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Grand Opening at Richmond CenterStage

Richmond Symphony is one of nine art groups performing at the Grand Opening.

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It's been eight years in the making, but the curtain finally rises on Richmond CenterStage with a grand opening event featuring nine performing arts groups from the Richmond area -- such as Richmond Ballet, Richmond Symphony and Richmond Shakespeare -- on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Here's who (and what) will be performing:

African American Repertory Theatre: Poetry and readings celebrating the inspirational works of noted African American writer Langston Hughes;

Elegba Folklore Society: "Excerpts from Marketplace Suite" from Manding, featuring performances of songs, music and dances celebrating the West African Manding rites of passage (choreography by Kadiatou Conte);

Richmond Ballet: Stoner Winslett’s Windows IV, with 38 dancers and an original score by Virginia composer Jonathan Romeo;

Richmond Jazz Society: “Generations of Jazz,” an ensemble of multi-generational musicians performing a medley of Jazz classics;

Richmond Shakespeare: Songs and sonnets by William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary year of their first publication, with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra;

Richmond Symphony: Bernstein’s overture from Candide and Dimitri Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, and live accompaniment for five groups: Richmond Ballet, Virginia Opera, Richmond Shakespeare, Theatre IV - Barksdale and SPARC;

SPARC (School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community): Excerpts from Les Misérables with SPARC students and alumni performing for the first time with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra;

Theatre IV – Barksdale: Excerpts from High School Musical, Boleros for the Disenchanted (performed with the Latin Ballet of Virginia), Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Sound of Music;

Virginia Opera: The cast of La Bohème performing selections from the most popular works in the operatic repertory.

Tickets run $35 to $100 and can purchased online.

But you don't have to fork over the cash to get a look at the new arts complex. Stop by the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday at 4 p.m. or the open house on Sunday for a free tour of the new performing arts facilities. Find out more here.