By Brian Matthews

The Austin Art Series committee will kick off the 67th annual series with a sales campaign starting Sept. 7.

The Series has been a staple of Austin’s entertainment scene since 1943 and will return this year with five new concerts from a variety of genres.

“I just love music and I think it’s just such a great bargain,” said Shirley Cahil, publicity chairman of the Austin Art Committee. “You just kind of grow with that, and it’s gotten to the point that people that buy tickets every year can hardly wait for it to start.”

The series includes five concerts, which kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 16 and ends with a finale on Thursday, April 14. Tickets for the series are available only through season ticket membership. Season tickets are available from Sept. 7 to 21.

Ticket packages run $35 for adults, $10 dollars for students and $75 dollars for the family package. The packages include tickets to all shows in Austin as well as four free concerts in Osage, Iowa. All shows are held in Knowlton Auditorium at Austin High School and start at 7 p.m., with the exception of the Nov. 2 show, which starts at 8 p.m.

The series kicks off Oct. 16 with The Abbey Road Band, a Beetles tribute band built from four guys who have been passionate about the Beetles’ music since the 1960s.

Tuesday Nov. 2, the series continues with a visit from “Forever Plaid,” a band that will take the audience back to the 50s with their music and 50s style outfits. Their show is built from a combination of both music and theater, which offers fun for people of all ages.

The “River City 6” brass ensemble performs on Jan. 27, offering music ranging from classical, Latin, jazz and folk. The Pittsburgh based group has been together for over 10 years and are known, not only for their music, but also for their laughable antics on the side.

For those who crave music that makes them want to get out of their seats and dance, “Club Swing” on Monday, March 28 is the show to do it. The five singers and their back up quartet sing the songs that defined the Swing era of America.

The series wraps up on Thursday, April 14 with Cahal Dunne’s “Grand to be Irish Show.” Dunne is a songwriter and pianist who has appeared with Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Tony Orlando and has even performed for several presidents. Dunne is a native of County Cork Ireland and has established himself as one of Ireland’s best vocalists.

“When you go to the concerts, and I have been going for years, I am just kind of amazed at the people that come to these,” Cahill said. “You go and you see people old, young, families and little kids. It’s wonderful entertainment.”

For tickets or for more information call Jeannine Buechner at 577-437-4834 or Lois Flahert at 577-433-9104.