Chocolate Prom continues tradition

Music and the sweet treat of chocolate will be paired as the Week of Chocolate festivities continue.

Rhino’s Youth Media Center and All-Ages Club will be the host of the Chocolate Prom from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday.

The night, which takes the form of the traditional prom with music and dancing, has been part of the Week of Chocolate for five years. David Britton, assistant director of Rhino’s and organizer of the event, said each year has an enthusiastic turnout.

“Last year was actually our biggest turnout, even though it snowed and classes were canceled the day of the show,” he said.

Will this year’s show measure up to last year’s precedent? Britton said he thinks so.
Sophomore Kyle Houpt said the title of the event and the factor of a good old-fashioned dance are what sparked his interest. Houpt and other attendees will dance to music played by Britton’s strategic lineup of bands.

Britton said when putting together the bill for the night, he usually tries to get one student group, one townie group and one or two high school groups. This year, the lineup includes Xenosound, The Best Friends, The Vallures and Taco caT.

“I really just try and get bands that will be enjoyed universally, that will play music that is fun and danceable,” he said.

Taylor Campi, sophomore and lead vocalist for The Best Friends, said the free chocolate was a perk but that the real appeal in playing the prom was in the audience.

“We’ve never played with any of the other bands before, and you get a whole new scheme of people in the audience that you play to. You get to make an impression on a whole new group of fans,” Campi said.

Bands playing Friday will play to an audience Britton marked as unique.

“You get families, high school kids, college students. It’s really a mixed bag of the community, super fun and energetic, truly and all-ages kind of thing,” he said.

While guests enjoy the music and free chocolate, they’ll also be doing something charitable. The event serves as a fundraiser for Rhino’s.  All proceeds will go toward the center’s various after-school programs.