It’ll be time to &uot;laisser les bons temps rouler&uot; (let the good times roll) once more when the Greenville Area Arts Council (GAAC) presents its annual Benefit Gala and Silent Auction at Cambrian Ridge.

This year’s gala is slated to kick off at 7 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 7 with a return appearance of last year’s colorful, fun Mardi Gras theme.

&uot;Everyone had such a wonderful time at last year’s event with the carnival-themed dcor, music and foods, we decided to bring back the theme this year,&uot; said GAAC Membership Chair Roberta Gamble.

The event offers attendees an opportunity to enjoy a delectable array of heavy hors d’oeuvres, plenty of toe-tapping live music and the chance to bid on a wide selection of &uot;fantastic&uot; items donated by area businesses and individuals for the silent auction.

&uot;We will offer nearly two hundred items very attractively displayed at our auction,&uot; Gamble said. &uot;There are some tremendous bargains with many items offered at below half price.&uot;

Antiques and collectibles, home accessories, lavish gift baskets, furs, tennis and golfing lessons, jewelry, gardening items, restaurant, salon and oil company gift certificates and electronics are among the many items to be offered for auction at this year’s event.

Anyone who is a GAAC Sponsor, Patron, Angel or Underwriter can attend the benefit and auction free of charge. There is a $25 per person admission fee for anyone who is not a paid member of the GAAC. (Season ticket holders who are not members would be charged.)

Gamble and the GAAC have high hopes for yet another glittering success in the Camellia City as they continue their efforts to raise funds in support of the arts. For over 20 years, the GAAC has brought several quality productions to the stage of the Ritz each year. In March, Barry Manilow’s &uot;Copacabana&uot; is slated to close out the 2003-2004 season.

&uot;This benefit and auction is open to everyone…we would love to have some of our newcomers join us and see what a wonderful event Greenville can put on,&uot; Gamble said.

The auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. Coat and tie is requested and &uot;Mardi Gras masks are optional&uot;, Gamble noted.

For more information, contact Roberta Gamble at 382-3414.