This week’s guest writer is Dave Sylte.

October at the Paramount will be Rocktober as we present two shows which span the history of rock music.

Things will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 21 with a show that honors some of founding fathers of rock music.

“One Night in Memphis” is the number one official tribute to legendary Sun Records recording artists Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. The show features former cast members of the Broadway smash, “Million Dollar Quartet” and has played to rave reviews all over the country. The San Francisco Examiner described it as “an amazing show.”

The music spans rockabilly, country, gospel and pure 1950s rock and roll music. This show is part of an ongoing effort to bring a wider variety of shows to the Paramount, including shows like this which you normally might have to drive to the Twin Cities to see.

With that effort comes slightly higher ticket prices for these shows. Reserved seat tickets are $45 for the main floor advanced, $50 day the day of, $35 in advance for the balcony and $40 the day of balcony. But the good news is you can see this show in Austin with a short drive and free parking.

The other Rocktober show is 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 when Caravan du Nord rolls into town. Caravan du Nord has been an annual show to highlight newer upcoming Minnesota groups in the music world. This year it will feature Dead Man Winter led by Dave Simonett, one of the founding members of Trampled by Turtles, a Billboard charting bluegrass group. Dead Man Winter performs Indie rock.

Also appearing will be Good Night Gold Dust, that is quickly becoming one of Minnesota’s hottest new music exports. Last on the bill is Lydia Liza, a singer with an already very long music resume.

Caravan du Nord is sponsored by the Minnesota Music Coalition and Current Public Radio. As a result ticket prices are only $10.

During Rocktober, the place to celebrate is at the Historic Paramount Theatre. For tickets to these shows, go to www.austinareaarts.org or go to the Austin ArtWorks Center at 300 N. Main or call 1-507-434-0934.  The website also is where you can  learn about all events at the Paramount and the ArtWorks Center.