Rockport — A contra dance and dinner Saturday evening, March 16, at the Rockport Opera House will raise funds for The Rig, a grassroots organization providing safe space, connections and programs for teens in Camden.

A Café Miranda taco bar will open at 6 p.m., along with an introductory contra dance workshop with Perpetual e-Motion and Will Mentor. The dance will run from 7 to 10 p.m.

The nationally-known duo Perpetual e-Motion integrates technical and sonic innovations with traditional contra music traditions to create a enormous sound, full of momentum and groove. The dance will be called by Mentor, one of the most popular callers in contemporary contra.

All are welcome, including beginners. Tickets are $25 for the taco bar, intro workshop and dance; and $15 for the dance only. The evening also features a $1000 raffle prize package including a year’s worth of health and wellness gift certificates donated by local practitioners. Raffle tickets are $5, five for $20.

All proceeds will benefit The Rig. The event marks the third birthday benefit bash for Camden resident Shannon Thompson. In past years, Thompson has organized dance parties to raise funds for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti (2009) and to offset major medical expenses for a friend (2010), and enthusiastic crowds raised more than $3000 each time. This year’s event is generously sponsored by Thrive Wellness with additional support from Café Miranda, Lord Camden Inn and Hannaford.

Ticket sales are limited due to opera house regulations, and advance purchase is highly recommended. For more information and tickets, visit birthdaybenefit.org. Tickets also are available at HAV II and Zoot Coffee in Camden; and Rock City Café in Rockland.

Courier Publications’ A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest can be reached at (207) 594-4401, ext. 115 or dernest@courierpublicationsllc.com.