Public Notice
By Kate X Messer, Fri., May 16, 1997
Close But No Cigars
Our time in Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico was brief but left lasting impressions. We were there to enjoy la playa, and take in a few Gulfside restaurantes especialidad en pescados y mariscos, and lounge around schlucking five-peso Sols in the sun. We had no idea that we were in the very town from which Fidel Castro launched the Cuban Revolution some 40 years ago. Okay, this has nothing to do with the following event, but we'd rather sit here and daydream about our recent vacation and daydream about going to Cuba on our next one, than deal with the day's demands. Fiesta Cubana, Fri-Sun, May 16-18 is the first of its kind here in Austin. This festival, however, celebrates the other revolution, Cuba's independence from Spain in 1902. The revolt against the prevailing influence of the evil empire to the north (uh... that would be us, the U.S.) wasn't for another few decades. Either way, it's reason to celebrate and pull back the iron curtain of our country's ridiculous blockade against the small island nation just long enough to take a peek at its rich and passionate culture. The Cuban Arts Council is hosting the celebration with a full schedule of events all over town. Miguel's La Bodega, Ruta Maya, Pato's Tacos, and Borinquen are the sites for food, music, art, and more. En Español: 477-4673; in English, 441-1297.
Dance With the Boogie
Get Down
Those too young to remember the Seventies are doomed to repeat 'em. Even some who did survive the decade of decadence seem to selectively remember it as a charming time. Dukes of Hazzard reunions? Disaster flicks? Chastity Bono on Ellen? It's galling: Platform shoes! Ill-fitting leisure suits! Happy faces! Leif Garrett! Actually, aside from Leif Garrett, we could be talking about the Nineties (though even Garrett probably has some cheesy comeback in the works). So we have to snicker when we see that the theme for this year's Out Youth Alternative Prom, Fri, May 16 at Saengerrunde Halle is Disco Nights. It stands to reason that the next step in nauseous nostalgia would be to have themes based on themes we had back in the Seventies, like Fabulous Fifties Nights. These kids nowadays... 708-1234.
Proud Papas
The Capital City Men's Chorus presents their Pride & Pops program Sat, May 17, 8pm and Sun, May 18, 4pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover. Tickets are available at Lobo Books and Book People. 454-5406 or 454-TIXS.
Pride Papas & Mamas
For a city as gay as Austin, there are precious few opportunities for the gay & lesbian community to come out and be a community. Gay Pride is Sun, June 1, noon-5pm at Fiesta Gardens. Here we are not only encouraging you to go and have a good time (details in upcoming "Public Notices"), but to get involved. They need volunteers to coordinate this big, public party. Plus, proceeds go to the Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby to fund their efforts to protect civil rights -- and when the main obstacle is the Texas Legislature, you're talking massive undertaking. 474-5475.
Jazz Iz
Volunteering for local arts festivals is a gas -- contacts, free music, expanding cultural horizons, meeting people with similar interests... The Clarksville-West End Jazz Festival (Sun, June 8 - Sun, June 15) is looking for a few good hands. It's a great opportunity to participate in a local institution. They'll be having a Volunteer Orientation Thu, May 22 at Pease Park. 477-9438.
Multiplication Miracles
Take some donors at $135 a year, and some loaves and some fishes, some soup and sandwiches, and you have the Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen that serves hot, nutritious lunches for around 300 folks each weekday. Miracle workers are needed for the 9:30am-12:30pm shifts of the Caritas of Austin project. 472-5269. n
Email: [email protected] Mail to: "Public Notice," The Austin Chronicle, P0 Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765. Deadline: Wednesday, 6pm, eight days prior to publication. Phone calls have a .001% chance of being returned.
