GALLERIA - It's been two years since the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre first opened its doors and placed Cobb at the forefront of metro Atlanta's performing arts scene. The occasion was celebrated Saturday night with an anniversary gala featuring a dinner and concert.

The cover band "ABBA The Music," performed for more than 300 invited guests after a cocktail reception in the performing arts center's grand lobby. That was immediately followed by a dinner created by the center's executive chef, M.G. Farris. The gala concluded with a disco dance party in the ballroom.

"The Cobb Energy Center has been the catalyst that has launched the performing and visual arts in Cobb, with great hype and ever expanding outreach to the citizens of our community," said the gala's co-chairman, Jim Rhoden of Marietta.

"It has really been a tremendous benefit to this community. It has set the bar. We're all gaining immensely from it, economically as well as publicly."

Michael Taormina, the center's managing director, said people from 21 surrounding counties, and some from as far away as Chattanooga, visit the center yearly.

Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway recalled when the idea for building the center was first proposed and the lackluster reaction some people had about coming to Cobb in order to enjoy performing arts.

"This is something that has put Cobb County on the map," Dunaway said. "I just enjoy how beautiful it is."

A lot of fundraising went into making the center a reality, said Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens, the gala's honorary co-chair with his wife, Lisa. He credited business leaders such as John Williams, Earl Smith and the late William Travis Duke, with leading the effort.

The $145 million center was paid for in part through a county bond package ($57 million); the exhibit hall authority ($11 million); a gift from Williams ($10 million); a gift of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation ($3 million); and other fundraising ($27 million).

The center - which seats 2,750 people in its theater - opened in September 2007 and has since hosted more than 330,000 guests and featured more than 200 performances, Taormina said.

"We're going into our second year with three resident companies: the Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Broadway Series," Taormina said. "We've also been working on the building of the Artsbridge program for children. We have over 88,000 students and teachers that come to programs during the year."

The center has a variety of upcoming performances lined up, including the 101 Dalmatians Musical in October, comedian Lisa Lampanelli on Oct. 10, comedian Billy Crystal in December, pianist Jim Brickman on Dec. 12, the Irish Tenors on Dec. 13, and of course, season performances of the Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Ballet, and the Atlanta Broadway Series.

Tickets to Saturday's black-tie gala were $400. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation initiatives.

The gala was the first event of a weekend-long anniversary celebration to spotlight the center's impact on Cobb and the region. Today, the center will host the "Overture to the Arts' festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will feature performances by regional arts groups and serve as a preview for the upcoming arts season. Admission is free and onsite parking is $5.