After months of planning, the Opp Cultural Arts Council will kick off its performing arts season this month with folk singers and singer-songwrtiers Rick and Jilda Watson.

The couple will open the season Sat., Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students.

The Empire, Ala., duo has been performing for more than 30 years.

The Watsons are no strangers to Opp, having previously opened for Robinella years ago.

And this is just the beginning, OCAC performing arts committee chair Wesley Laird said. Six or seven major events are planned for the year in an intimate stage-side setting.

“We are in the process of booking several well-known blues, bluegrass and singer-songwriters for events throughout the year,” he said. “We are locking down Shades Mountain Air from Birmingham now for Sat., May 13. They are an outstanding bluegrass group with a melding of gospel and country.”

Laird also said the group is working on a major act for April 16.

Additionally, OCAC plans to offers sit-ins for “pickers and grinners” and singer-songwriter nights monthly or bi-monthly where talented local musicians can showcase their talents.

The first “Pickers N Grinners” night will be March 3, and the first singer-songwriter event will be April 8. Cost is $5 per person.

“This is an exciting time for Opp and a major step forward for improving the quality of life here,” Laird aid. “Thanks to the hard work of the visual arts members of the Council, we already have a very nice art gallery in the building. The visual and performing arts will complement each other.”

Laird said the season is being funded by Southern Independent Bank, H.T. Hackney, Horn Beverage, MFG and Galileo and other local sponsors.

All events will be held at the OCAC’s new location at 107 N. Main Street in Opp.