When Captain Gravitone touches down at the Historic Paramount Theatre on Friday, April 6, the show, “The Banjo Hour,” will feature Galactic Cowboy Orchestra and Austin’s most-missed pianist, Peter Jacobs.

Captain Gravitone and the String Theory Orchestra is the musical embodiment of the fictional Captain Gravitone, philosopher, physicist and superhero of the new millennia. The Minnesota-based quintet (Eli Hoehn — banjo and vocals, Travis Domeier — guitar, Nate Beran — trombone/accordion, Kelly Coyle — bass, Damen Price — drums, and Peter Jacobs — keyboard) presents its vaudeville-style show, “The Banjo Hour,” with comedy, magic and music including original roots music with influences of jazz, folk, blues, bluegrass and rock. Special guests for the Austin show are the art rock jazz-fusion act Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, featuring John and Lisi Wright. Comedian Michael Callahan will host the show.

“The Banjo Hour” is supported in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund and KMSU radio (91.3 KMSK), Mankato. A craft beer cash bar supported by Bent Paddle Brewery will be available.

The Austin Area Commission for the Arts presents performances at the Historic Paramount Theater as part of its mission to harness the power of arts to improve lives and the community through quality arts experiences. Paramount programming seeks to present quality​​ ​acts​, from a variety​​ of performing arts genres, ​to engage current audiences and seek​ ​to​ ​attract​ ​new​ ​and​ ​​diverse​ ​audiences.

The Paramount spring season is funded with support from Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and the Edward Jones offices of Kristine Jorgenson, Thad Kusick, Greg Bird, Jaclyn Bird.

“The Banjo Hour” with Captain Gravitone and the String Theory Orchestra will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Historic Paramount Theatre with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at www.etix.com/ticket/p/4691387/banjo-hour-with-captain-gravitone-the-string-theory-orchestra–austin-historic-paramount-theatre.

For more information, call 507-434-0934 or visit www.austinareaarts.org.

Schedule of Events

Friday

• Easter Meal, noon to 1 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. Celebrate Easter with a traditional Easter meal of ham or turkey, with broccoli salad, deviled eggs, green beans and cheesy potatoes, and carrot or pineapple cake for dessert. Entertainment, too. Cost for members $9 and for non-members $10. For more information or to make a reservation, stop by the Senior Center front desk or call 507-433-2370.

• Austin Bruins vs. Bismarck Bobcats – Fan Appreciation Day, 7-9:30 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Go, Bruins! For more information, call 507-434-4978.

Saturday

• Masonic Pancake Breakfast, 9 a.m. to noon at the Austin Masonic Lodge. The Austin Masons host an all-you-can-eat pancake feed for $5 per person. Come and enjoy pancakes, sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee.

• Family Literacy Event, 10 a.m. to noon at the Austin Public Library. The event will feature interactive activities with actors from Matchbox Children’s Theatre production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” face painting, games, books, prizes, magic by Jim Jayes, and much, much more. Developing strong literacy skills set children up for success into the future. The Austin Literacy team consists of community organizations, including MacPhail Music Centers, Austin Aspires, Austin Public Schools, Head Start, and others that promote reading and literacy through fun activities. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

• Fourth annual Shamrockin’ Run – 5K and 1 Mile Run, 12:30-3 p.m. at Pacelli Catholic Schools. Annual fundraising run, fun for the whole family to participate in. Packet pick-up/registration on day of race at 12:30 p.m.; race begins at 2 p.m. Youth/student $25, adult $30, family $100. Registration forms at Pacelli Catholic Schools or go to www.pacellischools.org.

• Swiss Steak Supper, 4:30-7 p.m. at the Brownsdale United Methodist Church in Brownsdale. Invite a friend and join us for this evening meal, which will include Swiss steak, baked potato with toppings, hot vegetable, lettuce salad/coleslaw, bun and fresh baked pie or dessert. Adult are $12 and children 5-12 are $5. For more information, call 507-567-2644.

• Austin Rotary Trivia Night, 6-9 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. Annual event combining a great meal, good company, and a trivia contest. Social time begins at 6 p.m. with cash bar, appetizers, and silent auction, trivia rounds start at 7 p.m. Teams of 6 to 8 people compete to raise money; $25 per team. Event benefits the Mower County CEO classroom program. To register, go to www.hormelhistorichome.org or contact a Trivia Night Committee Member.

• Music and More for Ending Childhood Cancer, 7-9 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Riverland’s music ensembles join to present a concert fundraiser with great music and delicious desserts in cooperation with Christ Episcopal Church. Proceeds will be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The College Choir will present a range of choral music with Frequency following up with covers of Imagine Dragons, Prince, and more. $7 concert only or $15 with desserts. Tickets available at office@christchurchaustin.org.  For more information, call 507-433-3782.

• Austin Bruins vs. Bismarck Bobcats – Jersey Auction, 7-9:30 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Go, Bruins! For more information, call 507-434-4978.

• Sola Fide Observatory – Moon Viewing, 9-10 p.m. at Sola Fide Observatory. Learn about the night sky from our local experts. For more information, go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org or call 507-437-7519.

• Edible Book Festival, at the Austin Public Library. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

Sunday

• All You Can Eat Pancakes, 9-10 a.m. at the American Legion. For more information, call 507-437-1151.

• Edible Book Festival, at the Austin Public Library. For more information, call 507-433-2391.