The Lake Charles Symphony’s largest fundraising event of the season, Summer Pops, will be held at 7 p.m. this Saturday, July 8 at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

The 2023 theme “Louisiana Saturday Night” will highlight the resiliency and culture of Southwest Louisiana.

This is an annual symphony event that fuses contemporary music and orchestral composition, said Beth Dawdy, executive director of the Lake Charles Symphony. This year, they are collaborating with Sean Ardoin and Kreole Rock and Soul to bring “all things Louisianian.” Ardoin will be performing 10 songs alongside the orchestra.

This is the first time the symphony has presented a zydeco performance.

The 45-member orchestra is conducted by celebrated conductor, Chelsea Tipton, III. He said the performance will be a mix of Zydeco, Creole, Cajun and funk.

A main goal is to build the regular audience and Summer Pops was specifically curated “the excitement of the orchestra” to a wider range of audiences.

“Music crosses a lot of barriers,” she said. “We are constantly trying to pull in new audiences and bring the symphony to the masses,” said Dawdy.

The familiarity of Ardoin’s discography will make the orchestral music more accessible to locals. “The Lake Charles Symphony has a long-standing tradition of bringing the community together to share music,” Tipton said. “The combination of Ardoin’s unique style and the symphony’s classical sound is a beautiful mix that families will surely love and appreciate.”

The concert will highlight Lake Charles talent. “Sean is a prominent member of the community, and we aim to bring diverse audiences together. Regardless of genre, good music is good music.”

The first half of the concert will feature popular favorites, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and a tribute to local veterans. The symphony performance with Ardoin will follow.

In tandem with “Louisiana Saturday Night,” the Symphony is holding the “Gator Raffle.”

Residents are encouraged to “Bayou a chance” to win the first hand-painted Gator on the Geaux of the 2022-2023 season, “Rise.” This gator was painted by Candice Alexander, local award-winning artist and owner of Candice Alexander Art Studio.

The gator features symbols emblematic of Lake Charles and Louisiana, such as pieces of glass from the building colloquially known as the Capital One Building and the state bird, the pelican. It is the final and fourth piece of Alexander’s Hurricane Series, which also includes “Faith,” “Hope” and “Love.”

To promote accessibility, there is a wide variety of tickets available to the public. “There is a price point for everyone to attend.”

General admission tickets for riser seats cost $45 per person. Tickets for children aged 12 and under at $25 a piece.

There are 40 tables – seating 8- available for an enhanced experience. There are three tiers of table seating: Bronze Reserved, Silver Premium and Gold VIP.

Bronze reserved tables are $600, or $75 each; Food and beverages can be purchased separately.

Silver Premium tables include pepperoni and veggie pizza, provided by Mr. Gatti’s and choices in sodas, water, wine or beer. Selections have to be picked up by attendees. These tables are $1000.

With a Gold VIP, concert-goers will have the same selections of food and drink delivered to them, as well as recognition on the event table signage. A gold table can be purchased for $1250.

Individual reserved table seating is also available for $95.

The doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.lcsymphony.com.