Josh Turner, Brian Regan & Boz Scaggs highlight the return of live performances
Prescott, Arizona (September 7, 2021) – After nineteen long months, Yavapai College Performing Arts Center is finally ready to utter those magic words: Curtain Up!
The county’s premiere entertainment hub and largest indoor entertainment venue has spent the lockdown cleaning, revamping and modernizing its facilities and is ready to throw off the pandemic shackles with a compelling and eclectic sixteen-show season.
“I am thrilled to present our 21-22 season!” YC Performing Arts Director of Programming & Development Dr. Craig Ralston said. “We have rescheduled canceled shows and engaged new artists you will love. With our new HVAC system purifying the air, our performing arts center is ready to welcome you back!”
YCPAC will raise the curtain Saturday night, October 23, with Bluegrass Mass, a sweet and heartfelt celebration. Tim Sharp and Wes Ramsey’s Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Mass anchors an evening of downhome music from YC’s choral ensembles and local Bluegrass performers. YCPAC crosses oceans and eras six days later, when Guitars from Spain (Oct. 29) brings Andalusian guitar maestro José Antonio Rodríguez and Latin Grammy Award-winner Twanguero together to create an evening steeped in the flavor and romance of Spain’s centuries-old musical traditions.
November mixes reverence and fire at the PAC. In Voices of Service (Nov. 12), a 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. Fresh from a triumphant appearance on America’s Got Talent, the sergeants sing to spread awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and other visible and invisible wounds. They are followed, Nov. 19, by rising Country Music star Kalie Shorr. Come hear the dynamic voice behind “Fight Like a Girl,” whose critically acclaimed 2019 album, Open Book, led CMT to proclaim her one of the “Next Women of Country.”
YCPAC continues the Country vibe with an early Christmas present, when Grammy/CMA nominee Josh Turner brings his unforgettable voice and his “Holiday & The Hits” tour into Prescott for one remarkable Yuletide performance (Dec. 2). The College continues the Holiday spirit, with Handel’s Messiah, sung lovingly by YC’s combined choirs and special guest soloists, Dec. 4 and 5. Then join the community in Bedford Falls this Christmas, when YC Performing Arts encores its live musical adaptation of the Frank Capra classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, Dec. 16 – 19.
This January, YCPAC invites you to share a moving remembrance of a folk-rock legend. Croce Plays Croce, (Jan. 14) recalls Jim Croce’s genius on songs like “Operator,” “Time in a Bottle” and “Don’t Mess Around with Jim” through the powerful voice and guitar of his son, A.J. On February 3, We Banjo 3 unites two pairs of brothers, from Galway and Nashville, for an energetic fusion of Celtic, Country and American music. Then a Prescott favorite returns when The TEN Tenors offer their trademark charm, awesome harmonies and a set list celebrating love songs (Feb. 18).
Ballet Victoria, which has wowed local audiences in the past with productions of The Nutcracker and Carmina Burana, returns Mar. 5 and 6 to celebrate Borodin, Vivaldi and other classical composers in The Voices of Dance. Then Pink Martini – the sassy, clever and relentlessly off-beat orchestra – returns to delight local audiences March 24. Mike Super – the gasp-inducing, everyman illusionist who disappeared from YCPAC’s last season because of the pandemic – is back now, with a bag full of family-friendly tricks, Mar. 26.
May brings Prescott a hilarious encore from one of the best comics in the business. Brian Regan, the hysterically surreal comedian who delighted adults and kids alike in 2015, is back with an evening full of observations May 5. Then YCPAC releases the hounds. Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience, the charming troupe of high-flyin’ rescue dogs that has thrilled many a Vegas crowd and halftime show, takes to the air in Prescott for two shows May 28.
Wonder how Yavapai College Performing Arts Center is capping its ’21-22 season? Do you wonder-wonder-wonder-wonder who? Why, it’s Boz Scaggs! The coolest voice of the ‘70’s is back with a new tour, a new album, and a song list full of memories like “Lido Shuffle,” “Jojo,” “Lowdown” and “We’re All Alone” (June 8).
YCPAC Director’s Choice subscription packages, featuring four pre-selected performances, are already on sale. Pre-show dinners at the PAC are available for certain events. Single tickets and “Pick 3” packages (pick 3 shows, save 10%) go on sale Tuesday, September 14. The Yavapai College Performing Arts Center Ticket Office is open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tues - Fri and 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturdays. For reservations or more information, please call: (928) 776.2000 or visit: ycpac.com.
