It was time again for Havana Nights Casino, a fund-raiser that blends the retro style of Havana, Cuba, in the 1950's with the modern-day gaming action of Las Vegas. Ady Arrieta, the special events coordinator for the Mercy Foundation (the main fund-raising arm of Mercy Hospital), worked with Vanessa Lopez of The Agency to create an event with plenty of Cuban touches."This year, we took the event from a hotel ballroom to a private mansion procured by Sol Sothebys Realty," said Lopez. "The spacious home gave us the flexibility to work with a variety of decor, catering, and entertainment ideas."
More than 320 guests came dressed in their guayabera best: from the traditional shirts on the men to more chic variations, such as dresses and halter tops, on the ladies. Models from Hot Jam, dressed as flashy Vegas showgirls, greeted guests with hand-rolled cigars. Every room in the mansion—and every inch outdoors—was used for the event. "Since the venue was so large, we wanted to create several intimate areas for guests to lounge in," Lopez said.
Fabulous Linen created a sitting area on one side of the terrace, furnished with plush sofas and ottomans with khaki-colored slipcovers and orange accent pillows. The remaining area and balconies were decorated with cocktail tables. Always Flowers topped each with centerpieces of bundled flowers, anchored not with the usual rocks or stones, but a variety of beans—from black and red beans to garbanzos and split peas. Advantage DMS set up mahogany roulette, blackjack, craps, and poker tables inside and out as well. It also built a wooden cage-like area outdoors, where guests could cash in their prizes.
To keep the guests fueled, the Pasta Factory donated its popular dishes such as chicken marsala, seafood pasta, chicken cannelloni, and lobster ravioli. Bacardi sponsored four bars, and there was also a wine bar to complement the meal. Naturally, everyone also frequented the Café Pilon cart, provided by Rowland Coffee Roasters Inc., and sipped freshly made cafécito all night.
Since it wouldn't be a true Cuban event without loud music, DJ Gabriel Ramirez from Chispa was on hand to spin salsa, meringue, samba, and other beats. Drummers from Melecumbe Afro-Venezuelan Music also played on instruments, giving the dancers from Hot Jam plenty of inspiration to spin, gyrate, and groove to. And like most Cuban parties, this one continued well past midnight.
—Vanessa Goyanes
More than 320 guests came dressed in their guayabera best: from the traditional shirts on the men to more chic variations, such as dresses and halter tops, on the ladies. Models from Hot Jam, dressed as flashy Vegas showgirls, greeted guests with hand-rolled cigars. Every room in the mansion—and every inch outdoors—was used for the event. "Since the venue was so large, we wanted to create several intimate areas for guests to lounge in," Lopez said.
Fabulous Linen created a sitting area on one side of the terrace, furnished with plush sofas and ottomans with khaki-colored slipcovers and orange accent pillows. The remaining area and balconies were decorated with cocktail tables. Always Flowers topped each with centerpieces of bundled flowers, anchored not with the usual rocks or stones, but a variety of beans—from black and red beans to garbanzos and split peas. Advantage DMS set up mahogany roulette, blackjack, craps, and poker tables inside and out as well. It also built a wooden cage-like area outdoors, where guests could cash in their prizes.
To keep the guests fueled, the Pasta Factory donated its popular dishes such as chicken marsala, seafood pasta, chicken cannelloni, and lobster ravioli. Bacardi sponsored four bars, and there was also a wine bar to complement the meal. Naturally, everyone also frequented the Café Pilon cart, provided by Rowland Coffee Roasters Inc., and sipped freshly made cafécito all night.
Since it wouldn't be a true Cuban event without loud music, DJ Gabriel Ramirez from Chispa was on hand to spin salsa, meringue, samba, and other beats. Drummers from Melecumbe Afro-Venezuelan Music also played on instruments, giving the dancers from Hot Jam plenty of inspiration to spin, gyrate, and groove to. And like most Cuban parties, this one continued well past midnight.
—Vanessa Goyanes
Pete Diaz Productions projected two gobos onto the pool for the Havana Nights Casino benefit for the Mercy Foundation.
Fabulous Linen provided a plush lounge area for guests to relax on during the event.
One of the many rooms inside the mansion that was elegantly decorated for the evening.
Floral arrangements were anchored by a variety of beans such as split peas.
The dock was also set up with tables, chairs, and a buffet station.
A greeter from Hot Jam offered guests hand-rolled cigars.
Hot Jam also provided dancers who gyrated to the music in brightly colored showgirl costumes.
Café Pilon served fresh cafécito throughout the night.
