The choral program of the John M. Long School of Music at Troy State University will host a Valentine's Cabaret benefit at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, in the Wright Hall gymnasium.

Paul McGahie TSU director of choral music, said the Valentine's Cabaret is the inaugural event and plans are to make the Valentine's Cabaret an annual event.

&uot;This benefit will support the growing choral and vocal programs at Troy State,&uot; McGahie said. &uot;Everybody in the community is invited and encourage to join us for this special event. &uot;

The Valentine's Cabaret will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by a catered Italian dinner at 7 p.m.

The dinner will include pasta with three sauces - meat, pesto and Alfredo, chicken parmesan

Sauted red peppers and vegetables, Caesar salad and Tiramisu cheese cake, a fancy dessert usually served in four-and five-star restaurants.

&uot;The neat thing about the dinner is that some of our very talented students will be singing waiters and waitresses,&uot; McGahie said. &uot;We'll also have dancing with a live combo. And, we'll cap it off with an after-dinner concert featuring the Collegiate Singers, and the award- winning Chamber Choir.&uot;

The Valentine's Cabaret will include a silent action that includes a long list of great items.

&uot;We'll have a three-day, two-night stay at a beach-side condo at Orange Beach, a lot of dinners-for-two at local restaurants, a designer silk purse, gift certificates at local restaurants, garden tools, free tanning sessions, bicycle tune-up - all sorts of stuff,&uot; McGahie said.

The Valentine's Cabaret is open to the public and tickets are $50 for couples and $25 for singles.

&uot;We will continue to take reservation until Thursday afternoon, but we would prefer to know as early as possible, so we ask that everyone make their reservations as soon as possible,&uot; McGahie said.

Those wishing to pay by credit card may do so by calling 670-3773. Those who prefer to pay by check or at the door my make reservations by calling the TSU School of Music at 670-3324.

Dress for the Valentine's Cabaret is not formal but McGahie suggests that men wear a jacket and tie and the ladies wear a nice dress.

&uot;The Valentine's Cabaret is a very worthwhile benefit and it will be a lot of fun,&uot; McGahie said. &uot;The Cabaret has it all - dancing, eating and entertainment. We hope everyone will join us for the great event.&uot;