Today at the shop: Save the Cactus Cafe

The latest report is hopeful. Today, Texas Exes CEO and executive director Jim Boon spoke with university president Bill Powers about relocating the cafe to the Elter-Harbin Alumni Center. If moved, performances could resume as soon as fall 2011. Right now, President Powers is holding a town meeting on the UT campus to discuss the future of Cactus Cafe. 

On January 30, University of Texas officials announced plans to close down the cafe, a landmark of the Austin music scene located inside the Texas Student Union. The cafe birthed stars such as Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith, and gave local musicians like David Garza and Sara Hickman a chance to show off their talent. 

The university's move is a result of budget cuts to be made starting in August. The closure of the cafe has been met with an overwhelmingly negative response by the local music scene, UT alumni and current students. We're upset about it too, as one of our own, Graham Weber plays at the cafe about once a month. In the past, he played every Monday night and hosted the open mic night. 

An Austin lawyer, Tiffany Walker, is currently writing a book about the cafe and asked Weber to print shirts to raise awareness and show support for the 30 year-old cafe. Walker will be at The Paramount tonight where Cactus performers Eliza Gilkyson and Jimmy LaFave are taking part in an 80th Birthday Tribute to Rod Kennedy. 

The event starts at 7 p.m. so come on out, show your support for the Cactus Cafe and score one of Sanctuary Printshop's "Save the Cactus" t-shirts. 

Save the Cactus Cafe Facebook group