We are so happy to partner with Rock Paper Scissors for their Project Connect campaign! On their website under the “Project Connect” tab, you will find printable PDFs of The Paramount’s stage along with a few puppets to color and use to create your very own production! We’d love to see what the littles come up with. Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using #theparamountpersists or #rpsprojectconnect to share the magic!
In January 2019, WNRN and The Paramount partnered to present Dead Air – 22 Bands for 22 Bucks in honor of WNRN’s 22nd anniversary of bringing independent music radio to the Commonwealth. What an incredible night at The Paramount! The sold-out concert spotlighted local Virginia bands and their own unique versions of a Grateful Dead song. Pictured are David Wax Museum, Free Union, The Gladstones, and Steel Wheels.
“It was a night of pure celebration with old friends and new enjoying live Commonwealth music, together,” said Mark Keefe, General Manager for WNRN. “Lasting four hours and twenty minutes, we could have gone on all night, and the crowd would have danced until sunrise. Every inch of the beautiful Paramount Theater shone brightly through our community and beyond – and still does. Stay tuned – we’ll see you again soon.”
In addition to the 22 bands, Dead Air also featured 22 different Virginia nonprofit organizations, which were the financial beneficiaries of a 22-item raffle of signed music memorabilia.
We are diligently working to reschedule many of our events that have been interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These events contribute significantly toward our yearly operating budget, and we know that we will suffer a devastating loss of revenue as a local nonprofit theater. Please consider making a donation to The Paramount.
Photos by Milo Farineau
Where were you during the 2019 NCAA Final Four? What about when the University of Virginia Men’s Basketball Team won the 2019 NCAA National Championship? The Paramount’s Front of House Operations Manager, Malcolm Dyson, reflected on watching both of these thrilling games on The Paramount’s Big Screen:
“First of all, I was in Memphis when the Hoos won the heartstopping game against Purdue in the Elite Eight. The next day I immediately started to think about the logistics of showing the Final Four game at the Theater.
“Upon returning to Charlottesville and discovering every other large venue (Pavilion, JPJ, Scott Stadium, Alumni Hall) had a conflict, I knew we would be in for a crazy busy night with a packed house of diehard fans. Suffice it to say, we had a full house with the first fans lining up outside the Theater more than 3 hours before game time. Once the time came that I could get to my seat with some friends (Row FF and GG, right on Aisle 4 in the Balcony), I enjoyed a buzz and energy matched only by watching a game in person. The rollercoaster ride lasted until the final whistle as Kyle Guy sank 3 straight free throws to seal the game. There were many hugs and high fives before the whole scene (and town, for that matter) became a blur. Holy crap, UVa was going to be in the Championship Game!
“Kudos to the Tom Tom team for working with our team to reschedule a dinner that was supposed to happen onstage the same Monday evening of the Final game. Again, we had a packed house, and the energy was once again incredible! Same as the Final Four game, I found our crew in our lucky seats and watched another heart-stopping game that the Hoos had now become accustomed to winning. Another OT game and a great performance led to hugs, tears, and celebrations that Charlottesville rarely sees. It was truly magical being able to share that weekend’s UVa NCAA Championship run with 1000+ diehard fans at The Paramount, and an experience I doubt I will ever forget.”
While our stage is dark, our marquee and blade continue to shine. We are diligently working to reschedule many of our events that have been interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These events contribute significantly toward our yearly operating budget, and we know that we will suffer a devastating loss of revenue as a local nonprofit theater. Please consider making a donation to The Paramount.
Photos by Rob Garland Photographers
“Art is too important not to share.” – Romero Britto (Artist)
We agree! Our stage may be dark now, but you can be ready for when we return. Gift certificates can be purchased at any denomination and make for a great surprise! For a limited time, purchase one for $25 and get a free popcorn voucher, or purchase one for $50 and get a free popcorn and drink voucher! Gift certificates can be purchased here.
Motown legend Smokey Robinson performed for a full house in June 2018. His unique show brought stories and memories to life, in addition to the performance of his chart-topping hits like “The Tears of a Clown,” “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me,” “Tracks of My Tears,” and so many more! Mr. Robinson’s performance on our stage that night was one that will not soon be forgotten, as it is rare to get a behind-the-scenes peek into how so many hit songs that have been played for decades originally came to be.
Have you heard of our backstage Wall of Fame? This is where all performers at The Paramount leave their autograph before or after performing. You may have seen it during a Paramount tour. But, did you know Mr. Robinson’s signature isn’t on the Wall of Fame? It’s actually hidden in one of our star dressing rooms! If you haven’t yet seen our Wall of Fame or Mr. Robinson’s hidden autograph, be sure to sign up for a free tour once the magic returns to The Paramount’s stage and screen. It’s a special stop on the tour you certainly won’t want to miss!
We are diligently working to reschedule many of our events that have been interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These events contribute significantly toward our yearly operating budget, and we know that we will suffer a devastating loss of revenue as a local nonprofit theater. Please consider making a donation to The Paramount.
Photos by Craig Kompelien of Rob Garland Photographers
Bust out those crayons and colored pencils – it’s time to get creative with our Paramount Blade coloring sheet! Click here to download a printable PDF.
“Son of a nutcracker!” While The Paramount’s Annual Brew & Buddy Run is still a somewhat new tradition, it’s quickly become a Charlottesville favorite! The Brew & Buddy Run was derived from the 2003 hit movie Elf, starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who grew up with elves in Santa’s workshop.
The Run begins at The Paramount, and our runners – dressed properly for the occasion – travel in a loop around the downtown area, with one stop at Three Notch’d Brewing Co. and another at Champion Brewery. At each location, they receive a free pour before continuing on their run! Upon their return to the Theater, each participant receives a souvenir pint, and then everyone settles in for a costume contest, followed by a screening of Elf. It’s always a fun event, and one we definitely look forward to when the holiday season comes around each year!
While we are diligently working to reschedule many of our spring events, which contribute significantly toward our yearly operating budget, we know we will suffer a devastating loss of revenue as a local nonprofit theater. Please consider making a donation to The Paramount.
Photos by Rob Garland Photographers
The “little orchestra” Pink Martini is no stranger to The Paramount’s stage! Featuring a dozen musicians and songs in 25 languages, their unique sound combines jazz, classical, and old-fashioned pop. A Paramount favorite, Pink Martini performed for a nearly full house at their most recent performance in 2018.
While we are diligently working to reschedule many of our spring events, which contribute significantly toward our yearly operating budget, we know we will suffer a devastating loss of revenue as a local nonprofit theater. Please consider making a donation to The Paramount.
Photos by Rob Garland Photographers
When The Paramount Theater opened originally in 1931, it was as a grand movie palace. While today we bring many arts performances to our stage and screen, we proudly carry on the original legacy when we broadcast classics, family favorites, and more. Last summer, we screened Disney’s original Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews, and would you believe it, Mary Poppins herself flew down to The Paramount with her magic umbrella! The Paramount’s Events Coordinator, Emily Jackson, recounts her experience of dressing up as the beloved Disney character:
“Becoming Mary Poppins and welcoming folks to The Paramount to watch this classic film is, by far, my favorite memory during my time at the Theater (so far!). It was a perfect warm day on the Downtown Mall (something I really miss right now), where I received so many waves, smiles, and hugs from complete strangers, young and old. I can’t wait to welcome our community back so we can all continue to experience the magic of movies at The Paramount!”
The Paramount is dedicated to providing a 5-star experience for our patrons, and our Mary Poppins meet-and-greet was what we like to call a “5-star add-on.” Whenever we show a movie, we try to do a little something “extra,” just to show you how much we appreciate your patronage. If you attended Casablanca, you likely received a Valentine and chocolate, and if you attended The Muppet Movie, you might’ve gotten a temporary tattoo or a coloring page. Did you vote for the Oscars at our screening of Green Book? These are just a few examples of our 5-star add-ons. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoy coming up with them!
While we are diligently working to reschedule many of our spring events, which contribute significantly toward our yearly operating budget, we know we will suffer a devastating loss of revenue as a local nonprofit theater. Please consider making a donation to The Paramount.
Photos by Mary Margaret Holden
What better way to start your Friday morning that with a cup of coffee and our first ever Paramount crossword puzzle! How fast can you complete it?
Click here to play online. If you’re a fan of the more traditional way to play crosswords, you can also print it out! Good luck!
The Paramount Theater is proud to join forces with community leaders to bring high quality performing arts to our community. We would like to humbly thank all of our sponsors for their support that has meant so much to so many.
Thank you to The National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts for their generous support of The Paramount Theater.
