Tim Harris, New Webb Center Development Director
The Webb Center is excited to welcome area resident Tim Harris to its team as the theater’s new Development Director in advance of its upcoming 25th anniversary season. Harris is no stranger to the not-for-profit world, having worked in executive positions for 15-plus years, though this is his first foray into the performing arts industry.
Originally from Southern California, Harris earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University before relocating to the Valley in the early 2000s. Harris began his nonprofit career in 2011 with the Challenger Space Center in Peoria, serving first as their Director of Operations and Business Development, and later as Vice President. Harris helped drive significant revenue growth for the organization through facility rentals at the 30,000 sq ft venue and corporate team-building events. He helped raise awareness of the Center and increased community engagement with industry leaders such as Honeywell Aerospace.
Over the past decade, Harris also worked for Cave Creek’s Scott Foundation, helping foster youth through hands-on learning, life skills, and personal growth programs; Peoria’s Soldier’s Best Friend, that pairs veterans living with PTSD or TBI with rescue dogs to train as therapeutic companion or service dogs at no cost; and Phoenix’s Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation, providing free, life-changing summer camps and programs for kids with various types of cancer.
“I am truly impressed with what this organization has been able to accomplish over 25 years, and I am excited to be a part of sustaining its future. During my tenure, I have made a lot of contacts with corporations and individuals devoted to promoting youth learning and willing to invest in the communities where they operate and live,” reflected Harris. “I look forward to bringing those relationships and my experiences with me to help the Webb Center build capacity with an increase in donor support and audience engagement.”
As the Webb Center’s Development Director, Tim Harris will meet with key stakeholders in the community to learn about the impact the theater has on life-long learning and quality of life in Wickenburg. He will not only help the organization increase its sustainability through financial investments from individual donors, foundations and corporate sponsors, but will influence the evolution of fundraising events so they are inclusive, fun and engaging with the greater community.
The Webb Center’s season of 2026-2027 events will be announced on Wed, Sept 23 in The Wickenburg Sun newspaper and on its website webbcenter.org.
This article was written without the use of A.I.
Cirque Kalabanté Amazes with High‑Flying West African Acrobatics
The Webb Center is proud to welcome dynamic ensemble, Cirque Kalabanté, to the Wickenburg community. Families are in for an unforgettable adventure when the company brings its internationally acclaimed production “Afrique en Cirque” to Wickenburg’s Webb Center during Spring Break on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 PM.
Created by Guinean artist, director, and master acrobat Yamoussa Bangoura, this vibrant spectacle blends the breathtaking physicality of modern circus with the pulsating rhythms, colors, and cultural spirit of West Africa. Anyone seeking an uplifting, high‑energy outing will find “Afrique en Cirque” the perfect shared experience – one that sparks imagination, celebrates cultural connection, and leaves audiences cheering.
Inspired by daily life in Guinea, eight world-class performers execute gravity-defying acrobatics and towering human pyramids, all set to the contemporary sounds of a live three-piece Afro-Jazz band. Traditional instruments including the 21-string kora and the djembe drum fill the theatre with rhythm and energy, weaving together music and movement in a way that makes the whole room come alive. Bold costumes and dynamic staging round out a show that is as visually stunning as it is thrilling to watch. “Afrique en Cirque” is a non-stop 90-minute performance that is as joyful as it is jaw-dropping.
The company was founded in 2007 by Yamoussa Bangoura, who trained with Circus Baobab before performing with Cirque du Soleil and Cavalia. He built Kalabanté Productions around family members and fellow artists from his home community, and that bond comes through in every performance. The troupe has since toured across the Americas, Europe, and Africa, earning a devoted following for shows that are both culturally rich and impossible to forget.
Don’t miss your chance to experience this electrifying performance that showcases the strength, agility, and joyous spirit of young African artists. Prepare to be amazed! Tickets are on sale now with all-in pricing starting at $36 for adults and $9 for youth 18 & under. Families can take advantage of the Webb Center’s new SPARK! program that will subsidize adult ticket prices, discounting them to only $14 – a savings of $22 or more! Seats may be purchased at webbcenter.org, by phone at 928.684.6624, or in person at the Webb Center Box Office located on the second floor of UMB Bank.
Celebrate the Spirit and Culture of Ireland with Danú
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Webb Center with an afternoon of lively, tradition-rich music when Danú takes the stage for a special matinee concert on Saturday, March 14 at 3:30 PM. Known worldwide for their vibrant performances and deep reverence for Irish heritage, Danú’s powerhouse lineup of seven virtuosic musicians offers a concert experience that is both joyful and timeless, inviting audiences on a musical journey rooted in the heart of Ireland.
Founded in historic County Waterford, Ireland, Danú has spent more than two decades sharing the sound of traditional Irish music with audiences around the world. The ensemble has appeared at renowned venues including the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and Symphony Space in New York City, and their performances are regularly featured on NPR, the BBC, and the CBC. Across seven critically acclaimed albums and countless international tours, the group has built a devoted following through exceptional musicianship and a steadfast commitment to tradition.
Danú’s concerts flow effortlessly from spirited jigs and reels to expressive airs that quiet the room. Fiddle and flute rise above the steady pulse of the bodhrán drum, while rich vocals in both English and Irish carry melodies shaped by generations of storytelling. Each performance balances celebration with reflection, energy with depth, offering music that feels alive and personal.
These are melodies carried across centuries, shared in homes, halls, and gathering places where music brings people together. In a town like Wickenburg, where heritage, craftsmanship, and community matter, that spirit of tradition resonates naturally. The afternoon promises not only remarkable musicianship, but a shared experience that feels welcoming and familiar to both those who are long-time fans as well as newcomers.
Tickets are on sale now with all-in pricing starting at $37 for adults and $9 for youth 18 & under. Families can take advantage of the Webb Center’s new SPARK! program that will subsidize adult ticket prices, discounting them to only $14 – a savings of $23 or more!
Seats may be purchased at webbcenter.org, by phone at 928.684.6624, or in person at the Webb Center Box Office located on the second floor of UMB Bank.
Get Ready for a Hand Clappin’ Good Time
Coinciding with the United States’ 250th birthday, the Webb Center is excited to present Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music on Wednesday, Mar. 11 at 7:30 p.m. This heartfelt celebration of early folk, country, gospel, and Western swing music isn’t just a multi-media concert – it’s an exuberant exploration of this singular music genre, “Americana.”
The show, featuring vocalists and instrumentalists Cristina Vane and Brennen Leigh, includes songs made famous by iconic artists like Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Brandi Carlile and more. The upcoming North American tour will take the 5-piece band across 19 states, playing 36 concert dates in the coming months. The Webb Center is proud to be one of only two stops in Arizona.
Early folk, gospel, and Western swing musicians laid the groundwork for Americana, extending back to the founding mothers and fathers of country music, including Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, and the Carter Family. From the mid-20th century through the present day, more singer-songwriter luminaries followed: Bob Dylan, The Band, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, and Emmylou Harris, to name a few.
Audiences can expect to hear songs like “Blowin’ In The Wind” (Joan Baez), “Angel From Montgomery” (Bonnie Raitt), “Both Sides Now” (Joni Mitchell), “Can The Circle Be Unbroken” (The Carter Family), and more.
Songwriter, singer, slide guitar and clawhammer banjo player Cristina Vane has an extensive touring history and has provided direct support for musicians Molly Tuttle, Bob Weir, Wynonna Judd, Sam Bush, and Willi Carlisle.
Vane states, “Americana music has touched my soul deeply, and to be a part of a project that honors the tradition and influence of formidable women in the genre like Bonnie Raitt and Sister Rosetta Tharpe is a total blessing.” She continues, “As a songwriter myself, I am also excited to celebrate the legacy of people like John Prine and Lucinda Williams, who have written some of the best songs out there.”
Brennen Leigh, an American singer-songwriter, guitar and mandolin player, whose to-the-point storytelling style has elevated her to cult icon status, says, “Women have been a consistent thread running through Americana music from its very start with many helping elevate rural American songwriting to a new level of literature.” Leigh concludes, “These artists have inspired me my entire life, and I’m thrilled to embark on this journey, sharing my personal insights and experience, taken from a lifetime of touring, writing and studying our diverse and expansive genre.”
Women of Americana will entertain and inspire audiences at a historic moment in our nation’s history. Tickets to the concert are on sale now, with all-in pricing starting at $51 for adults and $9 for youth 18 & under. Families can take advantage of the Webb Center’s new SPARK! program that will subsidize adult ticket prices, discounting them to only $14 – a savings of $37 or more! Seats may be purchased at webbcenter.org, by phone at 928.684.6624, or in person at the Webb Center Box Office located on the second floor of UMB Bank.
Authentic New Orleans Jazz Marches into Wickenburg
Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB) brings the soul of New Orleans to Wickenburg’s Webb Center theater on Sunday, March 8 at 3:30 p.m. when the 6-piece band delivers an electrifying afternoon of jubilant, history‑rich jazz. The energy and sounds will transport audiences directly into the heart of the French Quarter.
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with its true art form – jazz – and one if its quintessential torch bearers. The lively concert will feature a dynamic selection of beloved tunes, including “Come With Me,” “Bill Bailey,” and the definitive anthem “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Each song showcases the band’s signature blend of soulful brass, spirited improvisation, and deep cultural roots, an approach that has kept PHJB at the forefront of global music for more than six decades.
This iconic ensemble is synonymous with the Crescent City’s musical heartbeat and promises an unforgettable show filled with joy, rhythm, and the timeless sound of traditional New Orleans jazz.
Straight from their historic home on St. Peter Street, the band offers audiences a rare chance to experience a living piece of American musical heritage. Known for transforming every venue into a vibrant celebration, the group channels the era of Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton with fresh creativity and irresistible charisma.
Founded in the early 1960s and dedicated to preserving and perpetuating New Orleans music, PHJB continues to evolve while honoring tradition, inspiring new generations of musicians and audiences alike. The music stretches back to the city’s Afro-Cuban roots, and the sounds of legendary saxophonists Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane, while continually moving forward by including the influences of cutting-edge artists. PHJB has shared festival stages from Coachella to Newport with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello and the Grateful Dead as well as modern giants like Beck, The Foo Fighters, and the Black Keys.
Tickets are on sale now, with all-in pricing starting at $51 for adults and $9 for youth 18 & under. Families can take advantage of the Webb Center’s new SPARK! program that will subsidize adult ticket prices, discounting them to only $14 – a savings of $37 or more! Seats may be purchased at webbcenter.org, by phone at 928.684.6624, or in person at the Webb Center Box Office located on the second floor of UMB Bank.
Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices to bring cross-cultural concert to town
Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices will be making an appearance in Wickenburg in March, performing songs that fuse the Mexican genre of ranchera with western country music and other styles.
The group began as an experiment in 2018, later evolving into what it is now. While the public-facing name of the band is Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices, they also presented a program and
recording called Sin Fronteras. Ramos is the lead vocalist, and she performs alongside Calvin Arsenia,
Beau Bledsoe, Ezgi Karakus, Marco Pascolini, John Currey and Jeff Freling.
Bledsoe, who met Ramos through the non-profit performing arts group he founded in Kansas City, is the group’s music director. He started out hosting a yearly concert series called Ensemble Iberica, which focuses on Latin music from Spain, Portugal and other places.
The group would also put on a monthly gig during which they played honky-tonk music, and during those shows, Ramos would come up and sing in Spanish with the group. While Bledsoe said the blend might seem like a huge cultural leap, it is easy for the two genres to merge. Overall, the group is a collaboration that celebrates the rich musical traditions of the U.S.-Mexico border, blending genres
like ranchera, jarocho, bluegrass, jazz and country.
“Cultural empathy is kind of implicit in the project,” Bledsoe said. “The U.S. and Mexico have been in a cultural love embrace for centuries and have influenced one another, especially musically, and it’s right there on the surface to hear.”
Although they had intended to start touring earlier, Bledsoe said the
pandemic got in the way of their plans, and they began touring nationally in January 2025. Bledsoe
himself has toured extensively throughout Europe, Russia, South America and North America, producing
over a dozen recordings under his recording label. Bledsoe said his favorite thing about touring is
the rehearsals, especially when they are out touring in rural areas and can go camping or be out in
nature and really connect while preparing for shows.
The band will be performing at the Del E. Webb Center on Friday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. The group will play a mix of old honky-tonk music, more traditional ranchera music and other new compositions.
“We hope that people come away with some kind of feeling of unification, which is really important
right now,” Bledsoe said.
America’s Sweethearts Delight with Vintage Harmony
Step back in time and celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with the swinging harmonies of America’s Sweethearts on Sunday, March 1 at 3:30 P.M. Presented as part of the Webb Center’s “America 250” series, this lively afternoon concert honors the music, spirit, and post-WWII optimism that helped define generations of American culture.
Long before The Andrews Sisters became household names, America fell in love with close harmony vocal groups whose music lifted spirits and brought people together. America’s Sweethearts carry that tradition forward with fresh energy, crystal clear harmonies, and colorful period inspired costumes.
In their vibrant and time-honored show, America’s Sweethearts perform beloved classics such as “Happy Days Are Here Again,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” and “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss),” along with swinging favorites like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and a patriotic Armed Forces Medley. The program weaves together trios, duets, and solo moments, offering variety, charm, and a joyful sense of nostalgia. Reviewers have described the show as “a slice of old-fashioned fun,” praising the group’s engaging stage presence and seamless harmonies.
Since forming in 2016, America’s Sweethearts have toured extensively, sharing their music across the United States at iconic venues honoring veterans, including the Intrepid Air and Space Museum and the WASP Museum, as well as theaters and intimate cabaret spaces.
Based in New York City, each performer brings a rich theatrical background, with credits spanning Broadway productions, national tours, cruise line headliner performances, and appearances with respected big bands. Together, they blend professional polish with an easy warmth that feels welcoming to audiences of all ages.
Tickets are on sale now, with all-in pricing starting at $36 for adults and $9 for youth 18 & under. Families can take advantage of the Webb Center’s new SPARK! program that will subsidize adult ticket prices, discounting them to only $14 – a savings of $22 or more! Seats may be purchased at webbcenter.org, by phone at 928.684.6624, or in person at the Webb Center Box Office located on the second floor of UMB Bank.
Olympic Photographer Jean Fruth Makes Stop in Wickenburg to Speak in Changemaker Series
Professional sports photographer Jean Fruth will speak about her photography career and current project at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Named a Sony Artisan of Imagery, Fruth has been honing her craft for several decades and continues to make monumental strides, most recently at this year’s Olympic Games.
Wanting to become a photographer, Fruth sought the help of her first two mentors — two women who created artsy black-and-white portraits. In exchange for helping them print photographs, the women mentored Fruth, letting her accompany them on shoots.
Eventually breaking out of portrait photography, Fruth began photographing sports, which led her to submit photos of a California Little League All-Star game to a local newspaper. Needing a high school and college photographer, the paper hired Fruth. She began her journey as a sports photographer and“never looked back.”
Fruth later was mentored by professional baseball photographer Michael Zagaris, who photographed the Oakland A’s, San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants.
While filling in as his assistant during several games, Fruth covered baseball for the newspaper, which allowed her to obtain a sports photography credential.
Through her work with Zagaris, Fruth became the traveling photographer for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. In an effort to reach a younger audience through social media, Fruth was assigned to write about contemporary games and connect them with history — her introduction to storytelling.
For Fruth, the favorite part of photography is telling stories. While the game action is exhilarating, she also enjoys observing what happens around the action.
Regarding learning from her mentors, Fruth said,“You get different things from different people.”Having had a mentor who was a photo editor for Sports Illustrated, Fruth added,“Learning how to edit makes you a better photographer for sure, because you can’t make a good picture if you don’t know what one is.”
Fruth credits learning how to edit as the main driving force that accelerated her career more than anything else.
She said the hardest part of being a photographer is gaining access. For new photographers, obtaining credentials to shoot sports and events can be difficult, but it is not the end-all, be-all.
“It’s not really who you are shooting,”she said.“It’s the what.”
Beginning photographers do not need to photograph the top person in their field to make great photos, Fruth said. Instead, the best images showcase something captivating, such as dramatic lighting or fun events.
Failure also is a difficult part of photography, Fruth said, noting that photographers sometimes take far more bad photos than good ones.
“Sometimes you walk away and feel like you have nothing,”she said.“You don’t feel good about your shoot.”
However, Fruth said one thing that makes photography so special is the relationship photographers develop with their subjects.
Using a high-stakes sporting event such as the Olympics as an example, she said,“With that great Olympic moment — and you remember a picture forever — that athlete at their peak moment is tied in with that photographer at their peak moment.”
Fruth has published three books on her favorite sport to photograph, baseball:Grassroots Baseball: Where Legends Begin(2019),Grassroots Baseball: Route 66(2022) andGrassroots Baseball Women: See Her Be Her(2024).
For Fruth, baseball“connects generations,”has a rich history and a“tribal”feel that makes it ideal for storytelling.
After completingWhere Legends Begin, Fruth connected with the president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and launched the nonprofit Grassroots Baseball. Citing research that shows children who play sports have better outcomes in health, academics and life overall, Fruth usedRoute 66to reach children across the country.
Hall of Fame players joined the effort by teaching clinics at minor league ballparks, and Fruth partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs across the United States.
That project led to her most recent book,See Her Be Her, which documents women in baseball. For the project, Fruth interviewed several baseball legends who inspired the 1992 filmA League of Their Own.
Along with the book, Fruth filmed a documentary — produced by tennis legend Billie Jean King — that aired on MLB Network during the World Series, which Fruth also photographed this past season.
While Fruth has photographed a wide range of sports – with a focus on baseball – her latest project focuses on another women’s sport: hockey.
Having recently begun working with the Professional Women’s Hockey League, Fruth is currently in Milan, Italy, photographing several league members in what she described as a“dream”opportunity: the 2026 Winter Olympics.
After finishing her Olympic work in mid-February, Fruth will make a quick turnaround to speak at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts as part of the Changemaker Series on Feb. 26.
In addition to her photography work, Fruth teaches classes and enjoys mentoring the next generation of photographers.
Her best advice:“Know what you love. Start small. Shoot one thing and get good at it. The more you know the sport, the better your pictures will get, [because] having deep knowledge of your subject is going to make you a better photographer.”
Fruth hopes traveling the world promotingSee Her Be Herwill help bring more attention to women’s sports.
“What women need is visibility,” she said. “Visibility creates opportunities, and there is no greater time in women’s sports than now.”
Count Basie Orchestra Showcases 90 Years of Jazz Excellence
The Webb Center is proud to welcome the return of one of the most celebrated ensembles in the history of American music when The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra takes the stage with special guest Nnenna Freelon on Mon, February 23, 2026 at 7:30 PM. This unforgettable evening invites the Wickenburg community to experience the swing, soul, and timeless energy that has made Count Basie’s music a cornerstone of jazz for nearly a century.
The repertoire features Basie’s signature blend of blues, swing, and improvisation, delivering a masterful performance of renowned hits such as, “One O’Clock Jump,” “Jumpin’ at the Woodside,” and “April in Paris,” among others.
Joining the orchestra for the “90th Anniversary Tour” is acclaimed jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon. A seven-time Grammy nominated singer, Freelon is known for her rich storytelling, emotional depth, and radiant stage presence. Freelon has performed with legends including Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, and George Benson, to name a few. Her performances are often described as both concerts and shared experiences, bringing audiences together through music, reflection, and joy.
Founded by William James “Count” Basie in 1935, the Count Basie Orchestra remains the only band in jazz history that is still touring today with musicians chosen by Basie himself. The orchestra has earned 18 Grammy Awards, performed for nobility and presidents, and appeared at every major jazz festival and concert hall around the world.
Today the ensemble continues under the direction of Grammy-winning trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, who has led the orchestra since 2013 and has achieved new heights including a 2024 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble for the album “Basie Swings the Blues.” Recent accolades prove that The Count Basie Orchestra remains a vibrant testament to jazz’s enduring power; bridging generations and inspiring fans everywhere.
Tickets are on sale now, starting at $44 for adults and $9 for those 18 & younger. The Webb Center encourages patrons to secure their seats early for this one-night celebration of America’s original art form, jazz music, at its finest. Tickets can be purchased at WebbCenter.org, by phone at 928.684.6624, or in person at the Webb Center Box Office located on the second floor of UMB Bank.
Hotel California “A Salute to the Eagles” Adds Concert Date
Due to overwhelming demand, the Webb Center has added a second performance of Hotel California “A Salute to the Eagles,” now appearing on Tuesday, Feb. 17 AND Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. “After the first show sold out so quickly, we knew we had to secure a second concert date for the fans,” remarked Stephanie Fornoff, Director of Box Office Operations. “The additional show has been on sale for just over a month and we’ve already sold half of the seats!” That kind of buzz underscores the excitement surrounding the highly anticipated Wickenburg debut of this group.
Hotel California is widely recognized as the most successful and longest-running Eagles tribute band in the world. The concert’s set list takes audiences on a journey through one of the most beloved songbooks of the 1970s. Songs such as “Take It Easy,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Desperado,” “New Kid in Town,” and the iconic “Hotel California” are performed with care and precision, capturing the harmonies and instrumental textures that defined rock music for a generation.
Based in Southern California since 1983, the group has built an international following by faithfully recreating the Grammy Award-winning sound that made the Eagles one of the most influential bands in American music history. Their commitment to musical accuracy and respect for the original recordings has earned them the rare distinction of being the only ensemble that is officially authorized to perform the Eagles’ catalog live.
Having played over 400 distinguished venues, special events and festivals in 38 states, and counting, demonstrates the caliber of the band and the music’s continued popularity. For many long-time fans, these songs are deeply tied to special memories of road trips, family gatherings, and moments shared with friends, making the live experience especially meaningful.
With tickets for the second performance moving quickly, the Webb Center encourages audiences not to wait. Tickets start at $59 for adults and $9 for youth, 18 & younger. Families can take advantage of the Webb Center’s new SPARK! program that will subsidize adult ticket prices, discounting them to only $14 – a savings of $45 or more! Seats may be purchased at webbcenter.org, by phone at 928.684.66264, or in person at the Webb Center Box Office located on the second floor of UMB Bank.