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The Moody Center has announced the initial gifts from its Red River Rising initiative, which is intended to positively impact the musicians, businesses and residents connected to the city’s Red River Cultural District, located near the new 15,000-seat arena. The center is awarding three $10,000 grants to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Mobile Loaves & Fishes and the RRCD, which helps lobby on behalf of music venues and associated businesses in the downtown district. In a statement accompanying the grant announcement, Moody Center vice president of marketing Veronica Cantu said the three recipients, “have performed tremendous work in our community, and I could not be prouder to work with each of these organizations. Living and working in the Live Music Capital of the World where local musicians are the heart and soul of our city, it was important for us at Moody Center to create a platform to give back to the community we play in.”

Chad Swiatecki is a 20-year journalist who relocated to Austin from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He has written...