It is time, once again, for an exciting evening of arts and entertainment, sponsored by the Gulf Shores High School PTSO.

This year, with a Mardi Gras theme, the 10th Annual Night of the Arts Talent Show will be Tuesday, February 22 at the Gulf Shores United Methodist Church.

Traditionally, the entertainment portion of the event has been held in the school’s gymnasium, but according to Maribeth Howard, Vice president of the PTSO who is handling the publicity for this year’s talent show, the Methodist Church will offer better sound for the performers and a more comfortable venue for the audience.

“We changed the venue because the sound system and the acoustics are really bad in the gym, and it is a lot of work for a few people to have to set all of that up,” Howard said. “So we decided to try to find a place with a real stage, and good sound equipment that is already in place, and the Methodist Church was gracious to allow us to use their auditorium.”

Howard said in addition to the talent show, there will be visual arts on display as well as photography, culinary arts and creative writings all done by Gulf Shores High School students.

“It is going to be a Mardi Gras theme event featuring New Orleans style hors d’oeuvres, and will also have gift baskets to raffle off as well as a silent auction,” Howard said.

According to Howard, the food will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. until 6:45 p.m.

“We hope people will come early, get a plate of hors d’oeuvres and will walk around and look at all of the entries.” The talent show will begin in auditorium at 7 p.m.

Howard said this is one of the biggest fund raisers the PTSO has each year, and all of the proceeds go directly back into the school to help both students and teachers.

“It is really our main fundraiser that we do every year, and it allows us to give money to teachers for classroom needs, we give money to help students who need assistance with an educational field trip, and we also will help students who need assistance with college application fees.”

In addition, Howard said that the PTSO gives scholarships each spring to deserving seniors, helping them to further their education.

Tickets for the 2011 Night of the Arts Talent Show will go on sale at the school later this month, with prices being $10 for adults and $5 for students.