By Ranna Hebert

The Lake Charles Symphony is offering the area a thrilling night of magic during its annual Summer Pops concert this weekend at the Civic Center.

This year the symphony is featuring the Symphony of Illusions and the magic of Michael Grandinetti.

Grandinetti is a world-renowned artist who has performed on every stage — even in the White House. Grandinetti said he has long since improved since receiving his first magic set for Christmas and performing his first show at the age of 5. In fact, Grandinetti has performed in various challenging environments such as major league sports stadiums, beaches and Universal Studios.

Grandinetti’s performances will easily stun audiences as the crowd watches him shrink a girl to the size of a basketball, vanish borrowed rings and cause them to reappear baked inside a loaf of bread, bringing a painting to life and levitating individuals into the air, according to Summer Pops Board President Celia Broussard

Summer Pops strives to find entertainment that “can be enjoyed by all ages and social levels,” Broussard said.

She said this collaboration was exactly what they were looking for because “everyone loves magic, it does not matter if you are 5 or 65 years old.”

Ecstatic to bring the city some new entertainment, Broussard booked Grandinetti for 2020, but the pandemic eliminated those plans. Following the year of lockdown, Broussard booked the illusionist for 2021; however, Hurricanes Laura and Delta landed and left the venues in shambles.

Despite the past challenges, Grandinetti’s illusions will be on display at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 9, with doors opening at 6 p.m.

Regular admission for adults to this event is $37.50, and children under the age of 6 are free. Admission for children ages 7 and older are $20 as are students with a valid school ID.

In addition to regular admission, there is also an option to purchase tables, each seating eight people. Mr. Gatti’s Pizza and drinks will be readily available to those who purchase a Silver Premium or Gold VIP table; for regular admission, Mr. Gatti’s will have an open station for those wanting pizza with choices that include pepperoni, veggie and cheese. A cash bar will also be available

The show is expected to last two hours with an intermission. There is no restriction on bag size to enter.