Main Street in Essex Village will be party central on Friday, March 2 as two local non-profit organizations work together to raise end-of-winter spirits and charitable funds. The Connecticut River Museum and Sister Cities Essex Haiti will each host evening benefits featuring live music, savory bites, and drinks while offering patrons of each event an admission discount to attend the other.

Starting at 5:30 pm at the Left Bank Gallery located at 10 Main Street, all are invited to enjoy wine, Haitian food, the Bob Lamothe Blues Band and a special photography exhibit at Sister Cities Essex Haiti’s Have a Heart for Haiti celebration of support for community projects, including the proposed Deschapelles library, and Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti. Then at 6:30 pm, the 6th Annual Privateers’ Bash kicks off at the foot of Main Street as the Connecticut River Museum is filled with music by the Caribbean party band The Sun Kings, sea chanteys by Free Men of the Sea, hors d’oeuvres, grog, cocktails, raffle prizes and booty for best costumes. Net proceeds will help fund the Museum’s major new exhibits initiative.

Single admission for each event is $50 per person at the door. A $10 discount will be given when a ticket receipt from the other event is presented. For more information, contact the Connecticut River Museum at 860.767.8269 or www.ctrivermuseum.org and Sister Cities Essex Haiti at 860.202.3523 or www.sistercitiesessexhaiti.org.