West Windsor Arts Council opens doors to Cuba with “Havana Nights,” this year’s benefit gala to be held Saturday, March 5. The event, inspired by the rich culture of Cuba, includes a performance by Yerason Trio, a Grammy Award-winning band. There will also be professional dancers, traditional foods, and exotic drinks from area chefs. The curated silent auction will include exclusive experiences and unique commissioned art works by regional and local artists made out of Cuban cigar boxes. Tickets range from $85 to $125.
Primero tickets, $125, include a private cocktail and hors d’oeuvres hour from 6 to 7 p.m. with professional dance lessons and premiere parking. Segundo tickets, $85, include live music, dancing, food, drinks, and free parking beginning at 7 p.m.
Planning committee members include Krupali Desai, Brandi Gwynn Marsh, Elane Gutterman, Lisa Weil, Kerri Hamm, Jasmine Dadlani, Preeti Singh, Agatha Siegel, Jennifer Caunnaughton, Hetal Mistry, Marjia Naumoski, Anu Paul, Katie Truk, and Mangala Narayan.
This year’s co-chairs are Krupali Desai, who has recently taken on her new role as brand strategy partner at Munich Re America, and Brandi Marsh, senior director of Global Performance and Development at Johnson & Johnson. They are both board members of WWAC.
“Building on the success of the last three years, we really want to create an authentic Cuban experience for the community. Featuring the rich talent that surrounds us here is an ideal way to capture the spectacular, vivacious event that is Havana Nights,” says Desai. “We are so proud to have strong support from a wealth of sponsors and amazing volunteers to help make this event successful.”
Latin foods include empanadas, flautas, sweet plantains, yucca bites, sopa de frijoles, ropa vieja beef, Cubano sandwich bites, and picadillo. Sponsors include Withum Smith and Brown, Kathryn Stokell and Peter Ligetti, Market Fair, Charles Schwab, Herrick Feinstein, Stark and Stark, Volvo, IBB Consulting, Mercadian, Chatham Wealth Management, McCaffreys, All Bugs Aside, Hamilton Honda, Princeton Air, Bahama Breeze Island Grille, Seasons 52 Fresh Grill, Corner Bakery, Americana, Big Fish, Terra Momo Kitchens, PJs Pancake House, Flying Fish/Leblon, Mionetto, Tres Piani, and Bon Appetit.
“This is my first year as a member of the board of trustees and as an attendee of the WWAC annual fundraising gala,” says Marsh. “As co-chair of the event it has been extremely energizing and rewarding to the see the enthusiastic support of our community sponsors firsthand.”
Get your photo taken with a classic car, enter into a tropical oasis, and dance the night away in the Cuban night club. YeraSon Trio band received a Grammy Award for their music in Woody Allen’s film, “Midnight in Paris.” The Cuban musicians are known for “old school Cuban music with a distinctly modern New York twist.” Guests will be listening to Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Boleros, Guajiras, and Merengue while professional dancers will help show off authentic dance moves.
“WWAC’s annual gala is our most important fundraising event,” says Kerri Hamm, fund development committee chair and board member. “As an organization which relies on private support, Havana Nights will go a long way to provide funding for our free community events, scholarships, and programs for underserved communities throughout the year.”
Havana Nights, West Windsor Arts Council, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. Saturday, March 5, 6 to 11 p.m. Travel to Havana for a night of salsa and swing. Unique artworks, prize packages, and Cuban food and drinks. Register. $125 includes a private cocktail hour, dance lessons, and premium parking. $85 includes live music, dancing, food, and drinks beginning at 7 p.m. 609-716-1931. www.westwindsorarts.org.
