The Hye Hearts Dance is set to take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 8 p.m. at the Marriott Hartford/Windsor Airport Hotel in Windsor, Connecticut, 28 Day Hill Road.
This is the fourth Hye Hearts Dance, the previous one taking place in 2019 before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s event is hosted by the Tri-City Armenian Cultural Committee, consisting of the Armenian churches of Greater Hartford and Western Massachusetts – St. George of Hartford, CT; St. Gregory of Indian Orchard, MA; Holy Resurrection of New Britain, CT; St. Mark of Springfield, MA; and St. Stephen’s of New Britain.
Half of the proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to help refugees from Artsakh.
Hundreds of Armenians and people from the area have attended past Hye Hearts, dancing to the sounds of a live Armenian band and a DJ. The band will feature Harry Bedrossian on oud and vocals, Leon Janikian on clarinet, Bruce Gigargian on guitar and Charlie Dermenjian on dumbeg. DJ Impossible will play popular American and Armenian music.
The goal of the dance committee is to ensure that Armenian cultural traditions continue into the future. The committee believes that keeping traditions alive is important so that we teach the next generation about our shared past.
The Hye Hearts Dance, which has traditionally taken place around Valentine’s Day, is named in honor of Saint Sarkis, the beloved Armenian Patron Saint of love and youth. According to tradition, on the eve of the feast of Saint Sarkis, young people eat salty biscuits and refrain from drinking water, so as to induce the appearance of their future bride or bridegroom in their dreams, bringing them water. Named Saint Sarkis Aghablit, this sweet pastry is widely eaten in Armenian communities to symbolize the blessings brought by the Saint.
Tickets are $55 for adults and $30 for students until January 20. After January 20 and at the door, tickets are $65 for adults. Tickets for children 10 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased online at https://hyehearts.eventbrite.com/. Checks can also be made payable to TCCC and mailed to event treasurer Gary Hovhanessian at 81 Cope Farms Road, Farmington, CT 06032. Tables of 10 may be reserved.
Mezze and desserts will be provided, and there will be a full cash bar. There will also be a raffle featuring a variety of exciting prizes donated by hosting parishes and local businesses. For questions about the dance, contact Talene Jermakian at 413-374-8556 or talenej@gmail.com, or Gary Hovhanessian at 860-690-5959 or garyhov@aol.com.