DuSable Museum Gets Holiday-Party Bailout From Kahlua

With bailouts and canceled holiday parties dominating the headlines this December, Kahlua decided to make lemonade—and a great PR opportunity—with its "Save the Holiday Party" initiative, through which five small businesses received $10,000 grants for their end-of-year celebrations. Chicago's winner, the DuSable Museum of African American History, will host its holiday fete tomorrow.

"We had 650 applicants, and it wasn't easy to choose five winners," said Melissa Frank, global brand director for Kahlua. "There were a lot of heart-warming stories there. Our applications weren't easy; it wasn't just 'fill out your name and number.' Folks had to tell us why they needed the party, and they had to spell out the specific details of the party they planned to throw." She said that the DuSable's application stood out for its creativity and the apparent depth of "emotion, energy, and time" that went into filling it out.

"Everyone's planning their holiday-party outfits over here," said Raymond Ward, the DuSable's media relations consultant. "Normally, we would have a $500 holiday lunch for our staff. This year, we're having a soiree." The theme, "Pinatas and Poinsettas," takes inspiration from the DuSable's sister institution, the National Museum of Mexican Art, whose staff will also be invited to the event. The evening is expected to draw some 100 guests, and will involve raffles, karaoke, dancing, and—of course—Kahlua cocktails.

Earlier in the afternoon, the museum will put grant money toward a luncheon for members of the surrounding Hyde Park neighborhood—"and we're Barack's neighborhood," Ward pointed out. Apart from celebrating community pride, the daytime happening is aimed at bringing some of Hyde Park's senior citizens—who may not want to venture out on a frigid Chicago night—into the museum. The luncheon also serves as a thank you to neighbors for "putting up with our annual summer art fair," said Ward, explaining that the event involves its share of loud bands.