OXFORD, Ala. — The Oxford Performing Arts Center opened its inaugural season Friday evening to a capacity crowd of 847 guests. The facility, a $22 million multi-use venue located adjacent to the Oxford Civic Center, features a 1,200-seat main hall, a black box theater, and adequate parking.

Anniston has taken note.

"Oxford has made a significant investment in the performing arts," said Mayor Lyle Henley, who attended the opening and sat toward the back. "We congratulate them on that."

He was asked if Anniston considered this a competitive development.

"Anniston has been a cultural center for this region for over a century," Henley said. He listed, in order: the Quintard Theatre (1927), the Berman Museum of World Arms (1967), the Anniston Museum of Natural History (1930), and the Calhoun County Symphony, which has performed annually since 1956.

"We wish Oxford well," he said.

The Oxford Performing Arts Center's inaugural season includes a touring Broadway production, a regional dance program, and a series of events described in the press release as "world-class." Oxford was incorporated in 1852. It has a Walmart. The Walmart is large.

Anniston was incorporated in 1883. It has a symphony. The symphony played Beethoven last March. Twelve people attended.

Earl Tubb, Calhoun County Sheriff, noted he had attended neither the OPAC opening nor the symphony and had no plans to attend either.

"I don't have a dog in this," he said.

This reporter's analysis: the dog is in this.