Thousands of music fans packed the new Durham Performing Arts Center on Sunday night for the venue's first show.

Blues legend B.B. King performed to a sold-out crowd in the 2,800-seat concert hall.

The building took two years to build and cost the City of Durham $48 million.

The center said the venue is the largest performing arts center in North and South Carolina.

The venue's first visitors Sunday evening said they were amazed at the size and design of the building.

"Everything's so beautiful and so nice," said Annie Hall of Kenmore.

David Hackney of Chapel Hill said he wanted to come see the center, but the main attraction for him was B.B. King, who Hackney said has been an influence on him as a musician.

"A lot of the licks that I play now are licks that I learned from B.B. King," he said.

The facility is a centerpiece of the city's downtown revitalization effort.

The center's general manager, Bob Klaus, said the venue will help support other downtown attractions and businesses.

"I think this is really going to be a home for the entire region," he said.

Klaus said 5,500 people have already signed up to become season ticket holders, and tickets for this season's shows, including for comedians Bill Cosby and Robin Williams, are already selling at a strong rate.

The center will hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house Monday at 5:30 at the venue, located at 123 Vivian St.