Singing for Good

Virtual concert with Fort Worth's Leon Bridges will help Near Southside workers

Austin City Limits Festival ACL 2015 Weekend Two Leon Bridges

Leon Bridges will put on a virtual concert on April 30 to benefit the Southside C.A.R.E.S. Fund.

Photo by Shelley Neuman

UPDATE: The event aimed to raise $50,000. It surpassed that, raising an astounding $63,000, organizers said on May 1.

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Fort Worth's own Leon Bridges will put on a live virtual concert on Thursday, April 30 to help raise funds for the Southside C.A.R.E.S. Fund, which benefits local creatives and service industry workers.

Presented by Kent & Co. Magnolia Wine Bar with support from Schaefer Advertising Co. and Fort Worth Weekly, the free concert will start at 8 pm from an undisclosed location so no one is tempted to actually show up in person.

Viewers can tune in to the concert on Twitch.tv using the link embedded here. Anyone watching the concert is encouraged to donate whatever they can at www.wegetbytogether.com or via PayPal using the name @southsidecares.

The Southside Culinary Arts Retail Entertainment and Service Fund offers $250 relief grants to Near Southside creatives, gig, and service workers who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Any person currently employed, or previously employed in the Near Southside immediately prior to COVID-19 who is facing a financial hardship can apply for a relief grant. That includes anyone in the following professions:

Culinary professionals including kitchen staff, cooking schools, food truck operators, brewers, distillers, restaurant management, self-employed food entrepreneurs, and other food-based positions.
Art professionals including artists of all media, arts educators, and nonprofit arts professionals. Artists who are self-employed may apply if they are a resident of the Near Southside district.
Retail professionals in customer service and management.
Entertainment professionals including musicians, actors, comedians, sound technicians, lighting, stage management, recording and talent booking.
Service industry professionals including restaurant and bar front of house staff, and service providers such as health instructors, stylists, and service managers.

Anyone whose profession is not on that list but believes it should be included in the spirit of this grant can also apply and detail the specifics of his or her role in the Near Southside.

All applicants must demonstrate a professional connection to the district and provide a simple statement of need. Qualified applicants will be eligible for a one-time grant of $250. All applications received will be evaluated for need and funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For those who are able to contribute to the fund, donations will be tax-deductible, with tax acknowledgements provided by Historic Southside, Inc. for any individual donations of $250 or more.

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Drone News

Watch top drone company break a record at North Richland Hills show

Sky Elements Drones

Sky Elements Drones holiday show.

Dallas-Fort Worth's most famous drone name is aiming to break a world record: Sky Elements Drone Shows, the Coppell-based company known for its ground-breaking light shows rendered via drones, will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for “Longest animation performed by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles”.

In cooperation with the City of North Richland Hills, the company will fly its annual flagship Christmas drone show, this year featuring 2,500 drones orchestrated to create holiday images and themes such as Santa Clauses and "Merry Christmas."

The current record to beat is 26:26 minutes in the air and was set by a Chinese company in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Sky Elements is no stranger to Guinness World Records; they are already an 11-time Guiness World Record holder. Mere days ago, they set a new Guinness World Record title for "largest aerial display of a gingerbread village made out of drones" — a festive display that was part of a holiday drone show in Mansfield on November 27.

They are nothing if not dedicated. In September, they were a finalist on national TV show America’s Got Talent, and came in at third place.

They've produced drone shows for the MLB, NFL, NCAA sports, film premieres, the State Fair of Texas, and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. They are also on the forefront of an admirable transition away from fireworks being deployed during holidays and events, to be replaced by drones. Fireworks are harmful to wildlife as well as people with sensory issues, and terrifying for pets, who frequently bolt.

The big show will take place on December 20 at 7 pm, at Birdville ISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex at 9200 Mid Cities Blvd, North Richland Hills. The lot opens at 5 pm, and the flight time is 7 pm.

Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, will be on-site to confirm the record.

Spectators are invited to arrive in their cars to witness this incredible drone show from the comfort of their vehicles. Guests will be parked on a first-come, first-served basis.

The audience can tune their radio stations to 88.9 FM and listen along as they tell a story in the sky. Many liken the event to a drive-in movie experience, and spectators are encouraged to bring snacks.

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