Page 18 - the Noise April 2017

catherine russell ballet west ii courtesy Photo Photo: luke isley
Doubling Down on Jazz & ballet in Prescott anD the VerDe
As Northern Arizona sheds the doldrums of winter, art-starved audiences venture out in search of entertainment. And Yavapai College Performing Arts Center is bringing in two memorable acts – and staging them in multiple locations — so
your April arts fix won’t be far away.
by mJ graDy
ballet west ii
catherine russell
Have you heard this lady sing? If so, you’d know it.
While writers throw words like “dusky” and “soulful” at her marvelous voice all day long, the best way to appreciate her one-of-a-kind sound is to skip the adjectives, visit her website (CatherineRussell.net), and see what incredible things Catherine Russell can do with a song.
The daughter of Louis Armstrong’s composer, the centerpiece of six critically heralded jazz albums, a recording partner for folks like David Bowie, Jackson Browne and Steely Dan, and the winner of a Grammy Award for the soundtrack for HBO’s Board- walk Empire, Ms. Russell will bring her astonishing range of clas- sical jazz, obscure gems and modern music to Camp Verde April 21, and Prescott April 22.
Her double-gig comes courtesy of YCPAC’s desire to share the work of remarkable artists in unusual venues. That’s why Camp Verde’s multi-use center – which probably never saw a jazz club icon in its history – will host its second in a year. (Matt Baker & the Trio were the first.) In Prescott, Ms. Russell will close YCPAC’s intimate Cabaret Series surrounded by a select crowd of 120, happily enjoying coffee and dessert.
In each venue, Ms. Russell promises to feature a voice that can happily dance between piano chords on songs like “Blue Turning Grey Over You,” or tango with a horn section on “Bring It Back.”
“Russell inhabits these vintage tunes so plausibly, they seem simultaneously old and new,” Downbeat Magazine wrote, “thanks to the clarity and theatricality of her delivery.”
But again – these are words. Try the website. Give her a listen. See you there.
catherine russell
Friday, April 21 at 7PM
Phillip England Performing Arts Center 280 Camp Lincoln Road
Camp Verde 86322
Tickets: $35
Saturday, April 22 at 7PM
Yavapai College Performing Arts Center 1100 E. Sheldon Street
Prescott 86301
Tickets: $45
ballet west ii
Friday, April 28 at 7:30PM
Yavapai College Performing Arts Center 1100 E. Sheldon Street
Prescott 86301
Tickets: $20 - $35
Saturday, April 29 at 7PM
Sedona Performing Arts Center 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road Sedona 86336
Tickets: $30
While central Arizonans appreciate ballet as much as any- one, esteemed national companies rarely venture out this way. So Sedona Ballet – one of our region’s stalwart producers of quality dance – has teamed up with Yavapai College Perform- ing Arts Center to bring Ballet West II into the 928 area code, for back-to-back performances.
One of most-esteemed ballet companies in America, Bal- let West was founded by William F. Christensen – a pioneer of modern ballet – in 1963. The Salt Lake City-based company boasts 40 company members, its own academy and a host of distinguished alumni. It has been heralded as “an American pioneer in the world of modern dance.”
Ballet West II – the company’s education and outreach troupe – has established itself as an elite touring ensemble. The twelve-member company includes many of the nation’s most talented and promising young dancers, performing in a two-year program that offers world-class instruction and pro- fessional touring skills.
Directed by 19-year Joffrey Ballet veteran Calvin Kitten, Ballet West II’s dancers have the versatility to perform a broad spectrum of dance in venues of all sizes across the country. They performed to over 110,000 people last year alone.
Ballet West II will present a program that combines modern and classical ballet Friday night at the Yavapai College Perform- ing Arts Center, then they’ll bring their eclectic program up to the Verde Valley for a Saturday night performance at the Se- dona Performing Arts Center. For ballet enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates the energy and artistry of young, talented performers, Ballet West II is a must-see.
For tickets, or more information, contact the YCPAC Box Office at (928) 776-2000, or visit: YCPAC.com.
18 • April 2017 | the NOISE arts & news | www.thenoise.us