With a nearly packed house, Havana Night II was another sizzling success! It's hard to imagine the word "sizzling" in the depths of an Ottawa January, never mind saying or writing it. But that’s what Havana Night did: it sizzled, transforming the residents, neighbours, friends and family of this small, all but frozen, Canadian community into one-night tourists at Ottawa’s newest tropical hot spot—the "Old Firehall" in Old Ottawa South (Ottawa South Community Centre).
On Saturday, January 28, 2012, the Caridad Cruz Trio burned like an open hearth in the Firehall's Great Hall, transforming the evening into a tropical Caribbean paradise twinkling with colourful flower-petalled lights strung in garlands around the room. Pictures and posters of Cuba were hung at random, and on the wall nearest the band a slide show silently shuffled from one tropical scene to the next. Tables were angled to make room for the dancers and if you came early it was possible to find the odd comfortable arm chair and couch for those who love to watch and listen.
Mojitos were the bar's specialty and food was catered by Oslaide Guerra and his staff from the Havana Café. For those who wanted to dance the Meringue, Herman DaSousa & Louise provided a demonstration and lesson to the eager dancers who seamlessly slipped from the newly acquired moves of Meringue into swing, jive and solo soulful swaying. It would seem highly unlikely to find in Ottawa a more lively, boisterous, and fun-loving crowd than in this Hall of rhythmic Caribbean melodies where friends, acquaintances, family and neighbours, shared salutations of welcome, laughter, and food good enough to lick your fingers by.
And for those residents who love to meander in and around market squares—whether local or tropical—a silent auction in the adjoining anteroom (activity room by day) included some unique, affordable and fun items donated by local businesses, artists, and residents between the bridges and beyond into the Glebe and Old Ottawa East. Items included gift and food certificates, pictures and paintings, musical instruments and kitchen utensils, puzzles and food baskets, clothing and books. This was an auction that every pocket book could afford to bid on!
It goes without saying that Havana Night II would not be possible without the generosity of local volunteers and businesses. Their good will, dedication and commitment to community development made the "sizzle" of Havana Night possible. Click here to find out who all the terrific volunteers were, and visit here to see the fabulous local businesses who contributed to the Silent Auction. See who created, directed, staged, contributed and supported Havana Night II.
Proceeds from both the silent auction and the evening's entertainment will go to Friends of Lansdowne.
