Elton John Classics Headline a Packed Weekend Lineup
Austin, MN · November 6, 2026
Frost is lingering on the lawns this morning, but a full weekend of live music, downtown hunts, and art workshops should thaw things out nicely.
The Lead
Live music takes center stage downtown this Saturday as the Historic Paramount Theatre welcomes The 22nd Row, bringing an energetic touring celebration of Elton John's classic catalog to the historic stage. The seven-piece ensemble covers decades of arena-filling hits, paired with an opening set from regional Americana fixtures Scott Jasmin & The Gracenotes.
Beyond Saturday evening's concert, the weekend offers plenty of reasons to get out early, from youth sculpting sessions at the ArtWorks Center to regional holiday markets kicking off across the area. For theatergoers eyeing reserved seats at the Paramount, securing tickets before the box office fills up is the smartest move of the weekend.
Local Pulse
Voters Approve School Facility Bond Referendum Schools Unofficial tallies show 51 percent voter support for the district’s $24.9 million building bond to upgrade security and maintenance.
Joint Fall Newsletter Reaches Local Mailboxes Community County and city agencies released their shared seasonal guide covering municipal services, environmental programs, and winter recreation registration.
Police Department Activates Dedicated Direct Line Safety Residents contacting dispatch for non-emergencies should now dial the department’s independent direct line instead of shared county channels.
Today's Outlook
- High 41°F · Low 31°F — Overcast
- Keep a warm coat handy as gray skies keep conditions brisk throughout the day.
What's On Around Town
Today
Downtown Big Buck Hunt Downtown Commercial District (Broadway Ave), Albert Lea, All day · Free Hunt for shopping specials and store prize drawings before deer opener.
Ye Olde Library Renaissance Faire Rochester Public Library (101 2nd St SE), Rochester, 6:00–8:00 PM · Free Costumes, crafts, and medieval festival entertainment for all ages.
An Evening of Alton Brown Mayo Civic Center (30 Civic Center Dr SE), Rochester, 7:30 PM · Paid Culinary science, storytelling, and stage antics from the television host.
Tomorrow
LGBTea & Coffee Coffee House on Main (329 N Main St), 9:30 AM
Kids Studio: Polymer Clay T-Rex Austin ArtWorks Center (300 N Main St), 10:30 AM–12:00 PM · $5
The 22nd Row with Scott Jasmin & The Gracenotes Historic Paramount Theatre (125 4th Ave NE), 7:00–8:45 PM · $32
Sunday
- The Nutcracker Rochester Civic Theatre (20 Civic Center Dr SE), Rochester, 2:00 PM · Paid
Spotlight & Story
- Woodson Kindergarten Center
- Long before George Hormel arrived, pioneer W.A. Woodson peddled butchered pork wagon-to-wagon here in 1856. Two years later, classes began inside the Woodson home, where son Henry earned $10 a month teaching District 26 from the family living room.
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