Paul Anka Coming to Arcadia

Perhaps you could call it destiny. Living legend Paul Anka will headline a benefit concert celebrating the grand opening of the $25 million Performing Arts Center at next month — and some lucky students will get to take the stage with him.

Proceeds from "An Evening With Anka" will go to the newly-formed Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization established to support the Performing Arts Center.

The "is proud to officially open the doors of the Performing Arts Center with ‘An Evening With Anka’ and to finally be able to share this remarkable new entity, built on a foundation of promise and purpose, with our district, students and community at large for decades to come,” Superintendent Joel Shawn said in media statement.

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.

The set up allows for students to collaborate on a variety of projects. For instance, now the student orchestra can provide the accompaniment to school musicals and other performances.

"This is going to be a venue that supports all aspects of the arts," Shawn said. "With this type of facility, the thing that blows me away is this is just a public high school."

Anka comes to the Performing Arts Center as a courtesy to Arcadia City Councilman Mickey Segal, who is a managing partner at renowned Century City accounting firm Nigro Karlin Segal & Feldstein — which counts Anka.

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

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.

Opening events begin a week prior to "An Evening With Anka" with student talent showcases Oct. 18-20. Here is the schedule of festivities:

• Ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 18
• Student showcase at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 18
• Student showcase at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 19
• Student showcases at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20

The student performances are open for the entire community to enjoy.

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. 

For more information, or to purchase tickets by phone, please call (626) 821-1781.