NORTHPORT — Every March, Shannon Thompson gets her groove going for the community about this time. It’s her birthday and she wants you to dance. And, she wants to raise money for a particular effort. This year, for her sixth annual Birthday Benefit, she’s holding a dance party at the Blue Goose in Northport March 5 and is featuring the Ghost of Paul Revere band. Beforehand, there will be food courtesy of Cafe Miranda, and beer courtesy of Andrews Ale, of Lincolnville.

All money raised (after expenses) from the old school dance party will fund LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s nonprofit critical care air transporter.

Thompson’s Birthday Benefits, as she calls them, are run independent of the recipient organization, meaning she puts together the whole shebang, and has a blast doing so, with the help of dozens of volunteers, donors, and sponsors.

Born on the banks of the Saco River, brothers in all but name, the Ghost of Paul Revere is Maine's premiere holler-folk band. With a sound built around powerful three-part harmonies, energetic performances, and a non-traditional way of interpreting traditional American music, their songs have unique identities while still remaining undeniably the Ghost of Paul Revere.

 They use a masterful combination of melody and energy, somewhere between folk and foot-stomping bluegrass, that has already given Ghost shows legendary status. Fans have traveled vast distances from the most remote corners of the country to catch the band as they make an increasingly bigger mark on the scene.

Thompson is choosing LifeFlight this year as her recipient organization for several reasons. She swam the Islesboro Crossing, and has helped LifeFlight promote that annual August fundraising event, which sends swimmers from Lincolnville Beach to Islesboro.