Old Town Arts Center reopens and announces fall schedule

The intermission is over! It’s been 18 long months of COVID-19 for everyone, including concert halls and musicians. Old Town Center for the Arts, 5th Street and Main Street, Cottonwood, is now reopening and has lined up a wide variety of top performers from around the world for the fall concert season, according to a press release.

COVID-19 SECURITY

As we open our 14th season, we are joining sites across the country that are taking precautionary measures to keep participants safe.

We have followed and will continue to follow CDC guidelines as well as local and national requirements. The CDC and the World Health Organization are advising indoor masks and vaccinations to minimize any risk of infection with the COVID-19 virus.

Thank you for all the precautionary measures you can take in this regard. Mark your calendars for these special events and visit oldtowncenter.org to find more details on the concerts listed above and new events to add.

The following is a brief description of some of the Old Town Arts Center’s upcoming concerts and events. Support the old city center and musicians from all over the world on the occasion of their 14th year of opening:

Native American violinist, flautist and composer Arvel Bird: Animal Totems Concert scheduled for Saturday, October 2 at 7 p.m.

Arvel Bird, named by prestigious Cowboy and Indian Magazine as one of the Top 4 Favorite Native American Musicians, along with Buffy St. Marie and R. Carlos Nakai, is a violinist, flutist and composer who brings to life the dramatic connection between Native American Traditions and Celts, stirring scenes that echo North American memory. Bird won the coveted title of Artist of the Year at the Native American Music Awards (Nammys), quickly followed by the Best Instrumental Album award at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (Cammys) and others.

Group of electric harp guitars; William Eaton, Anthony Mazzella and Fitzhugh Jenkins with guest aerial artist Taylor Marie: Saturday, October 16, 7 p.m.

Visionary guitarists William Eaton, Anthony Mazzella and Fitzhugh Jenkins join forces as the “Electric Harp Guitar Group” (EHGG) to perform on their unique electric guitars, synth guitars and keyboards on Saturday October 16 at 7:00 p.m. in a special concert live at the Old Town Center for the Arts.

Arizona Music Legend Walt Richardson with guest Hannes Kvaran: Saturday, October 23, 7 p.m.

Arizona Music legend Walt Richardson will perform at the Old Town Center for the Arts on Saturday, October 23 at 7 p.m. ET. Richardson has toured nationwide, but has been based in Tempe since the 1970s. He is one of the most endearing, enduring, talented and influential musicians in Arizona history. Since the 1970s, Richardson has entertained and inspired audiences who have come to love his original songs and arrangements of classic pop, folk, world and reggae tunes. Richardson gave the opening concert at the Old Town Center for the Arts in 2008, and has since performed anniversary concerts for OTCA. Longtime friend and guitarist extraordinary Hannes Kvaran will join Richardson for this concert. Kvaran has played with Richardson since the “early days” and adds incredible acoustic guitar playing to this stellar duo.

An evening steeped in the flavor and romance of Spain, “Backroads,” starring Latin Grammy Award winner Diego Garcia: Saturday, October 30, 7 p.m.

In cooperation with Yavapai Performing Arts Center, the Old Town Center for the Arts is pleased to present “Backroads” by Twanguero on Saturday October 30th at 7pm. Spanish guitarist / singer / songwriter Diego Garcia – also known as “Twanguero” – has been hailed as a “fire-breathing guitarist” by the press for his work with his band. Winner of a Latin Grammy Award, Twanguero has also been hailed as one of the best guitarists in the world. His unique musical style combines rock, blues, country and his signature “Latin Twang”. Join us on the guitar master’s musical journey across the Americas, inspired by his travels to Chicago, Nashville, Austin, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina… in search of the “Heart of the American Guitar”.

TICKETS

Tickets are available online at showtix4u.com or you can purchase tickets at Desert Dancer in Cottonwood or at the Sedona Film Fest box office in Sedona. For ticket prices and more information on these and other upcoming events, visit oldtowncenter.org, or call Elena Bullard at 928-634-0940.

Information provided by the Old Town Arts Center.