Egyptian finery encouraged reads the tag line on the invitation sent out recently to TLT members. To celebrate opening night and kick off the weeks performances of the Youth Production of Aida, both members and non-members are invited to attend a Gala Evening to be held at the Tryon Fine Arts Center on Wednesday, July 7.

Stone Soup in Landrum will be offering hors doeuvres before the show, and Jean Pierre, their new chef, has come up with the menu: mushrooms stuffed with goat cheese and caramelized leeks; bowls of tapenade, baba ganoush, and tomato, basil and mozzarella salad; roast beef and Boursin cheese on white bread; curried chicken salad on whole wheat; crudits with home made dips; smoked turkey tea sandwiches on fruit and nut bread; mini pizzas, chicken pizza, smoked trout.

Shelly Block, owner of La Bouteille, the wine and beer boutique in Tryon, is supplying a selection of wines to help wash away the dust of the desert. Block has chosen four wines from Salmon Creek Cellars to complement the food: an elegant Pinto Noir, a rich Cabernet Sauvignon, a crisp Chardonnay and a smooth Pinot Grigio.

Now if thats not enough to sink you to the bottom of the Nile, you only have to wait until intermission for dessert and gourmet coffees from Zenzeras in Landrum. Debbie Briggs is whipping up an array of miniature cheesecakes, cookies, and other concoctions. All youll need is someone to fan you with a fig leaf as you watch the second half of the performance.

Elton John and Tim Rices Aida, a classic tale of the timeless bond between an enslaved Nubian princess and an Egyptian soldier, is directed by Chris Tinkler with musical direction by Lena Duncan.

Hors doeuvres start at 6 p.m., and the performance follows at 7:30 p.m., opening night only. Tickets for this event, or subsequent performances, can be purchased at the Tryon Little Theater box office, open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday starting June 23. Or call 828-859-2466 to reserve your tickets.