Dancing for a Cause

Local celebrities step up for Austin's very own version of Dancing with the Stars

At a private VIP launch event on Wednesday evening, local celebrity participants for Austin's very own Dancing with the Stars charity gala were revealed. This year, 11 famous Austinites — ranging from a renowned interior designer to the CEO of a top tech company — will dance their hearts out in support of the Center for Child Protection.

The 2014 Dancing with the Stars Austin competitors are as follows:

Nate Paul: Founder, president and chief executive officer of World Class Capital Group
Adam Zeplain: Senior director at ChatID, advisor, investor
Grant Foster: Founder of Foster Financial Group
Gene Austin: CEO of Bazaarvoice and lover of all things Austin
David Dunham: Texas Monthly executive and community volunteer
Cassie LaMere: Event marketing director for Lexus of Austin and charity advocate
Donna Stockton-Hicks: Interior designer and co-owner of Stockton Hicks Laffey
Katrine Formby: Telluride developer, director of Mozart's Christmas Light Show
Francie Little: Real estate broker and community advocate
Sarah Meredith: Vice president at 1800Oncologist.com and Austin philanthropist
Shelby Marquardt: Anesthesiologist and founder of Blue Sky Scrubs

After months of practice with professional ballroom dancers, the local celebrities will hit the stage at the Hilton Austin on December 7. Guests will enjoy live dance performances during the glitzy event, which also includes a cocktail reception, dinner and a (very lively) live auction.

One competitor will be crowned the winner during the event, but the real star of the evening will be the funds raised for a local nonprofit. Last year, the glamorous gala raised more than $1 million for the Center for Child Protection.

For more details on how you can be part of the star-studded affair, presented by Lexus of Austin, visit the Center for Child Protection website.

Francie Little.

Courtesy of Center for Child Protection

Francie Little.

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Time For A Swan Song

Austin's Madam Radar to play gala for unique musical nonprofit

Madam Radar/swansongs.org

Madam Radar is playing the 14th Annual Swan Songs Serenade on November 3.

A unique musical gala in Austin is gearing up for its 2024 run. The 14th Annual Swan Songs Serenade, which raises funds for bedside concerts by local artists, has now announced its ticketing and sponsorship options. This gives individuals ($200) and groups plenty of time to organize their contribution before ticket sales start on September 1.

The gala will be held on November 3, combining a seated dinner, live and silent auctions that are currently accepting donations, and a performance by local rock band Madam Radar, known for their gentle and soulful Americana rock sound. The band has been selling out shows, including a recent date at Antone's, and this gala is known for getting popular local artists on board.

Swan Songs, the nonprofit that organizes the event, takes a creative approach to end-of-life care. Similar organizations like Make A Wish are famous for their extraordinary ability to grant final wishes, but Swan Songs takes a much more local approach. When an Austinite is terminally ill or nearing the end of their life, they can request a concert by a local musician, either by name or by genre.

The latter is more common, but Guy Forsyth, Jimmy LaFave, Bob Schneider, Ray Benson, and Marcia Ball are among artists requested in the past, according to a press release. The nonprofit started in this spirit, when Austin musician and Swan Songs founder Christine Albert was asked to play for a fan. Swan Songs pays an honorarium to participating artists.

Now Swan Songs offers concerts for friends, family, and caregivers to enjoy as well, and two custom songwriting experiences. Both reflect the life of the recipient in song; One is prepared for them, and the other sets them up for a collaborative effort with songwriter Darden Smith.

The Swan Songs Serenade gala hopes to "bring conversations about death out of the shadows," according to the release, and the songwriting experiences also aim for feelings of closure.

The 2024 Swan Songs Serenade will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin. The dinner caterer has not been announced. Tables for 10 can be purchased through sponsorships starting at $5,000. Smaller sponsorships that do not include seating at the event raise funds for musician honorariums of $150 each; These can be purchased at various levels from $3,000-15,000.

More information about the gala and Swan Songs is available at swansongs.org.

concerts galas charity fundraisers