About the concert:
Curated by local craft beer aficionado Marvis “The Middleman” Dixon, this concert celebrates the way that things we may not expect, like a good beer or a new song, can spark a conversation and bring people together. Each piece highlights the way an orchestra can be a gathering place, with each composer reflecting the diversity that we love to see in Austin.

Always excited to welcome new friends into our growing family, this will be our biggest iteration of Austin Unconducted yet, featuring winds, percussion, and piano in addition to the string musicians you know and love.

As always, join us early for complimentary drinks and hang out afterwards to meet the musicians.
6:00pm – Complimentary Happy Hour
7:00pm – Concert
8:00pm – Reception and Musician Meet & Greet

The Program:
🎵 Only Ever Us – Paul Wiancko
🎵 Sagrada – Adolphus Hailstork
🎵 Against/Sharp – Brittany Green
🎵 Stay On It – Julius Eastman

About the curator:
Marvis Dixon is a luminary in the craft beer industry, and a proud U.S. Army Iraqi War Veteran Sergeant, whose discipline and dedication to diversity, equity, and justice are evident in his unwavering support of equity-oriented nonprofits and initiatives. Affectionately known as “The Middleman,” Marvis is recognized not only as a connector, but also as a trailblazer, a mentor, and an advocate whose contributions to craft beer and community justice resonate deeply across Austin.
A master of collaboration and a catalyst for change, Marvis’s journey is punctuated by his roles as the parliamentary of the 100 Black Men of Austin Inc, the Director of Alcohol at Riches Art Gallery, and active involvement in MAS Cultura and DAWA, underscoring his dedication to fostering a community where diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated.

In the local craft beer industry, Marvis is the Lead at Fast Friends Beer Co, opened in 2023, and his visionary approach to advocacy shows through the Black is Beautiful campaign, an initiative that mobilized the craft beer community in Central Texas to support People of Color and earned Marvis the 2022 Ambassador of Craft Award. Similarly, his collaboration with Shannon Harris of Urban Jungle Brewing on the “AS ONE” beer is a beacon of his mission to bridge gaps between BIPOC and non-craft beer drinkers, and new craft beer drinkers.

Follow Marvis on Instagram @themiddleman_atx or visit him in action at Fast Friends Beer Co.

This project has been financed in part by the City of Austin’s Elevate Grant.

About Austin Unconducted:
Austin Unconducted is a democratic orchestra formed in 2022 by a group of young professional musicians with a desire to present classical music in a way that is relatable, fresh, and fun. Rather than working with a conductor, our 18 string musicians collaborate and work with local artists to design and perform concerts that truly reflect the voice and energy of the city of Austin. 2023-2024 marks our second full season of concerts that double as social events, inviting Austinites to gather and immersing them in both old and new music in a way unlike they have experienced before. Unconfined by tradition, unafraid to feature unheard voices, & unapologetically Austin, we are keeping music current.

Austin Unconducted is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that builds community by creating inclusive, immersive, and relevant concert experiences that engage diverse audiences. As a cooperative orchestra, we re-examine the long arc of musical tradition through a contemporary lens with performances that promote equity and generate new excitement for art music in our ever changing city.

Follow our adventures and future plans!
https://www.austinunconducted.org/
https://www.facebook.com/austinunconducted
https://www.instagram.com/austinunconducted/

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