The Show Must Go On

"Broadway Baby" Bernadette Peters replaces Johnny Mathis for ZACH's TopferTheatre opening gala

If you heard a collective gasp from the theatre community of Austin recently, it's most likely because of the announcement by ZACH Theatre that Bernadette Peters is coming to town.

Yes, that Bernadette Peters. The one you recently saw on Smash. The one you remember from the movie version of Annie. The one who is known as the "foremost interpreter of the works of Steven Sondheim." That Bernadette Peters.

To all who know her exotic trill, you will be pleased to hear that the two-time Tony winner was tapped to headline ZACH's opening night gala performance on September 27, which will make her the very first performer to christen the new Topfer Theatre's Kuykendall Stage with her beloved Broadway voice.

Peters joins the lineup after legendary crooner Johnny Mathis, who was originally slated to take up that title, was forced to cancel two months of performances due to an emergency hip replacement surgery.

The Topfer Theatre opening will be celebrated with two nights of gala events. The first evening, featuring Peters and 30 Austin-area musicians, is a black-tie affair entitled Once Upon a Dream. Two days later, fellow Broadway superstar Brian Stokes Mitchell joins the festivities for the campus-wide party, Deep in the Heart of ZACH.

“It is truly perfect that one of the most iconic Broadway performers in American history will open our spectacular new Topfer Theatre,” says ZACH’s Managing Director Elisbeth Challener.

With Peters' participation in the mix, the last weekend in September will indeed be any musical theatre lover's nirvana.

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Visit the ZACH website for more information on tickets and sponsorships of the gala.

Sonic Boost

Musical gala spotlights 20 Austin acts including Nemegata, Quentin Arispe

Nemegata Austin

Photo courtesy of Spaceflight Records

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On January 18, charitable organization Sonic Guild will award $150,000 in grants to 20 deserving local bands and solo artists at the Sonic Guild Ball. For the first time ever, tickets are available to the public for this ceremony and show.

This is the 11th year this organization has supported the Austin music scene, though readers might know the organization by its previous name, Black Fret. This public charity is headquartered here in Austin and is on a mission to support artists here (as well as in Seattle and parts of Colorado, now) with a publicly available annual membership.

In return for annual dues, members get to see a bunch of shows and attend private events; and their memberships support local music with grants. Over these years, the group has awarded grants and payments to local musicians, venues, and music businesses totaling over $6 million.

This year's grant recipients are:

Rob Baird
West 22nd
Cactus Lee
The Point
DAIISTAR
Parker Woodland
Nemegata
Deer Fellow
Elijah Delgado
Grocery Bag
Quentin Arispe
Shelley King
Geto Gala
Next of Kin
promqueen
Lew Apollo
S. L. Houser
Harvest Thieves
TV's Daniel
Stella and the Very Messed

These artists were selected through a year-long process where Sonic Guild members, advisors, and prior grant recipients nominated, lobbied for, and finally voted on their favorite artists.

These 20 winners will receive not only grants at the upcoming Sonic Guild Ball, but also mentoring, and will be paid for any performance they do for Sonic Guild audiences in the future. In fact, half of the awarded bands will be performing at the ball itself.

In between performances there will be videos and live testimonials telling the stories of how past grant winners have used their funds to boost their music careers with album recordings, tours, instruments, and more.

“Naming these 20 2024 Sonic Guild Artists puts us at over 200 individual acts we have recognized with a Sonic Guild grant,” said co-founder and Executive Director of Sonic Guild Austin Matt Ott in a press release. “Every member that joins Sonic Guild sends a powerful message to our city’s musicians that their contributions to our culture matters. We must support our music scene as our great city grows to make sure it thrives for generations to come.”

The 2024 Sonic Guild Ball will be held at the Long Center for the first time ever. Individual public tickets are available online and range between $24 and $130 depending on the seat.

Austinites can also become members of Sonic Guild and have access to more than 30 live shows this next season, and will get to vote for the lucky artists that will be awarded with grants at next year's Sonic Guild Ball.

galas fundraisers music live music

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