The Lake Charles Symphony’s Sixth Annual Sweetheart Dinner “Mi Amor” will offer an intimate and romantic space for celebrants next at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 16 at Treasure of Marilyn’s, 3510 Fifth Ave.

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday, so the Symphony decided to host the candlelit dinner two days after the 14th just in time for the weekend,  said Lake Charles Symphony Executive Director Beth Dawdy.

The night will offer a classic elegant environment complete with red roses, candlelight and the music of the“dynamic husband and wife duo,” Lina Morita and Jay Kacherski. Dawdy said that they are both virtuosos of their craft, and will be combining their talents to create a romantic ambiance with a blend of piano and Spanish guitar.

The Symphony aims to feature local talent during their events, and the Sweetheart Dinner is no exception.

“In an effort to highlight our incredible world-class talent that we have right here in Southwest Louisiana, Lina Morita and Jay Kacherski are the perfect fit.”

American guitarist Kacherski is a member of Grammy-nominated Texas Guitar Quartet and has performed worldwide as a soloist. He spent two years in Mexico as a Fulbright Scholar and member of the guitar faculty at the Escuela Nacional de Música, and has obtained undergraduate degrees from Florida Southern College, a Master’s of Music in guitar performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

He is a guitar faculty member at McNeese State University, Loyola University of New Orleans, the University of New Orleans and NOCCA, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.

Morita is a Brazilian pianist who has performed internationally – Brazil, Mexico, Spain, France and the Czech Republic – and throughout the United States as both collaboratively and as a soloist. She has a Bachelor’s of Music from Indiana University, a Master’s of Music from Rice University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music.

She has previously appeared as a soloist with the Lake Charles Symphony for a performance of Beethoven’s Concerto No. 4. She is currently an associate professor of piano at McNeese.

Dawdy said that the Sweetheart Dinner is not just for couples this Valentine’s Day.

“This event is not just for lovers. It is a perfect event for a Galentine’s celebration or for a group of friends that are ready to celebrate the Valentine’s season with delicious food, wine and incredible music.”

The event has been hosted at Treasures of Marilyn’s for the past eight years

“Treasures of Marilyn’s has consistently provided delicious dinners for this annual event, and they’ve supported the Symphony in many of our endeavors,” she said. “They have offered complimentary piano, decoration and room rental in order to support the Lake Charles symphony.

Two meal options will be available, New York strip or red fish with seafood topping.

There are still 50 seats available for “Mi Amor.” Regular seating will be at round tables of eight, and includes dinner and one drink ticket per individual. General admission tickets are $125 and a couples ticket is $250.

Five individual tables of two are still available. For $375, this package includes everything needed for a classic Valentine’s Day celebration: a private table, bottle of wine and box of chocolates and a half dozen roses.

Wine pulls and a cash bar will be available at the event.

The doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.lcsymphony.com.