Austin Mayor Steve Adler Schedules Talks In Trying To Keep The Music Playing

AUSTIN, TX — Mayor Steve Adler has often made clear that without music, Austin won't be able to continue calling itself the "live music capital of the world." But an exodus of musicians priced out of ever-more-expensive Austin threatens that municipal moniker.

Recent city action has been taken to stem the tide. And on Sunday, the mayor plans two public appearances to further discuss this issue.

At 11 a.m. on Feb. 12, the mayor will be at Threadgill's on Riverside, 301 W Riverside Dr., at a gathering of the Austin Music Industry Breakfast Club offering opening remarks ahead of a keynote address by JD Dunn. After that, he'll be part of a panel on Elected Officials and the Nighttime Economy at the 2017 Sociable City Leadership Summit.

At the latter function, Adler will be joined by former Austin Mayor Will Wynn, Pittsburgh City Council President Bruce Kraus, Edmonton City Councillor Ben Henderson and Burlington City Councillor Adam Roof. The talk is scheduled at 3 p.m. in the Capital Ballroom of the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin.

Adler's appearances are part of a concerted effort to maintain the city's vibrant music scene that has helped make Austin — site of the ginormous SXSW featuring a dizzying array of music acts — famous.

Beyond words of lamentation over the shrinking music scene, actions have been taken to maintain it. Last year, the Austin City Council passed the Live Music and Create Arts Omnibus Resolution and won the Neighborly Bond Challenge to create a crowdsourcing investment mechanism to preserve iconic music venues, the mayor reminded.

In his recent State of the City Address, Adler spoke of the opportunity for transformative change such actions present in making Austin "...a world leader in the music industry because of our strengths as a tech center and music mecca."

So rock on, Austin musicians, and sit tight. The city appears to have your back.

>>> Official photo of Mayor Steve Adler via City of Austin website