A glittering evening where &uot;les bons temps roulez&uot; (the good times roll) is promised when the Greenville Area Arts Council (GAAC) presents its Benefit Gala and Silent Auction on Saturday, February 1, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. at Cambrian Ridge Club House.

&uot;Fat Tuesday&uot; will arrive a bit early this year with a colorful and fun Mardi Gras theme on tap for the evening.

&uot;It has been a couple of years since the arts council has held this type of fundraiser and we are so excited about it,&uot; notes Arts Council member Jill Stallworth.

&uot;We will have a great jazz combo performing and plenty of delicious hors d’oeuvres on hand…I think the Mardi Gras theme is going to be a smash.&uot;

A large selection of items donated by local individuals and businesses will be offered up for the silent auction, &uot;everything from electronics and antiques to fur coats,&uot; Stallworth says.

The GAAC has been bringing top-quality productions to the area for more than 20 years. Past productions have included &uot;Honky Tonk Angels&uot;, &uot;Last of the Red Hot Lovers&uot;, &uot;Funny Girl&uot;, &uot;They’re Playing Our Song&uot; and &uot;The Will Rogers Follies.&uot; This season the Arts Council has already featured Rodgers and Hammerstein’s award-winning &uot;State Fair&uot; with the Gershwin tune-filled musical, &uot;Crazy for You&uot; and the popular bluegrass combo &uot;Three on a String&uot; still to come in February and April.

By supporting GAAC productions and the continuing restoration program, local patrons just may help launch some future luminary’s career.

&uot;A few years ago a talented young man named Jason Petty was on stage at the Ritz with &uot;Lost Highway&uot;…that same young man is currently on Broadway with that show.

We can say we saw it FIRST—right here in Greenville, Alabama,&uot; proudly notes GAAC Membership Chairperson Bobbie Gamble.

&uot;These fundraising events are so important to the community at large. Quality stage entertainment enriches our lives but it doesn’t come without expense. We need to continue to raise funds so we can keep bringing these wonderful productions right here to the Ritz Theatre stage,&uot; Gamble emphasizes.

The gala evening is open to the public.

Attire is coat and tie; Mardi Gras masks are optional. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased in advance from Bobbie Gamble (382-3414).