To begin its sixth season, Freeport First Fridays Just Desserts will happen on the second Friday of the month.

Freeport First Friday’s Just Desserts, an informal evening of music, camaraderie and desserts, made way this year for New Year’s Eve, which took place last Friday night. But a week’s break from the end of the holidays just might be to the advantage of organizers, who hope for a good crowd on Jan. 8 at the Freeport Community Center. Desserts might actually be on people’s minds again, and First Fridays always provides good music from local bands.

The party starts at 6:30 p.m., with a $5 cover charge, and the band, an a capella group from Portland called BluTonic, begins playing at 6:45. Donations will be taken for the band, which, like the Freeport Community Services volunteers who make the desserts, donates its time. Any profits will go toward Freeport Community Services programs.

Freeport First Fridays is the creation of “MASISTA,” the two-woman force of Sam Hunneman and Maryellen Carew who support the arts in Freeport on many fronts.

“It’s just fun,” Carew said of the event, which has had different forms and times of the year prior to settling on the current format. “People are just there for the music, and they hang out a little bit. It’s very neighborly. People come who are friends of the band.”

BluTonic, a five-voice band, performs jazz and pop standards. Band members Nath Anderson, Jenn Chaloult, Kate Driver, Kim Fox and Nathan Hagelin have performed in various a cappella ensembles, choral groups and instrumental bands, in genres ranging from classical to bluegrass.

“Vocal music is so delightful,” Carew said. “They have such a great range of voices. I was at their holiday concert, and it was absolutely stunning.”

Hunneman and Carew have tried a different format and an autumn season for First Fridays, which until last year included a full meal made by Freeport Community Services volunteers. The format in place – first Friday of the month, January through May – looks like a winner, Carew said.

“Last year we included June, but it’s just too busy a time – same as fall, which we did when we started this,” Carew said. “We just didn’t get a good turnout in June.”

Carew said that she and Hunneman decided to go with just desserts because it was simpler and easier for everybody.

“It was too much work for the FCS volunteers, and there was too much cost,” she said. “We would never know how many people would show up. There was a nice turnout last year – certainly more than the year before. We don’t say ‘benefit.’ People get tired of benefits.”

Hunneman emphasized that Melanie Sachs, executive director at Freeport Community Services, as well as her staff, have been indispensable in making First Fridays a go.

“Melanie Sachs, Deb Daggett, Robin Harriman at FCS are all huge players in the success of this little adventure,” she said. “Mel has streamlined the whole ‘business model,’ which is not MASISTA’s strong suit, and Deb has been right on top of lining up some incredible bakers to provide the evening’s spread of goodies.”

A CLOSER LOOK

Freeport First Fridays Just Desserts events are held January through May on first Fridays (except January) at the Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St. The $5 admission includes dessert, coffee or tea and an hour-long concert. Proceeds are donated to Freeport Community Services, and tips for the performers are welcome. Desserts are donated by FCS volunteers. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and concerts begin at 6:45.

BluTonic will fill the Freeport Community Center with its a capella sound on Jan. 8 for Freeport First Friday’s Just Desserts. From left are Nath Anderson, Jenn Chaloult, Kate Driver, Kim Fox and Nathan Hagelin.

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