The Paramount Theatre will be the scene of riotous laughter during the “Rollin’ in the Aisles” comedy showcase on Saturday evening.

This year’s comedy showcase features a fresh line-up of Minnesotan comedians headlined by two-time Midwestern Emmy Award-winner David Harris.

Based in Minneapolis, Harris started his comedy career as a magician.

“When I was a kid, I saw this magician at my grandparents’ country club and he stuck a needle through a balloon that didn’t pop,” he said. “I though that was the coolest things I’d ever seen.”

Harris then turned his fascination with magic into a successful comedy practice.

“I had jokes in my act and about 10 years ago, I wanted to learn to do stand up,” he said. “It’s been awesome, in some ways more than magic because you can express yourself in ways more than you can in magic.”

“I sometimes wonder if comedy was always the initial love, but I never saw that as an opportunity to make money,” he added. “I never saw it as a job.”

Harris is no stranger to the spotlight, having done several commercials as a child for companies like Best Buy, Marathon, and Old Dutch Potato Chips. Some of his inspirations include Johnny Carson, Gene Wilder, Eddie Murphy, Jackie Mason and David Copperfield, to name a few.

Since taking his act on the road, he has performed across the U.S. and Canada. He has performed at the Paramount before and has also done a performance for a Hormel corporate event. He won two Midwestern Emmy Awards for his work on the KSTC-TV Channel 45 show “Nate on Drums” and was voted the winner of the 2017 Minnesota’s Funniest Person Contest, beating out almost 60 contestants after qualifying at the Joke Joint Comedy Club in St. Paul.

He describes his comedy style as “relatable,” talking about life and issues.

“It’s really for everybody,” he said. “I’ve been performing for quite a bit now and people tell me my act is pretty universal. I try to make it fun for everyone.”

Also performing with Harris will be Hutchinson native Ben Marcotte, who has performed throughout the Midwest and won the Boss’ Comedy Club Tournament of Champions in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Guesting for the evening will be Austin native comedian Leo Lindstrom. Austin actor and comedian Chris Anderson will host the event.

The ‘Rollin’ in the Aisles’ comedy showcase is for ages 16 and up due to some adult content. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased at www.austinarearts.org or by calling 507-434-0934.

“Seeing stand up live is different,” Harris said. “It’s a whole different level of experience. It’s fun to get out and laugh out loud and connect with your community. I’m excited to get back. (The Paramount) is a gorgeous theatre. “

Celebrating the Fall Harvest with the MCHS

Join the Mower County Historical Society for its annual Fall Harvest Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22.

There will be antique farm equipment, wagon rides, children’s crafts, butter churning, apple cider press, ride in an antique car, decorated pumpkins, and much more. There will also be a bake sale featuring homemade breads, pies, bars, jams, and more.    

The 1004 Steam Engine, Fire Museum, Blacksmith Shop and Log Cabin will also be open for the event. JJ’s Pick-Up Band will be providing musical entertainment during the day.

There will be a food stand featuring shredded beef sandwiches, hot dogs, coleslaw, baked beans and more available for purchase.

This is a free event open to everyone. Donations are always appreciated. The Fall Harvest Celebration is an annual fundraiser for the Mower County Historical Society.

For more information, call 507-437-6082.

Schedule of Events

Friday

• Tour of Italy, noon at the Mower County Senior Center. Experience a Tour of Italy right here in Austin with a menu featuring mixed green salad, lasagna, garlic toast, and tiramisu. Sara will also present a program with photos of her time in Italy. For more information or to sign up, stop by the Senior Center front desk or call 507-433-2370.

Saturday

• 2018 Regional Highland Cattle Show, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Check out this unique breed of cattle with their soft, abundant coats and long horns, and try a Highland Burger or some Cowboy Beans. For more information, call 507-582-1073.

• Austin Police Department Fall Public Auction, 9-11 a.m. at Packer Arena. Vehicles, bikes, and miscellaneous other items will be on auction. For preview, go to www.auctionsgo.com or www.thompsonauctionservice.com. For more information about the auction, call 507-437-9400.

• Author Visit – Benet Stoen, 1 p.m. at Sweet Reads. Meet Benet Stoen, teen author of a powerful novel in verse. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

• Wild, Edible, and Delectable: Mushrooms with Sammie Peterson, 1 p.m. at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Join Quarry Hill Nature Center Naturalist Sammie Peterson and become acquainted with the wide variety of gourmet edible mushrooms found in our region. Sammie is a certified edible mushroom identification expert and has 10+ years of mushroom-specific foraging experience. She will share mushroom biology, identification, and uses, followed by a guided foray. You must be a current Friends member to register for this free event. Space is limited to 30 participants, and pre-registration is required. For more information or to sign up, call 507-437-7519.

• Rib Cook Off, 4-7 p.m. at American Legion Post 91. American Legion Riders Post 91 and Hoot and Ole’s are co-hosting this tasty competition. Contestants start working on their entries – ribs and appetizers – at 8 a.m., with public tasting beginning at 4 p.m. Limited electricity; generators allowed. Full bar on site, serving beer and bloody Mary’s outside. For more information, contact Roe at 507-438-5804 or Jeremy at 507-481-7899.