The Junior League of Austin

Swan Songs, an Austin-founded nonprofit dedicated to recognizing the power of music at the end of life, will host the 2026 Swan Songs Serenade on Sunday, November 1 at The Junior League of Austin Community Impact Center. With this year’s concert requests projected to reach 600 – an estimated 60% increase since 2024 – the 16th annual gala will once again celebrate a community of supporters and donors who make it possible for Swan Songs to directly compensate musicians to perform favorite styles of music for recipients in their private homes or care facilities, with no cost to the requestors or families. Individual tickets to the 2026 Swan Songs Serenade are available now and can be purchased for $250.

The run of show for the Serenade is as follows:

6 PM – cocktail reception and silent auction
7 PM – seated dinner by Rosemary’s Catering
8 PM – live auction&nbsp;
9 PM – silent auction concludes and performance by Ugandan-born, Austin-local Jon Muq

Swan Songs was born from a series of powerful experiences in the early 1990s, when Austin musician Christine Albert (Swan Songs Founder &amp; CEO) was invited to sing for individuals nearing the end of life. Inspired by these intimate moments, Christine and psychotherapist Gaea Logan began organizing bedside concerts through an early initiative called MusicAid. Support from collaborators like Craig Hella Johnson and the New Texas Festival (now Conspirare) helped to grow their venture. In 2005, Christine, Gaea and a dedicated group of founding board members formally established Swan Songs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, honoring the memory of John Swann, whose love of music helped inspire the organization’s name and mission. The organization is committed to utilizing professional musicians whose expertise and experience are central to the success of the program. They recognize the importance of compensating these artists; with no financial obligation on the part of the recipient, their family, or the healthcare facility.

Swan Songs has worked with dozens of regional hospices and care facilities and compensated over 800 musicians through the years. They work diligently to match the style of music requested with the appropriate musician(s). The variety of requests over the years reflects how deep an individual’s connection with music can be – based on a lifetime of memories, culture, heritage and geography. Whatever connects the recipient to those memories, their family, their joy – that is what Swan Songs brings. For more information on Swan Songs, visit<a href="https://www.swansongs.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> www.swansongs.org</a>.

Local Event: 2026 Swan Songs Serenade 

Travis County

Austin

Texas

2026 Swan Songs Serenade 

Swan Songs, an Austin-founded nonprofit dedicated to recognizing the power of music at the end of life, will host the 2026 Swan...

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms nearly every sector of the economy, Texas is emerging as an important proving ground for how the technology will be developed, deployed and governed. On Nov. 17, the Texas AI Alliance will bring together leaders from government, industry, technology and workforce development for State of AI in Texas 2026, a half-day summit examining where AI stands in Texas today and the decisions that will shape what comes next. Taking place from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Austin PBS Studio, the summit will move beyond speculation about AI to focus on how the technology is already affecting transportation, infrastructure, economic development, hiring, workforce preparation and government operations across the state.&nbsp;

Programming will explore some of the most consequential issues surrounding the next phase of artificial intelligence in Texas, including:
<ul><li>AI's impact on economic development and Texas industries</li><li>Workforce disruption, skills development and the changing labor market</li><li>What's ahead as AI capabilities continue to accelerate</li></ul>
Panels will also examine AI's transformative potential in several high-growth areas, including:
<ul><li>AI in Cybersecurity</li><li>AI in healthcare</li><li>AI in space</li></ul>
The event comes at a pivotal moment for Texas as businesses, public agencies, educators and policymakers increasingly grapple with both the enormous opportunities and complex challenges created by artificial intelligence. Rather than approaching those issues in isolation, the Texas AI Alliance is building a statewide forum that connects industry expertise with policymakers, workforce leaders and regional AI communities. The Alliance serves as a neutral convener at the intersection of AI governance, policy and workforce development. Through its statewide network and local AI Alliance chapters, it works to connect leaders across industries while helping advance responsible AI adoption, workforce readiness and informed public policy. State of AI in Texas is open to the public as well as members of AI Alliance chapters across Texas, including Austin, Houston and Dallas. Additional speakers and programming will be announced as the summit approaches.

Local Event: Texas AI Alliance hosts the State of AI in Texas 2026 Summit 

Texas AI Alliance hosts the State of AI in...

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms nearly every sector of the economy, Texas is emerging as an important proving...

Texas AI Alliance hosts the State of AI in Texas 2026 Summit 

Mykel Merritt

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Join us this Saturday for the new Triangle&nbsp;Food and Artisan Market!&nbsp;We have over 35 local vendors, organic vegetables, honey, plants and flowers, local meats, hot foods, baked goods, fresh foods, home goods, jewelry, gourmet coffee, apparel, and so much more!&nbsp;
Live Music from 12pm to 2pm
Support local this Saturday!&nbsp;Hours from 10AM to 2PM.
Vendors listed at <a href="https://www.pennyvproductions.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.pennyvproductions.com</a> <a href="https://www.pennyvproductions.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"></a>
In the Triangle Commons Pocket Park
 Family and pup friendly and free to the public!

Local Event: The Triangle Food and Artisan Market

The Triangle Food and Artisan Market

Join us this Saturday for the new Triangle Food and Artisan Market! We have over 35 local vendors, organic vegetables, honey,...

Children's in-person groups from Superminds Academy take place at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown.

Local Event: Children's In-Person Groups: Superminds Academy

Children's In-Person Groups: Superminds Academy

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Posting Activity

2026 Swan Songs Serenade

NOV

1

6:00 PM

The Junior League of Austin, 5330 Bluffstone Ln, Austin, TX

Texas AI Alliance hosts the State of AI in Texas 2026 Summit

NOV

17

1:30 PM

6101 Highland Campus Dr, Austin, TX

The Triangle Food and Artisan Market

Children's In-Person Groups: Superminds Academy