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Photos: Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 attendees and costumes

February 10, 2013 By AJ Miranda

Costumes ranged from quirky to kinky at Austin's biggest party, the annual Carnaval Brasileiro.

Carnaval Brasileiro is one of Austin’s biggest gems. In addition to elaborate costumed dance numbers performed by the Austin Samba School (see those photos here), the fans and attendees themselves get in on the act, dressing up in costumes that range from quirky to kinky. Many attendees dress simply in spirited Brazilian Carnaval attire—feathers, body paint, masks, beads, sequins, etc.

View a photo gallery of some of our favorite crowd shots and costumes below. Or visit this link for photos of the Austin Samba School costumed dance performance.

[Show as slideshow]
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center

Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center

Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center

Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center
Carnaval Brasileiro 2013 at Palmer Events Center

Filed Under: City & Culture, Slider Tagged With: Carnaval Brasileiro, Palmer Events Center, party, photos

Open call for Austin Vida interns and contributors

October 19, 2012 By AJ Miranda

Here at Austin Vida, we have a small yet dedicated staff of writers, photographers, and editors who care deeply about the music, culture, and lifestyle of Latinos in Austin. In a city as vibrant and as dynamic as Austin, it’s nice to be one of the loudest and clearest voices for the city’s fastest growing ethnic demographic.

But keeping the gears turning smoothly can be difficult with only a handful of us, so we’re reaching out to you, our readers, to expand our team. Austin Vida is looking for student interns and freelance contributors to help further our mission.

We are looking for passionate and motivated writers with an interest in covering one or more of the following: community issues, cultural arts, local businesses, popular/alternative music. If you can tell a cumbia from a chancla; if you delight in news of another Diego and Gael film; if breakfast tacos are a way of life; then you might be right for Austin Vida.

We are currently accepting applications for spring semester internships. Ideal student interns will be majoring in either journalism, communications, creative writing, or English. The primary responsibility of interns will be to write news briefs and event previews as assigned, and possibly progress into feature writing, depending on experience level. Internships will last a semester, with the option of staying on board after the semester is over.

We are also accepting experienced freelancers to start immediately. Ideal freelance candidates will have prior published experience with newspapers, magazines, or professionally edited blogs. Freelancers will be paid per assignment. Assignments will include feature stories within an assigned beat. While Austin Vida is an English language publication, we sometimes have to conduct interviews in Spanish, so let us know if you’re bilingual. It’s not required, but it is a plus.

To be considered for an internship or freelance position, please email our editor-in-chief, Ian Morales, at austinvidawebzine[at]gmail.com or through our contact page, and include “intern application” or “freelance application” and your name in the subject line. We don’t have formal paperwork to fill out. Instead, email us a cover letter that tells us a little about you and why you want to write for Austin Vida. You must also include three writing samples (professionally published samples, preferably). If you are an intern candidate who hasn’t been published, we will accept writing samples from college-level coursework. We are looking for writers who can communicate clearly, passionately, and knowledgeably about their community and their culture. If that’s you, then please apply now.

We at Austin Vida consider ourselves professionals and we take pride in what we do. But the most important thing to remember is that we do this because we love it. So please only apply if you are ready to learn and ready to have fun.

Filed Under: City & Culture, Slider Tagged With: Austin Vida

Recap: At The Drive-In reunion concert at Red 7

April 12, 2012 By AJ Miranda

Cedric Bixler of At The Drive-In
Cedric Bixler of At The Drive-In / photo by Eli Watson

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on our sister site, Red River Noise.

The opening minutes of At The Drive-In‘s first show in a decade delivered everything you’d expect: a crowded room of sweaty bodies jumping and swaying and fist-pumping in unison. Tallboy cans launching through the muggy air and beer showering an exuberant crowd that screamed along to every word of the blistering, lose-your-shit madness of “Arcarsenal.” It used to be that the El Paso post-hardcore quintet frowned upon these sorts of rowdy antics. But you could tell the guys were euphoric to be playing again, and didn’t mind the passionate response.

Monday night’s show at Red 7, the band’s first since calling it quits 11 years ago, was a prime example of why you should laugh when someone tells you they’d rather listen to an album than see a band live in concert. Because as beautiful as recorded music can be, iTunes can’t replicate the euphoria of sharing your energy with hundreds of hive-minded bodies.

Throughout the 15-song set, which pulled material from In/Casino/Out, Vaya and Relationship of Command, we saw flashes of the anarchic ATD-I of old. Just flashes. There was frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala doing hand stands off the bass drum and swinging from the rafters of Red 7’s low-hanging ceiling during “Chanbara.” And guitarist Jim Ward’s unforgettable decade-long-pent-up scream for nine uninterrupted seconds during “Enfilade.”

Jim Ward / photo by Eli Watson

But overall, this was a gentler, more subdued ATD-I. “Subdued” is relative, of course, when talking about one of the most ballistic and maniacal bands in rock ‘n’ roll history. But still. Bixler-Zavala mostly chose to forgo the ADHD antics, instead opting for occasional shimmying while focusing on singing. Yes, singing. Not screaming. That was the big difference on Cedric’s side of things. A decade of Mars Volta wailing showed its influence in his delivery with ATD-I 2012. And honestly, it worked for me. I have no complaints about the frontman’s performance, but I can see why a decade of musical blue balls might lead some fans to be disappointed with the lack of screaming and wild-man theatrics. Even Bixler-Zavala himself felt the pressure, tweeting after the show, “Sorry if I wasn’t as active tonight. First one in 11 years. But thank u for the love Austin.”

If screaming is what you wanted, Jim Ward had your back. The guitarist was shouting all night like it was 2000 again. And how cathartic it was to hear his refrains of “pacifier pacifies—yeah, it pacifies!” during “Sleepwalk Capsules.” Ward was a shining spot during the entire set; he seemed happy to be there, though unhappy with the crowd surfing. Some things never change.

Paul Hinojos brought his thick, groovy bass lines and trademark swaying-to-the-rhythm, which was showcased well on “Quarantined.” Meanwhile, Tony Hajjar—always the underrated backbone of the band—brought the propulsive percussion and pummeling beats he’s known for, pretty much making “Arcarsenal” the perfect set-opener that it is.

Paul Hinojos
Paul Hinojos / photo by Eli Watson

But there was one elephant in the room the entire night. A bespectacled, afro-sporting elephant. In the midst of 500 bodies swaying and sweating and shouting together, there was one noticeably still body—that of guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. The mad genius who used to glide along the stage with salsero poise and thrash about with punk-rock spirit was barely present. He played his guitar parts true to the songs, so you can’t knock his performance musically. But emotionally, he was elsewhere. The likely explanation is that he is still grieving the recent death of his mother. A week before her passing, while he was promoting a movie he directed, Rodriguez-Lopez praised his mother as his biggest influence in life. The funeral mass for Frances Rodriguez was two weeks ago. Of course, those of us against the stage and in front of Rodriguez-Lopez, unaware of the circumstances, were quick to knock his uncharacteristic performance as proof that the reunion was all about money and not passion. It’s easy to go cynical; the truth is often a little deeper than surface appearances. Maybe the answer is somewhere in the middle.

As a unit, At The Drive-In sounded as tight as ever, but the aggression and attitude need time to be restored. Ultimately, the thing to remember is they called this a warm-up show for a reason. In a way, it felt like watching a rehearsal. A full-on, balls out dress-rehearsal, no doubt—but still something that will only get better. This was the first time this band played in front of a crowd since 2001. This is a band letting us in on their rebirth, in an intimate setting. And the vast majority of us in attendance, we were too busy going gorillas to nitpick. We knew we were experiencing rock history.

Oh, also: Zechs Marquise kicked major ass as the opening band. But you wouldn’t have known it from the 90 percent of the crowd that stood still and watched with befuddled expressions as the fiery hip-hop-infused prog beasts did their thing. Nor would you know it from the audience members who mistook Omar’s brothers—Marfred, Marcel and Rikardo—for dudes in ironic At The Drive-In costumes.

Setlist: At The Drive-In at Red 7 in Austin, Texas, on April 9, 2012

  • “Arcarsenal”
  • “Pattern Against User”
  • “Chanbara”
  • “Lopsided”
  • “Sleepwalk Capsules”
  • “Napoleon Solo”
  • “Quarantined”
  • “Rascuache”
  • “198d”
  • “Enfilade”
  • “Metronome Arthritis”
  • “Pickpocket”
  • “Non-Zero Possibility”
  • “One-Armed Scissor”
  • “Catacombs”

Filed Under: Events, Slider Tagged With: review

Watch: Lila Downs talks music and Mexico at charity event

April 5, 2012 By AJ Miranda

Lila Downs answers questions from Wahaka co-founder Alejandro Santa-Cruz / Photo by AJ Miranda

Lila Downs was in town during the week of South By Southwest for a fundraiser and meet-and-greet event. The Mexican singer-songwriter and Latin Grammy winner answered questions about her music, her inspirations and she even serenaded the audience, if ever so briefly. The event was a fundraiser organized by Wahaka Mezcal to benefit schools in San Dionisio Ocotepec, Oaxaca, the Mexican town where the company’s mezcal is produced. The fundraiser took place at Malverde in downtown Austin.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: interview, video

Photos: ESL Music showcase at Ruta Maya

March 21, 2012 By AJ Miranda

ESL Music showcase / photo by AJ Miranda

One of the country’s foremost independent record labels, ESL Music, hosted a night of Latin, electronic and world music at Ruta Maya. The night was a showcase of ESL’s artists, including Austin’s own world/funk band Ocote Soul Sounds. Producer/DJ Ursula 1000 had guest MCs in Ms.G and Tee Double to get the party going, which climaxed with a dozen fans dancing on stage. Hard Proof opened the night with their Afrobeat grooves. Cilantro Boombox‘s fusion of funk, pop and world music got people moving their feet.

All photos by AJ Miranda / March 13 at Ruta Maya in Austin, Texas.

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Cilantro Boombox at Ruta Maya
Cilantro Boombox at Ruta Maya
Cilantro Boombox at Ruta Maya
Cilantro Boombox at Ruta Maya
Cilantro Boombox at Ruta Maya

Cilantro Boombox at Ruta Maya
Cilantro Boombox at Ruta Maya
Hard Proof Afrobeat at Ruta Maya
Hard Proof Afrobeat at Ruta Maya
Hard Proof Afrobeat at Ruta Maya

Hard Proof Afrobeat at Ruta Maya
Hard Proof Afrobeat at Ruta Maya
Hard Proof Afrobeat at Ruta Maya
Hard Proof Afrobeat at Ruta Maya
Hard Proof Afrobeat at Ruta Maya

Hard Proof Afrobeat at Ruta Maya
Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya
Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya
Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya
Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya

Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya
Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya
Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya
Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya
Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya

Ocote Soul Sounds at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya

Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya

Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya

Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya
Ursula 1000 ft. Tee Double and Ms.G at Ruta Maya

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: photos

Photos: Charanga Cakewalk, Beatriz Luengo at Revolucionario Awards

March 18, 2012 By AJ Miranda

Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria

The Social Revolución debuted this year as the official Latino event of South by Southwest Interactive. The concept culminated in the Revolucionario Awards, recognizing the work of Latinos in online media, including web publishing and social networking. Our own editor-in-chief, Ian Morales, was nominated for the  New Americano award.

We attended the awards ceremony at Maria Maria on March 12, which featured live music by Austin music veteran Davíd Garza, Spanish pop singer Beatriz Luengo and world-fusion cumbia band Charanga Cakewalk.

All photos by AJ Miranda.

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Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria
Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria
Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria
Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria
Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria

Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria
Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria
Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria
Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria
Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria

Beatriz Luengo at Maria Maria
Charanga Cakewalk at Maria Maria
Charanga Cakewalk at Maria Maria
Charanga Cakewalk at Maria Maria
Charanga Cakewalk at Maria Maria

Charanga Cakewalk at Maria Maria
Charanga Cakewalk at Maria Maria
Charanga Cakewalk at Maria Maria
David Garza at Maria Maria
David Garza at Maria Maria

David Garza at Maria Maria
David Garza at Maria Maria
David Garza at Maria Maria
David Garza at Maria Maria
David Garza at Maria Maria

David Garza at Maria Maria
David Garza at Maria Maria
David Garza at Maria Maria
Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria
Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria

Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria
Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria
Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria
Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria
Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria

Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria
Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria
Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria
Revolucionario Awards at Maria Maria

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: photos

Photos: Manzanas Malas, Master Blaster at Austin Vida showcase

March 16, 2012 By AJ Miranda

Manzanas Malas at Jovita's / photo by AJ Miranda

We had a great time on Saturday at our third showcase at Jovita’s on South 1st Street. Our Jovita’s residency started January, and we’ll be doing one Saturday night show a month at the venerable South Austin restaurant for 2012. So remember the name and location.

Our recent show featured two Latin dance bands who put their own spin on cumbias and Latin-influenced pop/dance music. Opening the show was Corpus Christi’s electro/hip-hop group Master Blaster Sound System, featuring Charanga Cakewalk collaborator Brian Ramos and Peligrosa’s own DJ Dus. Headlining was Manzanas Malas, which is a new and improved version of Los Bad Apples. The Spanish pop group brings more hip-hop edge and musical presence to the stage than in years past.

Photos by AJ Miranda.

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Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas

Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas

Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas

Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas

Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas

Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas
Manzanas Malas at Jovitas

Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas

Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas

Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas

Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas
Master Blaster at Jovitas

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: photos

Photo Recap: Ximena Sariñana at the Parish

December 1, 2011 By AJ Miranda

ximenaMexican songstress Ximena Sariñana graced the Parish stage on the Monday before Thanksgiving, greeted by a large and enthusiastic crowd composed of fans from both sides of the border.

Sariñana mixed her set up nicely, playing hits like “Normal” and “Reforma” from her critically acclaimed debut album as well as new songs like “Different” and “Echo Park” from her recently released sophomore album.

There were simplistic ballads as well as electro-influenced pop tunes (the latter of which caused Sariñana to dance with rhythmic glee).

Throughout the set, fans shouted “¡Te amo!” and let out gritos whenever she mentioned Mexico during between-song banter.

And there was plenty of banter, as Sariñana’s charm was on full display, from the bashful grin-smile to the self-aware corny jokes. The 20-something songbird showed why she is one of Mexico’s preeminent pop performers.

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Filed Under: Events Tagged With: photos

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