Gala Havana Nights

Embarking upon a new idea to shake things up! Appropriate since it is a Havana Nights holiday soiree.

Wonderful to work with a team of vendors and a committee to try a new concept instead of the norm of what guests are used to year after year. The idea all started at a kitchen table throwing out ideas and decided to run with it. I won’t drag you through the boring part of the preparation for this event. I can say it definitely was a village to make it happen. Yes, we did learn what worked fantastic and what was not such a hot idea as well. I can say the timeline was on point because of the awesome team I worked with that evening!

So at this time, I would like you to imagine in your mind from the beginning to the end my words within this blog of the feeling for Havana Nights soiree.

Guest arrivals were swooned by Cuban-styled greeters with embellished headdresses of red feathers and glistening rhinestones. Passed signature cocktail “Prosecco Pom Mojito” with fresh lime juice, Mint, Sugar Rum, and Pomegranate Seeds Muddled and Topped with Prosecco Cinnamon Stick Garnish. Music swaying in the breeze by Don Gato Cuban beats to persuade the guest into the sense of being in a cozy jazz nightclub. The buzz of people talking, wondering what and when the unveiling of the main dining area big reveal. Passed Hors d’oeuvres were Salmon Tostones, Mojo Strip Canapé. The cocktail area decor was raw but with modern simplistic elements. Rustic wood bars that had large palm floral decor with a flare of gold palm trees to bring in an element of elegance by a white curved couch that had been embellished with tropical pillows. Oversized large pendant rattan light fixture that gave the space a soft glow. The division of the cocktail and the main dining area was an artistic one-of-a-kind painting of a tropical paradise framed by silky faux arches.

Guest are invited to find their seats for dining. The reveal with the curtains opening to the main event space was the awe of the transformation to a tropical paradise into Havana Nights. The dining space was divided into comfortable pods to give a perception of “gathering” cohesiveness with each space having alternating colors to add pop within each space. Hanging above each space were rattan lanterns suspended at different lengths with oversized live large tropical leaves. The tables had alternating centerpieces to give definition to each pod space. The large long tables had glistening white sequence linen with a rattan charger that displayed the menu for the evening and a napkin ring embodying the shantung napkin and chairs that brought in the grounding effect with wood and white cushioned seating. As the guest had found their designated table they were greeted with starters ( large prawns with an aioli) before dinner service. Woven between the large long tables were round tables with swaying palm linens and the same place setting as the large tables and chairs a lighter color wood with rattan seating to give a contrast to the table linen. Dinner was a plated trio of Seared Scallop with mango & pomegranate seed salsa, Filet mignon with red wine reduction, and Mojo de ago Style Tenderloin of pork accompanied by lobster mac and cheese, mushroom ravioli with porcini cream sauce and roasted winter root vegetables. Don Gato continued to play with soft Cuban jazz tones throughout dinner.

At the tail end of dinner, the Cuban-styled dancers came out to the middle of the dance floor with a few upbeat dances to get the guests ready for the next phase of the evening! The dance floor with tropical leaves vinyl patterns and sparkling disco balls suspended above with tropical leaves that cascade glistening effects on the dancers. The backdrop was an oversized palm-leaf a one-of-a-kind art piece that reflected all the colors used within the room. The last dance by the dancers made their way over by a set of doors to present the dessert area with a big bang of cold sparklers as the doors opened guests entered a new phase of Havana Nights with the streets of Cuba cafe setting. Then the band went straight into an upbeat jam to get the blood pumping! Let the soiree begin!

Once the dessert area opened the guests were greeted by a Latino guitarist with a cafe setting of an oversized art canvas that reflected the colorful buildings of Cuba. Market lights above and marble cafe tables and fun fuchsia linens on the tall cocktail tables. The cordial bar was a hit with espresso martini’s. The guest got to enjoy the live banana foster flambé with many other dessert choices.

The Rum Bar lounge was ready for tasters and intrigued palettes for all. The bar was an oversized half circle with a wood front and dressed with a tropical floral display. Behind the bar, the bottles were displayed with uplighting under the tantalizing spirits. This area had a tropical Christmas tree and vignette lounges for guests who wanted an area for conversation. Large purple palm chandlers with hues of purple and blue hung in the space that was surrounded by satin turquoise draping with arches to keep it as if it was a speakeasy area.

Oh and if a guest wanted to complete the Havana Night vibe it would be with a hand-rolled cigar and accompanied with a whiskey. The cigar tent had heavy brown leather couches, rum barrels, and vintage posters.

The whole evening was buzzing with laughter and dancing till the very end.

Wishing you all a VERY Happy New Year! Luxury Sierra Style by Felicia Events