Slaid Cleaves Gives Major Props To Lucinda In Interview

this part of the article jumped out at me; especially in these tough economic times

The Texas Union Board is shutting down operations at the Cactus Cafe and phasing out informal classes as part of a request by UT President William Powers Jr. that all UT departments cut their budgets to accommodate a 2-percent merit raise for faculty

@Lafayette wrote:

The Cactus Cafe is tentatively closing.

A recent article said the closure at the Student Union is to take place in August, 2010 but the students have offered to re-locate The Cactus Cafe to their new building next year. No decision has been made yet.

Anyway, last year was the 3rd annual tribute night held at the Cactus for the Williams (a.k.a. Hank and Lucinda)
The show invites audience members to get up on stage to do their Hank or Lu thing. The show is produced by Jenny Reynolds-Austin based singer.
Here is a video of “I think I Lost It” by the Flyin’ “A’s” at the Cactus.
I hope the show can return for their 4th tribute night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bO4yTuVOKw
lwj

@Lafayette wrote:

The Cactus Cafe is tentatively closing. This interview with Slaid Cleaves is in response to that closing.
Cleaves said his initial attraction to the Cactus Cafe was its historical value to Austin.
“At first, it was the mystique and the history of it,” he said. “Being a legendary proving grounds of people like Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith, who started their careers there, and knowing you’re standing exactly where Townes Van Zandt and Lucinda Williams stood — that’s pretty special.”

Good news:
Just announced, the Cactus Cafe to stay open.It will be run by the U of T Student’s Union and KUT-FM
http://www.austin360.com/music/cactus-cafe-to-stay-open-698194.html?cxntcid=breaking_news
And this e-mail was sent last week to the U of T and KUT-FM from the Save the Cactus Cafe group endorsed by the many artists that have performed there to keep it in its present format.
It is an impresssive list and includes Lucinda and Gurf.
Here is the article.
http://www.savethecactuscafe.org/post/1/2010/05/73/artists-petition-student-affairs-and-kut-for-cactus-cafe

lwj