When Elton John steps onto the stage Friday night in front of 6,000 fans there might be more than one person brought to tears said CN Centre entertainment and marketing supervisor.
Glen Mikkelsen said it's a culmination of years of hard work that brought the mega-star to Prince George.
"For me personally, it will be an extremely proud moment when Elton takes the stage," Mikkelsen said. "That instant will recognize years of work by many, many people and amidst the crowd's ovation and roar, I may be moved to tears."
Coincidentally - or not - John's concert is being held during Prince George Pride Week 2010. Pride Week is celebrated throughout Canada, with Toronto hosting an award-winning event each year during the first week in July. The Prince George Pride Society is hosting events throughout this week to celebrate Pride Week.
"For Prince George and northern British Columbia this is the biggest show that has ever come through here," said Mikkelsen. "Not just the production but also the stature of the artist. There has never been anything like it in northern B.C. and it's a one-of-a-kind event coming to Prince George Friday night."
CN Centre and staff have demonstrated their ability to promoters across North America that they are capable of handling shows of this calibre.
"We are capable of handling the production of it, the logistics of it and able to host the promoters and the artist to a standard they expect," said Mikkelsen.
The path that lead to this production coming to Prince George began in 2004 when David Copperfield came to CN Centre, Mikkelsen added.
"At that time we really tried to communicate to the community that the Copperfield event was a high-level international show," Mikkelsen said. "We encouraged people to support it because we felt that if we could demonstrate that Copperfield could do well then ultimately we would be able to bring other acts of that calibre - and even greater - through this market."
Prince George did come through and the show was deemed a success that allowed for Prince George to become known as a destination market from that time forward, he added.
That's why Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Blue Man Group, Toby Keith, Big and Rich and the like have come to town.
"It's taken years to get to this point and a lot of hard work on everyone's part including staff at CN Centre, contractors, Ticketmaster, food and beverage supplier, Eurest Foods, Regional Security, their staff has helped us out immensely so we were able to show yes, we are able to host an act of this calibre and ultimately here is Elton John."
People are traveling from all over Canada and the United States to see the show, said Mikkelsen.
"It's going to be an electric night," he added. "It's going to be fabulous and I hope that everyone in this community realizes this is a watershed moment for Prince George. I think that hosting an event like this reflects on the city's transition from strictly a mill town to a more diverse and cosmopolitan community. It's part of the growth and evolution of this community and it's very exciting to be part of it. Look at what we can do. I hope people take great pride in the fact that Elton John is coming to this city."
The seating is 360 degrees with the first ten rows at the back of the stage not being used.
Concert goers are invited to a barbecue at 5 p.m. at the atrium between CN Centre and the Kin Centres where live entertainment will add to the festivities. There is no opening band and John takes to the stage promptly at 8 p.m.
