The Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Austin, Texas Permit No. 01949 Circulation Villager Verification Council This paper can A community service weekly Since 1973 be recycled 1223-A Rosewood Avenue Austin, Texas 78702 TPA Vol. 36 No. 18 Website: theaustinvillager.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-476-0082 Fax: 512-476-0179 September 26, 2008 Acclaimed Actor Charles Community Activist pump it up for Dutton to Perform One Man the upcoming election Show at the Long Center RAPPIN’ Tommy Wyatt Voting is just the first step. As we get closer to election day, there seems to be a lot of discussion over the candi- dates. And while the discus- sions are going on, many people are not taking the op- portunity to register to vote. It does not matter what your opinions are, they will mean OVERFLOW CROWD--An overflow crowd turned out to honor fall community activist and to gear up for nothing if you are not pre- the job ahead. Staff photo. pared to cast your ballot. No matter how you look at A number of community ac- no longer with us. Some of the combined campaign office it, 2008 will be a historical tivist were summoned to the people honored were former that is located at 12th and IH- year for America. We will ei- Elks Home in Northeast Aus- Precinct Chairs Lucille 35. After some speeches and ther have an African Ameri- tin, Monday (9/22) to get the Crawford, Mildred refreshments, Thompson laid can President or a Woman latest information about the Holloway, Willie Gage, and out the plans for future activi- vice president. Either way it activities that will take place Mae Harris Marion, to name ties. leading up to the November 4 a few. The first organized plan for will be historical, because this Actor Charles Dutton comming to BAM Festival will be the first time to have General Election. The call The community activist in- mass community activity will Corner. either in this position. AUSTIN, TX – Noted ac- went out from a recorded tele- cluded Volma Overton be a Voter Registration drive “We are honored to have But, the interesting thing tor Charles Dutton, recognized phone invitation from (former longtime president of on October 4 to make a last an artist of Mr. Dutton’s caliber s will be whether we have a fair for his performances in over 80 County Tax Collector/Asses- the Austin NAACP), Dorothy minute attempt to register as a performer in our festival,” says election. For the last two movies and television shows, sor Nelda Wells Spears. Turner, Velma Roberts, and many voters as possible before Lisa Byrd, executive Director of Presidential elections, there has just been confirmed to per- Spears was given this honor Hazel Obey, to name a few. the deadline on October 6. the ProArts Collective, “his body have been some irregularities. form a one man show on Mon- because she was the top These persons will be hon- Citizens are invited to volun- th of work is impressive and we are In 2000, there were the hang- day, October 13 at the Long Travis Count vote getter dur- ored formerly later with reso- teer at the campaign office for very fortunate to have him in resi- ing chads in Florida and a Center for the Performing Arts ing the Primary election. She lutions from local elected of- the candidate of their choice dence in our community.” problem with the recount. In as part of the Black Arts Move- came in second to Barack ficials. or for the combined campaign. The performance and dis- the end, the U. S. Supreme ment Festival. Obama. The event was coordinated The next goal is to get out one cussion area few of many events Court had to declare the win- Dutton, who has ap- The event was also dedi- by Eleanor “Cookie” Thomp- of the largest voter turnout in being brought to Austin as part ner and they gave the election peared in film, television and cated the many political and son who is a community or- recent history for the Novem- of the ProArts Collective BAM to George W. Bush stage productions, will offer a community activist who are ganizer for the Travis county ber 4 election. Festival, which features a myriad In 2004 there were some ir- performance and an intimate of performances at venues all regularities with the vote evening of conversation where around the city; the George count, and in the final analy- he will discuss how he has cul- Washington Carver Museum sis, the election was again tivated his acting career. and Cultural Center, the Long handed over to George W. In 1984, Dutton made his Center for the Performing Arts, Bush. In other works we have Broadway debut in August Ballet Austin, the King Seabrook had a president for the last Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bot- Chapel at Huston Tillotson Uni- seven and one-half years who tom. He later was nominated for versity, and the Off Center. was not elected by the Ameri- a Best Actor Tony award for his The festival will also fea- can people. We do not need role in another Wilson play, The ture spoken word, Hip Hop, tra- that to happen again. Piano Lesson. Dutton has ap- ditional theatre, dance, and mu- The only way for us to have peared in films such as as Alien³, sic. “The focus is on the contem- a duly elected president by Rudy, A Time to Kill; Cookie’s For- porary Black Arts Movement the people is that we have an tune; Cry, the Beloved Country; and and the work of new and emerg- overwhelming vote by the most recently in HoneyDripper. ing artists.” Byrd says “The goal American people. One that His television work is of BAM is to put the spotlight on is so overwhelming that it equally impressive. Dutton won the Black aesthetic in the 21st could not be questioned. Outstanding Guest Actor Emmy century.” Tickets for the BAM The time for us to get started awards in 2002 and 2003 for his festival events will be available is now. We go all over the roles in The Practice and Without through the Long Center for the world trying to convince other a Trace. He was previously nomi- Performing Arts, the official box countries that Democracy is nated in 1999 for his guest-star- office of the festival. the only way, while here at ring role in the HBO prison For more information, home we put up with a sys- drama Oz. Dutton gained ac- visit the BAM website at tem that is becoming one of claim for his comedy show Roc . www.bamaustin.org or contact the worst in the world. Our His work in this role won him a Tayneshia Jefferson at founders left England to get NAACP Image Award. In 2000, 512.236.0644. from under the power of the Dutton directed the critically ac- “We Serve”--The Capital City Lions Club motto is “We serve”, in keeping Queen and be able to make claimed HBO mini -series The with that, the club made a donation to the American Red Cross. The Club is fully their own choices. They even aware of the services they provide in times of disaster. Pictured left to right: Joe fought the crown for that Turner - Roberts Warren, Albert J. Walker, Mirian Jones, Jerry Williams, Ms. Melissa Gray, Asst. right. And while we are willing to Recreation Center to the Exec. Dir., Dr. Charles Akins and Matthew Caldwell. fight for others’ freedom all Grand Opening Celebration DUKES NAMED OUTSTANDING SUPPORTER OF WIND ENERGY over the world, we continue The City of Austin will cel- activists received many awards AUSTIN — State Repre- to accept less than a fair sys- renewable resource, wind ebrate the Grand Opening of the and accolades for their social sentative Dawnna Dukes (D- tem in this country. This power, is flourishing. Be- Turner Robert Recreation Cen- work. Both activists left a legacy Austin) has been recognized should be the year for that to cause of the dedication of ter, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Septem- that will impact the Greater Aus- by The Wind Coalition for her come to an end. We do not policy makers such as Rep. ber 27, 2008 at 7201 Colony tin Community for generations support of wind energy legis- need a war between the states Dukes to protect high energy drive. to come. lation and her advocacy of the to make that happen, we only standards, Texans can The recreation center is In addition to the Grand industry’s growth. need to demand that our po- breathe easier and ultimately being named in honor of Dor- Opening ceremony, there will be “I am honored to be rec- litical leaders insure that we pay less for their power than othy Turner and Velma Roberts a ribbon cutting for the Danny L ognized by the Wind Coali- have a fair system of elections. they would if sole reliance on who served this community as Thomas Sr. Gymnasium, in tion, and I look forward to encouragement of the Also, we need to focus on expensive natural gas was civil rights activists. Dorothy honor of the hard work and per- continuing to explore and industry’s growth and ac- our local elections, so that we continued. As a result of her and Velma operated the Black severance by the former Mayor develop alternative energy knowledgment of the positive will have the right people in support, along with other Citizens Task Force for more Pro Tem to make the Turner-Rob- sources that will improve en- environmental and economic office here.