There truly will be something for everyone at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts this season.

Whether you’re interested in musicians or history, children’s movies or ballet, local actors or nationally renowned acts, the SCCA offers all these and more. You would have to drive to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News or Richmond to get performing arts of this quality, and the specific acts — such as Crystal Gayle — would be performing even farther afield.

A speakers’ series this year is a new addition to the schedule and was added in response to patron requests, Executive Director Jackie Cherry said. In fact, most of the schedule is geared toward the expressed desires of the community.

“We listened to the customer last year to what they wanted to see at the center,” Cherry told a News-Herald reporter last week.

Events at the center not only benefit those who attend, but also bring tourism dollars to the city. Cherry said the first tickets for the Crystal Gayle season opener went to patrons in Ohio and Pennsylvania, who very likely would never have come to Suffolk and spent their money here if it weren’t for the center.

The significant public support the center has received since it opened has been criticized, even on these pages. But there’s no doubt the business and other benefits the center brings to the city pays at least some of it back.

We’re looking forward to seeing some of our favorite acts this season.