Stopping the Domino: Healthy Healing for Social and Mental Health

Aztlan Dance Company, Santa Cruz Theater, and Titan House Productions present “Stopping the Domino” on March 20 - 21, 2021 at Santa Cruz, 1807 E 7th St, Austin, TX, to shine light on mental health caused by traumatic experiences, gentrification, and cultural discrimination within our communities. The event will include musical, theatrical, and dance performances, keynote speakers, and discussions from local members of the community on resolution methods. 

“Each one of the organizers has been affected by one of the issues highlighted in the event,” Vicky Chavez, Founder and CEO of Titan House Productions said. “We have witnessed many in our local community, our peers, our family, and the majority of people around the nation who have also been afflicted by one or more of these matters as well.”

UrbanDisplacement.org notes Austin's Uprooted Project key findings, "Austin’s seniors still experience high tax burdens as the city property taxes increased by at least 100% from 2006 to 2015 for homeowners, outpacing increases in income." A vulnerable group of people on their own, seniors face the risk of losing their home for severe tax delinquencies.

“This event is meant to be a gift to those who have experienced any of the issues mentioned,” Chavez said. “We want everyone to know we share the same pain and this is our own way of healthy healing. We also want to provide a platform for voices to be heard across the board on each topic for those who are not familiar with what it feels like to go through any one of social matters. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors, public and media support, and every single team member who helped put this together.”

The show is brought in part to the public by social advocates and business sponsors around the nation. Entry to the event is $10, and proceeds will go to organizations including Aztlan Dance Company, who promotes greater intercultural, cross-generational understanding and appreciation of Indo/Xicano/Latino dance arts; Timea’s Cause who operates globally alongside law enforcement to eradicate human slavery and educate survivors; and What’s in the Mirror, who connects the community to mental health clinicians.

Following the event, organizers will be making themselves available for those interested in getting involved in any of the causes involved.

“We realize finding where to start getting involved may be challenging,” Chavez explained. “With each issue recognized in the event, we offer different recommendations. For victims, survivors, and advocates of child, youth, and adult sexual assault and abuse, human trafficking, forced drug trafficking, domestic violence, or any other traumatic experience, contact me at vicky@titanhouseproductions.com. I am happy to connect and guide [them] to the right resources in any area to begin receiving assistance and become involved in the cause for change. For opposing gentrification, Austin City Council offers a time slot for 10 public individuals to speak on topics of their choice at their meetings. Organizing local groups to collect information on shared concerns and speak to the city council members is the most direct way to lay everything out on the table.” 

The event will be livestreamed and open to the public (outside area following City of Austin covid-19 guidelines). For more information on “Stopping the Domino”, follow Aztlan Dance Company, Santa Cruz Theater and Titan House Productions on Instagram.