ustxtxb_obs_1985_02_22_50_00029-00000_000.pdf

OBSERVANCES March Women’s History Month March 1, 1906 Emma Goldman published the first issue of Mother Earth. March 2, 1836 Sarah Bradley made the first Texas flag. It flew over Washingtonon-the-Brazos, March 2, 1836, Independence Day. March 8 International Women’s Day. March 26, 1918 Gov. William Hobby signed the bill giving Texas women the vote in primary elections. Slavery didn’t end in 1865 We have a plantation in South Africa Where the devil is still alive An important element of any popular song today is the hook, and “USASA” has a strong hook in the refrain. The subliminal effect of that synthesis of melody, rhythm, and lyrics in the refrain is to wed indelibly South Africa and the U.S.A., which reinforces the idea that the problems of South Africa are our problems as well. The all-purpose hook of advertising, of course, is sex appeal. Stylistically similar to a contemporary rap song, “Thinkin’ About SEX” lampoons the pervasive use of sex as an advertising tool by naming commodities for which the technique works. Cars, tires, politicians, TV news, the list goes on. She even includes her record: “And if you start to sing along/Sex will sell this song.” Burrell’s band, Trickle Down, has been in a state of flux since its inception .a year ago, mainly because the members were all jazz musicians who would come and go. Because she wasn’t reaching a large enough audience in the jazz clubs around Austin, she decided to change to popular music. It wasn’t until she was to open for Sonny Okosun in Austin, however, that she decided to work with topical lyrics and third world musical ideas. “When I started out I wanted a black rhythm section, but I also wanted other races and women in the band. It’s hard to find black musicians in Austin who can and want to play our blend of American and Third World Music and who would be with us long enough to learn our songs. The whole Trickle Down concept has been moving along like wildfire; sometimes it’s out of control. But we’ve finally found a stable band that is interested in the music and the issues.” “I like to make music that lets people enjoy themselves, but I’m also trying through subliminal suggestion, to get a message across. Human rights, consumerism, oppression of all kinds, including sexual these are all important to me. When Sweet Honey in the Rock was in Austin, I sang a song with them that I had written, “In Our Hearts \(Women idea that the women of the world are a powerful force, that they could have great impact if they would only unite. Now we are trying to match out message songs with more popular tunes so that we can appeal to more people. We already appeal to those that show up at the South Africa rallies, but we need to get to the upscale blacks, the lawyers, the ones that work for the state. We need to get them something palatable so that they will listen to the message. It is the idea that a little bit of sugar will help the medicine go down, and I think our music is a little medicinal right now.” When asked if she was a singer with a social conscience or a social activist who could sing: “During the sixties I was a social activist, I couldn’t really avoid it. But now I’m more of a cultural activist. The consciousness is there, whether I’m singing or not. I’m not radical enough to throw bombs, but I’m willing to speak out about the things I feel strongly about.” Burrell is the director of the Austin Black Arts Alliance, which serves as a clearinghouse and support group for black poets, dancers, artists, and musicians in the Central Texas Area. The name of her record company is Scintilla, which is a spark. Burrell spoke about what she was trying to accomplish: “I guess I’m trying to spark a union of the mind and body through music so that people are more conscious of themselves and others, and aware of our needs and limitations, especially those of the earth. We should be responsible for each other. Right now the forces that are in control of our destiny are stampeding toward destruction. There was one thing that Walter Mondale said to me at the Democratic Rally that just brought me to tears: I want to live. I don’t want to die. I don’t want anybody to blow me up, or contaminate my air. It is just unreal to me that everyone is so concerned about money that they will do anything for it.” Lyrics from Thinkin’ About SEX 1984 Stephens and Sylvester Jones. Lyrics from USASA \(U.S.A. South Burrell and D ‘Jalma Gamier. Thinkin’ About SEX b/w USASA \(U.S.A. South Chicon, Austin, Texas 78722. SOCIAL CAUSE CALENDAR Notices of future events must reach the Observer at least three weeks before the event. TEXAS TREASURE: THE EDWARDS AQUIFER Learn about the importance of the Edwards Aquifer Why is it in danger from pollution? How can it best be utilized? How can it be protected? during the San Antonio Museum UnSchool’s presentation of “Texas Treas ure,” February 21, Twohig House, behind the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, 7-9 p.m. $3 for contributors; $5 for non-contributors. Call PEACE COALITION OPEN HOUSE An Open House for those interested in learning more about the Austin Peace and Justice Coalition and its work for nuclear arms reductions will be February 24, 1022 W. 6th St., Austin, 2-5 p.m. detail s. KIDFEST Kidfest, a festival of entertainment and an exhibition to enable parents to evaluate and choose quality programs, products and services focusing on kids and families, will i be March 2, Brookhaven College, 3939 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, 10 a. m. 4 p.m.; co-sponsored by Brook haven College and the Women’s Center, of Dallas; $1 for adults, free for kids. For CENTRAL AMERICA FILM SERIES The Central America flint series, sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee Student Group and Austin CISPES, will continue with “When the Mountains Tremble,” March 1 -3, Hogg Auditorium, UT-Austin, 7:30 p.m., an .d “A Challenge to US-Nicaraguan Policy, March 7, Welch Hall, Room 2.246, UT442-7354. CALLING TEXAS ARTISTS The Austin Contemporary Visual Arts Association announces to all Texas artists the 7th Annual Spring Exhibition call for entries of all media. Slide entry deadline is March 4; $6 for 3 entries for members of ACVAA, $15 for non-members; exhibi Vi THE TEXAS OBSERVER 29