Arts advocates will literally roll out the red carpet for

local performers this weekend.

The Tracy Performing Arts Foundation will host its

first-ever Stellar Awards — a local version of the Oscars — on Friday night

at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts.

“It’s a performing arts event, a theatrical event,”

foundation president Melyssa Barrett said. “So we wanted to create some drama

ourselves.”

The foundation surveyed the public to elicit nominations for

outstanding actor, art teacher and art supporter.

A panel will also announce popularly deemed outstanding

theatrical and non-theatrical shows and organizations.

Of the three nominated for each award, just one in each category will come

away with an engraved trophy.

Several longtime fixtures in Tracy performing arts circles

made it to the list of nominees, including veteran actor Don Bisbee and

actor-art teacher Deborah Littleton.

“We want to recognize the people for all the work they do in

supporting arts in our community,” Barrett said. “Some of the names were

familiar … others surprised us, which is a good.”

Winners from the foundation’s dance, video production and

singing contests will perform Saturday, along with local group The Twelve Tones

and the Tracy Community Choir.

Performers and nominees will get a limousine ride up to the

red carpet Saturday night, where they’ll be greeted with play paparazzi and a

pre-show reception.

Barrett said she expects to see the folks dressed in their

evening best Saturday.

Raffle tickets will be on sale for a donated big-screen TV

and a dessert reception will follow the ceremony.

The 6-year-old foundation annually awards scholarships of

$250 to $1,000 to high school-age singers, dancers, actors, musicians and

moviemakers.

Tickets cost $15 and money raised from the event will pay

for next year’s scholarships.

This marks the first time the foundation will host an event

bringing all those scholarship participants together and honor a tight-knit

arts community, Barrett said.

“We hope this becomes an annual event.”

Nominees at a glance

Outstanding actor: Don Bisbee, Alejandro Sanchez and Denis

“Ravioli” Martinez.

Outstanding actress: Deborah Littleton, Deborah Spencer and

Julia Plummer.

Outstanding performing arts educator: Deborah Skinner,

Deborah Littleton and Pam Tillman.

Outstanding contribution to the community: Francie Pankratz,

Deborah Skinner and Stephen Greiner.

Outstanding theatrical production: The Black Nativity, The

Nutcracker and Steel Magnolias.

Outstanding non-theatrical production: A Conversation with

Carol Channing, Tracy Community Choir Winter Concert and Academy of Performing

Arts.

Outstanding Community Organization: Tracy African American

Association, Arts Leadership Alliance and Tracy Arts Commission.

Event at a glance

WHAT: 2008 Stellar Awards

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave.

COST: $15

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