Inside the Celebration: Paramount Theatre’s 110th Gala With Lyle Lovett
A sold-out crowd celebrated more than a century of arts, culture, and community in the heart of downtown Austin
Congress Avenue was buzzing with energy on May 10, as the Paramount Theatre celebrated its 110th anniversary with a sold-out gala that transformed the block outside the historic venue into a Texas dance hall. Beneath the warm glow of the Paramount’s marquee, guests in boots, bolos, and Texas-chic formalwear gathered for a night of live music, spirited bidding and celebration with purpose.
The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour featuring gourmet small bites and specialty drinks, soundtracked by a live set from Kelly Willis and Brennen Leigh.
But the main event came with the arrival of Texas music legend Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, who delivered a genre-defying performance rich with swing, country, jazz and blues. Lovett, a four-time Grammy winner delivered a performance that anchored the evening with the kind of storytelling and musicianship that has made him a fixture of American music for nearly four decades.
Later, the Love & Happiness Band kept the energy high with a dance floor–ready mix of pop hits that carried the party well into the evening.
In between sets, supporters raised their paddles in live and silent auctions offering curated experiences, supporting the Paramount and State Theatres’ preservation efforts and award-winning education programs.
Proceeds from the night will help ensure that these historic venues continue to serve as cultural anchors for Austin, welcoming more than 550 events and 22,000 students each year.
As the city around it continues to evolve, the Paramount remains one of Austin’s most beloved institutions — and this milestone gala proved it still knows how to throw a party.
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