Music Cities Meet Up

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  "id": "PP1150506",
  "track": "Music",
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  "category": "Meet Up",
  "event_id": "PP1150506",
  "event_type": "panel",
  "format": "Meet Up",
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  "name": "Music Cities Meet Up",
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  "publish_at": "2026-02-11T14:30:00.000-06:00",
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  "date": "2026-03-17",
  "end_time": "2026-03-17T13:00:00.000-05:00",
  "start_time": "2026-03-17T12:00:00.000-05:00",
  "message": null,
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  "credentials": [
    {
      "name": "Music Badge",
      "type": "music"
    },
    {
      "name": "Platinum Badge",
      "type": "platinum"
    }
  ],
  "contributors": [
    {
      "id": 85259,
      "company": "New Orleans Mayor’s Office Of Nighttime Economy",
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2247263,
      "name": "Julia Heath",
      "speaker_types": [
        "Speaker"
      ],
      "title": "Policy & Outreach Manager",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Julia Heath",
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      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "As Policy & Outreach Manager for the New Orleans Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy, Julia Heath leads efforts to strengthen the city’s music ecosystem through venue support, workforce development, and cultural policy innovation. Her portfolio includes the design and launch of the Tune-Up Grant Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative supporting venue sound management and audio workforce training, and the New Orleans Music Census, which surveyed over 1,500 respondents to inform long-term industry strategy.\r\rWith a background in independent venue operations, festival production, and national music policy, Julia has worked across sectors to support sustainable, equitable music economies. She previously helped secure $150M in federal relief for California’s independent venues and currently manages programs that support original music, music business education, and culturally significant performance spaces in New Orleans.\r\rJulia also serves on the board of NITECAP (Nighttime Economy Culture & Policy Alliance), a national network of practitioners advancing safe, vibrant nighttime economies. She is committed to building bridges between government, artists, and industry and to ensuring that music remains a viable, celebrated career path in New Orleans and beyond.\r\r",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 23544,
      "company": "Sound Music Cities",
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2020643,
      "name": "Don Pitts",
      "speaker_types": [
        "Speaker"
      ],
      "title": "President, Founder",
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        "alt_text": "Don Pitts",
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      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "Music Cities Thinker | Music Economy Developer | Founder, Sound Music Cities\n\nI help cities get out of their own way when it comes to music.\n\nFor more than 30 years, I’ve worked across the ecosystem, from managing bands and venues to working with Gibson Guitar and serving inside city government. I’ve seen music from the stage and from City Hall.\n\nAs Founder of Sound Music Cities, I help communities turn data and lived experience into practical action. While leading Austin’s Music & Entertainment Division, I helped reduce entertainment-related sound complaints by 75% by shifting the approach from enforcement to sound management. Music continued. Quality of life improved.\n\nToday, I focus on music ecosystem research, music censuses, and sound policy reform. I help cities move from studies and big announcements to disciplined steps that actually strengthen local music economies.\n\nNo one-size-fits-all strategies. Every city is different. My role is to ask better questions, cut through noise, and help communities build systems that last.\n\nRecognized by SPIN as one of the 26 Most Influential People in Music (2026).",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    }
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  "venue": {
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    "floor": null,
    "id": "V2459",
    "indoor_outdoor": null,
    "mixhalo_url": null,
    "name": "Music Clubhouse",
    "parent_id": "V2427",
    "parent_venue_name": "Downright Austin",
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    "formats": null,
    "location": {
      "address": "710 E. 10th St.",
      "lat_lon": [
        30.2698058,
        -97.7343172
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      "city": "Austin",
      "postal_code": "78701",
      "state": "TX",
      "name": "Downright Austin"
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      "name": "Downright Austin",
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  "description": "Across the U.S., music communities are changing, how people make music, how they earn a living, how venues operate, and how cities respond. This meet-up brings together musicians, venue owners and operators, promoters, industry professionals, city staff, and community advocates working in music scenes of all sizes to discuss how local music scenes evolve and adapt. \n\nThe meetup is designed for anyone who cares about the future of local music, whether you are deeply embedded in your community or simply curious about how music ecosystems function and survive. Attendees will leave with new connections, shared language, and a clearer sense of how others are navigating similar challenges in different cities.",
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  "long_description": "Across the U.S., music communities are changing, how people make music, how they earn a living, how venues operate, and how cities respond. This meet-up brings together musicians, venue owners and operators, promoters, industry professionals, city staff, and community advocates working in music scenes of all sizes to discuss how local music scenes evolve and adapt. \n\nThe meetup is designed for anyone who cares about the future of local music, whether you are deeply embedded in your community or simply curious about how music ecosystems function and survive. Attendees will leave with new connections, shared language, and a clearer sense of how others are navigating similar challenges in different cities.",
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  "sort": "MUSIC CITIES MEET UP",
  "source": "Official",
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  "tags": [],
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  "title_only": false,
  "track_display_name": "Music",
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