With a top musical production just around the corner and a lavish silent art auction and gala benefit set for early April, the Greenville Area Arts Council (GAAC) will be a very busy organization in the coming months.

Members met at the Ritz at noon on Tuesday to discuss plans for the gala along with the upcoming musical, &#8220Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” slated for 7 p.m., February 20, at the Ritz.

Tickets will be on sale at The Pineapple at a charge of $20 for adults and $15 for students. Any remaining tickets will be available at the box office.

The musical is the final production of the GAAC 2005-2006 season.

&#8220This is the same company, Candlewood Productions, that brought us those wonderful, spirited productions of ‘Copacabana' and ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' complete with a live orchestra. I'm sure it will be a great, family-friendly show,” Bobbie Gamble, membership chairman, said.

The arts council also made plans for the annual silent auction and benefit gala held each spring.

This year's event is slated for April 8 at the Butler County Fairgrounds.

&#8220We have some new twists in store for this year. We are going for a fun Mexican fiesta theme, complete with an authentic mariachi band and lots of colorful decorations,” member Jill Stallworth explained.

&#8220The fairground will offer us plenty of space for all our activities and an entire week to decorate things perfectly for the event,” member Nancy Idland said.

A plenteous array of hors-d'oeuvres and beverages will once again be offered along with the musical entertainment and gaming tables. Guests will be able to browse among hundreds of items, everything from original art and antique jewelry to margarita baskets and auto care gift certificates, during the event's silent auction. It's an opportunity for browsers to bag some terrific bargains while helping out a good cause.

With such a gala event to plan, GAAC members will be canvassing the area to seek out donations from area businesses, Gamble said.

&#8220We would like to encourage any business or individual out there to support us as we plan for this event. It is a major fundraiser for us and helps us keep bringing quality productions to our city,” Gamble said.

Last year's event, coupled with a gift from an anonymous donor, brought in over $10,000 to the GAAC coffers.

All auction items should be turned in by March 29 and brought to the venue on April 8.