SXSW Film and Interactive Start Tomorrow
Austin’s South by Southwest Film and Interactive Festivals kicks off tomorrow and downtown is preparing.
Capital Metro is adding bus routes throughout the city as well as Night Owl routes which will run from midnight to 3 a. m. every night but Sunday. MetroRail will offer extended hours during the festival too. The train will run through midnight both Fridays and will run from 10:30 a. m. to midnight on Saturdays. You can visit Capital Metro’s website for additional transportation options.
Texas Awaits Decision on Texas Voter ID Law
From the Texas Tribune, the state may find out on Monday whether it can ask voters to present identification in order to vote.
To receive approval for such a measure, the state is required to apply for pre-clearance through the Department of Justice. The first attempt was made in July, which yielded a response in September asking Texas to provide more information about voter racial composition. Following Texas' initial response, the feds have since requested additional information from the state, initiating a lengthy back-and-forth between the parties.
The deadline for the DOJ's response -- this Monday -- could yield three different outcomes: issuance of the pre-clearance, denial of the pre-clearance or a request for more information. If the measure is denied, Texas will pursue a lawsuit that was filed against the Department of Justice and the U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder, according the Tribune.
City of Austin Names First Music Ambassador
The City of Austin’s Music Division has named Roky Erickson as the first Music Ambassador of Austin.
Erickson will be representing the city's Creative Ambassadors Program, whose purpose is to promote local talent to markets around the world. Erickson will travel to Adelaide, Australia to headline the Adelaide Festival 2012 on March 9. Erickson is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Austin known for co-founding the psychedelic rockers the 13th Floor Elevators.
The Music Ambassador position, a collaboration between the Creative Ambassadors Program and the City’s Music, International and Cultural Arts Division, aims to open discussion and opportunities for Austin’s creative community to markets worldwide, according to a statement on the city’s website.
