NORWICH – Phoenix Project Dance has partnered with numerous community establishments to bring its fifth ever Fashion Night Out to Norwich this weekend.

Fashion Night Out is to be held at a new location this year, the Famtec Warehouse at 5862 County Road 32 in the Town of Norwich. Cocktail hour is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

“People are coming from all over for the event,” said Mikey Perkins, Executive Director of Phoenix Project Dance. “We have a model from LA coming, one of our Company members is from Canada.”

Perkins explained that Fashion Night Out is a fundraiser for the Phoenix Project Dance Company, and it is used as a forum to highlight the dancers in the Company. This year it will celebrate Phoenix Project’s ten year anniversary.

Perkins added that the event this year has incorporated many community members and establishments.

“We rehearse here but we don’t perform here often,” said Perkins. “This has been and continues to be a good opportunity to work with the community that is our home base.”

The event has been organized to be akin to a New York City style night club, with a fun and stylish vibe, Perkins added.

With regard to what an attendee might wear to Fashion Night Out, Perkins said, “What you would want to wear out but don’t really have a place to wear it to.”

There will not only be the runway event, but also the dancers of Phoenix Project will perform, and a red carpet entrance will be set up so that folks can meet each of the members of the dance company.

In addition to the fashion event itself, there will be raffle baskets and art auctioned off. There will be a silent auction for the Pollock style piece by that was sponsored by Golden Artist Colors, as well as rehearsal paintings and paintings the dancers have created on stage during performances.

“Our pieces have been professionally stretched, and I think people will really enjoy them,” said Perkins.

Perkins highlighted there will be dancing on the stage and the entire Company of Phoenix Project Dance will be there.

“Famtec Warehouse will transform into an energetic NYC style club with a dazzling runway and hi-tech light show, recreating fashion NYC Fashion Week in Norwich,” reads the poster for the event.

As Perkins said community involvement and partnership was vital this year, he highlighted local businesses including but not limited to McLaughlin’s Department Store, Skillins Jewelers, and Nina’s Pizzeria.

“Skillins is loaning the Company dancers jewelry to wear for the event,” said Perkins. “Jewelry items that are soon to be released.”