An underappreciated jewel of the local arts community gets its 31st season started Wednesday, Sept. 24, and what a fun season it promises to be.

The Franklin-Southampton Concert Association has been entertaining arts patrons since 1977 with quality music that you don’t expect to hear in a small community. The new season is no exception.

Sinatra-style crooner Steve Lippia lifts the lid on this year’s series with “Simply Sinatra,” scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Southampton High School in Courtland. Five other shows, including the annual Virginia Symphony performance, are scheduled through May.

Membership is very affordable, and plenty of seats remain. We encourage our readers to keep the arts alive in this community by supporting the Concert Association and other groups who work tirelessly to enrich our quality of life.