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By Linda Baier for the Tribune

There’s a certain kind of electricity that only happens when live music fills the walls of a place steeped in history — where every note echoes the stories of the past.

The El Parral ballroom, formerly the Terp ballroom, in Austin will be that place on Saturday, April 26 when The Spring Dance Party – Tribute to the Tower concert featuring music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s will ignite the night.

The Terp was built in the late ’30s, and was a sister facility to the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. Dance bands that were popular in the ’30s and ’40s graced its stage, and in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s numerous well-known entertainers like The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash and Lawrence Welk played there as well. It was a great place to meet up with friends and have some fun out on the dance floor.

The Tower was a popular high school hang out in the ‘50s, ’60s and ’70s nestled in the upper level of a retail store in downtown Austin. Nationally known acts like the Hollywood Argyles, The Fenderman and the Castaways played music there.

For 50 cents admission kids could come and listen to music, dance, have a burger, fries, beverages and even do their homework if they wanted to. It was open three nights a week and Sunday afternoons.

“I remember playing there a lot when I was in high school, sometimes several nights a week. It was a lot of fun.” says Dennis Charnecki, one of the organizers of the concert and singer/musician with the DC Drifters.

The music these two venues provided over the years have garnered cherished memories for a lot of people. One of those was Bruce Folken, who loved going to The Tower as a high school student and in 2022 spearheaded the first Tribute to the Tower concert.

Plans for this year’s tribute were in the works when Folken unexpectedly passed away in February. His family has given the other organizers their blessing to continue with the concert in Bruce’s memory.

Music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s continues to be popular and played live all over the world thanks to people like Robby Vee who is on the list of performers for the evening. He is a second generation Rockabilly Hall of Fame Member and is the son of Bobby Vee, who had 38 Billboard hits in the 1960s. A consummate entertainer in his own right, Robby has learned from, and shared credits and stages with the best, from James Burton to Carl Perkins, Bo Diddley, Albert Lee, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, Sir Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton.

A special attraction in association with Robby Vee and his Rock-N-Roll Caravan will be a 45-minute symposium entitled “Tribute to Ritchie Valens – ‘The Day The Music Died’” by music historian MN Mike Chase.

Special guest will be Connie Valens, sister of Ritchie Valens and rounding out the Spring Dance Party and Tribute to the Tower will be The DC Drifters, Los Rebeldes, Amanda Corey, The Ravons, Swanee (from the White Sidewalls) and Carlos Carranza.

Entertainers are subject to change.

This is a family friendly event and everyone is welcome to attend. Doors will open at 4 p.m., musicians will take the stage at 5 p.m.

Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Tickets are available at Sweet Reads in Austin 507-396-8660 or by calling DC Music at 507-440-5037.

Food trucks will be on site.