It’s that time of year when the South by Southwest Festival consumes Austin with a plethora of activity around new media/technology, music, and film. There’s something for everyone, including archivists and activists. Here are some highlights to look out for. We’ll be updating this as SXSW progresses, so check back often! (Last updated: Tuesday, March 15)
Also, Colorlines dropped the HRDI a mention in their guide to SXSW! See their list for more recommendations.
Tuesday, March 15
Interactive
- 9:30am: Wikileaks, the Web, and the Long Strange Journey of Journalism
- 9:30am: Innovating and Developing with Libraries, Archives, and Museums
- 12:00pm: The authors of Fambul Tok, the Book, on truth and reconciliation in Sierra Leone, sign copies at the SX Bookstore.
- 12:30pm: Wikileaks: The Website that Changed the World?
Film
- 6:00pm: Fambul Tok, the Book (truth and reconciliation in Sierra Leone) book signing at Resistencia Books (1801 S. 1st St.)
Music
- 8:00pm: Benefit: Mama Said Knock You Out: A Night of Women in Hip Hop at the Historic Victory Grill (1104 E. 11th St.)
Lineup includes: Las Krudas (queer feminist hip hop from Cuba), Invincible (Detroit), hosted by Tiger Lily (Riders Against the Storm), dj t-kay (dublab / KOOP 91.7 fm). Funds raised will train 20 women of color to become DONA-certified Birth Companions (Doulas). The four-day training will be made available free of charge to participants in exchange for a commitment to make their services as birth companions available at no cost to other poor women of color in our community. The Birth Companion Project is one piece of MOCR’s broader campaign to increase access to birthing options for poor women of color in the greater Austin area. - 11:00pm: Bituaya at Speakeasy (412 Congress Ave. #D)
“Bituaya is a result of the socio-political and cultural merges experienced by Venezuela today. All the rhythms of the Afrocaribbean come together to embody the urbanity of Caracan hip-hop, mixed with electronica elements…Having a nexus with Revolutionary Latin America, the world-wide Hip-Hop phenomena, and Venezuela’s own Afro-caribbean influences, Bituaya’s music is a completely unique experience.”
Wednesday, March 16
Film
- 12:00pm: Fambul Tok at State Theatre (719 Congress Ave.)
“Victims and perpetrators of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war come together for the first time in an unprecedented program of tradition-based truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies. Through reviving their ancient practice of fambul tok (family talk), Sierra Leoneans are building sustainable peace at the grass-roots level — succeeding where the international community’s post-conflict efforts failed. Filled with lessons for the West, this film explores the depths of a culture that believes that true justice lies in redemption and healing for individuals — and that forgiveness is the surest path to restoring dignity and building strong communities.”
Music
- 1:00-5:00pm: The People’s Party / Fiesta Popular at MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop)
Two day festival featuring hip hop and music that speaks of resistance. Lineup includes: Rebel Diaz, Las Krudas, Riders Against the Storm, One Be Lo, Gabi, The Cipher, and more. - 6:00pm-midnight: The Beautiful Struggle: Revolutionary Hip Hop and Revolutionary People at Orun Center of Cultural Arts (1401 Cedar Ave.)
Lineup includes: Rebel Diaz (New York), The Cipher (Austin), Homeboy Sandman (New York), Fokn Bois (Ghana) and more. RSVP on Facebook.
Thursday, March 17
Film
- 12:00pm: Incendiary: The Willingham Case at Rollins Theatre (701 W. Riverside Dr.)
“In 1991, Cameron Todd Willingham’s three daughters died in a Corsicana, Texas house fire. Tried and convicted for their arson murders, Willingham was executed in February 2004 despite overwhelming expert criticism of the prosecution’s arson evidence. Today, Willingham’s name has become a call for reform in the field of forensics and a rallying cry for the anti-death penalty movement; yet he remains an indisputable “monster” in the eyes of Texas Governor Rick Perry, who ignored the science that could have saved Willingham’s life. Equal parts murder mystery, forensic investigation and political drama, INCENDIARY documents the haunted legacy of a prosecution built on ‘folklore.’” - 5:00pm: Fambul Tok at Alamo Drafthouse (1120 S. Lamar Blvd.)
“Victims and perpetrators of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war come together for the first time in an unprecedented program of tradition-based truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies. Through reviving their ancient practice of fambul tok (family talk), Sierra Leoneans are building sustainable peace at the grass-roots level — succeeding where the international community’s post-conflict efforts failed. Filled with lessons for the West, this film explores the depths of a culture that believes that true justice lies in redemption and healing for individuals — and that forgiveness is the surest path to restoring dignity and building strong communities.” - 6:15pm: Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour at State Theater (719 Congress Ave.)
““WHO TOOK THE BOMP? LE TIGRE ON TOUR” is a concert film that follows the infamous feminist electronic band on their international farewell tour. Covering 20 live performances, the film celebrates Le Tigre’s infectious political dance music while examining the sexism and homophobia of the contemporary pop machine.” - 7:00pm: END: CIV at MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop)
“END:CIV examines our culture’s addiction to systematic violence and environmental exploitation, and probes the resulting epidemic of poisoned landscapes and shell-shocked nations.”
Music
- 1:00-5:00pm: The People’s Party / Fiesta Popular at MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop)
Two day festival featuring hip hop and music that speaks of resistance. Lineup includes: Rebel Diaz, Las Krudas, Riders Against the Storm, One Be Lo, Gabi, The Cipher, and more.
Friday, March 18
Film
- 7:00pm: END: CIV at Resistencia Books (1801 S. 1st St.)
“END:CIV examines our culture’s addiction to systematic violence and environmental exploitation, and probes the resulting epidemic of poisoned landscapes and shell-shocked nations.”
Music
- 1:00-6:00pm: Books and Bands at MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop)
Lineup includes Matt Bauer, Dana Falconberry, Redding Hunter, and more. RSVP on Facebook.
Saturday, March 19
Film
- 2:30pm: Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour at Vimeo Theater (501 E. 4th St.)
““WHO TOOK THE BOMP? LE TIGRE ON TOUR” is a concert film that follows the infamous feminist electronic band on their international farewell tour. Covering 20 live performances, the film celebrates Le Tigre’s infectious political dance music while examining the sexism and homophobia of the contemporary pop machine.” - 5:30pm: Incendiary: The Willingham Case at Rollins Theatre (701 W. Riverside Dr.)
“In 1991, Cameron Todd Willingham’s three daughters died in a Corsicana, Texas house fire. Tried and convicted for their arson murders, Willingham was executed in February 2004 despite overwhelming expert criticism of the prosecution’s arson evidence. Today, Willingham’s name has become a call for reform in the field of forensics and a rallying cry for the anti-death penalty movement; yet he remains an indisputable “monster” in the eyes of Texas Governor Rick Perry, who ignored the science that could have saved Willingham’s life. Equal parts murder mystery, forensic investigation and political drama, INCENDIARY documents the haunted legacy of a prosecution built on ‘folklore.’”
Music
- 12:00am: Bituaya at Copa (217 Congress Ave.)
“Bituaya is a result of the socio-political and cultural merges experienced by Venezuela today. All the rhythms of the Afrocaribbean come together to embody the urbanity of Caracan hip-hop, mixed with electronica elements…Having a nexus with Revolutionary Latin America, the world-wide Hip-Hop phenomena, and Venezuela’s own Afro-caribbean influences, Bituaya’s music is a completely unique experience.”
Sunday, March 20
Music
- 12:00-4:00pm: Benefit: Fire for the People at Workers Defense Project (5604 Manor Rd.)
Line up includes Rebel Diaz, YC the Cynic, C Rays Walz, The Reminders, Scheme, and more. Funds raised will go towards Workers Defense Project programming which helps win back wages, pushes for better safety conditions for workers, and creates systemic change that empowers the whole community.
Past
Friday, March 11
Interactive
- 5:00pm: “Why Would We Think Social Media Is Revolutionary?,” Clay Shirky
Saturday, March 12
Interactive
- 9:30am: How Many Rungs? Social Change and the Engagement Ladder
- 10:50pm: Clay Shirky SX Bookstore appearance
- 11:00am: Community Engagement Strategies: Rational Debate or Herding Cats?
- 12:30pm: Tech Power to the People! Digital Community Engagement
Sunday, March 13
Interactive
- 9:30am: The User Generated Revolution, Social Media Overcoming Censorship
- 11:00am: Getting Strategic with Social Media for Social Good
- 11:00am: Minority Report: Social Media for Decreasing Health Disparities
- 12:30pm: Librarians and Technology Meet Up
- 3:30pm: People Powered: Technology’s Role in the People’s Revolution
- 5:00pm: Defining the Diaspora: Global Collaboration and Social Change
Film
- 6:00pm: Party to launch funding for ACT UP! (Aids Coalition to Unleash Power) documentary with directors Scott Robbe, Ellen Spiro and Executive Producer Gus Van Sant
Monday, March 14
Interactive
- 12:30pm: #Hashtag Takeovers and Successes in Innovative Virtual Activism
- 3:30pm: Building Human Rights Into Your Social Site
Film
- 1:15pm: Fambul Tok at Alamo Ritz (320 E. 6th St.)
“Victims and perpetrators of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war come together for the first time in an unprecedented program of tradition-based truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies. Through reviving their ancient practice of fambul tok (family talk), Sierra Leoneans are building sustainable peace at the grass-roots level — succeeding where the international community’s post-conflict efforts failed. Filled with lessons for the West, this film explores the depths of a culture that believes that true justice lies in redemption and healing for individuals — and that forgiveness is the surest path to restoring dignity and building strong communities.”
