MESSAGE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE

Austin theater auctions off chance to write message on iconic marquee

The Paramount Theatre is auctioning off the chance to share a holiday message on its marquee.

Paramount Theatre/Instagram

Austinites craving the limelight might get the chance to see their name in lights — or at least a personalized holiday message — illuminated on one of Austin’s most historic marquees.

As part of the Austin Theatre Alliance’s final 2020 auction to raise funds for the Paramount and Stateside theaters, the nonprofit is offering up an array of unusual and very “Austintatious” items for bid, including the chance to share a customized holiday message on the iconic Paramount Theatre marquee.

The auction item is one of several dozen currently up for bid through ATA’s online holiday auction, which runs through December 11.

With a starting bid of $1,500, the Paramount marquee message is one of the pricier items in the auction, but it may be well worth the glory, as the winning bidder can treat all of Austin to a two-line, 80-character custom holiday message that will be professionally photographed and live on the marquee for a minimum of four hours. (It should be noted that the chosen message is subject to review. After all, this is a nonprofit theater marquee, not the infamously sassy El Arroyo sign.)

Having to cancel or reschedule hundreds of planned shows because of COVID-19 concerns, the Paramount Theatre has had a particularly rough year but recently reopened at 25 percent capacity for limited engagements, like its Holiday Film Series, which is currently underway. Funds raised from the auction enable the ATA, which manages the Paramount and Stateside, to reach Central Texas students through virtual programs, employ venue staff, and help the historic theaters survive the pandemic.

In addition to the Paramount marquee message item, the auction also includes other perfectly weird items befitting a homegrown Austin event, like Matt Lankes photos of Willie Nelson playing chess and the late, great Billy Joe Shaver looking contemplative while perched on a bridge in Waco; and several autographed guitars, including one commemorative acoustic guitar signed by 10 of Austin’s most notable musicians, Ruthie Foster, Carrie Rodriguez, and Tameca Jones among them.

Of course, there is no lack of booze-forward packages, hotel stays, and artist-signed prints also up for grabs. But true lovers of the Paramount Theatre will find the item with the highest opening bid ($5,000) steals the show: a private catered dinner for four on the Paramount stage.

holidays theater downtown charity

New Year, Same City

Ring in 2025 at these 13 Austin-area events

Photo from austintexas.org.

The City of Austin's annual New Year's Eve fireworks display and party at Auditorium Shores.

Somehow it's already almost 2025. The question on everyone's lips seems to be, "What are you doing for New Year's?" Many Austinites who can't fathom this holiday until the stress and excitement of Christmas are over still have December 31 plans up in the air.

Don't worry; we've gathered a variety of New Year's Eve options ripe for the picking, including dinners, parties, and even some more peaceful, family-friendly events.

Dinners

North Italia Three-Course Dinner
11506 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 124; or 500 W 2nd St. #120
On New Year's Eve, North Italia is offering a three-course prix fixe dinner, including a starter, a main, and a dessert of the guest's choosing. Some highlights of this menu include burrata di stagione with red wine poached pear, Sicilian pistachio crumble, and grilled ciabatta; braised short rib marsala; and the new Holiday Panettone Butter Cake. Reservations are required and can be made at northitalia.com.

BOA Steakhouse Dinner Party
300 West 6th St.
BOA Steakhouse is closing out 2024 with a DJ playing this year's hits, party favors, and two dinner seatings. Guests can dine between 5 and 6:30 pm ($150 per person), or from 7 pm until close ($195 per person). Both options include a prix fixe four-course menu featuring multiple options per course. Some standouts include grilled lamb lollipops with Moroccan couscous; butternut squash risotto with cranberries, pecans, and aged parmesan cheese; and a lemon tart with Swiss meringue. Guests who dine later in the evening will receive a complimentary midnight champagne toast. Reservations are required.

Grilled lamb lollipops with Moroccan couscous from BOA Steakhouse.Photo courtesy of BOA Steakhouse

Sushi Roku
405 Colorado St., Ste. 100
Sushi Roku will be offering its usual à la carte menu as well as an Izakaya Feast ($150 per person), including 10 items like Brussels sprout chips with truffle oil and sea salt; crispy rice with tuna hanabi; A-5 Japanese Wagyu ishiyaki; and a cheesecake and ice cream domed with cotton candy for dessert. Optionally, guests can order the seafood tower, featuring five different types of seafood for $125 per person. Reservations are available from 5-10 pm.

Grand Buffet and Glow Party at Kalahari Resort

3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock
This year, Kalahari Resort is ringing in the new year with a buffet and "glow party." The buffet will feature classic holiday dishes, plus a variety of desserts and drinks for $95 per adult, $40 per child from ages 3-10, and free for kids under 3. After dinner, from 8 pm to 1 am, a DJ dance party will take over, complete with glow sticks, complimentary hats and horns, and a midnight countdown and balloon drop. The glow party is free for resort and dinner guests.

Parties

Charley Crockett & Balloon Drop at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd.
Starting at 9 pm on December 31, ACL Live at the Moody Theater will host a special New Year's Eve celebration with live music from Charley Crockett, complete with a midnight countdown, champagne toast, and balloon drop. Charley Crockett's music is a mix of country, blues, soul, Cajun, and R&B, and he's been hailed as a "must-see live performer" by Rolling Stone. Tickets range from $79-149 are available at acllive.com.

"What Happens in Vegas" Party at Eberly
615 South Lamar Blvd.
This New Year’s Eve from 9 pm to 2 am, Eberly is pulling out all the stops to bring the glitz, glamour, and excitement of Sin City to Austin with the “What Happens in Vegas” New Year's Eve Party. Guests are encouraged to channel their inner Vegas by dressing the part (think wedding dresses or flashy suits). This party will have a little something for everyone: casino tables, a dance floor with DJ Gatsby, a "Chapel of Love" on the rooftop presided over by Elvis, of course; and at midnight, a champagne toast to ring in the new year. Tickets are $105 per person.

Gatsby New Year's Eve Party at Brazos Hall
204 E.4th St.
Guests can step into the allure of the Roaring Twenties at this Gatsby-inspired party by One Tap Photo. The evening will include a live band, a DJ and dance floor, casino games, door prizes, and a midnight champagne toast. The best-dressed flapper or dapper gent will even take home a prize for the evening's most striking ensemble. Tickets range from $125-300.

New Year's Eve with Pat Green at Gruene Hall
1281 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels
Ring in the New Year with Pat Green and special guest Walt Wilkins at the historic Gruene Hall in New Braunfels. There are two shows: one at 5 pm and one at 9 pm. The later show will include a midnight countdown and complementary champagne toast. Tickets are $95 for either show and can be purchased at guenehall.com.

The historic Gruene Hall exterior Pat Green plays two shows at the historic Gruene Hall for New Year's. gruenehall.com

New Year's Eve Pub Crawl
Starts at Little Woodrow's, 520 W. 6th St.
If staying in one place all night doesn't sound ideal, Nasstive Entertainment has a solution: a pub crawl. Participants will meet at Little Woodrow's from 8-10 pm and venture out to more than 10 other venues throughout the night. Tickets start at $30 and include free entry to all venues, drink discount coupons, and free welcome shots at various venues.

JW Marriott Austin's New Year's Eve Soiree
110 E. 2nd St.
From 8 pm until 1 am, the JW Marriott will be filled with "dancing, laughter, and good vibes," according to the event page for this fancy hotel bash. The party will take place in the lobby bar and rooftop and will include music, cocktails, champagne, caviar, and a more upscale, cocktail vibe. Tickets are $125 and up. Organizers remind attendees that the JW Marriott's view of the fireworks is obstructed.

Chill Vibes

New Year's Eve Hike and Strings in the Woods
1601 Spyglass Dr.
Austinites looking for a peaceful way to ring in 2025 on New Year's Eve Day can join "Strings in the Woods," a private hike with live music by award-winning violinist and film composer Will Taylor. Taylor will guide the group on an hour-long hike while playing his violin. He'll also throw in a dash of meditation, history, geology, and plant identification for an afternoon that sounds incredibly peaceful. Guests are advised to wear hiking shoes and bring a towel and yoga mat. The hike is free and goes from 3:30-4:30 pm.

New Year’s Eve Meditation Service
1820 Garden St.
From 11:30 pm to 12:15 Aam, the Austin Meditation Group will be holding a special, late-night New Year's Eve meditation service. This donation-based event is open to the public and could be a great way to mindfully enter a new year.

Austin's New Year at Auditorium Shores
900 West Riverside Drive
Austin has been celebrating New Year's Eve at Auditorium Shores since 2010 with live music by 90s heroes Third Eye Blind, good food, and of course, the city's big fireworks display over the lake. This is a great option for families or folks looking for a free and casual event. The celebration will start at 7 pm and last until just after the big countdown and 2025 fireworks display at midnight. There are no tickets to this event; just show up! (And probably take a ride share, because parking will be crazy.)

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