The series that has brought live and varied performers to Austin for 66 years is ready to kick off its 2009 to 2010 concert season with performers from all around the globe, including the Czech Republic, New York City and Shanghai, China.

The Austin Artist Series is now one of the longest-running concert series in the Midwest, a fact that makes Phil Burkhart, president of the Austin Artist Series, very proud.

“The Austin Artist Series is a group of volunteers whose purpose is to enrich the cultural life of our community by providing world-class entertainment at a very reasonable price,” Burkhart said.

The season will start on Oct. 12 with spiritual, gospel and pop music by vocalist Robert Robinson of the Twin Cities. Robinson toured with Lorie Line’s Christmas show for 15 years, and has also performed with Aretha Franklin, Bobby McFerrin, Barry Manilow and Jermaine Jackson. He was named “Minnesota’s Master Male Vocalist” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

On Nov. 21, singer, pianist and songwriter Tony DeSare will perform a number of jazz tunes from Gershwin classics to original compositions, several of which have hit the billboard charts. DeSare will bring a backup bassist and drummer to the stage to complete his style.

Returning to Austin with a Christmas program on Dec. 3 will be the Boni Pueri Boys Choir, a group Burkhart said was “a big hit” when they performed three years ago.

The choir is made up of 28 boys, ages 10 to 20, drawn from the Boni Pueri private music school in the Czech Republic. Since its formation in 1982, the choir has released 13 recordings.

But the season doesn’t end there; acrobats and singing buckaroos will grace the stage in 2010.

The biggest draw for families, predicted Burkhart, will be the New Shanghai Circus Feb. 16, 2010, a troupe of acrobats from China that stuns its audiences with everything from jar jugglers to comic knife throwers.

The Riders in the Sky will wrap up the season April 13, 2010 with classic western cowboy music. They men’s quartet will bring wacky humor and wit to the stage, as well as tunes of Gene Autry, Roy Rodgers and the Sons of the Pioneers. In its 30 years together, the group has won many awards, mostly notably two Grammys for its music in the soundtracks of two Pixar movies, “Toy Story 2” and “Monster’s Inc.”

Burkhart is excited for this year’s season, but realizes it wouldn’t be possible without the help of many volunteers and donors.

“I want to personally thank all those volunteers,” he said, “including members of the board, ticket sellers, ushers and all the others who give of their time.”

The Patrons and Sponsors Program is a primary fundraiser for the series, helping ticket prices to remain low with many donations from businesses and individuals.

The Artist Series only sells season tickets, but they include all five concerts at Austin High School’s Knowlton Auditorium plus four concerts to the Artist Series’ sister group series, the Osage Concert Series in Osage, Iowa.

Ticket sales begin Tuesday. Season tickets cost $35 for adults, $10 for students and $75 for families. Those who have bought tickets in the past will get a call. To order tickets, call Jeannine Buechner at 437-4834.