Give Back, Have Fun

15 charitable Austin events to party with a purpose this spring

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This spring brings with it numerous opportunities to give to those in need.

Dell Children's Medical Center Foundation/Facebook

Bust a move at a block party, pop into a pop-up, sip on a cocktail, or make some big bids — and do it all for a good cause. This spring, Austin businesses and nonprofits are making the most of the season with events benefitting everything from girls empowerment to fighting homelessness.

These 15 must-attend charitable events offer plenty of opportunities to have fun and make a difference at the same time. Find even more ways to party with a purpose in our charity events calendar, part of CultureMap's Charity Guide, highlighting organizations that make our communities a better place.

Birds Barbershop + Texas Honey Ham present "Bestie Westies" Block Party— April 13
There's actually a three-party collaboration happening here. Texas Honey Ham's bringing the free food, Independence Brewery's got the complimentary drinks, and Birds is setting up a braid bar at this weekend event. Partygoers also can enter a "Best Besties" pageant and a raffle to win a year's supply of free haircuts and gift card from Texas Honey Ham, benefiting Foster Angels of Central Texas. Also, the Westlake High School choir is expected to perform, and the Westlake Chamber of Commerce will introduce the winners of the 2018 Westies, the organization's annual awards honoring exceptional businesses, nonprofits, educators, and citizens. If you're feeling really competitive, get to the party early and be among the first 50 attendees to win a "special treat." The event starts at 3 pm. Texas Honey Ham Company, 3736 Bee Cave Rd., Ste. 6A.

Capital Area Dental Foundation presents A Celebration of Smiles Gala— April 13
This party will give guests a lot of reasons to grin. The Celebration of Smiles Gala celebrates the work of the Capital Area Dental Foundation, volunteers, and benefactors who help Central Texans in need afford dental work. The gala includes music, dinner, and first-hand stories of some of the thousands of lives transformed by new smiles. The event starts at 6 pm, and tickets range in price from $150 to $2,000. Hyatt Regency Downtown Austin, 208 Barton Springs Rd.

Spring Kick Off Party Benefiting Texans Can Academy - Austin— April 18
This shindig promises live music, food, and cocktails all benefiting the Austin campus of Texans Can Academy, which serves high school students who've struggled in traditional classrooms. Party starts at 6 pm, and includes bites from Sway and Fresa's, as well as sips from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Tequila 512, Hi Sign Brewing, Lewis Wines, and Nine Banded Whiskey. Tickets cost $45. The Criquet Clubhouse, 1603 S. 1st St.

Back on My Feet presents Austin Gala— April 18
This charity gala and auction will support the fight to end homelessness in Austin. Back on My Feet helps members of the homeless community get back on their feet—literally — with a weekly running program, as well as housing, education, and employment resources. The gala begins at 6:30 pm, and tickets start at $125. JW Marriott Austin, 110 E. 2nd St.

atxGALS presents Bloom: A Springtime Art Party— April 19
The work of emerging local artists will be on display at this downtown art pop-up. Guests can meet with artists and sip cocktails at this event benefiting local nonprofit Girls Empowerment Network. The party starts at 6 pm, and tickets costs $35. The Refinery, 612 Brazos St.

Northwestern Mutual presents 0.5K & Relay— April 25
This event held at the top of the parking garage at Northwestern Mutual's offices benefits Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which fights to end childhood cancer. A $10 donation covers registration and related activities, and also pays for a T-shirt and sticker. Organizers recommend participants bring cash for "extras and goodies." The event starts at 4:30 pm. Northwestern Mutual, 3700 N. Capital of Texas Hwy.

Mack, Jack & McConaughey: Chris Stapleton— April 25
The country music singer-songwriter plays this year's Mack, Jack & McConaughey charity gala, which benefits CureDuchenne, Dell Children’s Medical Center, HeartGift, just keep livin Foundation, and The Rise School of Austin. MJM is the fundraising effort of Texas football coach/legend Mack Brown, country star Jack Ingram, and Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, and also includes a golf tournament and fashion show. Doors open at 8 pm, and the show starts at 9 pm. Tickets start at $99. ACL Live, 310 Willie Nelson Blvd.

BookSpring presents Storybook Heroes Luncheon— April 26
Community members are invited to learn about literacy programs working toward the goal of having at least 20 books in each Central Texas home with children 12 and younger by 2020. NPR's Two Guys on Your Head will headline the luncheon. The event starts at noon, and tickets are priced at $150. Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas presents Bowl for Kids— April 26-27
This unique event requires fundraising before the party begins. The dinosaur-themed, two-day Bowl for Kids 2019 supports children in need of mentors. Teams of six must qualify for the event by raising at least $750 and signing up for a two-hour time slot on Friday or Saturday. Participants can bowl Friday afternoon and evening, and all day Saturday. Highland Lanes, 8909 Burnet Rd.

PKD Foundation presents Austin Walk for PKD— April 27
This walk serves as a fundraiser and an opportunity to raise awareness of polycystic kidney disease. The event includes breakfast and a prize drawing. Participants also can have a blood pressure screening, become a registered organ donor, and receive more information about polycystic kidney disease. Admission is free, but donations to a walker, team, or event as a whole are welcome. Event begins at 9:30 am. Veteran's Memorial Park, 2525 W. New Hope Dr.

Austin Community Foundation presents Somos Austin— May 2
This Austin Community Foundation event benefits the Hispanic Impact Fund, which supports the economic security of Hispanics in Central Texas. The Somos Austin 2019 itinerary includes a cocktail hour, dinner, and The Latino Monologues, a collection of performances by Central Texas' Latino leaders. Stick around after for a special after party. Event starts at 5:30 pm, and tickets start at $150. Austin Film Society Cinema, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd.

Any Baby Can 40th Anniversary Benefit Concert— May 3
Support this Austin nonprofit during a special concert from Shinyribs and Charley Crockett, an exclusive dinner, and auction. Any Baby Can helps parents and children with family support services, health care and resource management, and more. The reception starts at 6 pm, and the concert follows at 8:45 pm. ACL Live, 310 Willie Nelson Blvd.

Andy Roddick Foundation presents Brunchin: A Conversation with Austin First Lady Diane Land— May 4
Diane Land, wife of Austin Mayor Steve Adler, will talk about expanding "opportunities for young people to learn, thrive, and succeed." Also expected to speak are students from the Andy Roddick Foundation and their mentors. Guests can enjoy a brunch, cocktail reception, an auction, and live music. Actress Brooklyn Decker and Anna Dukes Delic will host the affair, which begins at 10 am. Tickets start at $125. Hilton Austin, 500 E. 4th St.

Big Medium presents Due WEST— May 10
Big Medium's annual West Austin Studio Tour (WEST) kicks off its annual self-guided tour through artists' studios in West Austin. The boundaries are west of I-35, east of Mopac, south of 183, and north of William Cannon. Visitors can pick up a WEST catalogue, which features the official list of artists' spaces and businesses that support Big Medium; listen to music, and enjoy food and drinks. For information on pricing and locations to pick up a catalog, visit Big Medium's website. Austin Community College Highland Campus, 6101 Highland Campus Dr.

Hot Luck Festival— May 23-25
This weekend festival boasts a wide variety of food and music events benefiting the SAFE Alliance, which supports survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, exploitation, and domestic violence. The festival, which was co-founded by James Beard Award winner Aaron Franklin, features some of the region's hottest chefs. Tickets for the whole shebang costs $500. Single-event ticket prices vary. The Mohawk, 912 Red River St.

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MESSAGE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE

Austin theater auctions off chance to write message on iconic marquee

Paramount Theatre/Instagram

The Paramount Theatre is auctioning off the chance to share a holiday message on its marquee.

Austinites craving the limelight might get the chance to see their name in lights — or at least a personalized holiday message — illuminated on one of Austin’s most historic marquees.

As part of the Austin Theatre Alliance’s final 2020 auction to raise funds for the Paramount and Stateside theaters, the nonprofit is offering up an array of unusual and very “Austintatious” items for bid, including the chance to share a customized holiday message on the iconic Paramount Theatre marquee.

The auction item is one of several dozen currently up for bid through ATA’s online holiday auction, which runs through December 11.

With a starting bid of $1,500, the Paramount marquee message is one of the pricier items in the auction, but it may be well worth the glory, as the winning bidder can treat all of Austin to a two-line, 80-character custom holiday message that will be professionally photographed and live on the marquee for a minimum of four hours. (It should be noted that the chosen message is subject to review. After all, this is a nonprofit theater marquee, not the infamously sassy El Arroyo sign.)

Having to cancel or reschedule hundreds of planned shows because of COVID-19 concerns, the Paramount Theatre has had a particularly rough year but recently reopened at 25 percent capacity for limited engagements, like its Holiday Film Series, which is currently underway. Funds raised from the auction enable the ATA, which manages the Paramount and Stateside, to reach Central Texas students through virtual programs, employ venue staff, and help the historic theaters survive the pandemic.

In addition to the Paramount marquee message item, the auction also includes other perfectly weird items befitting a homegrown Austin event, like Matt Lankes photos of Willie Nelson playing chess and the late, great Billy Joe Shaver looking contemplative while perched on a bridge in Waco; and several autographed guitars, including one commemorative acoustic guitar signed by 10 of Austin’s most notable musicians, Ruthie Foster, Carrie Rodriguez, and Tameca Jones among them.

Of course, there is no lack of booze-forward packages, hotel stays, and artist-signed prints also up for grabs. But true lovers of the Paramount Theatre will find the item with the highest opening bid ($5,000) steals the show: a private catered dinner for four on the Paramount stage.

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