FAIRMONT — The season of songs is here. The Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont is gearing up for its 12th annual concert series, featuring a diverse range of genres through seven unique performances from September to May.

“With the Fairmont Opera House closed, we want to fill that void until they’re able to come back. People really enjoy live music, and as an art center, we have a space, a beautiful space, for people to come and to perform,” said Executive Director Sonja Fortune, who has planned the annual concert series since its debut in 2013.

Performances in the concert series include the David K Band, a tribute to Guitarist Roy Orbison, on Saturday, Sept. 13; Jennifer Grimm, performing jazz, rhythm and blues and musical theater, on Saturday, Oct. 25; On The Lash, performing Celtic Christmas music, on Thursday, Dec. 11; Glenn Henriksen, performing piano on Friday, Dec. 19; Aces and 88’s Dueling Pianos, performing musical comedy with audience-interactive song selections on Saturday, Feb. 7; Aaron Simmons, performing country, on Saturday, March 28 and Ryan Sather and Dave Rowley, performing rock and roll oldies, on Friday, May 8.

Each performance will be at 7 p.m. at the Red Rock Center.

“We look for different genres with each concert. There’s something new for everyone. And because not everybody likes the same thing, we make sure we hit a wide audience with our selections and that we’re bringing in quality concerts,” Fortune explained with a smile.

Not only do the concerts allow audiences to engage in live entertainment, but they also immerse themselves in the multiple fine arts, valued deeply at the Red Rock Center.

“It gives people an opportunity to hear a variety of different music. We think that’s very important. Music, for many, is very healing,” Fortune remarked. “It can bring back memories of times, earlier times, and it can just keep people with healthy entertainment, per se. It gets them out and socializing and gives them a chance to meet other people who are interested in music as well. There are lots of benefits to getting out and enjoying music and the arts.”

With exceptional reception from the community last year, Fortune anticipates another year of strong community engagement with the concert series, especially now that the entertainment count has grown.

“We feel that our selection is right on track with what we did last year. We are seeing new people last year buying season passes again this year. And we hope those people will return again. I believe we have a goal of 20 new people, at least, and at least 10 percent new audience, and then to retain 90 percent of the audience that we saw last year.” Fortune shared.

She described watching the community come together to observe the concert and celebrate music as what drives her forward and keeps her motivation unwavering.

“I just love the end result. Our audience is always so appreciative of what we’re doing. People are just so appreciative of the musicians themselves and really engaged and interested in what the musicians have to say. And that probably is what keeps me here, is our audience and our participants. And just to be doing these concerts, you know, a lot of these musicians are performing in bigger venues, so it’s really neat to see them here in our small, intimate space, full of history,” she said.

Fortune hopes that the concert series, as well as all offerings, inspires artistic, visual and musical creativity in the local community.

“It’s an up-close and personal, intimate experience. Not only are you hearing the stories from the artists themselves, but you’re also drawing on the audience as well,” she said.

Season passes are available for purchase at $90 for adults and $75 for seniors. Individual tickets are available for purchase 30 days before the show. For tickets/season passes and additional information regarding the concert series, contact the Red Rock Center at (507) 235-9262, info@redrockcenter.org or visit the website at www.redrockcenter.org.

Fortune said the concert series would not be possible without help from their various local and state sponsors.