The Del E. Webb Center for
the Performing Arts in Wickenburg was named best "Arts,
Entertainment & Sports Venue" in Western Maricopa
County at Westmarc's 12th annual "Best of the
West Awards" dinner held recently at the Glendale
Civic Center and attended by 650 people.
Westmarc is a consortium of West Valley civic and business
organizations that recognize outstanding contributions
to the image, lifestyle and economic development of Western
Maricopa County – that portion of the Metro area west
of Interstate 17.
The Webb Center received recognition for its full body
of work – presenting culturally diverse events including
concerts, dance programs and plays. In addition to attracting
nationally known artists, the Center sponsors arts education
and artist-in-residency programs, plus school and community
presentations.
Since December of 2000, the intimate 600 seat, state of
the art theatre located in Wickenburg has been home to
quality performances that strive to be both culturally
and ethnically diverse. The 2004-2005 Season will see
western performances from Cowboy Poet Baxter Black; the
musical, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers";
a Family Fun Series, comedy from Capitol Steps, as well
as music and drama.
 The
Webb Center attracts areas residents, as well as patrons
from around the Valley, who not only come to enjoy the
performing arts, but who also visit West Valley restaurants,
stores and hotels.
Realizing the importance of keeping the arts accessible
to as many people as possible, the Webb Center works with
sponsors to keep ticket prices affordable. Sponsors are
also involved with the Arts in Education Series, presented
by the Center free of charge to children attending classes
in the Wickenburg Unified School District, as well as
schools in the surrounding rural areas.
The Webb Center's Artist-in-Residency Program has been
designed to compliment and enhance the arts curriculum
already in place at these schools. The 2004-2005 Season
will see residency programs that include The Arizona Opera
Company's "Opera Soup", "Dino Rock" which uses dinosaur
puppets to teach kids about science, Tim Robbins' The
Actor's Gang will work in the classroom with theatre students
on character development and The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
will conduct workshops on dance.
"The Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts is valued
by the community at large and by the more than 100 volunteers
who generously give their time to support the Center's
programs," stated a spokesperson at Westmarc. "The Webb
Center continues to educate and enhance the West Valley
by presenting the beauty, energy and diversity of the
arts."
"We are grateful once again to Westmarc for their
acknowledgement of our work," stated Cathy Weiss,
Director of the Webb Center. In 2001 the Center received
Westmarc's "Best of the West Award" for the
"Celebrating Cultural Awareness" category.
Related Link: What's
on at the Webb Center |
