First Look: Performing Arts Center (PHOTO GALLERY)

Let the festivities begin for an event 58 years in the making.

Arcadia High School has officially opened its new $25 million Performing Arts Center to the public with a ribbon cutting, reception and student showcases Thursday evening.

Do you have photos from the ribbon cutting? Share you photos on Patch or on Arcadia Patch's Facebook page!

The original architectural plans for the school, which was built in 1954, included an auditorium. However, the fundraising to build one did not begin in earnest until 1977, when the Arcadia Auditorium Foundation held a walk-a-thon that generated more than $60,000 in for the future Performing Arts Center.

The AAF raised another $40,000 for the center before dissolving in 1993. In 2006, voters passed a school construction bond, Measure I, which covered the rest of the new auditorium's construction costs.

The 40,000-square-foot center boasts state-of-the-art acoustics, ground level and mezzanine seating for 1,200, and a stage that can accommodate up to 150 musicians. It also houses a dance studio, music room and a Black Box Theater with seating for 100 for smaller productions.

Did you miss Thursday's event? No worries! Here are more Grand Opening Celebration Events you can attend.

Student talent showcases continue Friday, October 19- Saturday, October 20.

• Student showcase at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 19
• Student showcases at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 20

*The student performances are open for the entire community to enjoy. Guided tours of the Performing Arts Center are available before the showcases begin.

"An Evening With Anka" takes place Oct. 27 and begins at 8 p.m., with an introduction by Shawn at 7:30 p.m.

Paul Anka will perform a selction of his best-loved work from a career that spans more than four decades and produced such hits as "My way," "You Are My Destiny," "Diana" and "Having My Baby." But Anka won't be taking the stage alone: A select group of Arcadia High School students will perform alongside him.

The concert benefits the newly-formed Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization established to support the Performing Arts Center.

To order tickets to “An Evening With Anka” online go to theperformingartscenter.ausd.net.  To order by mail or in person, the address is 234 Campus Drive, Arcadia 91107. Requests should be directed to Rachel Abeyta in the Superintendent's Office.