When Paul Uribe was asked by a local event promoter to perform with his band Mariachi Capital at the Party At The People’s House mini-festival at city hall in late June, he was so taken by the event’s anti-hate crime intent that he discounted the group’s normal rate of $100 per musician, per hour rate […]
Live Music Capital of the World
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Live Music Fund reforms see improved compliance among local musicians
City staff told members of the Music Commission on Monday that nearly all recipients in the current cycle of the city’s Live Music Fund grant program are in compliance with reporting requirements — a marked improvement from the program’s pilot year, when dozens of musicians failed to complete necessary documentation. Staff attributed the stronger performance […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit: Economic official granted arts, music funding against city code
The former director of the Economic Development Department authorized a handful of grant awards that violated city code restrictions, according to a new investigative report from the Office of the City Auditor. The report concludes that Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, who retired in December, allowed four arts organizations to receive Live Music Fund grants for projects that […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Music Commission, staff weigh final criteria for next Live Music Fund grants
The Music Commission is weighing several potential changes to the city’s Live Music Fund grant program, including the removal of criteria tied to languages spoken and census tract residency, clearer definitions of what qualifies as a live music venue, and a greater emphasis on artist accomplishments rather than personal income or access to financial lending. […]
Posted inAustin
Panelists cite city, state programs among positives for health of Austin music scene
Praising attempts by the city and state to offer more support for Austin’s musicians and live music venues, panelists weighing in on the state of the city’s music scene were upbeat Tuesday during a discussion at the LBJ Presidential Library. The Future Forum discussion on the health of Austin’s vaunted music ecosystem cycled through the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Bills covering DEI, handguns draw concern from Music Commission
A proposed state bill that would allow licensed handguns into events held on government property was met with concern by members of the Music Commission on Monday. House Bill 1715, which has been proposed for this year’s legislative session, was one of the bills discussed during a briefing from city staff on how city programs […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
City looks to expand budget, recipients for Live Music Fund
The city appears set to increase the number of awards in its Live Music Fund grant program, with specific considerations given to the needs of veteran and emerging artists looking to promote events or create work that could enhance the local tourism economy. The proposed changes, which are still being evaluated and likely expanded by […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Red River music proponents see city funding as sign of support, progress
Businesses and supporters in the Red River Cultural District see the city’s recent commitment of annual funding as a milestone to provide stability for the area’s cluster of live music venues, with the hope that more policy changes are coming to help the city’s entertainment and creative economy. District stakeholders held a press conference Monday […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Working group to study feedback, surveys for city’s $4.5M Live Music Fund
The Music Commission has formed a working group to evaluate the execution of the second year of the Live Music Fund, which recently awarded $4.5 million to just over 100 musicians, promoters and music venues throughout the area. The group was formed partially in response to early feedback on the program collected by the advocacy […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Austin Opera’s new HQ welcomes smaller arts orgs to the stage
Austin Opera leaders aim to turn the organization’s new headquarters and performance space into a bustling hub for arts groups increasingly pressured for space in Austin. Last week the group, which holds its major performances at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, announced the purchase of a 16,000-square-foot facility in Southeast Austin near Montopolis […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Panelists see progress, problems in Austin’s management of nightlife economy
Entertainment industry leaders see promise in Austin’s recent land use and policy changes that could positively impact the area’s nightlife economy, though they plan to push for further changes to streamline planning and approvals for those businesses. An online panel on Thursday hosted by the Nite Cap Alliance advocacy and trade group featured city entertainment […]
Posted inCity Council
Council could decide ‘agent of change’ noise dispute issue, after nearly a decade of debate
This week, City Council could end nearly a decade of waiting and staff work to settle disputes between music venues and new developments moving into all areas of the city. Today’s Council meeting will include a proposed ordinance change concerning sound assessments for new residential and hotel buildings, which since 2015 have been at the […]