Originally posted to the web in News, on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 12:35 PM CST.
Ian Tyson concert was economic boon to Wickenburg
By Art Pulis, Sun Business Advocate
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| Well-known recording artist Ian Tyson drew people from across the country to see his concert at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts last week. |
Last week's Ian Tyson concert at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts drew over 300 people from out of town including 87 who came from out of state specifically for the performance.
According to Webb Center Program Services Manager Ivan Schustak Ian Tyson is a nationally known western artist from Canada who has a limited performance schedule in the United States. Consequently his loyal fans were willing to travel hundreds and even thousands of miles for the opportunity to see him live.
The Webb Center tracks its patrons and was able to determine that 87 people from a total of 15 states plus Canada purchased tickets and traveled to Wickenburg for the event. Some of the states represented are on the East Coast with two coming from New York and 10 from Ohio. These patrons do not include people who might be regular Wickenburg winter visitors, but rather are people who only came for the show.
“One person from Oklahoma called us near the end of January for a ticket but unfortunately we had just sold out,” said Schustak. “We put him on the waiting list, and he made the 1600 mile trip on faith that he would be able to get a ticket. He showed up and fortunately we were able to get him a seat.”
The effect of the out of town visitors for the performance has been felt in restaurants that have been filling up on performance nights. Other popular Wickenburg locations have been busier too. A recent e-mail from Desert Caballeros Western Museum Director Royce Kardinal to the Webb Center Director Cathy Weiss said, “Just visited with a museum visitor that came all of the way from Shreveport, La., for your show tonight! She and her husband planned their whole trip around attending your performance! Good job of national outreach! Royce.”
While the Webb Center has been reaching out within Arizona and nationally to attract patrons, it still books its talent and caters primarily to Wickenburg residents.
“Our objective is to bring high-quality art to Wickenburg for our residents and winter visitors,” said Weiss. “But we also welcome those from the Valley and out of state when they help us fill our auditorium. Filling seats enables us to afford the best talent. To make sure we give preference to our locals, we have special discounted programs offering tickets as early as the summer for the following year's performances.”
The Webb Center is located on the Wickenburg High School campus and can be reached at 684-6624.
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