“Money talks” but “NO money shouts!”

We sent this email on Tuesday from UT Alum Tomoko Ikeda to several thousand of our supporters.

Dear fellow Cactus Cafe fan,

As a long-time fan of the Cactus Cafe, I want to thank you for supporting the efforts to save the historic and iconic venue. The battle is far from over, but we’ve accomplished a lot since the Friday night massacre of January 29, when the University announced its decision to close the Cactus Cafe.

When I first heard the news of the Cactus’s impending closure, I felt as though I’d been told a close friend was diagnosed with a terminal disease. I could not imagine the “Live Music Capital of the World” without a Cactus Cafe. Moreover, I could not imagine the University of Texas or Austin without the Cactus Cafe.

I earned a doctorate from the University of Texas, and some of my fondest memories from my UT years involve nights at the Cactus.  I grew up in Tokyo, Japan, listening to the kinds of music that are staple at the Cactus. I did my Master’s at another institution in Central Texas, and when I headed home, I thought I wanted to come back to Texas. Nine years later, I was back in Texas as a doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin. I still remember my first show at the Cactus as if it was yesterday. I also remember feeling truly fortunate to be at the University that would support a venue like the Cactus. The Cactus was indeed the “soundtrack” of my life in Austin. It was my favorite place on campus, and three years after I moved back to my country, it is the reason I come back to visit Austin. I made my “homecoming” trip last year to be part of the Cactus’s 30th anniversary. I know I am not alone in flying in from another part of the world to attend shows at the Cactus. One measure of a world-class university is its appeal in areas of arts and culture to the global community. UT is blessed that the Cactus Cafe is part of the University.

In an effort to voice my opposition to the University’s decision to close and then “re-purpose” the Cactus, I have written to UT President William Powers, Vice President for Student Affairs Juan González and Dean of Student Affairs Soncia Reagins-Lilly several times, but all I got so far is multiple copies of the same form letter from President Powers. The way the “Cactus Conversations” were conducted and the options regarding the future of the Cactus that they claim are the result of the conversations indicate how out of touch UT administrators are with its current students, alums and the community.

I made it clear that I will no longer support the University of Texas in any form or fashion if the University closes or re-purposes the Cactus Cafe.

I know that other alums feel the same way and have taken similar action.  If you are a UT alum, I am now asking you to do the same. If you know UT alums, please forward this to them and ask them to join us.  

https://www.savethecactuscafe.org/cyc

If “money talks,” then “no money shouts!”  Close Your Checkbook and make a statement for the sake of the Cactus!

In Music,
Tomoko Ikeda
UT Alum, Ph.D in Communications Studies, ’07