Live music preview: Housing NPO The Other Ones Foundation present Been There 2 featuring Brownout and Pharcyde
In Austin over the last several years, there has been much discussion about “the homeless situation” in Austin and what to do about it. Our former mayor wanted to solve the issue and had good intentions but his approach was clumsy and prompted conservative voters to get an anti-camping ban on the ballot which eventually passed. Neither side got the results they wanted. Homelessness in Austin was still an unsolved issue. Amid all this, a small group of mostly musicians created The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) and set about to provide for the city’s homeless population who’d been pushed into a camp in Northeast Austin by Governor Abbott. A magical thing happened and this wonderful group started to move the needle on the issue by simply housing, feeding and helping these folks get gainfully employed and then obtain their own housing through a myriad of services they offer to people struggling to get their lives back on track. One fundraising event they’ve created is, surprise! A live music benefit at the Esperanza Community where they offer the aforementioned services to folks who need them. This year, the lineup features local Latin funk heroes Brownout with hip-hop impresario, Pharcyde. Also on the bill are Nikki Glaspie (former drummer for Beyoncé) and The Homies, HeartByrne (Talking Heads Tribute Band), Croy and the Boys, Como Las Movies and more. There will also be a VIP stand-up comedy performance by Doug Mellard. The show takes place Saturday, November 11 at the Esperanza Community from noon to 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance by supporters and music fans.
Two years ago, The Other Ones Foundation invited supporters and press to a precursor to this event in which Grupo Fantasma performed as well as rising act, Nané whose charismatic singer Daniel Sahad tragically passed away not long after. Despite that untimely event, the show was a success and set the table for this year’s event. Inspired by their real-life experiences with their unhoused neighbors while at the University of Texas at Austin in the 90s, filmmakers Aaron Brown (Onion Creek Productions) and Lenny Barszap (Entertaining Entertainment) created HOME FREE, an empowering social impact film inspired by their captivating true story that is disguised as a coming-of-age college comedy. However, they knew in tandem with this that they wanted to do even more so they joined together with TOOF to host the first “Been There” festival in 2021.
More on the event from The Other Ones Foundation:
“This event, hosted by and benefitting The Other Ones Foundation, is far more than just a music festival; it’s a heartwarming gathering that takes place exactly where the hard work is being done and gives a chance for people to see first-hand the amazing progress that they are taking part in by supporting TOOF. It celebrates the strength of the Esperanza Community and the unwavering commitment to providing shelter, opportunity, and support to those experiencing homelessness. “Been There 2” is a testament to the power of community, bringing together supporters, clients, dedicated staff, and world-class musicians to showcase the profound impact of your support on our shared community.”
This writer can attest to all the above as we attended that first “trial run” and saw firsthand, the amazing impact of The Other Ones Foundation, Free Lunch (the NPO’s food partner which is also run by a musician, Jazz Mills) and the tiny homes the organization was building to temporarily house folks in need while the group helped them get back on their feet and self-sufficient once more. People may not realize it, but the average time a homeless person is on the streets is six months. The vast majority of homeless individuals have hit a rough patch financially, usually without a social or financial safety net. Groups like The Other Ones understand this dynamic and work in practical terms to give people the dignity and safe place they need to obtain housing and employment on their own again.
So grab your tickets, which are on sale now. To keep up with the organization, follow TOOF on Instagram
