(Reporting on the Burnt Orange... - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
With one merciless swipe of the pen, the Cactus Cafe was crossed out from the ledgers of the University of Texas and music forever. Or at least that's what UT President William C. Powers, UT Student Government President Liam O'Rourke, and Texas Union Executive Director Andy Smith wished happened.
I'm Zach Bidner, I'm a UT senior, and I want to tell you about the Cactus Cafe.
The Cactus Cafe is located in the Texas Union on the UT campus, and it is the only bar on campus. Moreover, the Cactus Cafe is the mecca of musical fulfillment for UT students, UT alumni, and Austinites for generations over. It is the place where nascent musicians are born and the old hands recharge themselves. Texas favorites like Lyle Lovett have cut their teeth on the Cactus stage, and as stars, they get lured back by the special intimacy of the place.
When I walk through the Union after class, I cross the monotone desert of Starbucks, Wendy's, and Taco Bell before I reach the Cactus Cafe, my oasis for authenticity. At the Cactus, singer-songwriter Butch Hancock has performed at such a personal level, that I could have sworn it was just the two of us in the room. I've also sung-a-long with the band Jackopierce and 150 fellow fans at the show.
On Friday, January 29th, the Texas Union Board, including SG President O'Rourke and Union Director Smith, recommended to President Powers that the Cactus Cafe should be shut down to reduce the Union budget. At a town hall meeting the following Tuesday, President Powers was beseeched by hordes of students, alumni, and Austinites to save the Cactus Cafe, some even offering donations to fill the budget gap. He repeatedly removed himself from responsibility by attributing the decision to the Union Board. Make no mistake, the onus is on President Powers. The board is merely advisory, and President Powers has the authority to accept or reject any of its recommendations.
Shortly after the meeting, O'Rourke issued a statement defending the cuts. He wrote that he understands the importance of the Cactus Cafe, but that compared to other options to reduce the Union budget, his priorities lie with maintaining operating hours and continuing to fund the Student Events Center. The Student Events Center is a branch of the Union whose website proudly announces events like movie nights, such as the Time Traveler's Wife, and open helium tank usage for campus groups!
On Saturday February 6th, a large group of concerned citizens, including many students like myself, formed an organization to restore the Cactus Cafe (our website is www.savethecactuscafe.org). Sensing our momentum, O'Rourke is already eating his words. Interviewed by KTBC on Saturday, he explained that his statement was misunderstood: the Cactus will not be closing; instead, students will replace the current, professional management. This is by no means a victory. I'm a student but I sure don't trust my peers to book quality acts.
Our organization has outlined a plan to save the Cactus Cafe while increasing student involvement. A non-profit support organization will be formed to raise funds and provide long-term financial support for the Cactus Cafe. An initiative will provide students with funded internships in the business and technical areas of club operation, working under the wing of the current, knowledgeable club staff. A Student-Artists in Residence program will also fund a number of students to play at the Cactus. Our organization is eager to cooperate with UT leadership, but so far UT leadership has ignored us.
Powers, O'Rourke, and Smith thought they could write this one off the books, but shutting down the Cactus is not like closing the doors of just any campus recital hall-especially without consulting the UT student body or general public before making the decision. The Cactus Cafe is too historic, too intimate, and too genuine a place to let go of.
Zachary Bidner
214-663-7116
zacharybidner@mail.utexas.edu
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