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Those still looking for a way to celebrate with the one they love on Valentine's Day don't need to look any further, area party band Trip the Light has got you covered. For the third year in a row, the eight-piece group will be hosting its Red Velvet Valentine's Day Dance Party. This year's show will be held at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Duboistown VFW Post 7835, 150 Shaffer Street, and is open to the public.
"We are really excited. This is always a much-anticipated event by our group," said Diane Freynik, lead vocalist for the band. "Every year we do this show it just keeps getting better and better.
"We have such a fabulous time celebrating Valentine's Day with so many great people who come out to our shows," she added.
After first coming together as a band roughly four years ago, Trip the Light has been performing regularly around the area since September of 2016. Along with Freynik, the group is comprised of Keith Bashnik (drums), Doug LeBlanc (trumpet), Len Cagle (saxophone), Dee Waddell (saxophone), Chris Bartley (bass), Tyler Crossley (guitar) and Kato Clark (keyboard, vocals).
"We have grown so much as a unit over the years," said Freynik. "We have had members come and go, and each time we were sad to say goodbye, but found that with every new player we learned and grew as a band in different ways.
"Right now, we have the ideal mix of performers," she added. "We sound better than ever and the dynamic between us is just so good. We all know each other well, know what to expect, and are okay with offering suggestions to one another to make the music better, and the band stronger."
As a horn-based party band, Trip the Light specializes in playing funk music, but the group's performances also dip into many other genres.
"We try to be diverse enough to appeal to anyone's musical taste," Freynik said. "We play a mix of songs from the '70s to today. We try to play a lot of music people can dance to, as well as some classic favorites that feature our horn line.
"We are unlike anything else you will find in our area, and we guarantee you will hear something you like on our diverse playlist," she added.
Freynik said that the idea for Trip the Light to host a Valentine's Day show originated from the band's desire to give people a reason to go out dancing after they eat dinner on the holiday. They wanted to create an event where people could spend time celebrating their loved one while enjoying some great music.
"Dancing brings people together," she said. "It makes them feel good. It makes them smile and laugh and break free of the stress in their life, even for just a little while.
"What better way to spend time with your love than enjoying some great music while hitting the dance floor and forgetting your cares?"
The first year of the Red Velvet Valentine's Day Dance Party was held at Jeremiah's above the Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport, and last year's event was held at the Son's of Italy. Both events went great, and Freynik mentioned that there was a big jump in attendance from year one to year two. The band is expecting much of the same for the third edition of the event.
"It seems like it just keeps getting better and better," Freynik said.
Mentioning that everyone has a great time at their shows, Freynik also said many of the band's fans have become their friends through the years.
"If you haven't seen us perform, do yourself a favor and get to a show," she said. "It is a unique experience and unlike anything you are used to seeing in our area."