It sounds like Le Grand Bal will have another fabulous theme for the Saturday, March 29, event. Beverly and Carl Parker are chairing the night with a Renaissance of the Arts mood. The black-tie event honors business and civic leaders Gay and Bill Scott for their contributions to Lamar University, the community and the arts.

Le Grand Bal, its 34th year, is the major annual fund-raiser that benefits the College of Fine Arts and Communication. The night will include a reception and silent art auction from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Dishman Art Museum, with a gourmet buffet, dancing and entertainment from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Montagne Center. Guests will dance to the music of Beaumont’s Night & Day Orchestra, under the direction of Wayne Dyess, and the Eclipse Band of Houston. Tickets are $150 a person or $300 a couple, with underwriting opportunities available at levels ranging from $750 to $10,000. To be there, call 880-8137.

Lovin’ Lamar, and gardening

Lamar State College-Port Arthur and the Port Arthur Council of Garden Clubs will sponsor a day-long bus trip to the Arbor Gate Nursery in Tomball on Tuesday, March 18.

A stop for the 'Herbs Unplugged' workshop by Chef Chris Crowder and Ann Wheeler of Log House Herbs and a tour of the nursery gardens is on the agenda, as is antique shopping. The bus will leave the Carl Parker Center on the LSC-PA campus at 8 a.m. and will return around 6 p.m.

The $79 tour fee includes round-trip transportation and lunch. The registration deadline is Monday, March 3. Call 984-6230.