The 2013 Austin ArtWorks Festival before the crowds. Photo by Tim Rietz

Although the Austin Area Commission for Arts is still busy wrapping up the loose ends from the Austin ArtWorks Festival,  we still have lots of activities still happening. Below are the latest updates from our various programs.

Austin ArtWorks Festival

One very important group of people were missed in all our special thanks to the numerous volunteers who worked on the 2013 Austin ArtWorks Festival.

We received feedback from last year’s festival attendees that they did not think the entrance was noticeable. Therefore, we decided this year to form a special committee to kick it up a notch.

The entrance committee, composed of Paul Burger, Vicky Trimble, Mary Gaye Bergstrom, and Nancy Ullwelling, rose to the challenge and created a stunning display that could not be missed. Thank you all for your amazing work.

Speaking of volunteers, we are already looking for help in planning next year’s Festival. If you are interested, the subcommittees are: Participants (visual artists, authors, and musicians), Logistics, Marketing, Finances/Fundraising, Volunteers, Children’s Activities, and the Artist Reception. Please call me at 434-0934 or email director@paramounttheatre.org if you would like to help out.

Historic Paramount Theatre

We are still gearing up for the Fabulous Armadillos, who brought the Austin area the incredible “Takin’ It To The Limit: Eagles Tribute Show,”  to present their amazing Pink Floyd Tribute show “Floydian Slip.”

It will be at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. Tickets can be purchased online at paramounttheatre.org or by calling 507-434-0934.

The following weekend brings Tim Patrick and his Blue Eyes Band to the Paramount at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 for “Sinatra Swings.”

In 2004 Tim sang in public for the first time at Nye’s in northeast Minneapolis. After getting past his initial jitters, he found his voice and hasn’t stopped singing since. Hear him do a wonderful tribute to Ol Blue Eyes himself.

Downtown Art Center

Joseph Construction has given us our initial estimate to transform the historic Bank building at 300 Main Street North into a beautiful art center.

Fundraising efforts will be starting soon. In the meantime, don’t forget about the opportunities to see the building yourself to imagine all the possibilities.

The first is when the Austin Area Foundation hosts the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Then on Tuesday, Sept. 17, we will be hosting several open houses throughout the day to give everyone a chance to tour the space.

They will be at 7:30 a.m., noon and 5:15 p.m. and will last about 45 minutes.