New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The interior of the historic Zeiterion Performing Arts Center will be transformed into a vibrant 1950s Cuban Cabaret for the second annual gala and fundraiser, “Havana Nights” on Saturday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m. The stage will triple in size to become an exclusive Havana social club, complete with a nine-piece Latin band, three-course meal, salsa dance performances, and a silent auction that includes a vacation for two to Portugal. Tickets for The Havana Nights Spring Gala are $150 per person, and all proceeds benefit the mission of The Zeiterion. Tickets and information are available at www.zeiterion.og, 508-997-5664 x 143 or at the Zeiterion box office, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford.
Last year, a capacity crowd flocked to the 1920s inspired inaugural event. This year, attendees will experience the Havana high-life, and travel back to the island where time stood still. “We love a good theme here at The Z!” says the Zeiterion’s Development Director Nicole Merusi. “We want to be sure our guests aren’t coming to just another fundraiser. For us it’s a full theatrical production – complete with costumes, backdrops, and entertainment. We are a performing arts center, after all.”
Guests will be entertained by salsa dancers from Dancing the Dream Productions, as they demonstrate the classic steps of cha-cha and salsa-rueda styles. Inspired, attendees will have a chance to dance to the music of an outstanding nine-piece authentic Latin band, Grupo Sazon. This high energy band with Latin and Cuban influences is led by master percussionist Jesus Andujar, a native of the Caribbean.
The “Havana Nights” three-course meal is inspired by the cuisine of Cuba and includes croquetas jamon (crispy serrano ham croquettes), papas rellanas (fried spicy beef stuffed potatoes) and Mini Tres Leches Cupcakes. The bar will feature signature drinks like the “Hemingway Daquiri” and “Presidente” – a cocktail named in honor of Mario García Menocal, president of Cuba from 1912 to 1920, made of dark rum, curacao, white vermouth and a dash of grenadine.
The sights, sounds and flavors of Cuba will inspire tour globe trotters to explore the world, and “Havana Nights” silent auction items will get them there! Guests will have the opportunity to bid on a vacation for two to Portugal with round-trip airfare provided by Sata Airlines and accommodations provided Sagres Vacations; a weekend on Martha’s Vineyard, and a private sunset sail around Buzzard’s Bay.
All proceeds from this exotic evening will benefit The Z’s mission to entertain, educate, and inspire our community through the performing arts and contribute to the cultural, social, and economic vitality of the South Coast.
Tickets to the annual Zeiterion Performing Arts fundraiser “Havana Nights: 2016 Spring Gala” are available for purchase at www.zeiterion.org, by calling 508-997-5664 x 143, or in person at the box office at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. Box Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
