It was a double-header celebration to mark the grand opening of the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland.

Saturday’s ribbon cutting was led by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee.

“Organizations and businesses on the outside, looking to Oakland, and what we have in terms of our jewels. And this is one of them,” says Mayor Lee.

After a $100 million makeover, the center is back after being closed for nearly 20 years.

Some big names already booked for this year, says CEO Terri Trotter.

“Just coming up in the next few months, we have Mandy Patinkin, for our ‘Princess Bride,’ TV show and Broadway fans. Really excited for that. Kamala Harris. The Gypsy Kings,” shares Trotter.

Legendary storyteller and Oakland native, Don Reed, kicked off the opening night performance along with Scott Silven’s illusion show “The Lost Things.”

The center will host concerts and theater shows. But it’s also open to the public for private events. Along with indoor space is the new terrace that faces Lake Merritt.

“That’s a festival space that could be 5- to 7- to even 8,000 people,” explains Trotter.

For nearly a century, the Henry J, as it is sometimes called, hosted big names from Dr. Martin Luther King, Elvis, Tina Turner and the Grateful Dead. From the more recent past, the California Music Awards.

Oakland City Council Member Charlene Wang says this is a huge investment in Oakland’s art scene and the city as a whole.

“Because there is going to be a spillover effect. People are going to come here, and then maybe visit the small businesses that are here on International Boulevard in Chinatown. It’s a wonderful opportunity,” says Council Member Wang.

Former City Council Member and now Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas also worked to get this project completed. She says this is a big deal for Oakland.

“This is a huge milestone. It took about three council members to get this done,” says Fortunato Bas. “As we talk about a renaissance for Oakland, this could really be central to it.”

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