The Austin Area Commission for the Arts (AACA) purpose in owning and operating the Historic Paramount Theatre is to program and make available to the Austin community and surrounding areas a high quality performance venue for diverse arts, entertainment and cultural activities.

In fulfilling this purpose, the AACA offers a Paramount Presents Season, which brings high quality local, national and international performing artists into Austin.

Each artist is carefully selected based on the richness of the experience the artist can bring to our community, feedback from patrons on what they would like to see at the Paramount, and our budget to cover performance expenses. For example, we have received requests from several patrons to present Richie Lee & the Fabulous 50s Band as part of the Paramount Presents Season.

This band hails from Des Moines, Iowa, and has been a local favorite, performing for the past few years at the Mower County Free Fair in August. They play many popular rock ‘n’ roll hits from treasured artists like Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. The AACA is proud to fulfill our patrons’ request and present Richie Lee & the Fabulous 50s Band at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the performance. Anyone interested in suggesting other performing artists to present at the Paramount can contact Jennie Knoebel at jennie@austinareaarts.org.

As mentioned earlier, patron requests are only one factor in determining whether an artist is able to perform at the Paramount. Performance expenses also are critical. Ticket sales cover only a small portion of our overall expenses in presenting artists. Our remaining expenses are supported through gifts from area businesses and individuals.

If you would like to see events continue at the Paramount, please consider becoming a sponsor of the 2016-17 Paramount Presents Season. Your gift can help us make next year’s season the best one yet. Sponsorships and tickets to any Paramount event can be purchased at the Austin ArtWorks Center, over the phone at 434-0934 or online at austinareaarts.org.

Upcoming events

•Sunday: Forte Milers Barbershop, 3 p.m.

•Thursday: Page Beginning Acrylic Painting Class, 5:30 p.m. (ArtWorks Center)

•Friday: ArtRocks Jam Session, 7 p.m. (ArtWorks Center)

•Saturday: Kids Studio, 10:30 a.m. (ArtWorks Center); Richie Lee at 7:30 p.m. (Paramount)