NORWICH – The Place will host its 2nd annual Cocktail Fundraiser on April 18 at Uncorked Café and Lounge in Downtown Norwich.

The Gala will kick off at 7 p.m. at Uncorked, located at 28 S. Broad St. in Norwich. The event will include live music with folk duo Mark and Matt (Mark Sands and Matt Maholchic), hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar with 50 percent of the proceeds to benefit The Place, and a 50/50 raffle.

Rebecca Sands, Executive Director of The Place, describes the event as a semi-formal, or business casual, soiree. She said that there will be specialty cocktails available just for the occasion. The event price is $35 for folks who register by April 10, and $40 after April 10.

The evening will also feature a silent auction of abstract paintings designed by the children and teens of The Place. The artwork that will be available at the silent auction will be on display at Uncorked Café and Lounge starting at the beginning of April. The paint for the project was donated by Golden Artist Colors. The silent auction will also include a variety of other items given by local and national businesses and organizations. These additional items will include jewelry, gift certificates, event tickets, and much more.

Sands said, “Along with artwork, we have gotten some pretty awesome silent auction items from local businesses this year.”