College brings performances to Verde Valley

According to Yavapai College Marketing and Communications Specialist Michael Grady, the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center 2016-17 season marks significant growth in Verde Valley programming.

“These offerings are an expansion of our normal season, which is centered at the Performing Arts Center on the Prescott campus,” Grafdy stated. “We just want to share some of the terrific artistry that will be coming through Northern Arizona this year.

“We know the arts has a strong following in communities like Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Sedona, Jerome and Camp Verde. We have a lot of interest from students at Yavapai College’s Verde Valley campus, as well. So this season, we expanded our offerings to include performances in these communities.”

Still three weeks out from the first Verde Valley show — New York’s contemporary jazz ensemble Matt Baker and The Trio, Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts, Camp Verde — Grady added that organizers are eager to see how the event is received.

“I can tell you that our artistic director, Craig Ralston, undertook this project in response to requests from Verde Valley patrons,” Grady stated. “We’ve received an enthusiastic response from the arts community. In fact, our final Verde Valley show, the Ballet West II Company, is actually a joint presentation with Sedona Ballet.

“The people at the local venues have been very supportive, as well.”

Bringing a variety of performers to the table is a sizable feat, Grady said, blending “excitement, logistics and balance” to make best use of resources.

“You want to combine name acts people know with up-and-comers that will surprise and excite them,” Grady stated. “You want to blend genres: Music, theatre, dance and spectacle so there’s something that appeals to everybody. Then you have to make your delicate planning mesh with the touring schedules of the artists you seek.

“We think we have a season with a lot of contrasts, and the ability to please and surprise its audiences. We’re looking forward to getting into the Verde Valley and entertaining the audiences there.”