FARMINGTON — The fifth annual Speakeasy Dance Party will again benefit the Greater Farmington area Care and Share Food Closet.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, the Homestead Kitchen, Bar and Bakery Restaurant on Broadway recaptures the Prohibition Era for the annual fundraiser.
Tickets are $15 per person, with the entire amount of ticket sales benefiting the Care and Share Food Closet.
As an added bonus, Franklin Savings Bank will again match ticket sales up to $1,500. If 100 tickets are sold, this generous offer has the potential to raise $3,000.
Last year’s Speakeasy raised $5,300. With Care and Share’s purchasing ability through Good Shepherd food bank, the food closet was able to purchase over $15,000 worth of food.
Last year, Care and Share served 3,870 families, a total of 9,243 individuals, according to Executive Director Leiza Hiltz Scerbo.
“One third of those served are children; one quarter, elderly; the rest are single parents, disabled and those struggling with job loss,” she said. The tragic reality is that “one in four children in Maine goes to bed hungry every night. If we work together, that won’t happen in the eight towns the food closet serves in Franklin County.”
Known as a night of fun while helping a good cause, participants can give the doorman the password (“Joe sent me”), drop a can of food in the basket and come in and join the party.
Special Speakeasy fare and Prohibition-era cocktails will be offered on the menu, and an a la carte dinner will be served from 5 to 9 p.m. The restaurant will be decorated like a 1920s speakeasy, and servers will be dressed in flapper attire.
Music and dancing begin at 7 p.m. with authentic 1920s danceable jazz from the South Strong Road Crew and Friends, including Andy Buckland on bass, Scott Dixon on drums, Doug Walrath on keyboard and Sherry Walrath, singing fun songs of the era.
The regulars will be joined by Mel Tukey, Maine’s premier jazz trumpet player, Peter Lord of the Bellamy Jazz band on soprano sax and special guest Tim Wallace from Shepherd’s Pie on guitar.
Period dress of the 1920s is encouraged, but is not required. The Outskirts and Wears and Wares are offering 10% discounts on all items purchased to wear to the Speakeasy.
Tickets are available in advance at the Homestead or at the door. Call 778-6162 to reserve tickets or make dinner reservations.
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