All that Glitters

Andy Roddick Foundation serves up country superstar for annual Austin gala

The Andy Roddick Foundation returns to ACL Live at the Moody Theater for its 13th annual gala.

Photos by Tyler Schmitt, courtesy of Andy Roddick Foundation

One of fall's most anticipated events is serving up another all-star evening. On September 21, it was announced that Dierks Bentley will headline the Andy Roddick Foundation 13th Annual Gala.

The multi-platinum artist and country music darling will take the stage at ACL Live at the Moody Theater on November 1, the highlight of what is always a can't-miss event. (Past performers include John Legend and Elton John.) As in past years, Andy Roddick, Brooklyn Decker, Kendra Scott, and Matt Davis will share co-host duties.

“We couldn’t be more excited to announce that 13-time Grammy nominee Dierks Bentley will perform at this year’s gala,” said Roddick, ARF founder and chairman, in a release.

Each year, more than 2,000 supporters descend on the downtown venue for an evening of live music and celebration. Following a cocktail reception, guests take part in a live auction followed by an extravagant multicourse dinner. As the night rolls on, the gala is transformed into a concert (and a true Austin affair) before ending with a swanky VIP after-party.

Tickets for the gala are priced at $1,250 and go on sale September 21 at 10 am here. Sponsorship packages are also available, and range from the aptly named U.S. Open Level ($20,000) to the Wimbledon Level ($10,000). Attendees may also forego the gala but still catch Bentley's performance. Those tickets are priced from $89-$109 and available here.

Proceeds from the evening go directly to ARF, the tennis star's homegrown philanthropic initiative that creates after-school and summer programs for Austin kids in low-income communities. Since its inception, the ARF Gala has raised more than $8 million for area school children.

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Sonic Boost

Musical gala spotlights 20 Austin acts including Nemegata, Quentin Arispe

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.

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