By Jennie Germaine

Paramount Theatre Executive Director

The holidays are an important time of year for friends, family, and communities to get together.

Austin fully embraces this concept through its Christmas in the City celebration that begins in the downtown area on Friday, Nov. 25. It is a wonderful opportunity to share in the holiday spirit.

The Austin Area Commission for the Arts will be offering a plethora of performances to entertain Austin and the surrounding area throughout the season at the Historic Paramount Theatre.

To get you in a joyful mood before the stress of the holidays set in, the Mower County Humane Society is hosting a Comedy Night fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24. It will be hosted by Scott Oelkers and feature local comedians Jeff Polis, Jeff Larson, Lindsay Hensel, Simon Zais, and Karolis Dzeja.

We will officially kick off the holidays with our free Christmas in the City event the next day at 7:30 p.m.

It will feature Jane Taylor Academy of Dance students performing “The Nutcracker Suite.” Then we will have Katie McMahon back by popular demand with her Celtic Christmas performance on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The original soloist of Riverdance, Katie will sing and play the harp. Her music will be backed by a Celtic band and Irish style dancers.

Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door, and all student tickets will be $5. Order them online at paramounttheatre.org or call 434-0934.

Also, don’t forget to submit your logos for our competition by Tuesday, November 22. Email submissions to info@paramounttheatre.org.