When former Cedar Rapids resident Jonathon Hill discovered the performance by Muse in the Twin Cities earlier this month was sold out, he admitted he was upset. But then, at the last minute, another 50 tickets were released for the English rock band’s concert. “I’d started spending the money I had (put aside) for the [...]

JIM HOFFMAN Jim Hoffman, who led the Paramount Theatre’s $7.8 million renovation in 2002-03, answered the call for an even more monumental undertaking, leading Paramount Constituents Committee after the Floods of 2008. This volunteer group of citizen experts would seek advice and make renovation decisions on behalf of the city. Why would the retired Alliant [...]

Orchestra Iowa and VenuWorks, which has a city contract to manage the Paramount Theatre, have reached an agreement to jointly manage the historic entertainment  facility in downtown Cedar Rapids. Orchestra Iowa and VenuWorks will work together in the programming, marketing, sales and operation of the Paramount. The city-owned theater, constructed in 1928, was heavily damaged by [...]

The City Council can give and it can take back. Such was the case this week, when a council majority shifted gears after it decided three weeks ago to turn the management of the Paramount Theatre over to its principal tenant, Orchestra Iowa. Tuesday evening, the council voted 7-1 — Mayor Ron Corbett was left [...]

Cedar Rapids city officials will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 1 p.m. Wednesday to mark the beginning of the reconstruction of the flood-damaged Paramount Theatre at 123 Third Ave. SE. The ceremony, featuring the Orchestra Iowa Brass Quintet, will take place on the sidewalk under the marquee and on a portion of Third Avenue near [...]