The Historic Paramount Theatre will be rockin’ this weekend when the area’s favorite community show choir, the Northwestern Singers, presents their annual winter concert “American Bandstand” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26.

Led by Nikky Krautbauer, the group features singers from across the area. This year’s show spans the decades, including melodies from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s like “Lean on Me” and “Rolling Down the River.”

Of course, the show will showcase fantastic choreography, amazing costumes, and a choir of local elementary students. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. They can be purchased online at austinareaarts.org, at the Historic Paramount Theatre, or by calling 507-434-0934.

Please note that our box office hours have changed to Tuesday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m.

Believe it or not, we have reached the time of year to start planning the 2014 Austin ArtWorks Festival, which will happen Aug. 23-24.

Applications for visual artists, musicians, and authors are available on our new website: austinareaarts.org. We have decided to extend our participation to artists with a connection within the 75 radius surrounding Austin.

Please encourage any artists, musicians, and authors you know to apply. Application deadline is April 29. We would also like to thank The Hormel Foundation for their generous support of the Festival again this year. Based on feedback we received from last year’s festival attendees, we are planning to increase the amount of demonstrations and children’s activities this year.

We would like to thank the Austin Area Foundation for support in helping us achieve this year’s goal. If you have any suggestions for this years Festival or would help in planning, please contact me at director@paramounttheatre.org.