Sweetheart Dance returns February 11

Michelle Warren, The Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn.
·2 min read

Jan. 27—WILLIMANTIC — The Windham Textile and History Museum is asking the community to show them some love during the "Sweetheart Dance" fundraiser on Feb. 11.

The dance will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Willimantic Elks Club at 198 Pleasant St. that day. Patty Tuite, a singer songwriter who lives in Storrs, will perform during the dance.

She performs blues, jazz and rock music.

"She's amazing and the mill museum wants to put on a great community event because we love our community," Windham Textile and History Museum Executive Director Kira Holmes said.

Tickets to the dance cost $30 and can be purchased ahead of time or the day of the dance.

Tickets for the Ph/r raffle will cost $1 each and cash is preferred.

Drinks will be available for purchase and appetizers will be served.

The Chocolate Festival features several events throughout the day including the Chocolate Chip Stroll, an event during which people get free chocolate treats from local businesses; "Stupid Cupid Urban Scramble" race; chocolate cake baking contest and a tea at the Eastern Connecticut Veterans Community Center.

The festival, which celebrates Valentines Day, is typically held annually, but hasn't been held since 2020 due to the pandemic.

The dance is the last event of the festival.

"What a perfect ending to the Chocolate Festival," Holmes said.

Tuite had her first live recording in 1996, during which she performed "Live at the Tic Toc." She has worked with many notable musicians and has performed in and with many bands throughout Southern New England.

Tuite and her husband, Jim, established an independent rock label in 2021, "Thread City Productions." She has been a member of the Kidsville Kuckoo Review, a band led by Shaboo Club founder Bruce John, since 2004. The dance is being held instead of the Snowball, a fundraiser held for the mill museum for many years. Unlike the Snowball, people aren't being asked to wear formal attire, " The point is just for everyone to get out of the winter doldrums, have fun, go dance and socialize," Holmes said.

100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales, gift

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