The night before, country star Jo Dee Messina will perform; we’ll have an interview with her in the March 19 edition of The Daily Times Weekend entertainment section. The next night — Saturday, March 27 — is the grand opening. It begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $25. Here’s what’s in store:

“The Gala is an evening of entertainment highlighting East Tennessee artists and performers from a wide variety of genres,” according to a recent press release. “David Keith will emcee the event which will feature performances by Sen. Lamar Alexander on the “Alexander” Steinway piano, the Maryville College Concert Choir, the Orchestra at Maryville College, Appalachian Ballet Company, Delores Ziegler, John Wesley Wright, Will Tate & 6ix Mile Express, Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, David Dwyer, Bruce McKinnon, Dr. Robert Bonham, Jennifer Olander, John Cherry and many other Blount County and East Tennessee personalities.

To purchase tickets for this event, visit the Clayton Center Box Office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, call 981-8590, or visit the venue’s website and and click on the Grand Opening Gala icon on the main page.