When 13-year-old Eli Heath heard about the fires that ravaged Northampton homes and cars on Dec. 27, he was inspired to do what he could to help the victims. Heath decided to contribute his musical talents - he is a deejay, pianist and guitarist - to the cause.

With organizational support from his mother, Zevey Steinitz, and a team of volunteers, Heath planned a benefit dance party and concert, to be held Jan. 30 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Williamsburg Grange on Main Street.

All proceeds from the benefit party will go to the Pioneer Valley Red Cross, to replenish some of the funds that have been used to provide disaster relief for the arson victims.

The lineup for the family-friendly dance party includes two local bands, The Avalanche and The Bad Daddies, plus performances by the Anne T. Dunphy School Chorus, The Hilltown Cooperative Charter School Chamber Singers and a deejay set by Heath.

The Avalanche is Heath's five-piece rock band, which has been performing original songs, classic rock and modern covers for four years. The bands members, who all met at the Williamsburg elementary schools, range in age from 9 to 13 years old.

The Bad Daddies will play blues, rock and Americana covers with special guest vocalist Evelyn Harris, formerly of Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Heath said his role as deejay for the evening will not be easy because he hopes people of all ages and tastes attend. "It will probably be some 4-year-olds up to 60-year-olds," Heath said. "I'll take requests."

The admission donation is $4 per person or $15 per family, and refreshments will also be sold.

Steinitz said that the party has received many generous donations, including refreshments from Williamsburg businesses. The bands are also donating their time.

"It's about building community and working together, and being good neighbors to our neighbors," Steinitz said. "We just wanted to help out."

Steinitz and Heath, both of Haydenville, agreed that it's important for the party to be inclusive of everyone in the community, regardless of age. "My goal is to fill up the dance floor with people of all ages," Steinitz said. "We'd be thrilled to get $500 to $1,000."

Steinitz said the cause is still in need of volunteers to help with setting up, cleanup and selling refreshments. For information or to volunteer, contact Steinitz at 268-3518 or zevey@aol.com.

¿¿¿

¿Twilight' fest

Put a bunch of teens and "tweens" in a library together every week with complete freedom to read, socialize and enjoy themselves, and the result is, not surprisingly, a "Twilight" party.

Megan Aust-Anastasi, teen services coordinator at the Meekins Library, said that part of the motivation behind the weekly teen and tween (ages 11 and 12) program is to allow young people to come up with their own entertainment.

"The activities are all their ideas," Aust-Anastasi said of the program, which started Oct. 5. "They come up with something and we make it happen."

Aust-Anastasi said that a "Twilight" party was an obvious choice for the teens and tweens, as the book is a favorite. In honor of the vampire love story, the party will include vampire-related food, a red, white or black dress code, and a screening of the "Twilight" movie at 6 p.m.

The program is supported through a two-year, $20,000 grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to help smaller libraries engage teens and tweens.

"It's going really well," Aust-Anastasi said. "It's great that the grant pays to keep the library open to them on Mondays, so they can come socialize, play Wii and just feel safe. And parents can know that they're safe."

The library is open for only teens and tweens every Monday from 3 to 5 p.m., a time when they can participate in activities and workshops or just snack and socialize.

Rebecca Everett can be reached at reverett@gazettenet.com.