So, in tribute to this fine Austin venue being rescued, here’s a gallery of Amy Cook performing songs from her album Let The Light In, produced by local legend Alejandro Escovedo, who didn’t miss a chance to get up and play few songs with Amy. Thankfully, public outcry has seen a compromise where gigs performed at the cafe will now be ran in partnership with Austin’s well-regarded radio station KUT Radio.Īs with the closing of the legendary CBGBs in New York, to a foreigner it’s bewildering that some Americans are so proud of their performers – after all, the USA gave birth to country music, rock ‘n’ roll and folk – but not of the places that allowed these artists to mature and hone their craft. Tickets are $15 and available online at recently the venue nearly closed due to some short-sighted penny-pinching from the administration of the Texas Union, whose motto, somewhat ironically, is “…more than just a building.” When we met John Kunz, owner of Waterloo Records, who created an Austin soundtrack for our Playlist series, he was leaving us to go to a meeting about the future of the Cactus Cafe. The intimate setting is known for its live performances by local. When it comes to presenting real-world issues via humor, LCP Artistic Director Adrian Villegas has said, “Comedy is a way to cut through the superficial differences.” Special guests include Austin’s only bilingual improv troupe Migas, as well as stand-up comedy by “Funniest Person in Austin” finalist Vanessa Gonzalez.Įach night features an 8 p.m. Since opening in 1979, the Cactus Cafe has become one of Austins most loved music venues. The show, which includes a mix of live sketches, music and original videos, examines the “causes and consequences of gentrification in Austin and neighborhoods across America,” according to the troupe. LCP will bring back its latest show “Gentrif*cked” for two nights on June 9-10 at the Spiderhouse Ballroom. Now, the comedy gods have answered our prayers. In the midst of anti-immigrant rhetoric and rapidly changing local neighborhoods, Austin had missed the hilarious political satire and parodies that made LCP popular since its launch in the late 1990s. Thanks to a few folks’ recap recommendations, I sifted back through the stacks to find this excellent album from Austin’s Cactus Lee. When the Latino Comedy Project, a multimedia sketch troupe, returned with new material at the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival last fall, the one-night-only event quickly sold out.

Tickets cost $20 and are available online at. “It’s a great way to cross boundaries, expand everyone’s music experience and bring bilingual shows to the Cactus.”ĭoors open at 8 p.m. She hopes to perform her bilingual version of Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released” at a future “Laboratorio” show.“It’s a unifying kind of show,” she says. “It’s also a great way to take advantage of the talent we have in our backyard.”Įxperimenting has already sparked inspiration. “I’d love to continue to do (the series) as part of what I do when I come home (from touring), Rodriguez says. Percussionist Alex Marrero gave a rousing version of the classic Mexican song “Volver, Volver” during the encore. “It’s the first time I’ve ever had a polka in my gig,” she says. “I’m not necessarily the band leader either it’s a group thing.” That’s also new for the veteran musician who has been a band leader for years.Īt last month’s show, the musicians performed a polka that Ramos had created for his mother. “It’s really a true collaboration,” she says. “Laboratorio” seems like a natural step forward as the artist stretches her musical muscles and explores her cultural musical roots and beyond.

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