Tag Archives: Live Music Capital of the World
Friday, October 15, 2021 by Jonathan Lee
Planning
Rezoning to bring back Austin Opry House headed for Council vote
The revival of storied music venue Austin Opry House moved one step closer to reality Tuesday when the Planning Commission recommended rezoning the site at 200 Academy Drive to make way for a mixed-use development. Beyond reviving the 1,200-capacity venue,…
Monday, October 11, 2021 by Chad Swiatecki
City Hall
Cultural trust RFP expected as new EDC considers handling Live Music Fund
The city’s new economic development corporation could issue its first call for development partners next month, with the goal of preserving or creating spaces that can be used by local musicians and arts groups that are increasingly being displaced. At…
Thursday, October 7, 2021 by Chad Swiatecki
Entertainment & Events
Covid relief for musicians expected by December, with Live Music Fund taking shape
Local musicians impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to receive federal relief funds by December, thanks to alterations to a pair of music funding programs recommended by the Music Commission. As of last month, city staffers had been concerned…
Thursday, August 5, 2021 by Chad Swiatecki
Entertainment & Events
Music Commission pushes Council to recommit to $10M aid plan for venues
The Music Commission has asked the city to hold to a May decision to provide another $10 million in federal assistance to Austin music venues, in response to recent recommendations by staff to reduce the next aid package to $4…
Monday, July 19, 2021 by Chad Swiatecki
Entertainment & Events
Proposed live music grants could fund hundreds of concerts
The city is seeking feedback in the initial guidelines for the long-planned Live Music Fund, which would provide hundreds of grants of up to $10,000 for independent musicians and promoters to create new concerts and festivals throughout the city. Total…
Thursday, May 27, 2021 by Jonathan Lee
Austin
Austin’s music and arts community to receive windfall from American Rescue Plan
The American Rescue Plan spells huge relief for Austin’s music and arts scene. In a resolution passed last Thursday, City Council proposed spending $25 million over a two-year period to revive the city’s creative industry, mostly using money from Austin’s $188.4…
Thursday, May 20, 2021 by Andrew Weber, KUT
Entertainment & Events
Austin to loosen Covid vaccine, distancing rules for live music and events
Austin’s live music and arts scenes have been hurting in the pandemic. But as more and more Central Texans get vaccinated and Covid-related hospitalizations wane, the city known for live music is priming itself for a return to relative normalcy. As part…
Friday, April 9, 2021 by Chad Swiatecki
Austin
City awards second round of SAVES funds to closed music venues
The city has begun awarding grants to 28 music venues selected to receive assistance from a $5 million program created to help preserve businesses that have been largely closed since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic last spring. The grants…
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 by Chad Swiatecki
Entertainment & Events
City, live music advocates decry legislation that would limit noise regulations
City leaders and live music advocates spoke out Monday against a bill in the Texas Legislature that would limit the ability of cities to regulate amplified sound from bars and music venues. The press conference at downtown club 3Ten was…
Friday, January 15, 2021 by Chad Swiatecki
Entertainment & Events
City distributes $1.34M in venue assistance, with more funding on the way
The city has awarded $1.34 million in assistance to live music venues that have been mostly or entirely closed since March, with another round of city funds available and billions in federal assistance on the way soon. As of this…
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Austin
2020: Highlights (and lowlights) of an unforgettable year
It’s not likely that anyone who lived through it will soon forget the year 2020. It’s possible, however, that one might forget the details of local news stories from the year. For that, we offer this review of the year…
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 by Andrew Weber, KUT
Austin
Austin’s ailing live music venues could get much-needed money under the new coronavirus relief bill
Live music venues in Austin could see some relief from the new federal coronavirus relief package. The bill, which was passed Monday night, includes $15 billion in relief specifically dedicated to independent venues, theaters and other arts organizations. The bipartisan…
Friday, December 4, 2020 by Andrew Weber, KUT
Austin
City Council takes steps toward relief for live music venues and ‘legacy’ businesses
Austin’s struggling live music venues, restaurants, bars and longtime businesses are a step closer to getting some Covid-19-related relief from the city, but some are still holding out hope for quicker relief. City Council approved Thursday the guidelines for two…
Monday, November 23, 2020 by Andrew Weber, KUT
Austin
Austin music venues won’t get Covid relief money until next year. They say they’re running out of time.
Jeannette Gregor was shaking, her voice quivering. “I am not a public speaker. This is actually kind of a nightmare for me – especially after about five months of isolation and no social contact,” she said back in September. “So…
Friday, October 16, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
City Council
Council approves partial start for SAVES
After directing the city to create the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) fund last month, City Council approved initial program guidelines Thursday that will provide some immediate financial relief for local music venues, restaurants, bars and child care centers.…
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
City Council
Council refines SAVES proposal
The city has not yet found the right balance in regards to distributing $15 million in financial assistance under Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES). As City Council prepares to consider allocating $8.5 million in sales tax revenue to the…
Thursday, September 17, 2020 by Andrew Weber, KUT
Entertainment & Events
‘We deserve to be saved’: Austin music venues rally for city-backed relief fund
Austin’s music community rallied at City Hall Wednesday to support a measure to bolster the ecosystem around live music in the face of the pandemic. The rally included everyone in that ecosystem, from the folks who help keep the scene…
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
Austin
Council members consider funding to save local service economy
Without significant intervention, economists are predicting a “K-shaped” Covid-19 recovery trajectory, a scenario where “high-skill” professionals thrive while the service sector continues in a rapid decline. City Council hopes to prevent the further demise of our local music and arts…
Friday, August 7, 2020 by Chad Swiatecki
Entertainment & Events
Austin joins national pilot program exploring how to safely reopen music venues
Austin has signed up as a pilot city for a national effort to establish guidelines for music venues looking to reopen safely once the public health threats from the Covid-19 pandemic are lessened. Today the city will announce its partnership…
Friday, July 31, 2020 by Chad Swiatecki
Entertainment & Events
With stages silent, Austin’s music venues need help to stay open
In his role as spokesperson for the cluster of live music venues concentrated on Red River Street, Cody Cowan relies on a graphic visual to convey the reality of those businesses’ prospects of surviving the Covid-19 pandemic. Now fully…
