SO POP-ULAR

POP Austin's return gives locals a chance to collect international art

Austin-based Ysabel LaMay is one of six local artists featured in this year's international art fair, POP Austin.

Ysabel LaMay/POP Austin

Every November, the international art community descends on our fair city for POP Austin, a weekend of artist showcases, parties, and educational panels. Hosted at Fair Market, the festivities begin on Thursday, November 9, with a VIP Opening Party and run through Sunday, November 12.

Now in its fourth year, POP Austin features more than 40 multimedia artists from across the world, specializing in fine art, digital and light-based mediums, sculpture, and photography. With its art market style, POP Austin gives locals a chance to shop art from around the world, participate in interactive installations, meet artists and take part in POP Talks, a series of educational events.

The weekend, says POP Austin co-founder and CEO Steve Carlson, is an opportunity for Austin to step into the international art scene. “We are extremely committed to increasing the impact art has on the city of Austin," says Carlson in a release. “Our goal at POP Austin is to showcase compelling art through original engaging programming that inspires creativity, spikes curiosity, and shapes a community.”

Featured artists in this year's lineup include Kenton Parker, DABSMYLA, Johnny Romeo, Aaron de la Cruz, Ysabel LeMay, Brandon Boyd, Lauren Benrimon, Jon One, Yang Na, Richard Colman, Terri Thomas, and POSE.

In addition to featured artist Ysabel LeMay, who is based here in Austin, there will be five other locals with artwork in this year's show.

Pop Austin is open to the general admission ticket holders beginning on Friday, November 10, through Sunday, November 12. Single day tickets are currently on sale for $20 and three-day general admission tickets are available for $50. VIP tickets are $150 and include access to Thursday's VIP Opening Party and all three days of the event. In addition to the exhibit, ticket holders will have access to POP Talks which take place on November 11 and 12 from 12-6 pm. Tickets are available for purchase here.

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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.

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