The Austin Area Commission for the Arts has a busy weekend planned at the Historic Paramount Theatre.

It kicks off with a Comedy Showcase that we are presenting in partnership with Rotaract at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.

The evening is hosted by Sue Johnson and will feature several area comedians who have won or were finalists in local comedy competitions including Ali Sultan, the grand winner of the 2013 House of Comedy (Mall of America) Comedy Contest and John Russell, finalist in Best of Iowa Comedy Contest.

The show will also feature brilliant young comic Mike Lester and comedy veteran Jeff Larson.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The Austin Jaycees will also be on site selling libations. Then at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 we are presenting the documentary “Bringing it Home,” which explores the question of why hemp, a crop with so many benefits, cannot be farmed in the United States.

The film tells the story of hemp’s past, present and future through interviews with both opponents and proponents of the industrial hemp farming legalization effort.

Tickets for this event are $2 and can be purchase in advance or at the door. Finally at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17 the local barbershop ensemble Forte Milers Barbershop Chorus will present “Music on the Mississippi.”

They will be performing with the Hayfield High School Folk Group and special guests the St. Croix Crossing Quartet. Tickets for this events are $10 for adults and $5 for students in advance and $2 more at the door.

Tickets for all events can be purchased at the Historic Paramount Theatre, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday, over the phone at 434-0934 or online at paramounttheatre.org.