Dress to Impress – Embracing the Cuban Style and Fashion

And of course, no Havana Nights party would be complete without the perfect attire. Guests are encouraged to embrace the bold and lively Cuban fashion trends. Think floral prints, flowing dresses, and crisp linen shirts for an effortlessly chic tropical-inspired look. 

Don’t forget to accessorize with flamboyant accessories like hats, statement jewelry, and perhaps even a colorful hand fan to beat the heat and enhance the aesthetic.

These tropical-inspired outfits will take your Havana nights attire to the vibrant atmosphere of the very streets of Cuba.

Cuba is an island full of history, music and much flavor. For many years this Latin American country has been considered an enigma in the Caribbean and the curiosity to wander the mythical streets of Old Havana is made present in citizens of all countries.

Let the sites and sounds of a Night in Havana fill your senses during our VIP Pre-Party. With special appetizers, rum tasting, cigar aficionado, salsa dance lessons, and more!

Enjoy a tropical icy treat, or granizados as they are called in Cuba, from the Kona Ice truck.  Get a little loco and take your Kona Ice to the bar for a splash of Rum!

You’ll be immersed in the Cuban culture. Trade your completed VIP Passport for four additional raffle tickets.

Did we mention VIP attendees will hold their status throughout the evening with early buffet access and an exclusive beverage line at the bar. 

VIP tickets are $35 each and must be purchased online to guarantee your spot. Space is limited. RSVP by September 16, 2024. Upgrade your Gala experience by adding the VIP Pre-Party ticket to the base ticket price.

We are thrilled to invite you to an exciting addition to this year’s event–our highly anticipated Gala Raffle!

This is your chance to win an array of fun and significant prizes–including a Blackstone grill from Porter’s Building Center-Ace Hardware or a  coveted Isiah Pacheco autographed custom Kansas City Chiefs jersey from T7 Custom Sports–all specially curated to make the evening even more memorable!

How to Participate:
1. Purchase Raffle Tickets! Raffle tickets will be available for purchase in advance online, or throughout the evening. Look for our friendly volunteers or visit the raffle table to secure your tickets. Pricing: 1 Ticket ($10.00); 6 Tickets ($50.00); Arms-Length ($75.00).
2. Enter to Win! Drop your tickets into the designated prize box. The more tickets you enter, the greater your chances of winning!

Why Participate?
Not only will you have the chance to take home fabulous prizes, but every ticket you purchase supports the Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Drawings & Announcements:
Raffle drawings will take place every half-hour throughout the evening, so make sure to stay until the end to see if you’re one of the lucky winners! (Must be present to win.)

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your Gala experience and further your support of the Chamber Foundation Scholarships.

Specialty Cuban Themed Buffet provided by Hoffman’s D’Creamery

Main Course:

• Ropa Vieja – slow braised beef, with tomato, onions and peppers in a hearty broth
• Arroz con pollo – Bone in chicken slow simmered with a vegetable stock with saffron

Salad:

• Avocado, black beans, radishes and pickled red onion with at marinated tomato over a spring mix, cotija cheese drizzled with a lime mojito vinaigrette
• Chef choice of dinner rolls/bread/butter

Sides:

• Rice Congri – made with black beans , peppers onions, garlic (full flavor rice dish)
• Cuban grilled zucchini – seasoned and grilled then topped with a little queso fresco

Dessert:

• Caramel Flan
• Cuban Lunches – butterscotch, potato chips , peanut butter and chocolate (bite size)

We are excited to welcome KC-based Salsa/Latin Jazz band: La Sonora KC, playing Salsa, Brazilian, & Jazz with an Afro-Latin flare! La Sonora KC is a full 8-piece ensemble featuring a full percussion battery and two wonderful vocalists. 

Get ready to dance the night away to the irresistible salsa beat! Join our Dance Sponsor, Viva Social Dance Studio, on the dance floor to kick off the party and help even beginners join in the fun. But don’t worry—if salsa isn’t your style, simply let your body flow with the Caribbean waves, and everything will fall into place.
“Don’t breathe to survive; dance and feel alive.”

Havana became known as the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, featuring popular casino table games like blackjack, roulette and craps.

Support the Chamber’s Building Fund by playing a few games of chance. 

Gala guests make donations for entry into the event and receive an amount of chips for the
casino game(s) of their choice. There, they can play for the duration of the event or when
they run out of chips, where they can make another donation for more chips.

Casino Buy-In: 200 Chips ($10.00); 1,000 Chips ($50.00); 2,500 Chips ($100.00).

The key difference between play in the Gala Casino games and “the real thing” is that no
actual gambling takes place. These games are played purely for fun with “funny money”
or chips with no cash value.

Players may turn in their chips and receive raffle tickets at an exchange rate of one raffle ticket per $200 in casino chips. If guests are not gamblers, they can cash out their gaming voucher at any time with the dealers for their raffle tickets.

 It is no surprise that Cuba would make the top destination when it comes to loving cigars.

Historically regarded as among the world’s “finest”, Cuban Cigars are synonymous with the island’s culture and contribute over one quarter of the value of all exports from the country.

What would a Havana themed event be without a good cigar? Attendees can enjoy a cigar station with Compadres Cigars and become a El Habano Torcedor by evenings end.

Cigar connoisseurs can purchase these fine cigars at the Gala. Every purchase further supports the Chamber’s mission in the relentless pursuit of a vibrant and prosperous business community.

Capture unforgettable moments at Hot Havana Nights with our fun and stylish photo booth, brought to you by Tracy Tucker State Farm Insurance! Strike a pose with your chamber friends against vibrant backdrops that evoke the lively spirit of Havana. Whether you’re looking to snap a quick selfie or create a keepsake with a group, our photo booth is the perfect way to make memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss this exciting addition to the event—stop by and make sure to take home a slice of the evening’s magic!