Black Fret Black Ball

Local music supporters get uniquely Austin concert at Black Fret's Black Ball

Austin music supporters descended on the majestic Paramount Theatre on Saturday, November 8 for Black Fret's inaugural Black Ball. Part fundraiser, part concert, this unique evening was a chance for Austin music supporters to gather for a night of festivities — and some really good music.

Black Fret is an Austin-based nonprofit dedicated to providing annual grants to local musicians. Through an annual donation of $1,500, Black Fret's Patrons of Local Music members provide more than $2 million annually to the organization. That money is then handed out in $10,000 grants for the upcoming year and provides financial support for Black Fret's concerts and services.

At Saturday's member-only event, Black Fret supporters saw the inaugural induction of grant recipients in between short musical sets by 16 of the nominees. The 2014 nominees included Amy Cook, Danny Malone, Dawn and Hawkes, East Cameron Folkcore, Elias Haslanger, Elizabeth McQueen, Emily Bell, Erin Ivey, Gina Chavez, Graham Wilkinson, Jitterbug Vipers, Jonny Gray, Lincoln Durham, Little Radar, Mother Falcon, Quiet Company, The Rocketboys, The Whiskey Sisters, Wild Child and Zeale.

Opening act Mother Falcon set the tone for the evening, bringing their melodic, delicate and — at times — raucous sound to the stage. (The group went on to snag a grant later that evening.) Between performances, Chairman, President and Founder Colin Kendrick and Vice Chairman Matt Ott applauded the members of Black Fret, discussed the mission of the organization and revealed grant winners.

In addition to Mother Falcon, Amy Cook, Elizabeth McQueen, Erin Ivey, Gina Chavez, Graham Wilkinson, Lincoln Durham, Quiet Company, The Rocketboys and Wild Child were also named winners. "I'm still in a state of delighted shock at having been awarded a Black Fret Grant," said McQueen of her grant. "The amount of talent in the nominee field was staggering, and reaffirmed to me how lucky I am to live in this city."

Grant recipients will receive a total of $10,000 over the course of the year as well as mentoring opportunities. For more information, head to Black Fret.

Chairman, President and Founder Colin Kendrick and Vice Chairman Matt Ott

Photo by Dave Pedley

Chairman, President and Founder Colin Kendrick and Vice Chairman Matt Ott

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Taste of 2025

Austin's Wine & Food Foundation announces 3 big events for 2025

Photo by Erica Wilkins Photography

Theses Wine & Food Foundation events raise funds for local initiatives.

Austin's food scene is booming, but smaller businesses could always use support. The Wine & Food Foundation is one of Austin's leading industry protectors, and it's just announced three events to help support its mission over the next year.

The three events — Big Reds and Bubbles, Toast of Texas, and the Rare & Fine Wine Auction Gala — are spread out between March and November of 2025, and all offer something a bit different.

They'll all benefit the Wine & Food Foundation and, by extension, the local organizations it supports. Those include Keep Austin Fed, which diverts food surpluses from grocery stores, catered events, and other sites of professional food service; and Sustainable Food Center, which helps Texans access healthy food through SNAP and WIC incentives, hosts farmers markets, connects farmers with resources, and more. The Wine & Food Foundation also offers scholarships for hospitality professionals.

Big Reds and Bubbles, held Friday, March 28, will bring together more than 100 red and sparkling wines for a tasting event. In addition to comparing wines back-to-back, guests will get to try them with bites from popular Austin restaurants to discover interesting new pairings. They'll also get to dress to impress and see the new LZR space — formerly La Zona Rosa, an old Austin music venue that had its last official performance in 2013.

Next up is Toast of Texas on June 8. This is another tasting event that focuses instead on 20 local wineries. The food menu at this event is also more specific, featuring local barbecue and paella, among other local tastes. It'll be located at Assembly Hall, an event space on East 7th Street adjacent to the East Austin Hotel.

Finally, there's the premier event: the Rare & Fine Wine Auction Gala on November 8. This is a big fundraising opportunity not just because of potentially high auction tickets, but the chance to experience something truly out of the ordinary for the wine industry. Guests will also enjoy "an elegant dinner" according to the press release and wines by a featured maker. It'll all happen at the JW Marriott Austin.

The release counts more than 50 other events slated for the year, so there are plenty more opportunities between the big three. Some of these include wine tasting courses, which will be available again soon.

wine tasting small businesses wineries nonprofits galas