<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The Lake Charles Symphony will host its third annual Champagne Bingo fundraiser this weekend at the Lake Charles Country Club.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and the fun begins at 11 a.m.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“It’s just like you’re typical bingo as far as the games themselves,” Pam McGough, a member of the symphony board, said. “We play eight games and the blackout, but the difference is we also do door prizes between each of the games and, of course, we have very nice gifts that we give out for the actual bingo winners.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">McGough said guests will enjoy “a glass or two” of champagne when they arrive along with finger sandwiches, crepes and mini quiches, followed by an assortment of petit fours.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“They’ll just play games, visit with friends and have a good time,” she said.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">She said while diners are eating, the symphony’s string trio will perform.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Several members of the symphony will play music prior to bingo starting for background music and guests will be able to visit with the artists, as well.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The dress is business casual, she said.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“We give various fundraisers throughout the year and all the funds go back into, of course, the symphony itself and education in the schools,” McGough said. “We send musicians in to talk to the kids and send special artists to talk in the classrooms so that we can educate our younger generation of what classical music is all about and why it’s so important to continue.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Proceeds will also be used to provide free symphony concert tickets to students K-12, concentrating on the at-risk schools.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“This is just another way of offering something to the public to come enjoy and learn more about the symphony itself and just have a good time,” she said.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Tickets are $50; reserved half-tables of four are $200; and a full-table of eight may be reserved for $400. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 433-1611.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Online:</span> <span style="text-align: center;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote"><a href="http://www.lcsymphony.org">www.lcsymphony.org</a>.</span>