West County residents (Prescott, Prescott Valley) receive special opportunities for cultural enrichment; Sedona and Verde Valley residents left pretty much on their own

Even before the fall 2024 semester began, Yavapai Community College initiated its cultural learning mission with an impressive lineup at the Performing Arts Center on the Prescott Campus. These events, allegedly aligned with the College’s mission, are expected to attract over a thousand attendees at a time to the Performing Arts Center.

While these outstanding programs primarily benefit the residents of Prescott and Prescott Valley, the College faces challenges in offering similar opportunities in the Sedona/Verde Valley area and other more semi-rural or rural areas in the County. It has yet to overcome those challenges. This has been the case for the past few decades.

Shown below are the major programs announced for August at the Performing Arts Center.

The College Mission “Yavapai College enriches our community by providing accessible, quality workforce, transfer, lifelong, and cultural learning opportunities.”

General Admission Tickets of $20 can be purchased online from the College at its Performing Arts Center box office on the Prescott Campus.

Yavapai Community College will give a performance of “The Messiah” on December 1, 2023 in the Verde Valley. The concert will take place at the Conception Catholic Church Parish, 700 N. Bill Gray Road, Cottonwood, and will begin at 7 p.m.

Ticket Information:

Adults: $20

Youth (18 years and younger): $5

Tickets are available by calling the Community College Performing Arts Center box office on the Prescott Campus at 928-776-2000.

This special event should provide an evening of magnificent music.

Prescott Residents Invited to Enjoy Nine Major Events at the Center, Including Jake Shimabukuro’s Christmas in Hawai’I, Handel’s Messiah, the Nutcracker Ballet, and More

Yavapai Community College is presenting an impressive lineup of diverse holiday programs this December at the Jim and Linda Lee Performing Arts Center on the Prescott Campus. Residents of Prescott can look forward to an array of nine outstanding scheduled events including Jake Shimabukuro’s festive “Christmas in Hawai’i,” the timeless “Handel’s Messiah,” the enchanting “Nutcracker” ballet, and many more captivating performances.

Resplendent venue, boasting 1,006 seats, has undergone a meticulous renovation resulting in a superior state-of-the-art theater; East County residents encouraged  to attend

The Prescott Campus of Yavapai Community College has announced the September program for  the newly christened “James and Linda Lee Performing Arts Center.” If you haven’t recently visited the Center, you will be greatly surprised.  This resplendent venue, boasting 1,006 seats, has undergone meticulous renovation over the past several years resulting in a state-of-the-art theater that captures the imagination of both Prescott’s residents and visitors alike.

The September program stands as a testament to the captivating array of talent poised to grace the stage in the coming months. Commencing on the evening of Friday, September 1, the curtain will rise with the delightful presentation, “An Evening with Judy Collins.” A luminary and three-time Grammy laureate, Ms. Collins’ journey from a prodigious classical pianist to a stalwart figure within the 1960s New York folk music renaissance is an inspiration. Most  agree that her voice became the instrument of change, both as a singer and a beacon of activism during transformative times.

There will be  an exclusive “Meet the Star” Preshow Reception in honor of Ms.  Collins on September 1 at 5:45 p.m. Tickets for this event are priced at $55 per person (show tickets to be purchased separately). The prelude to the main event promises an indulgent experience, featuring an assortment of sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and delectable desserts, complemented by the effervescence of complimentary champagne and wine. Should your preferences sway differently, a cash bar awaits your selections. This provides an opportunity to intimately encounter the luminous Ms. Collins herself—an opportunity destined for a select few, as participation is limited to just 40 individuals.

You are encouraged to be a part of this extraordinary evening, where the fusion of artistry and elegance converges under the spotlight of the “James and Linda Lee Performing Arts Center.” Your presence will enrich the symphony of the occasion, as the audience celebrates not only the legacy of Judy Collins but also the cultural resonance of this beautiful, remarkable venue.

The 70,000 or so Sedona and the Verde Valley residents have so far been left out of similar major cultural programming events for the months of January and February 2023

In February, Yavapai Community College continues its slate of outstanding cultural and entertainment events, most of which will be attended by west side residents and all of which are scheduled for the Performing Arts Center on the Prescott Campus.

On Friday, February 3 at 7 p.m. the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players will perform “H.M.S. Pinafore” at the Yavapai Community College Performing Arts Center.  The College describes the Players as “those comic opera magicians, who brought us The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance, are back with Gilbert & Sullivan’s delightful tale of true love, class warfare, hidden identities, and a web of secrets that threaten the politest ship in Her Majesty’s Fleet.”   Tickets: $59 | $47 | $32 | Youth $10.

The Arizona Philharmonic manos percussion quartet will perform at the Yavapai Community College Performing Arts Center on February  5, 2023  at  3:00 p.m.  The College describes the trio as follows:  “The percussion trio, manos received a resounding standing ovation in 2020. Expanding to a quartet, AZ Phil’s principal percussionist Eddie Solomon now joins our timpanist Maria Flurry and Tucson Symphony Orchestra percussionists Homero Cerón and Fred Morgan. In this concert they combine their percussion instruments of wood, metal, skin, and water to snare you into a thoughtfully curated, virtuosic program of familiar favorites and exotic musical selections. From delicate to bold to unabashedly fun, manos delights the ears and fills the soul with percussion’s wealth of musical possibilities.”  Ticket range from $10 to $49.

As a part of its satellite program attended by mostly west Yavapai County residents, the College will show the National Theatre Live: Henry V, at the  Performing Arts Center on February 15, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $15.

The presentation is described by the College as “Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) plays the title role in Shakespeare’s thrilling study of nationalism, war and the psychology of power. Captured live from the Donmar Warehouse in London. Fresh to the throne, King Henry V launches England into a bloody war with France. When his campaign encounters resistance, this inexperienced new ruler must prove he is fit to guide a country into war. Directed by Max Webster (Life of Pi), this exciting modern production explores what it means to be English and our relationship to Europe, asking: do we ever get the leaders we deserve?”

Rita Rudner will perform at the Performing Arts Center Sunday, February 19 at  7 p.m.   Tickets: $59 | $47 | $32.  The College describe her program as follows: “Laugh, and think – but mostly laugh! Find out why Rita’s epigrammatic one-liners and sly observations about life, gender, and relationships have made her a late-night talk show favorite and one of Las Vegas’s hottest tickets.”

Bill Saxton & the Harlem All-Stars will perform at the Yavapai Community College Performing Arts Center  on  February  24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. The College described the event as follows:  “Hear straight-ahead jazz saxophone the way it was meant to be when this renowned jazz sideman – alumnus of Harlem’s Nick’s Jazz club and six-album veteran – lights up the stage with his quartet.  As part of our intimate Cabaret Series, your $55 general admission ticket includes seating at a table onstage, appetizers, desserts, coffee/tea and a cash bar.”

The Prescott Pops Symphony  will present “Irving Berlin: From Rags to Ritzes,” at the Yavapai Community College Performing Arts Center on February  26, 2023 at  3:00 p.m. Tickets range from $5 to $45.  The College describes the event as follows: “Composer and lyricist Irving Berlin is one of the greatest American songwriters. Born in Russia in 1888, his family fled the persecution of their Jewish community, emigrating to New York City in the mid 1890s. The Prescott Pops Symphony and special guests present the marvelous music of this brilliant composer. “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “Always,” “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” and many more of his classics will charm and enchant you.  An afternoon of unforgettable music – we promise you’ll leave with a happy heart!”

“Chicago,” Pink Martini, featuring China Forbes, plus  Magic and Illusion program all on the agenda

Yavapai Community College’s Performing Arts Center is offering a splendid line-up of programs over the next few weeks.  The Broadway hit Chicago will hold eight performances from April 14 – 24.  Pink Martini featuring China Forbes  will hold a concert at the Del Webb Center for Performing Arts in Wickenburg  on March 23 and then move to  the Yavapai Community College Performing Arts Center March 24.   Other venues on its schedule are Wolftrap and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The illusionist called “Mike Super” will perform Saturday, March 26 at 7 p.m.

Unfortunately for residents of Yavapai County living on the east side of Mingus Mountain, there is no public transportation to and from the Community College’s Performing Arts Center  on the Prescott Campus for these programs. Moreover, the Community College does not provide inter-campus transportation for students from its Center in Sedona or the Verde Campus to these events.

Isn’t it time for a venue on the east side of Mingus Mountain similar to at least the Del Webb Center in Wickenberg? When the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors in 2001, it did so with the mission of enhancing the educational and cultural quality of the Wickenburg community, and offering a platform for local and visiting artists to showcase their creativity. Since its opening, the 600 seat theater on the Wickenburg High School campus has played a vital role in providing opportunities for outreach and education in the area. With shows by musical artists, dance, and theatre performances, the Del E. Webb Center brings  enriching and vibrant experiences to audiences of all ages. 

All events on Prescott Campus; the Film Festival is good news for local west county film buffs

Yavapai Community College is host to the multi-day Prescott Film Festival October 14-17.  All events are held on the Prescott Community College Campus.

The Prescott Film Festival is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to promoting tourism in Prescott and the quad city area through independent film and filmmakers. Each month the organization  screens a short feature with  a guest filmmaker for a Q&A with the audience. The events take place at  the Yavapai Community College Performance Center on the Prescott Campus  on select Wednesday evenings.

The Festival’s Executive Director for several years  has been  Helen Stephenson. She is also the Managing Director, Operations, Yavapai College Performing Arts Center.   She was generally in charge of the nationally recognized filmmaker program at the Community College’s  Sedona Center when it was closed down in 2014-15 by then College President Penelope Wills.

According to the Festival website, it markets itself across  Arizona (focusing on Phoenix, Tucson and Sedona) and also in the New Mexico and Los Angeles area. Both the Sedona International Film Festival and the Phoenix Film Festival help getting the word out about the Festival. It receives a high level of support from the  Prescott community.