Everyone is invited to celebrate love with the faculty and friends of Southeast Missouri State University at 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Academic Auditorium.

"The Lighter Side of Amore" is a potpourri of song, poetry and comedy contemplating the humorous side of love. The event is being presented by the music department at Southeast.

The evening promises to be filled with music, drama, poetry and lots of laughter as faculty entertainers take the stage.

College of Liberal Arts Dean Martin Jones makes his debut as "Monroe the Magician." Interim Provost Sheila Caskey and Sterling Cossaboom, chairman of the music department, will explore their talents as stand-up comedians.

Emcee Tom Harte will tie it all together with quotable quotes and quixotic quips.

"There will be roughly 16 different acts done, generally all performed by faculty," Cossaboom said. "The show will primarily be done by music department faculty, but also some guests and administrators will be sharing their talent."

The faculty members are donating their time and talent to benefit the students and the university, he said.

Cossaboom said all the acts concern love and the season of St. Valentine.

The event is a fund-raising activity for the music department, said Cossaboom. "We hope to do this event annually to generate support for music scholarships for talented students and for program assistance and development."

The organizers are trying to make the event fun, but the need to promote music and the performing arts in Southeast Missouri is serious, Cossaboom said.

"It's important to make it available for students to be able to come to the university based on their talent and their need."

He said everyone is encouraged to take part in the event by becoming patrons. Patrons will receive an invitation to a pre-performance reception hosted by President Kala M. Stroup, reserved preferred seating at the performance, reserved parking, a complimentary rose and recognition as a patron in the program.

Patron subscriptions are available at $50 per person. The tax-deductible portion of the gift will be accepted by the Southeast Missouri University Foundation and applied to membership in the Copper Dome Society.

All proceeds from the performance will benefit music students through scholarships and program assistance.

"For the long term, we hope to develop the Friends of Music organization to support the activities of the department and assistant in outreach to the Bootheel and the Southeast area," Cossaboom said.

To reserve a patron subscription, call the Department of Music at 651-2141.

General admission seating is also available by contacting the music department. Tickets also can be purchased at the door for $5 per person.