Leonard Cohen Tribute
Austinites say hallelujah for Refugee Services of Texas
By Dave Randall, 2:00PM, Fri. Jan. 20, 2017
Depending on the circumstances of your birth, 2016 may have seen your favorite musician pass on, or it might have been a year that forced you to flee your war-torn country. If you landed in the former category, then maybe you wondered how to help those in the latter.
One easy way would be going to this show benefiting the humanity-minded folks at the Refugee Services of Texas. What better way to honor Leonard Cohen?
The Montreal mood-master left us six decades of music when he died this past Nov. 7 at the age of 82. From out of his treasured oeuvre, nine Austin acts scoop out a few not-so-secret chords at Cheer Up Charlies on Sunday. Karaoke this ain’t.
Star Parks, led by ATX6 alum and guitar diplomat Andy Bianculli; Grace Park, clarion crooner of indie folk outfit the Deer; and Dave Pinkham’s lovelorn Dylan-Reed-Walkmen-inspired rockers Summer Swells fill out their ranks with horn sections, backup vocalists, and guest spots aplenty. Also levitating will be former Chronicle cover story dreamgazers Moving Panoramas, fronted by the impressive Leslie Sisson, and Some Say Leland, who offer alluring, melancholic country. Art-pop song man Matthew Squires will likely resist the urge to play through his brand new release Tambaleo, out Jan. 20.
RSTX will be on site with information on how you can help refugees in Texas with your time, ability, or money. Currently, the Austin office engages in resettlement of refugees into the local community and then specializes in the training of job readiness, social adjustment, mental health counseling, English language learning – you name it. The social service agency also operates the Survivors of Trafficking Empowerment Program, which aids domestic and foreign survivors. Learn about how to join or start your own Welcome Team, a community group responsible for much more than just donating money. They’re proven to greatly accelerate refugee integration, English skills, and overall success.
Experience a not-so-broken, not-so-lonely hallelujah through multifaceted gems by local musicians, and walk the talk of Austin being a sanctuary city with this worthy tribute. In the meantime, read about Leonard Cohen’s last performance in the Texas state capital here. RSVP to the event on Facebook.
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June 2, 2017
Jan. 24, 2017
Leonard Cohen Tribute, Leonard Cohen, Refugee Services of Texas, Cheer Up Charlies, Star Parks, The Deer, Summer Swells, Some Say Leland, Moving Panoramas, Andy Bianculli, Grace Park, Leslie Sisson, Dave Pinkham, Matthew Squires
