Click the YouTube video above for a peek into the Sahuarita High School Band Room as student musicians rehearse "Pleasin,'" a Count Basie jazz standard, as they prepare for their "Evening of Jazz" fundraiser at CPAC Monday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.

"This will be the Sahuarita High School Jazz Band's first performance at the Green Valley CPAC, and we're excited to have the opportunity to perform for an audience in Green Valley," says SHS Director of Instrumental Music Ben Garland.

"Proceeds from this concert are helping our jazz band travel to San Diego in April, where we will be performing and where our students will get to attend clinics with master jazz artists.

"This concert will feature special guests from the Green Valley Stage Band performing alongside SHS students. It's going to be a fun evening, and we're thankful for your support!"

CPAC will once again sponsor the matinee performance of Jazz in the Desert, the Valley Verde Rotary Club's fundraiser for school music programs along the I-19 corridor. All adults attending the 11 a.m. performance at the Diamond Entertainment Center at Desert Diamond Casino in Sahuarita will receive a $25 gift certificate good at any spring or summer performance at CPAC.

Performing at the matinee will be jazz ensembles from Great Expectations Academy, Sahuarita Middle School, Anza Middle School from Sahuarita, Continental School from Green Valley and Wade Carpenter Middle School from Nogales.

The dinner show, sponsored by Desert Diamond Casinos, La Posada/Green Valley and the Henry Crown Co., begins at 5 p.m. and includes performances by jazz bands from Great Expectations Academy, Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita High School, Rio Rico High School and Nogales High School.

The fundraiser has provided more than $250,000 to school music programs since it began 15 years ago. Tickets are $15 for the matinee (snacks and beverages) and $60 for the (plated) dinner show. Tickets are available at the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce or online by clicking the button below.

If you weren't "Walkin' After Midnight" with us in January, you missed a real audience-pleasing concert with Carter Calvert, the original star of Broadway's "Always, Patsy Cline." She brought down the CPAC house. Here's what just one show-goer had to say...

"Well, CPAC, you really outdid yourselves with Carter Calvert!! Her show was not only the best CPAC show ever for us, it was the best singing performance we have ever seen. A big thank you for having the foresight to book her!"

--Sandy Orvella

The year 2024 is an important one for CPAC as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary. One can't help but be in awe of how many people have supported the mission over the years. From our founders, board members, staff, volunteers, patrons, all the way to the several thousand performers and artists that have played or taught at this facility, everyone has been an integral part of our success. Thank you for being a part of our history and we look forward to creating more great memories in the future!

Chris Ashcraft, Executive Director

Meet CPAC volunteer receptionist Bettie Rundlett. You may have seen her helping out in the office doing a variety of tasks. “I have volunteered in the CPAC office for more than eight years now, since moving to Green Valley from Spokane, WA.

“The best part of this commitment is the people I work with - the patrons, the staff, and the other volunteers - who all bring joy to me. 

“I also have worked with several of the CPAC Summer Arts Camps, in addition to my receptionist duties. Costuming taps all the creative juices. Encouraging youth to express themselves through performance is also fun.”

If you love animals and want to preserve a visual likeness of your best friends and other animals, here’s a special workshop you will want to attend. Artist Ana Rincon’s “Exploring Paint Portraiture” workshop will offer tips and direction for just this wish. The 2-day course, March 11 and 12, culminates with the completion of an oil painting of an animal portrait. Students will have the opportunity for individual instruction throughout the course.

Ana began drawing at an early age and has explored a variety of media. A graduate of Studio Art at the University of Texas at Austin, she has lived in Paris and San Francisco where she expanded her art into computer graphics.

Gifts to support CPAC may be made in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone you admire. CPAC gratefully accepts stocks, bonds, foundation and corporate charitable gifts. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at many performances and programs this season. Just click the button below to securely donate online.

BEHIND THE SCENES is written, edited and produced by

craig altschul + associates (ca+a). It is published 12 times each year.

Next issue: March 1, 2024

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Community Performance and Art Center * Phone: (520) 399-1750