they do. Audiences who chant and cheer and sing along to the fast-paced lyrics without hesitation.

Strangers who become friends through a similar taste in musical artists or songs. But more than that, sound waves that have the power to bring a unique group of people together to create an unforgettable community.

Austin’s live music is one of its most distinguished characteristics but what some people may not realize is the connection that is made through the live music in Austin. There are so many incredibly talented artists who bring musical diversity and culture to Austin.

Many can be seen at local festivals such as Austin City Limits, South by Southwest and Blues on the Green.

These events, along with the local music industry, through its many forms, provides these artists and audiences alike opportunities to form strong connections through the music, creating the unique culture that it is well-known for.

One of the many ways that Austin’s music reaches its audience is through its local radio stations. Radio has the power to reach many different types of people while allowing them to all connect by hearing and relating to the same music which undoubtedly makes it a great way to spread music and information.

“You might kinda like a song and then you’re gonna tell your friends that you like a song and maybe add it to a playlist or it gets added to a spotify playlist and people start discovering it, but until that song gets on the radio it’s not a true massive hit just yet.” Emily Parker, program director of KGSR, said.

“It might start to get popular and people start to stream it or watch it on YouTube but once it hits the radio station everybody knows it, we’re talking about

my little niece who’s four up through my grandma who’s 92.”

Even though Parker has a behind the scenes role regarding the music in Austin, she is still able to take part in the connection made between the listeners and artists. “There’s this statistic out there that says about 93% of Americans listen to the radio at least once a week, so you think about, okay 93% of people, that’s almost everybody that I have a chance to connect with,” Parker said.

“So, when I get on the air it’s kind of exciting to think about so many people, not just here in Austin, but that could be listening across the country online or through a radio app, can hear me.”

For local musicians such as Zachary Ritchie, the live music in Austin is a way to keep the culture and true passion for music alive in the bustling city.

“Personally, I believe that music is one of the most consistent representations of culture and it’s really easy for human culture to become like everything else in our lives, monetized and bought and sold and I think if you care about music and you’re passionate about it, I kind of feel like it’s your responsibility to keep that part of the human race alive,” Ritchie said.

Live performances are a huge part of Austin’s culture. Austin promises daily live music of all genres and sub groups.

“When you just go out on a Friday night to any club or restaurant or gig and it’s a band you’ve never seen before, you can pretty much be promised they’re gonna be great because there’s such a high bar, a high standard for musicianship in Austin,” Parker said.

One thing that is incredibly important to the environment of live events is the energy and passion of the music brought by the audience.

“There’s a lot of energy that’s created when you perform music, especially in a live setting. There’s a lot of emotions that are kind of flying

around and there’s a lot of different feelings that people feel,” Ritchie said.

“You want to reach people through creating different sounds and that’s a really difficult thing to do, so whenever you get a reaction, especially a positive one from the crowd, it goes a long way.”

Not only are live performances an unforgettable experience for the listeners, but they also help the artist connect and visualize their audience and create an unmatched environment in which they continue the cycle of forming connections.

“There’s something that nothing else can match, when you’re standing at a venue and you have these speakers on you and literally your body can feel sound waves because [of] physical vibrations in the air,” Ritchie said. “You can actually feel the music. I think that’s why a lot of people do it, they want to connect with people in a way they normally can’t or they just want to express themselves and if someone agrees with that effort and self-

Local musician, Leon Bridges, perfoming at Austin’s Dell Music Lounge Photo Courtesy of Emily Parker

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“Personally, I believe that music is one of the most consistent representations of culture and it’s really easy for human culture to become like everything else in our lives, monetized and bought and sold and I think if you care about music and you’re passionate about it, I kind of feel like it’s your responsibility to keep that part of the human race alive.”

-Zachary Ritchie

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expression, it’s very uplifting, it’s true outlet for expression and passion. very positive.”

“When you have...multiple people The venues where these live music working together on one thing, it really performances are held are just as starts to [become a true art], taking important as they add an element of everybody’s perspective and ideas into emotion to the artists they host. Tyson play really makes it the best that it can Swindell, the manager of live music be,” Joswick said. venue and bar, Mohawk, finds that the Musicians who are able to create art feeling given by his venue forms an that they are proud of and that people entirely new energy and creates an experience which leads to Local performer at summer music festival a strong bond between the series, Blues on the Green performer and the audience.

“It feels closer to a 300 Photo Courtesy of Emily Parker capacity venue and that’s the really unique thing about it is you can get so close to the can relate artist and have to is what such a good makes view from the so many

vantage points,” Swindell said.

Even the production and recording of music in Austin adds an element of personality and cooperation to the musical atmosphere. Nick Joswick, the manager of local recording studio, Fifth Street Studios, finds that connection abounds when artists are able to make their vision a reality and collaborate with someone who has the same passion.

music important and a foundation to build a culture

upon.

“My favorite thing about what I do would be, I think, being able to help artists achieve their vision and achieve their goals by taking what ideas they have in their head and making them into an actual reality, in to a tangible thing that you can hear and listen to and take and People from all around Austin fill up Zilker Park during a show other people,” concert which is part of Blues on the Green Joswick said.

Another one Photo Courtesy of Emily Parker of the unique and exciting things that Austin’s music scene “I don’t get that as much has to offer is its wide variety in live in other places, the desire music festivals, including ACL, SXSW and the willingness to and Blues on the Green. The live music create stuff with other festivals allow everyone in Austin, people and that’s no matter what genres of music they where music starts to follow, the chance to have a whole really open up and new experience in regards to music become really and opens their eyes to the musical interesting,” environment being built around them.

Joswick said.

Each festival brings something different The to the Austin music scene. collaboration of KGSR happens to be the creator of artists with different the popular monthly festival, Blues on tastes and sounds the Green, an ongoing event that Parker brings musical diversity is involved with. into the music, making it a “I think the magic of it is that, first

Mohawk, a local music venue hosts performer Sunflower Bean during SXSW. Photo Courtesy of Matt Jumper of all, it’s free so you don’t have to pay for a ticket to go and second of all, it’s all Austin music so it’s gonna be a band that is from [here], which is cool,” Parker said. “So, instead of just becoming a concert, it becomes kind of like a place to hang out and discover new music, that’s what I love about it.”

Another popular Austin music festival is ACL, which is a more mainstream festival that invites people from not only Austin, but all over the world, audience and performers alike.

It definitely portrays a different energy than Blues on the Green.

“We try to kinda recreate that feeling when you’re at ACL and you walk, ...through the festival there’s eight different stages, you might walk by one stage and it’s bluegrass right? Then you walk by the next stage and it’s Drake, and then you walk by the next stage and it’s the Lumineers,” Parker said. “It’s just all over the place, so we kinda try to create that feeling of musical discovery like you’re just walking through and you’re just never quite sure what you’re gonna hear.”

SXSW is another notable music festival, and it not only serves as an opportunity for local musicians to connect with their audience but also allows businesses and other venues to get exposure and connect with their community.

“SXSW affords a lot of local talent the opportunity to play a lot,” Ritchie said. “It’s real easy if you’ve established yourself as a member of the community to get work during SXSW, it may not be glamorous, but it’s work and you’re putting your name out there, it’s notoriety.”

Not only does SXSW boost the musical connection within the city, but it

is also a huge contributor to supporting

“I don’t get that as much in other places, the desire and the willingness to create stuff with other people and that’s where music starts to really open up and become really interesting is when you have... multiple people working together on one thing, it really starts to [become a true art], taking everybody’s perspective and ideas into play really makes it the best that it can be.”

-Nick Joswick

and boosting local businesses.

“They bring a lot of revenue to the city, a lot of revenue to small business owners,” Joswick said. “SXSW is our busiest week of the year, every year, or busiest two weeks really, just because there’s such an influx of people coming in from out of town that it helps the whole economy of the city grow and become more vibrant.”

While Austin is undoubtedly the “live music capital of the world,” it is much more than musical talent that makes it popular. Its music provides everyone within the community a chance to connect not only the music and artist performing, but also to everyone around them listening to the same music. Music is the piece that connects all of Austin together. “Live music and making art in general is a community building exercise, [bringing] people together to share experiences and to make experiences and to perform art and create art,” Swindell said.

The soundboard used to record and create music at local recording studio, 5th Street Studios Photo Courtesy of Maddy Cisneros

23|Austin’s Virtu| Issue 1

What Genre of Music Should You Listen to?

By Maddy Cisneros

Drums or Piano?

Lyrics or No lyrics?

No lyrics

Lyrics Drums

Love song or Hype Song?

Hype song

Love Song

With or without headphones?

Who do you listen With? with headphones

By Myself

Issue 1 |Austin’s Virtu| 24

With Friends or family

To relax TO

To Jam out

classical

Why do you listen to music?

R&B Piano

Smooth Beats or loud beat drops?

Rap/Hip-Hop Loud beat drops

Without headphones No TO

Smooth beats

Pop

Country

25|Austin’s Virtu| Issue 1

photo courtosy of AutoWare

Issue 1 |Austin’s Virtu| 26

Art

is the highest form of hope.

[Gerhard Richter] 27|Austin’s Virtu| Issue 1

Photo courtesy of Bicking Photography

Which one should you see?

Da n c e

Performances Quiz

By: Marianna Tijerina Quiz Answers: Pg.

1. What is your favorite

3. How would you describe your

style of dance to watch? a) Ballet b) Modern c) Acrobatic d) Jazz/ Musical Theater e) I don’t have one

personality? a) thoughtful b) deep c) bubbly d) funny e) optimistic

2. How old is your soul? a) I’m an old soul! b) I’m a young adult. c) I’m a teenager. d) I’m still a kid! e) I’m an adult.

4.What type of movies do you like

5. Are you involved with the arts?

to watch? a) Romantic b) Coming of Age Films c) Action Films d) Drama e) I don’t care

a) I like art. b) I’m practically an artist! c) Eh, I’ve seen some stuff. d) I have literally no experience. e) I am an artist!

Photo courtesy of ballethub.com

6. How long would you stay to watch

Photo courtesy of UT Dance Department

a dance performance? a) More than two hours b) One hour and thirty minutes c) One hour d) Thirty minutes e) Two hours Photo courtesy of Blue Lapis Light

8. Do you want to experience

7. Do you like new and innovative

something deep or personal things? with this dance performance? a) Not really, I like to stick to the a) Why not. classics. b) Yes, please! b) Yeah, they are so intriguing! c) Eh, not really. c) Yeah, sure. d) No. Please no. d) Only to a certain extent. e) Sure! e) Duh. Photo courtesy of the Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company

A Modern Dancers from the company Arcos performing in the Austin Dance Festival.

By: Marianna Tijerina

Way

Photo Courtesy:: Austin Dance Festival

A look into the Austin modern dance community, and how modern dance has become one of the most expressive art forms of the century.

31|Austin’s Virtu| Issue 1

L

isa Nicks wanted to run like a pony. Dance like a pony. Live wild and free, putting her full self into everything she did. Her movement sweeps and throws, leaps and bounds, diving straight into the hearts of her audience. She doesn’t just receive a reaction full of gasps and aw-inspired praise for her athleticism, she also digs deep into the heart of the human soul and allows her audience to experience something purely emotional.

The Austin modern dance community is made up of a lot of different companies and studios, each one containing a unique aspect that contributes to the community as a whole. Although they all have different styles, they all use modern dance to convey the story that they are trying to tell. Modern dance was first founded by Isadora Duncan in the early twentieth century and was created as a rebellion of everything ballet-related. Even though many other important figures in the dance scene also contributed to this new movement, such as Loie Fuller and Ruth St. Denis, Isadora Duncan is largely credited as the mother of modern dance because of her ability to inspire many people to adopt the art form.

“I think what makes modern dance so unique is the individuality,” Kathy Dunn Hamrick, the founder of The Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company said.

“That, and the expression. You know, if you look at ballet, you would recognize ballet all over the world because there’s a set vocabulary that’s manipulated, but in modern, people want to choreograph because they want to move a certain way or express a certain thing, and the possibilities are just endless. So you can go to one modern concert and see one thing and go to another modern concert and see another; it really just depends on the perspective and the values of that particular choreographer.”

Kathy Dunn Hamrick has used modern dance throughout her entire life to allow herself the freedom to create purely from her soul, which is something she deeply values. She also is the founder of the Austin Dance Festival, Austin’s most popular showcase of local modern dance from around the community. She has also grown

Issue 1 |Austin’s Virtu| 32

to love modern not only from a choreographer’s standpoint, but also from the standpoint of a dancer.

“I like is the use of weight and gravity that you defy [in] ballet, but in modern you really embrace; so I love the act of swinging or dropping or falling and rebounding,” Hamrick said. “It feels very--I wish I could think of a better word than fun. But it’s athletic, it’s almost dangerous. I enjoy that kind of excitement of the unknown; of pushing so far that you just hope you can catch yourself this next time.”

Ballet has always enforced very strict rules regarding technique and movement quality, so modern was used by many dancers as a way to explore a different way of moving that gave them the ability to do things that had never been done before. For Lisa Nicks, Photo credit: modern gave her a way to incorporate her spine

I enjoY that kind of excitement of the unknown; of pushinG so far that you just hope you can catch yourself this nexT time.”

LajaMartin

LAJAMARTIN, a group that performed this year in the Austin Dance Festival

into her dancing, which allowed her to develop her own unique style.

“I don’t know if I just like the use of the spine, or if that was trained into me,” Nicks, founder of Lisa Nicks and her Band of Wild Ponies said. “But the expression internally and externally that comes from the manipulation of the spine, and the understanding of spiraling and the use of all directions... so if you look at other forms of dance and sport, it’s very sideways or front/ back, even gymnastics, and through the years, it’s gotten very up and down,

yes. You’re not going through all of these planes that provide, not only I think, an interesting visual experience, but particularly an exciting and scary experience for the dancer.”

For many dancers and choreographers, modern can serve as anything from an expressive tool to an athletic form of dance with an incredible sense of exhilaration and danger. It can also serve as a communication tool for certain aspects of life that can’t be described using words.

“Because I think for me, it became my

Photo credit: Austin dacne festiva

Dancers performing in THe austin dance festival in 2017.

language,” Cheryl Chaddick, founder of The Chaddick Theater said. “Dance became my words.

And I think dance can express things that there’s there are no words to express.”

Many ordinary people also enjoy watching modern dance in all of its forms, which is why the Austin Dance Festival is such a popular event that represents the Austin community as a whole very well.

“So I think there’s a real sense of community behind Austin Dance Festival,” Hamrick said. “We’ve also been told that we are super at hospitality; at making our artists feel welcome, at making them feel valued and important. So there’s just a real sense of everybody coming together for this three day thing that lasts these three days, instead of just going in and performing your work and then leaving. So a lot of times when I go to festivals, that’s what we do. We go in, we rehearse, perform, and see you later; there’s no real connection to the community or to anybody else.”

Austin’s unique and vibrant culture not only shines through in its food, music, art, and attractions, but also in the modern dance community, where everyone, dancers and non-dancers alike, are respected and valued for their ideas and participation. With its super welcoming environment, it’s no wonder the Austin Dance Festival is one of the biggest modern dance events within the city of Austin.

“I feel like this is a real welcoming type of immersive festival,” Hamrick said.

And I’ve heard that, people have told me that in the lobbies, strangers will just start talking about the dances, or they’ll be lined up at a food truck downtown

33|Austin’s Virtu| Issue 1

rely solely on dance as a form of income.

It is especially hard for modern dancers because modern dance is not as popular within mainstream society as jazz or contemporary. “ I think dancers need to value themselves. And in our society, it’s very hard to value yourself when you don’t have money to show for it. It’s the way we’re wired, it’s not the not for profit way. And people who really work in art understand that to a certain degree, but we’re still bound to the society that we live in.

With the struggles that many dancers face financially, it is no wonder that most modern dancers have other jobs to support themselves. Even in Austin, a very creative city that embraces all types of art forms, modern dance does not receive as much funding as other types of dance, which makes it hard for great artists to get the financially backing that they require.

“And the people who make it aren’t necessarily the best artists. They are the people who can get the support and the backing. That’s sad; that’s why we should always advocate for some

state government supported art. And otherwise, we just have what the masses will flock to. And it isn’t the best art; sometimes it’s the dog and pony show because we’re not educated. So for the arts to flourish, you have to have arts education, you have to have the patronage people who are willing to donate and not tell you how to make it.”

Although modern may not be the style of dance the masses flock to, if it receives enough funding, it will continue to inspire and challenge people to see things through a different perspective. With festivals like the Austin Dance Festival, the Austin modern dance community has reached many people with their diverse and unique sense of movement quality and allowed people to view a performance that not only shows off the athleticism of dance, but also the emotional connection that is rooted in the foundations of dance.

Social Movement Contemporary Dance performing in the Austin Dance Festival 2018.

Issue 1 |Austin’s Virtu| 34

Photo credit: Lynn Lane

their work in this festival, but because of the limited amount of time and space, not everyone is accepted. Hamrick remembered how it was horrible choosing between two great pieces, but the selection process ensured that the works showcased represented a very diverse group of dancers and choreographers. She believed that this represented the Austin dance community well because it is so diverse and full of a strong sense of individuality.

Even though the dance community is thriving within Austin due to all of the wonderful choreographers and dancers that join together, concert dance is still an art form that struggles to make enough profit.

“I’m not making a profit, I lose a little bit of money on every concert,” Lisa Nicks said. “So I work small, and I do make an effort to pay my dancers.

It’s not a lot. But the money, most of the money that I make goes to paying dancers. Yeah, because that’s a priority.”

Like any other art form, dance is not normally a career that pays well, which makes it hard for the dancers to

Quiz Answers Lisa Nicks and her band of wild ponies performing. Photo credit: Yoshimi Masuo

5th Annual Austin Dance Festival April 5-7, 2019 Ballet Austin, 501 W 3rd St. Austin, TX Answers: mostly E’s

Ballet Austin- Giselle May 10- 12, 2019 The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr. Austin, TX Answers: mostly A’s Two dancers smiling after performing The Cohen New Works Festival 2019 in ADF 2018. Photo credit: Swng April 15-19, 2019 F. Loren Winship Drama Bldg, 300 E 23rd St. Austin, TX Answers: mostly B’s

Lisa Nicks performing a solo in 2007.

Blue Lapis Light- Belonging, Part One September 19-23, 2018 Seaholm District Plaza, 211 Walter Seaholm Drive, Austin, TX Answers: mostly C’s

Photo credit: Kevin Gliner

Cats the Musical May 7, 2019 Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr. Austin, TX Answers: mostly D’s

Community Pop-up Dance outside of ADF Photo credit: Swng

35|Austin’s Virtu| Issue 1

[by: dhi

ACTING

ya dhand

apani]

In Austin Aus t cre in has a film tive po been cult pul are ivat atio a th at d n in ing a oes n’t the th massi spo tligh often eatre ve t. a get the nd Issue 1 |Austin’s Virtu| 36

The Paramoun theater during SXSW. Photo by Matt C

[casey baron]

Carey

ights go up on a stage, lights dim in a theatre, and an audience waits with bated breath. There’s a moment before a show or film starts that seems like it echos in your soul. A complete silence, a hush spreading throughout a theatre, no matter how big or small.

Then the first scene begins. It sketches memories into your mind and allows you to savor music, color and imagery.

Everyone leaves theaters in a daze, mind swirling with thoughts about what just transpired. For 30 minutes, an hour, or however long you sit in that seat, you get carried away into a different world.

If even just for a minute the filmmakers, directors and actors behind each scene were able to grant you an escape from real life and make you feel like you were a part of the experience, then they can rest easy.

With all the creative people that Austin as a city has drawn in, it’s no wonder that the city has a vibrant film and theatre community. The community has gained massive momentum recently with the ever rising popularity of SXSW, which started out as a purely music festival in 1986, has become one of the most prestigious film festivals in the U.S. In 2018, the film festival attendance alone was 72,872 people, and the festival as a whole brought in $350.6 million. While SXSW focuses on bringing in film from all over the world to Austin, Austin Film Festival provides a closer look at Austin made films in addition to which features many films, and even the local Austin Film Festival, which gives locals a chance to display the talent held in Austin.

“I enjoy being able to share with people and know that in this world that is sometimes so dark, that there are things you can connect to.” Elizabeth Mims, an Austin-based director and producer, said as she described how film plays an important role in her life.

Theatre, acting, and filmmaking play such an important role to bring people together to connect over little things like shared interests that is not often recognized in society. This, at its heart is why theater and film are important to this community.

Austin is a very quirky city, and as Mims said, it is vital to be able to connect to people, because

“From a cultural perspective to a film perspective, there’s just talent everywhere.”

nt g

L

Courtesy of Mike Russell

A panel at the 25th Austin Film Festival. that’s what makes Austin, Austin.

“Everything has some kind of a tie into our community in some way. We’re doing Hedwig and the Angry Inch right now. So there’s a lot of outreach to the LGBTQ community. We’re about to open Notes From the Field which is going to be about reaching out to social justice groups.” Scott Wooten, the artistic director at Zach Theater, said.

Though some may think that traditional theater is becoming outdated, it is quite the opposite.

Wooten’s descriptions of how shows currently running at Zach theater are meant to reach out to people from all walks of life proves how theatre is still something that’s meant to be accessible.

“It’s not necessarily what you would expect, it’s just the wide breadth of what’s available here. From a cultural perspective to a film perspective, there’s just talent everywhere.” Casey Baron, the 2018 Austin Film Festival Shorts Programmer said, “It’s everywhere you look!”

The talent that Baron describes can come from Austin, or anywhere in the world. Film is something that’s created to be enjoyed, and people come together from all over the world to both create and consume this enjoyment.

Austin Film Festival is one such place where people can come together to celebrate film.

“Austin brings out a plethora of different people to the city... in filmmaking. You have people

Bea-Willioms Screencraft at AFF.

Courtesy of Mike

Russell

Courtesy of Kirk Tucker.

Couresty of Kirk Tucker

Elizabeth Mims consults with a camera man.

Mims eth Elizab of Courtesy Issue 1 |Austin’s Virtu| 38

[elizabeth mims]

world. Many people are able to connect to Austin’s “funky side” as Wooten said. This connection spurs these people to get involved with the communities present in Austin and often leads to collaborations of filmmakers who share a passion for their creative medium and local Austin culture.

“Austin has always been a place that people love and filmmaker and creatives flock to. It’s a hub for a lot of different careers and it’s nice because it’s close knit, it’s the sort of place that supports people on their own, like a Rebel Without a Crew!” Mims said.

While people may be drawn to Austin because of its rising popularity in just about every field, it’s because of this tight knit community that find that makes people stay. Mims, having grown up in Austin with a filmmaker in the family was able to see Austin’s small film family grow to its current size. Mims even explored out of Austin for a time in LA, but came back to Austin because

“{Austin’s} the sort of place that supports people on their own, like ‘rebel without a crew!”

who are from Mexico or from other Latin American countries.

And then you have native Texans. Then beyond that you have people who are here all over the world. During our festival for example, last year… the amount of international submissions and filmmakers that I worked with were sort of astounding.” Baron said.

Austin Film Festival may have been started to showcase the multitudinous talent present in Austin, but it has since grown to include not only that, but also talent and passion from all over the globe. Baron, having put together a program for short films for the festival, got to experience this diversity first hand to the point where any given film could either be in English or Spanish.

Rather than be smothered by these global influences, Austin filmmakers embrace them and are able to turn local festivals into an event seen on a global stage. If people aren’t already in Austin to practice their art, then they are drawn here by the ever-growing film and theatre community.

“Everybody I always talked to was like, ‘You should move to Austin! You would fit right in at Austin!’” Wooten said, and sure enough, one he moved to Austin, he realized, “Oh I get it now. This is the funky side of town that kinda fits in with my personality perfectly!”

Wooten had previously been interested in theatre, and moving to Austin only fueled the passion he had to share his creative vision with the

A showing of Sunday in the park at Zach Theater.

Couresty of Kirk Tucker

she knew that Austin had a community that she couldn’t find anywhere else.

“Austin has such diversity in opinions and culture,” Baron said, “It’s often been called the best place to work in the world, it sets a high bar.”

One of the best places to observe this diversity and culture is at the Austin Film Festival takes place around October every year, and lasts about a week. Attending this festival will give Austinite’s a chance to see the beautiful work that is being produced around them in their very own city, a truly unique and captivating experience.

SXSW takes place around the first couple weeks of March, and provides a chance for smaller films that are not yet mainstream to be seen on the big screen with an equally big audience. Elizabeth Mim’s upcoming feature film, called Prancer, a riveting tale that discusses loneliness, and what, in the end, makes us human, is just one of the many of the up and coming films that will showcase the power of Austin creatives.

“We have the support of community. And so that was attractive to me.”

Mims said.

Since it was the community that brought Mims back to

Austin from LA, it makes sense that the community is the reason she, or anyone would stay. In Austin, it’s easier to be that “Rebel Without a Crew” who can can work with a low budget as Mims said. Even those without expensive equipment or those who haven’t been offered all the opportunities in life have a chance in Austin. At the heart of it, this marvelous opportunity is what makes Austin, Austin. When push comes to shove, it’s this tight-knit, engaged community and the support provided by the community that makes Austin a place that any hardworking and passionate creative can flourish.

[ elizabeth mims]

In this world that is sometimes so dark, there are things we can connect to

Beauty and the Beast was put on by Zach Theatre.

Elizabeth Mims and a photographer review material on set.

Courtesy of Elizabeth Mims

Script to

stage [by: Dhiya Dhandapani]` The 8 steps to get you from script to stage!

1.

BRainstorm

what are you trying to do? What is your end goal?

2.

draft

Issue 1 |Austin’s Virtu| 40

outline, outline, outline!

Feedback and more drafts

3.

5.

Get second opinions and third opinions, and fourth opinions!

location

7.

Where will this take place? book your venues!

produce

Final touches and putting it all togehther

4.cast and crew!

Who do you want involved? put together a team!

REhearse and finalize

6.

8.

rehearse and finalize set design

final product!

Perform/distribute your final product!

Don’t forget to advertise!

41|Austin’s Virtu| Issue 1

` [Virtu] Knowledge or Expertise in fine arts

Issue 1 |Austin’s Virtu| 42

43|Austin’s Virtu| Issue 1

Virtù /v r-too/ noun e

1) knowledge of or expertise in the fine arts.

LASA Ezine 2019