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.
At its meeting on February 21, the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board gave unanimous approval to name the Performing Arts Center (PAC) on the Prescott Campus in honor of Jim and Linda Lee. The decision to rename the PAC was made to acknowledge the generous endowment recently established by the Lees, which will be exclusively used to ensure the Center’s ongoing sustainability.
Community College Vice President of Community Relations Rodney Jenkins explained that the endowment will ensure that “top of line talent” is brought to the Community through the Performing Arts Center. The College approximates that more than 100,000 attendees now visit the Center every year.
Due to their generous philanthropic contributions to numerous community organizations, Jim and Linda Lee are widely recognized in the greater Prescott area. Among their notable endeavors, they have provided support for the Prescott POPS Symphony Orchestra School Grants, aimed at financing instrumental music in local schools, as well as the annual Music Memory program, benefiting third through fifth graders across the county. Additionally, they have pledged substantial assistance to the Prescott Chorale, which showcases masterpieces by renowned composers, and offer scholarships for eligible students in music and performing arts programs at Yavapai College.
Their contributions resulted in the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium located at the STEM Education Center on the at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Prescott. The 47-foot-diameter dome — the only planetarium north of Phoenix — has become a popular destination for domestic and international visitors.
They are major donors to the Arizona Opera and have underwritten several major opera performances over the years. They also are major supporters of the University of Arizona College of Medicine. They established the Jim and Linda Lee Memorial Endowment for Cardiovascular Disease. The purpose — to benefit the Sarver Heart Center founded at the U of A Medical Center in 1986, and now recognized as one of the world’s leading cardiovascular research institutions.
You may view the announcement made at the Governing Board meeting by clicking here.
Below is a mock-up shown to the Governing Board of how the Center will look once the names are in place.
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.
Dr. Craig Ralston, the Director of Programming and Development, Associate Dean of Performing Arts at Yavapai Community College, informed Mr. Paul Chevalier, Third District Community College representative, at the November 9 Governing Board meeting, that 10 of the 11 Performing Arts programs were offered only on the Prescott Campus. He also reported that a committee has been formed in Sedona consisting of the [Sedona] Chamber, members of the Film Festival, and representatives of Chamber Music of Sedona who are “in negotiations to talk about the Performing Arts Center.”
Regarding the Committee, Dr. Ralston explained that “We’re sitting down at the table to say that it is an amazing facility, how can we use it and how can the school go flex with us – they’ve been pretty resistant.”
Representative Chevalier lauded Dr. Ralston for his outstanding work on developing the performing arts programs saying “you have done this great job on the west side and I’m hoping the College will focus strongly on bringing all these things to the east side. Word will get out fast as we are all interested in the arts over there and that will be positive not only for students, but it will be a real positive for the college.”
Chevalier also noted that Mingus Union High School, under the leadership of James Ball, has a great performing arts program. However, according to him, when students graduate from Mingus high school, “unless they have a lot of money, or want to leave, they have no local place to continue pursuing music, performing arts and drama.”
Below is a video clip of the discussion between Mr. Chevalier and Dr. Ralston related to where the programs are taught and the existence of the new committee. A full video of the meeting may be posted at some point on the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board website.
Dr. Craig Ralston, the Director of Programming and Development, Associate Dean of Performing Arts at Yavapai Community College, reported the enormous success of the performing arts program during the November 9 District Governing Board meeting. According to him, enrollment in fall 2021 had jumped from 213 students in 2020 to 564 students in the fall 2021.
The Performing Arts Department now has eleven programs with a wide range of classes being offered within each program. For example, there are 12 classes offered in the theatre program in the spring 2022 on the Prescott campus. For another example, there are 42 music classes being offered in voice in the spring 2022. (Two voice classes were offered by the Community College at the Sedona Center for the spring 2022. Because enrollment leaped when the registration was announced in the two voices classes and they are almost full, two more were added. All voice classes at the Sedona Center are taught by the same instructor.)
Under Dr. Ralston’s guidance, the Community College began a series of outdoor concerts in Prescott Valley this past year that drew audiences of 1,000 or more. He has also brilliantly begun bringing hundreds of high school students to the Prescott Campus by offering a variety of workshops and festivals involving the Performing Arts Department. A great marketing effort.
Dr. Ralson has worked tirelessly to find ways to bring a limited variety of programs to Sedona and the Verde Valley, which, although small in comparison to the enormous Prescott operation, has found receptive, appreciative audiences. The audiences in the Verde Valley are tiny when compared with those on the Prescott side of Mingus Mountain.
A short video clip of a portion of Dr. Ralston’s presentation to the Governing Board appears below with him explaining the various programs. The entire video of the Governing Board meeting may be available at sometime in the future when the College posts it on the Governing Board website.
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.
Among Arizona community colleges, Yavapai has by far the largest and most modern theatre operation in the state in the the Performing Arts Center. Located at the Prescott Campus, most community college have nothing approaching the grandeur of this facility.
So far, the Performing Arts Center has announced it will host from October to the end of May over 30 live in-person events that encompass orchestral concerts, stage plays, and nationally known performers on its Prescott Campus. It will also play host to more than 20 satellite live programs coming mostly from New York and London, England.
In addition to these programs, the Community College will host about nineteen free special events on the Prescott Campus and about five special free events in the Verde Valley..
At the September 14, 2021, meeting of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board President Rhine announced that there will be at least two live ticketed cultural events in the Verde Valley and at least five free events this fall. (See video below.)
**October 15: 7:00 p.m. “Mission Joy – Finding Happiness in Troubled Times and “Under the Same Sky.”
**October 16: 4:00 p.m. “Cowboys without Borders,” “Women of the Sea.”
**October 16: 7:00 p.m. “Rickshaw Girl,” “Margo Jam.”
**October 17: 3:00 p.m. (Sculpture Garden) Gourmet Boxed Dinners, catered by Chef Barry Barbe and Greenway Catering by El Gato Azul (advance purchase required).
**October 17: 4:00 p.m. Silent film with live accompaniment from the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra : a five piece chamber ensemble (3:00 PM pre-show dinner)
October 23: Bluegrass Mass
October 31: Arizona Philharmonic: Brandenburg and Beyond.
November 12: fundraiser presented with U.S. VETS – Prescott, four singing sergeants blend their voices in an evening of inspirational music to benefit comrades in local veteran’s programs.
November 21 1 p.m. Wonderful Life Costume Parade, Performing Arts Center.
November 14: Arizona Philharmonic: Sonoran Winds Quintet.
December; 2: Grammy/CMA nominee Josh Turner brings his “Holiday & The Hits” tour for one Yuletide performance.
December 4: Handel’s Messiah (Community College and local residents)
December 5: Handel’s Messiah (Community College and local residents)
December 12: Prescott POPS Symphony. The Sound of Joy!
December 19: Arizona Philharmonic: We Wish You Christmas. Elks Theater (117 E Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86301).
January 9: Arizona Philharmonic: ¡Andalusia!
January 14: Remembrance of a folk-rock legend, Croce Plays Croce.
January 16: Yavapai Symphony Association 2021-2022 Classical Season, Steven Moeckel in Recital – violin.
*January 19: Dino-Light | Lightwire Theater. Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts (Camp Verde) Education series.
January 20: Dino-Light | Lightwire Theater. Education series. Performing Arts Center.
Jan 23 3 p.m. Garrick Ohlsson Piano recital
January 23: Yavapai Symphony Association 2021-2022 Classical Season, Yefim Bronfman in Recital – piano.
January 29: Arizona Philharmonic: Brahms Requiem.
*February 10: Call of the Wild: Illustrated Edition | Theatre Heroes. Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts (Camp Verde) Education series.
February 11: Call of the Wild: Illustrated Edition | Theatre Heroes. Education series. PAC.
February 13: Prescott POPS Symphony: The Sound of Love.
February 17: Much Ado About Nothing | Utah Shakespeare Festival. For grades 7 and above. Education series. (Only at PAC)
February 20: George Li in Recital – piano.
February 27: Arizona Philharmonic: Arizona Philharmonic Brass.
March 1: The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Classics | Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Best for grades PreK-3 (Education series).
March 5 and 6: The Voices of Dance. Ballet Victoria, with productions of The Nutcracker and Carmina Burana.
March 20. Yavapai Symphony Association 2021-2022 Classical Season, Daniel Hsu in Recital – piano.
March 27: Arizona Philharmonic: James d’Leon Piano Quintet.
April 3, 2022: Yavapai Symphony Association 2021-2022 Classical Season, ASU Symphony Orchestra
May 1: 3:00 p.m. Yavapai Symphony Association 2021-2022. Classical Season, Yekwon Sunwoo in Recital – piano.
May 2: Brian Regan, one of the best comics in the business.
* May 9: Doktor Kaboom! Look Out! Science is Coming! | David Epley. Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts (Camp Verde) Education series.
May 10: Doktor Kaboom! Look Out! Science is Coming! | David Epley. PAC.
May 15, 2022: Garrick Ohlsson in Recital – piano.
May 22: Prescott POPS Symphony. Prescott Pops Picks!
June 8: Boz Scaggs.