The Northwestern Singers will be performing their “Road Trip: Celebrate America” shows on Saturday and Sunday in Austin.

Taking favorites from around the country, audiences will be entertained with songs such as “Beer Barrel Polka,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” New York, New York,” “Yellow Rose of Texas,” and “When the Saints Go Marching in,” just to name a few.

“The songs all represent a region of the U.S.A.,” said Northwestern Singers member and treasurer Alice Holst.

Since the group’s inception in 1953, they have performed hundreds of times in Austin, according to Holst.

“We do one or two shows a year and a benefit concert for Austin youth music programs,” she said. “As a result of these concerts, we have donated over  $50,000 to youth music in the past 17 years.”

The MacPhail Children’s Chorus will also be performing “Americans We,” “Crawdad Song” and “Moment of Truth” as part of the concert. They will be joined by the Northwestern Singers for “Let Freedom Ring.”

“(The MacPhail Children’s Chorus) have been our guests several times,” Holst said. “We have had various school groups as guests over the years and have also featured the (Austin) Big Band in a show.”

The Northwestern Singers “Road Trip: Celebrate America” performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased at the Austin ArtWorks Center or www.austinareaarts.org.

“There will be something for everyone!” Holst said. “We have a live band of local musicians to accompany us.  It’s lots of fun and we’ll show off how great Northwestern Singers is. It will make you happy in spite of the weather.”

For more information, go to www.northwesternsingers.org or www.austinareaarts.org.

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Schedule of Events

Friday

• Music and Movement, 10-11 a.m. at Austin Congregation UCC. With Betty Olson. For ages 2 to 8. Free event with snack provided.

• Second Floor Art Gallery – MN Black Fine Arts Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Austin is hosting this first ever exhibit of the art of Minnesota artists who identify as Black, African, or African American, in collaboration with Obsidian Arts out of Minneapolis. Free and open to the public. Show goes until March 23. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Let’s Explore Myanmar, 11-11:50 a.m. at Austin Congregation UCC. With Lu Meh. This fun exploration of Myanmar will use an elephant theme. For ages 2 to 8. Free event with craft and snack included.

• Austin Artist Series – Tapestry (Carol King Tribute), 7 p.m. at Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School. Fourth concert in Austin of the 75th season of one of the largest and longest running artist series in the Midwest. Subscription tickets available starting Sep 4 through the website – www.austinartistsseries.org. Tickets also include access to the season’s concerts in Osage and Albert Lea. For more information, call 507-440-6030 or 612-272-8653.

• Austin Bruins vs. Brookings Blizzard, 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Go, Bruins! Tickets available at the door or at Hy-Vee, Games People Play, Holiday Inn or Jim’s Market Place. For more information, call 507-434-4978.

Saturday

• Second Floor Art Gallery – MN Black Fine Arts Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Austin is hosting this first ever exhibit of the art of Minnesota artists who identify as Black, African, or African American, in collaboration with Obsidian Arts out of Minneapolis. Free and open to the public. Show goes until March 23. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Let’s Explore India, 11-11:50 a.m. at Austin Congregation UCC. With Roopa Bhatt. For ages 2 to 8. Free event with snack included.

• Family Art Studio, 1 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Drop in as a family and get creative with materials provided.  Free program – all ages encouraged to attend and create together. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Funded by the Austin Area Foundation. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Third Annual All You Can Eat Steak Dinner, 5-8 p.m. at American Legion Post 91. Dinner includes salad, baked potato, green beans, dessert and coffee – plus gun raffle and live auction. Tickets $20 in advance, or $25 at the door ($10 for ages 10 and under). Proceeds shared by American Legion Post 91 and American Legion Riders’ Bob Kvam Memorial Scholarship. For more information, contact Roe at 507-438-5804.

Sunday

• All You Can Eat Pancakes, 9 a.m. to noon at American Legion Post 91. Breakfast includes eggs, sausage, orange juice or milk, and endless pancakes. Tickets $8 at the door. Proceeds go to help veterans in need. For more information, call 507-437-1151.