Paramount goes gospel

Published 10:02 am Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Get ready for some gospel. The Paramount Theatre in Austin will host “Summer Inspiration” Saturday at 7:30 p.m., a collection of musicians and singers performing gospel songs during a roughly 90-minute, two-act show.

The production is the Paramount’s 21st of the year and brings together mostly local talent for the evening performance.

“Everyone will perform in the first and second act,” said Scott Anderson, co-producer of “Summer Inspiration” and operations manager for the Paramount. “That will keep the variety going.”

Email newsletter signup

Anderson said there have been no rehearsals for the show, with the event simply consisting of individuals and groups performing the songs they know.

“I’m sure they’ll all be pretty good, and I know some will be very good because I know them,” Anderson said.

The lineup includes the Way Word Followers, Christine Allas, Jim King, Tammy and Art Schneider, Blanche Hollerud, Holly Newman, Linda Werner, Paul and Nancy Burger, Larry Seiver and Amanda Stoa.

Tammy and Art Schneider live in rural Waltham, play guitar and sing and will perform four or five “old country gospel” songs.

“I really think it’s a great idea and hopefully it goes over well so people can enjoy it for years to come,” said Tammy Schneider of the concert.

The Paramount Theatre was built in 1929 by the same architect who created The Chateau in Rochester. It operated as a movie theatre until 1975, and the first public performance in its current state opened in 1996.

Tickets for “Summer Inspiration” are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. For more information, visit www.paramounttheatre.org or call 434-0934.

“I think it will be a nice respite for the summer to hear some happy and praise music,” Anderson said.