The Austin Area Commission for the Arts is getting ready to kick off 2016 with music, a movie, and more art.

After a busy 2015 that saw the Caravan du Nord Return to Austin, TubaChristmas, Christmas at Home, Charlie Parr, Matchbox Children’s Theatre performance and more, there’s not shortage of entertainment and art in early 2016.

 Selma

The docket of events at the Historic Paramount Theatre starts with a bit of history through a showing of the 2014 film “Selma” on Jan. 18. The Ava DuVernay-directed film stars David Oyewolo and chronicles Martin Luther King Jr.’s push during the civil rights movement to secure equal voting rights through his 1965 march. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day showing is presented by the Human Rights Commission and will feature a panel discussion. The event is free.

 From Japan to Illinois to Austin

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 22, a gallery called “Feisty Japanese Lady” will open in the 2nd Floor Gallery of the Austin ArtWorks Center, 300 N. Main St.

The gallery will showcase the work of Sandy Ray, Hormel Foundation Chairman Gary Ray’s aunt who married Myron Ray after the two met during World War II. The “war bride” knew very little English when she reached the U.S., but she went to work for Woodward Company in Rockford, Illinois, and eventually became such an expert that she started training new engineers who arrived at the company from college.

Gary and his wife, Pat, donated the work to the AACA.

Sandy was known to work in her Japanese garden, where she displayed her gifts for blending color just like she did in her paintings.

“She was a very witty, graceful, talented, and kind aunt, and would be very flattered and embarrassed about her work being displayed,” Pat told the AACA.

The gallery will be up from Jan. 8 to Feb. 13.

 The sounds of St. Olaf

The St. Olaf College band will perform a free show at the Paramount at 4 p.m. on Jan. 24, which Austin High School Band Director Brad Mariska helped organize.

“It’s very exciting,” Austin Area Commission for the Arts Director Jennie Knoebel said.

The show is the second on the band’s national tour, which includes a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The band features 2014 AHS grad Matt Tylutki.

 February

A busy February gets underway with three Matchbox Children’s Theatre performances of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” during Paint the Town Pink at the Paramount Theatre.

The shows are at 7 p.m. on Feb 5 and 2 p.m. on Feb. 6 and 7. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for kids 14 and under.

Then Austin Public Schools students will get to display their handiwork with two events. The first is a special Valentine’s Day edition of Paramount Jazz, which is expanding in its fourth year from one show to two with shows at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Paramount on Feb. 14.

Then from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 19 Austin students will show their work in an all-student gallery in 2nd Floor Gallery of the ArtWorks Center.

The month also includes Midwest Winds performing at the Paramount at 7 p.m. on Feb. 15.

The Harris Piano Competition returns to the Paramount and Hormel Historic Home from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 20. It features the talents of children ages 6 to 18 living in Mower, Dodge, Freeborn, Steele and Waseca counties in Minnesota and Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Mitchell and Worth counties in Iowa. Those interested in competing can contact HHH Director Holly Johnson at 507-433-4243 or via email at holly@hormelhistorichome.org.

March

The Northwestern Singers will present “Back to the Future” at the Paramount at 7 p.m. March 5 and 2 p.m. March 6.

Then the Zenon Dance Company will perform at 7 p.m. March 11 with $15 tickets in advance and $20 tickets at the door.

The Twin Cities contemporary dance company will be fresh off a performance in Cuba when it comes to Austin, and Knoebel said it will be a great show to appeal to the many youth dancers at stores in Austin.

“Dance doesn’t have as big a following as music, but it’s definitely gained popularity in the community,” she said.

 Sounds of the past

After hosting original groups like Har Mar Superstar and Reina del Cid in Austin in November, the AACA is answering a call from the public by bringing in a few tribute acts to the Paramount this spring.

“People want to hear music they’re familiar with,” Knoebel said, adding she’s received feedback from the public asking for such groups.

At 7 p.m. March 19, Chicago tribute band Transit Authority will perform, and Richie Lee and the Fabulous 50s will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 30.

“We got feedback that people were interested in tribute bands and wanted music from the ‘50s to ‘60s [to ‘70s],” Knoebel said.

Though it’s bringing in familiar music from the past, Knoebel said they’ll continue to blend familiar music with new music that may challenge the audience to try something new.

Austin keeps jamming

A series will keep rocking the ArtWorks Center.

ArtRocks jam sessions will be held at 7 p.m. Jan 29, Feb. 12 and March 4.

Inspired by the musical talent in the area, The Austin Area Commission for the Arts and local drummer Pete Wangen first partnered in 2015 to organize ArtRocks, a monthly jam session to bring musicians to come together in a relaxed and creative atmosphere.

A house band provides backing as needed and jammers can bring their own instruments to joint in the mix. Musicians are encouraged to bring their original pieces and the events are opened to friends, family, neighbors and the general public.