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DJ McConaughey's kind of got a ring to it, especially when it's being used for a good cause.
In a showcase of Texan solidarity, Austin gem and celebrity Matthew McConaughey has cooked up an all-star lineup of "Texas talent" for his virtual benefit, "We're Texas," to help pay for damages caused by Winter Storm Uri.
The event will be hosted on Saturday by McConaughey and his wife, Camila. It's the only time you'll find McConaughey DJ'ing an event with Texans like George Strait, Megan Thee Stallion and Joe Rogan all side-by-side in attendance.
All proceeds will go to McConaughey's just keep livin foundation as part of its Texas Relief Fund. The fund will provide support for charities including the Austin Disaster Relief Network, Meals on Wheels Central Texas, Salvation Army of Texas, Save the Children, St. Bernard Project and Team Rubicon.
Alongside Strait, country legends Willie Nelson, Randy Rogers, Gary Clark Jr., Lyle Lovett and Miranda Lambert will perform, while music's next generation will be showcased with performances by Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges and Parker McCollum. The event is set to please any music taste and will hold additional performances from Kelly Clarkson, Khalid, Kirk Franklin, Lukas Nelson, Post Malone and Don Henley.
Here's some other native Texans and transfers set to make an appearance:
- Angie Harmon
- Chip & Joanna Gaines
- Clayton Kershaw
- Dak Prescott
- Dr. Phil McGraw
- Jamie Foxx
- Jennifer Garner
- the Jonas Brothers
- Marcus Lemonis
- Renée Zellweger
- Selena Gomez
- Troy Aikman
- Woody Harrelson
In a statement, McConaughey said he hopes the event will work to "restore Texas" after the weeklong freeze that left many without power or water for days.
"A lot of Texans are hurting right now," McConaughey said. "After the disaster of the worst freeze here in over 70 years, so many are still without clean water and unable to repair water damage that has made their homes unlivable. One of my favorite things about Texans is that we like to help ourselves, and while that spirit is still alive and well, a lot of Texans can't help themselves right now unless we help them."
Austin brands sponsoring the event include Dell, ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin FC and Bumble. Other Texan sponsorships include Reliant Energy, H-E-B and Dallas sports teams including the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers.
McConaughey first announced the event in what looked like a politian's message, complete with an American flag background, in a video on the Monday after the storm.
The Feb. 22 announcement may have been foreshadowing: McConaughey has made headlines recently for saying he's seriously considering running for governor of Texas.
Whether governor-to-be or just an Austin icon, McConaughey will use his platform to help his fellow Texans. The "We're Texas" event begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Those interested in watching or donating can log in at Youtube.com/MatthewMcConaugheyor visit jklivinFoundation.org to donate before and after.
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Popular
Austin FC kept rival FC Dallas to a draw Saturday night as it pulled off a 2-2 comeback. (Austin FC/Twitter)
Despite a 2-0 deficit, there was a pot of gold for Austin FC after all as it celebrated its annual Pride Night with rainbows and a 2-2 comeback draw to FC Dallas Saturday night.
After three FC Dallas losses last season, the Dallas derby draw marks the first time Austin FC has tied against its Copa Texas rival. Austin continues to edge over FC Dallas as it sits at 3rd in the MLS West.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the match:
A somber start
¡Ya Basta! Enough! End Gun Violence. #uvaldestrong
— Los Verdes (@LosVerdesATX) June 26, 2022
📷 @arubiophotospic.twitter.com/3PiVdTPtik
Decked out in colorful hues for LBGTQ+ Pride, Verde fans started the match on a somber note as they held up banners to take a stand against gun violence before the match.
As the national anthem began, fans held up banners with the names of each child that was killed in the Uvalde school shooting and a plea to "end gun violence."
The supporters' section was also dotted with Pride flags and a "Bans off Our Bodies" banner in protest of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
FC Dallas earns a 2-0 lead
Paul Arriola is there to put it away and put @FCDallas ahead! pic.twitter.com/Z4AMmM6lp3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
That sober tone continued onto the pitch. With midfielder Daniel Pereira's absence due to a red card, the Verde and Black lost two goals to FC Dallas by the 70th minute of play.
FC Dallas played it sneaky for the first half of the match, giving Austin FC plenty of room to hold possession as it waited to strike on a Verde error. That mentality proved dangerous for Austin as Dallas' Paul Arriola took advantage of Brad Stuver's deflection to score the first goal of the night in the 57th minute of play.
Dallas struck once more as Brandon Servant pushed past the Verde line to score the second goal of the match.
#DTID double their lead!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
The substitute Brandon Servania with a fine finish within five minutes of coming on. 💥 pic.twitter.com/IZm0YsPxG5
Austin FC strikes back
Sebastián Driussi pulls one back!#AustinFC are still in this one. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Yoi0x768jb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
But energy quickly returned to Austin's favor thanks to Designated Player Sebastian Driussi, who scooted past several FC Dallas defenders alongside Moussa Djitte to snag an unlikely first goal for Austin.
A full Verde comeback
Late drama in this Texas Derby!@AustinFC ties it up, Danny Hoesen with the diving header. 😱 pic.twitter.com/Jk2f4fIEXG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
Austin's subs proved deadly as momentum returned to the home team toward the end of the match. A well-placed cross from Nick Lima—and a diving header from a fresh-legged Danny Hoesen—helped the team secure the draw with a second Verde goal in the 84th minute of play.
Hoesen, who was Austin's first starting striker last season, has now scored two goals with the team after a yearlong injury stuck him on the bench.
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(Bob Daemmrich)
Hours following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that guaranteed a constitutional right to an abortion, on Friday, about 1,000 people gathered in Republic Square with signs calling for change.
The rally, organized by the group Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights Texas, started at the federal courthouse on Republic Square on Friday at 5 p.m. before the crowd marched to the Texas Capitol. More protests are expected to ensue over the weekend.
People showed up with all types of signs like Mindy Moffa holding up, "Keep your filthy laws off my silky drawers."
Austin joined cities across the country that saw protests for a women's right to an abortion after the ruling.
According to a recent UT poll, 78% of Texas voters support abortion access in most cases.
Sabrina Talghade and Sofia Pellegrini held up signs directed at Texas laws. A Texas trigger law will ban all abortions from the moment of fertilization, starting 30 days after the ruling. When state legislators passed the trigger law last summer, it also passed laws for more protection of firearms, including the right to open carry without a permit.
Lili Enthal of Austin yells as around 1,000 Texans marched to the Texas Capitol.
From the Texas Capitol, Zoe Webb lets her voice be heard against the Supreme Court ruling.
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