Baycourt Community and Arts Centre is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a programme of art, exhibition and performance from April 21-29.

'Beyond excited” is how Baycourt manager Reena Snook describes her reaction to the forthcoming celebrations.

'Baycourt holds a special place in the heart of our creative community. It's hosted world class performers and it's been formative for many people's artistic journeys.

'We're going to make this a birthday celebration worthy of its legacy and future aspirations.”

The Addison Theatre at Baycourt was named in honour of Bob and Vhea Addison. Photo: SunLive.

The anniversary week kicks off with a flourish on April 21 with the B40: Gala Concert, a variety concert in the Addison Theatre curated and directed by Tauranga born creative Jason Te Mete (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai Te Rangi) celebrating four decades of community creativity.

Reena says to expect a visual and auditory feast of music, kapa haka, drama, comedy and more.

'The gala is a two and a half hour extravaganza of talent and spectacle. It'll demonstrate the full technical capabilities of the theatre.

'This is the city's premier performing arts facility and we're absolutely going to show it off.”

Bob Addison was chairman of the Tauranga Community Arts Council, an enthusiastic group of local residents responsible for the original proposal to establish Baycourt in 1974. Their work included nine years of planning and fundraising before it was built and officially opened in 1983. Bob was appointed manager in 1988 and produced shows such as ‘High Society', ‘Nunsense' and ‘Follies'.

The theme for Baycourt's anniversary is 'ka mua, ka muri”, a whakataukī (proverb) about the value of looking to the past to inform the future.

Reena says mana whenua will be acknowledged in the birthday celebrations.

'The land that Baycourt sits on has a much deeper history than this building. We will be recognising that through the anniversary events.”

A history of Baycourt will also be launched online as part of the anniversary week.

Tauranga-based Supercut Projects is creating a web-based digital experience that tells the story of Baycourt including its pre-history, grand opening and forty years of behind-the-scenes creatives and international names that have crossed the theatre stage.

The platform will continue beyond the anniversary as an online resource.

The Tauranga Primary School's Music Festival which has been running since 1956, was formed by a group of teachers who wanted to ensure that Tauranga children could enjoy the experience of making music together. More than 1300 school children fill Baycourt with singing every night over five nights.

Also featuring from April 27 to 29 is He Toi Kupu (The Creative Everlasting Word), a project-based community engagement programme delivered by Tuatara Collective and Ahipoutu Collective that empowers local whānau, hapū and iwi to extract their own stories - ancient wisdoms and everyday happenings - and transform them into highly engaging cultural artworks – which includes the stage production Uhi Tai (The Flowing Tide).

The X Space will be open throughout the anniversary celebrations with a free exhibition that weaves together milestones and memorable moments from Baycourt's history.

The B40: X-hibition is a collaboration with The Incubator Creative Hub who have been given exclusive access to Baycourt's archives.

Baycourt foyer. Photo: SunLive.

Reena says the archives are 'a treasure trove of the centre's history.”

'We've given The Incubator exclusive access before they're digitised and made available to the public. What better time to start sharing these stories than Baycourt's 40th anniversary.”

Bookending the celebrations on April 29 is the B40: Whānau Day. Running from 10am to 2pm, it'll be a day of free guided tours which Reena says will offer 'an immersive journey behind the theatre curtain.”

'You'll get to experience Baycourt at its absolute best, all the tricks of the trade, the lighting and special stage effects, and an opportunity to explore our hallowed backstage spaces.”

Baycourt's famous Wurlitzer organ is played for the annual New Zealand finals of the International Youth Silent Film Festival. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

The Baycourt lawn will play host to face painters, balloon sculptors, roaming performers and food carts during the Whānau Day.

There will also be stories to tell.

'We have long serving staff with experiences they'll be keen to share, like giving you the inside scoop on the royal visit,” says Reena.

Baycourt's Steinway grand piano being played in the Addison Theatre during the National Youth Jazz competition. Photo: SunLive.

Baycourt was opened by now King Charles III and Princess Diana in April 1983.

'Baycourt has been bursting at the seams with energy ever since that royal visit.

'We're going to celebrate and honour the amazing people who have invested themselves into this creative space over the decades and use that as a platform to take us into the next forty years!”

To see the full Baycourt 40th Anniversary programme and to purchase tickets for the B40: Gala Concert, visit www.baycourt.co.nz