FARMINGTON — A password and a can of beans will open the back door to the Homestead Bakery for a prohibition era Speakeasy Dance Party Nov. 5.

Attendees are advised to slip down the alley between the bakery and Reny’s to the back door of the restaurant and tell the doorman, “Joe sent me,” and a can of beans. 

A night of dancing and bootlegging-gangsters and flappers are planned to help the Care and Share Food Closet at the Fairbanks School Meetinghouse. Music and dancing will feature 1920s jazz from the South Strong Road Crew and Friends, including Doug Walrath on keyboard, Scott Dixon on drums, Mel Tukey on trumpet, Peter Lord on sax and vocals by Sherry Walrath.

Tom Saviello has planned some gangster skits and other surprises. There will be awards for best outfits, and mugshots will be available for $2.

Speakeasy fare and Prohibition-era beverages are on the dinner menu from 5 to 9 p.m. Dress, 1920s-style, is encouraged but not required, Laurie Danforth from the bakery said. Tickets are $8 per person with dance lessons included.

Reservations are available by calling 778-6162.

Sherry Walrath will teach Peabody and Charleston lessons Friday, Oct. 28, and the night of the party, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the bakery. There is no charge for the Oct. 28 lesson.

A greater need at the food closet prompted the idea, Danforth said. The Walraths came up with the idea, talked with the Danforths and now it’s becoming a great event, she said.

“We want to create awareness of what’s going on here in Farmington and gain more community support,” Danforth said. “Anyone can help with just one can. They might not go to the pantry with just one can but they can drop it here and we’ll take the food there.”

Over the past six months the food closet has been busy, Carolyn McLaughlin said. She and her husband, Tony, co-chair the Care and Share Food Closet, which for more than 25 years has provided food to area residents in need.

“We’re serving 600 people a month. The number of families has increased,” she said.

It’s open two hours a day and volunteers hustle to fill bags and give food to families, she said. They often serve 20 families during those two hours. Volunteers are needed to work occasionally to give regular volunteers a break, she said. Anyone interested in volunteering can call McLaughlin at 645-2312.

Plans are under way for packing Thanksgiving baskets with meat, vegetables and apples. About 300 turkeys  are ordered. Last year, 240 baskets were given out, she said.

While the community helps supply food for the closet, there are still many items that have to be purchased, she said. Next week letters asking for help will go to individuals and businesses.

“It really takes so much more money. People are wonderful but it’s the sheer numbers and some items always have to be purchased,” McLaughlin said.

The bakery intends to continue to collect food for the food closet throughout the winter.

People who can’t attend the Speakeasy but want to donate may leave checks made out to Care and Share Food Closet at the restaurant, she added.

Reservations for the Speakeasy Dance Party may be made by calling 778-6162.

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