Summer activities heat up at Yuma Art Center - 2008
“Get Out of the Heat and Into the Arts,” the theme for the Yuma Art Center and Historic Yuma Theater’s 2nd Annual Summer Six-Pac, is sure to keep the entire family entertained this summer.
The program runs each weekend from June 19 through July 27 with events on Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m.
Mary Jane Chambers, City of Yuma Arts Program Specialist, has designed the schedule with working folks in mind.
“The great temptation in the summer is to go home after work and not go back out, so we hope that people will really take advantage of the end of the week activities,” Chambers said.
Local theater groups will perform Tennessee William’s “The Glass Menagerie” and a descendent of Wyatt Earp will present a celebrated one-man show entitled, “The Gentlemen Doc Holiday.” Other acts will include Cajun music, contemporary rock, acoustic jazz bands and an acrobatic juggling group.
Sunday’s performances are geared towards children and families and will include specially chosen films and presentations. Ticket prices for all shows range from $3 to $10.
Historic downtown Yuma, a once bustling shopping district, had declined in popularity when Main Street was blocked off and turned into an inaccessible 1970s style walking mall. But recent construction that has opened up Main Street to vehicles and a constant stream of art fairs, symposiums, festivals and workshops has kept the attention of many. The Summer Six-Pac series promises to build on that momentum.
“The art center is really the centerpiece downtown,” Chambers said. “It belongs to the Yuma community, it’s their historic theater and after a successful season last summer, we wanted to offer an even better lineup this summer.”
The renovation of the Yuma Art Center Complex, which includes the 650-seat Historic Theater, was completed in 2004 and boasts visual art galleries, classrooms and a pottery studio. Besides the Summer Six-Pac, the art center is offering classes on everything from Latin Dancing to pottery to Kindermusic and more.
“There is no limit to the interests that can be filled,” says Chambers.
For more information on The Art Center and Historic Yuma Theater, please visit the web site www.yumaaz.gov/parksandrec.
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IF YOU GO ....
• June 19 –July 27
• 254 S. Main Street
• Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons
• 4th of July weekend program runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• www.yumaaz.gov/parksandrec
