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The Paramount Theatre, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of just 300 movie palaces left in the United States according to a story in USA Today. Built in the architecturally extravagant 1920's, the theatre annually hosts concerts, fundraisers, corporate meetings, dance recitals and a Broadway Series. The Theatre is home to Orchestra Iowa, the region’s premier symphony orchestra. 

Cedar Rapids is extremely fortunate to have the Paramount Theatre as a performing arts center. In November 1926, a conference was held discussing plans to build the theatre. By April 1927, work was well underway on the foundation of the building, and by September 1, 1928, the theatre opened as the Capitol Theatre. For one year the Capitol provided a live stage show with a full range of comedians, singers, dancers, acrobats, along with an audience sing-along, the Wurlitzer organ and a film. When the theatre was built, they wanted to make it like a palace, with everything being high class.