Don’t Miss Robert Johnson: TRICK THE DEVIL

April 10th, 2008

BEFORE THERE WAS HIP-HOP,

BEFORE THERE WAS R&B,

BEFORE THERE WAS MO-TOWN…

THERE WAS ROBERT JOHNSON AND THE

BLUES.

PRO ARTS COLLECTIVE AND AUSTIN

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

presents

BILL HARRIS’ CRITICALLY

ACCLAIMED PLAY

ROBERT JOHNSON: TRICK THE

DEVIL

performed at

Rollins Theater

at the Long center for the

Performing Arts

April 17-27

8pm

Sunday Matinee at 3:00PM

DID ROBERT JOHNSON REALLY MAKE A

DEAL WITH THE DEVIL?

EXPLORE THE

MYSTERY BEHIND AMERICA’S GREATE

ST BLUES MAN.

EXPERIENCE THE MUSIC

THE MAN

THE MYTH

THE LEGEND IN:

ROBERT JOHNSON: TRICK THE

DEVIL

*FOR TICKETS AND SHOW TIMES PLEASE

CALL 474-LONG

Honoring the Blues elders in the Austin Community BLUES BEER AND BARBECUE

April 10th, 2008

April 19, 2008

at Kenny Dorham’s

Backyard

1106 East 11th Street

1:00-5:00pm

Did you know that Barbecue is not American?

It comes from the French word barbe-a-que meaning

snout to tail. Of course we know that beer isn’t American,

we owe our debt of gratitude to the Sumerians who

developed the brew some 6000 years ago.

There is no doubt that the blues are American, getting

their start from the music carried over in the slave ships by

millions of Africans, the blues come from spirituals, shouts

and chants.

Great blues artists of the early 20th century like Blind

Lemon Jefferson, and Robert Johnson have gone on to

inspire popular American music genres like jazz, bluegrass

and rock.

In honor of ProArts Collective and the Austin Community

College District (ACC) co-production of, Robert Johnson:

Trick the Devil, they will honor the blues elders in the

Austin community, with Blues, Beer and Barbecue.

Robert Johnson was a great blues artist and we have and

have had many great blues artists live and play in our

community,” says Lisa Byrd, Executive Director of ProArts

Collective. “It is important to let them know we have

listened and appreciate their contributions to Austin’s

musical culture”.

The event will feature artists such as Blues Boy Hubbard,

Donald “Duck” Jennings and others. They will jam with

each other and swap songs in a traditional song circle.

Everyone and anyone who has a song to share are

welcome in the circle. We hope to hear some good stories

and maybe some little heard songs that would be worth

archiving.

The event will end with a special showcase performance

by Matthew Robinson and the Central East Band .Bring

your lawn chair and $5.00 for admission.

This is the second co-production between Austin

Community College and ProArts Collective. Last year’s

co-production was the critically acclaimed Funnyhouse of

the Negro. “The co-productions advance the educational

mission of the College and allow ACC to have a greater

presence in the Austin community,” says Lyman Grant,

Dean for Arts and Humanities at ACC.

Lisa Byrd Executive Director of ProArts Collective says

that collaborations with institutions like ACC and St.

Edwards allow a small organization with very limited

resources to have a greater impact on the cultural life of all

Austinites.


Please Join us for

Blues, Barbecue and Beer

at

Kenny Dorham’s Backyard

1106 East 11th Street

Saturday April 19th 1:00-5:00

For More Information call 236-0644


2007 - 2008 Season Announcement

September 11th, 2007


Death of the King’s Horseman, Wole Soyinka- February 13-24, 2008
co-produced with St. Edwards University/Mary Moody Northern Theater

Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil by Bill Harris April 11-20, 2008
co-produced with ACC Drama Department


Community Development

African American Quality of Life Initiative-

ProArts Collective co-chairs the Arts, Culture and Entertainment Committee with Cora Wright from the city’s PARD. In addition ProArts Collective chairs the BACE (Black Arts, Culture and Entertainment) committee. The committee is currently developing a cultural heritage district in Central East Austin.

African American Advisory Resource Commission

ProArts Collective holds a permanent seat on this city council commission. The commission meets the first Wednesday of each month and its responsibilities include making recommendations to city council around issues that affect the African American community in Austin.

CreateAustin

ProArts Collective serves on both the Leadership Council and the Working Group of this government/private partnership on the development of a comprehensive cultural/arts plan.


Artists Needs - 10 Minute Survey

May 22nd, 2007

Dear Artists,

The African-American Arts Technical Resource Center needs your help! We are conducting a survey that will tell us what you need as a member of the artistic community to complete your artistic work. Your input is imperative as we look to redefine our programming to better serve you.

Any artists or arts supporter can take this short survey. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete!

To take the survey please click or copy & paste into your browser the following link:

We will present the finding at a community forum on May 23, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carver Library.

I hope you will help the African-American Arts Technical Resource Center by providing your critical information.

VISUAL/AIPP Workshop Series

May 14th, 2007

Art in Public Places Announces Second Annual Artist Workshop Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 14, 2007

Contact: Kathleen Brady, Art in Public Places Coordinator, (512) 974-9308

PDF attached for printing.

(May 14, 2007, Austin, TX) After enthusiastic response to last year’s workshops, the Austin Art in Public Places Program (AIPP) announces its second series of summer artists’ workshops, this June through August. All workshops are free and are open to the public.

Experienced artists, arts professionals and Austin public art administrators will lead each of the three workshops which will provide a comprehensive overview of the public art making process. Participants will be given the necessary tools to enter the public art arena, information on creating impressive applications, advice from public artists and selection panelists, and a free spiral-bound Resource Guide.

Participants will also have a rare opportunity to participate in a mock selection panel - creating proposals for a real Austin location, Brush Square. This downtown park is being considered by various stakeholders for future improvements. Feedback on participants’ proposals will be provided by a selection panel, which will include members of the City’s own Art in Public Places Panel. This “behind the scenes” look will enable participants to further explore how artists are selected for public art projects. In the final workshop, a digital technology expert will demonstrate digital imaging for applications, and hands-on training for AIPP’s new online registration system for the Artist Registry will be provided. The online system is set to launch in summer 2007.

Starting & Succeeding in Public Art: Info and Advice for Everyone

Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 6 - 9 p.m.

Jewish Community Assoc. of Austin, 7300 Hart Lane

Saturday, June 23, 2007, 9 a.m. - Noon

Austin City Hall, 301 West 2nd St. at Lavaca

“Mock” Proposal Team Activity: Transforming Brush Square

Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 6 – 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 21, 2007, 9 a.m. - Noon

Both held at the Hilton Hotel, 500 East 4th St. (meet in West Lobby)

Taking the Doubt out of Digital Technology: Tips, Tricks and a New Online System

Wednesday, August 15, 2007, 6 - 9 p.m.

Jewish Community Assoc. of Austin , 7300 Hart Lane

Saturday, August 18, 2007 9 a.m. - Noon

Austin City Hall, 301 West 2nd St. at Lavaca

For additional information, please contact Kathleen Brady at (512) 974-9308, kathleen.brady@ci.austin.tx.us, or visit our website at www.cityofaustin.org/aipp.