The first concert ever held at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts was held last night.

It was the first of two nights showcasing local talent. The two nights are called Celebrations – A Local Extravaganza.

Scheduled to perform were the King Street Station jazz Band; Jaya Hoy; the Battlefords Highland Dancers with Piper Lynda Lyon Walls; the Sakewew Drummers and Singers; Natalyna Shevchuk; a string quartet featuring Zaide Masich, Jeanny Jung, Tommy Kim and Eric Foreman; the Battlefords Blend Sweet Adelinesk; Roy Challis; Paul Hyun-baiji and Kelsee McGill; Impetus Magic; the Larissa Trio featuring Larissa Chipak, Bethany McQuaid and Morgan Esquirol.

Also scheduled were members of the Dance Connection: Bailey Delainey, Cassandra Knisley, Ashlyn Schwab, Taylor Landry, Madison Jack, Amy Miller, Aynsley Platten, Matea Steinborn, Taneasha Pooyak, Shaelyn Harper and Bailee George -- choreographed by Virginia Winterhalt.

Other performers scheduled were Audrey Lidster, the Kamala Youth Choir directed by Diane Gryba and Joanne Kasper; Cathy Richardson; and Four Young Guys – David Patterson, James Chipak, Cole Knutson and Braydon Kotyk.

Three members of the Dance Connection were plugged in for another performance. They were: Bailey Delainey, Cassandra Knisley and Ashlyn Schwab.

Other performers showcased include Taylor Landry (choreographed by Margaret Stephen); Lana Quinn; Cayla Ellis; Lisa Hornung and Mark Turner, and Adam Streisel.

Donna Challis Jim Walls produced and directed the showcase, while Michelle Town was stage manager.

They were assisted by Liz Smith, Geordie Smith, Bill Wells, Doreen Wells, Harvey Anderson, Heather Anderson, Joanne Kasper, Diane Gryba, Margaret Stephen and Grace Lang.

Sean Jacob, the Dekker Centre technical director, took care of the lilghts, sound and special effects.

Tomorrow night, is the Gala Dinner, after which Regina-raised blues/rocker Colin James hits the theatre’s Gordon Tootoosis Memorial Stage.

On Sunday evening, the Saskatoon Symphony will perform.

“All of this is a way to say, ‘thank you to all those who made the Dekker Centre a reality,” Dekker Centre Manager Moe McGuinty said.