*So this weekend is the big 6th Annual Newtown Youth Services Dinner Dance Auction at Fireside Inn in Newtown. The fun starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $40 for the largest annual fundraiser for NYS, which offers programs and services for folks of all ages.

In addition to dinner, silent and live auctions, and entertainemtn by celebrity impersonator Mark Verselli, there will be plenty of dancing and live music. The music this year comes from the bands CHARISMA and EYE CONTACT.

Charisma was featured in last week’s Enjoy section (and will be performing on March 11 at Stonebridge Inn in Milford, for anyone interested in a preview), so this week I’m offering a few details about Eye Contact. Band members are Dr Richard Coopersmith on rhythm guitar; Ted Crane on bass, Bob Donaldson on drums and vocals, “Mad” Mike Grillo on piano and vocals, and Dr Lou Sclafani on lead guitar and vocals.

“We’re a group of individuals who have professions well outside the music career,” Dr Coopersmith told me last week. “You’ve got a collection of two chiropractors, one attorney, one person in the food retail business, and the other is a building contractor.

“We just do events for fun. We rock out, basically,” said Dr Coopersmith, who is one of said chiropractors. “We are from the school of rock & roll. You know Jack Black and that movie [The School of Rock]? That’s what we are. We do it for the love. We’re dedicated to crating music that is focused on dancing.”

If you aren’t familiar with this band, it’s probably because Eye Contact has primarily played for private parties.

“We’re frequently an auction item,” explained Dr Coopersmith, who also sings with an a cappella group called The Retrotones. “People will buy our band and we’ll play for their function.”

Until next week I’ll be seeing you.. on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141.

Shows listed at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

MARCH 11 — John Voket at Mocha Coffee House, Sandy Hook; Charisma at Stonebridge Inn, Milford; Dennis DeYoung at Foxwoods’ Fox Theatre, Ledyard; The Nerds at Toad’s Place, New Haven; Rock & Roll Army at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville (Spencer Davis, Rick Derringer and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels; one show; also Saturday, two shows); Meia Aqua at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury;

March 12 — Black 47 at Toad’s Place; Rock & Roll Army at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den (two shows; see March 11 notes); The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction;

March 13 — Tipperary Knights at Toad’s Place (St Patrick’s Parade Day, annual early show); The Commitments at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; White Lion and Enuf Z’Nuff at The Webster Theatre, Hartford (all ages);

March 14 — Breaking Benjamin and The Exies at The Webster Theatre (all ages);

March 15 — Motorhead and Corrosion of Conformity at The Webster Theatre (all ages);

March 17 — Preservation Hall Jazz Band at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

March 18 — Eddie Money at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Ari Hest at The Webster Underground, Hartford; Darik & The Funbags at Toad’s Place, Stolin Cherry opening; Jeff Timmons at The Webster Theatre (all ages); Imigra Samba at Tuxedo Junction;

March 19 — Tower of Power at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Hipnotic at Tuxedo Junction;

March 20 — Stella at Toad’s Place (tickets from January will be honored);

March 24 — The Beach Boys at The Warner Theatre, Torrington;

March 25 — Steve Vai at The Webster Theatre, Hartford, Eric Sardinas opening (all ages); The Nelsons at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Eclipse at Tuxedo Junction;

March 26 — Queens of The Stone Age at The Webster Theatre (all ages); David Cassidy at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Screaming Broccoli at Tuxedo Junction;

March 27 — Jani Lane (of Warrant) at The Webster Theatre.