Live music, star voices and heartfelt thanks, accompanied by the aroma of southern foods, will waft through the airy spaces of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture tonight as the new facility holds its grand opening celebration.

The new $39.5 million center has already held several pre-opening events, but tonight's gala marks the official christening, combined with a tribute ceremony honoring those who helped make the center a reality. Events will run from 5 p.m. to midnight, with three segments based on ticket level. Guests also will be able to tour the opening exhibitions, "Pittsburgh: Reclaim, Renew, Remix" and "In My Father's House."

Members of the public may visit the center for free on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

The LEED-certified building in the Cultural District, named after the late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, includes a 486-seat theater, two gallery spaces, a multi-purpose room and a flexible hall for educational programs. Spokeswoman Treshea Wade said the facilities are finished except for some final touches on one gallery.

With its signature four-story glass and metal "sail," the center is about a mile from the Hill District, Mr. Wilson's boyhood home and the setting for nine of his 10 plays on African-American life in the 20th century.

Marva Harris, the center's interim president, called the commitment of so many leaders "a testament to the significance of African and African-American culture.

"Our stages, exhibit areas and community outreach will bring these contributions to life," she said in a statement. "The dazzling array of creative work will appeal to diverse audiences now and into the future."

Tonight's opening ceremony will pay tribute to Mr. Wilson's family -- his widow, Constanza Romero Wilson, and relatives who remain in Pittsburgh. Also honored will be the center's founding incorporators -- Mulugetta Birru, Oliver Byrd, Yvonne Cook, Valerie McDonald Roberts, Sala Udin and Nancy Washington -- as well as funders and friends of the center.

Guest hosts will be the veteran film and TV actors Delroy Lindo and Anna Maria Horsford, who serve on the center's national advisory committee.

There will also be a tribute to the late Pittsburgh Steelers player Dwight White, who co-chaired the project's original steering committee with his wife, Nancy Farmer White.

In addition to the southern buffets and cocktails, festivities will feature music by The Harlem Quartet and violinist Elena Urioste. They also will perform as part of the larger Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, comprising young African-American and Latino musicians performing Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart, as well as works by composers Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, George Theophilus Walker and Michael Abels.

Also performing will be Broadway singer/actor and Carnegie Mellon University graduate Billy Porter; the August Wilson World Chorus, 75 singers from local churches coming together just for tonight's event; and the August Wilson Dance Ensemble.

The evening will end with a party from 9 p.m. to midnight featuring drinks, dessert and dancing to music from DJ Nate da Phat Barber.

After the opening, the center will swing into its inaugural season with two performances by Philadanco, the Philadelphia Dance Company, celebrating its own 40th season with a new work from Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, founder and artistic director or Urban Bush Women. The shows will be Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.

The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra will perform on Oct. 8, with trumpeter Sean Jones at the helm.

More information is available at www.augustwilsoncenter.org.