What do dieting, the Fabulous Fifties, gypsies and the Amish country of Pennsylvania have in common? They’re all examples of some of the musical and dramatic entertainment that will hit the stage in Andalusia during the Covington Arts Council’s 2009-10 season.

The Covington Arts Council will begin its 37th annual season with Celtic Crossroads, a performance featuring Irish musicians, dancers and singers, on Tues., Oct. 20.

“This was probably our most popular show last year,” CAC director Paula Harr said of Celtic Crossroads. “There are a lot of people who saw them last year and want to go back this year, and then there are people who missed them last year but heard about how it was a great concert and want the chance to see them this year.”

All CAC performances are held at the Dixon Center on the LBWCC campus in Andalusia, and most are held at 7 p.m. to allow for children to attend.

The CAC’s other three performances will each be in 2010. Leading Ladies, a play by Ken Ludwig, will be Tues., Feb. 23. Five by Design: Stay Tuned, a quintet which performs songs from the 1950s and 1960s, will hit the stage Mon., March 15. The season will close out with Food Fight: The Musical, a parody in the vein of Menopause: The Musical, which will be Mon., May 3.

“We try to bring in the same quality of shows that you would see in a big city like Atlanta or Birmingham,” Harr said. “Our audiences have grown to expect it, and we try to meet that expectation every year.

“I know it’s a tough time with the economy and all, but we’re hoping the CAC can help. Our response to the bad economic times and depression and violence in our society today is to try and bring the beauty, joy and uplifting spirit of the arts to people in Covington County.”

Harr said ticket prices have not yet been determined, but will be announced at a future date.