Event featured spicy foods and even spicier dancing

Loxley, AL (October 28, 2024) Aloha Hospitality, the parent company of Baumhower’s Victory Grille, Dauphin’s, Las Floriditas and Wingfingers, recently played host to a “Summer Salsa Night” themed fundraising event that kicked off the upcoming dance season on a spicy note.

The fundraiser took place at Dauphin’s and Las Floriditas, benefiting the Mobile Ballet and raising approximately $15,000 for the cause. More than 200 guests enjoyed the breathtaking views of Mobile Bay from Dauphin’s on the 34th floor of the RSA Trustmark Building in downtown Mobile. The event showcased Cuban and coastal-inspired cuisine, along with wine tastings and specialty cocktails.

In the basement of the old bank vault in the same building, Las Floriditas, a Cuban-themed speakeasy, hosted a lively party. The event featured salsa lessons, a dance contest, live music, and captivating performances from Mobile Ballet’s artistic duo, Israel Rodriguez and Katia Garza, who brought authentic Latin flair to the dance floor.

The intimate speakeasy was also the setting for an array of decadent desserts, craft cocktails and Cuban coffees. “Our aim with Summer Salsa Night was to not only kick off Mobile Ballet’s 2024-2025 season in style but also to provide an unforgettable evening of dance, food, fun, and community spirit,” said Garza, emphasizing the event’s role as a fundraiser for specialized outreach, education, and instruction.

The idea for the salsa-themed kickoff party grew out of a popular feature at Las Floriditas that began in in 2023 with weekly salsa lessons at the speakeasy hosted by Rodriguez. The lessons continue to be popular and from that grew the idea for a night dedicated to Latin-flavored fun.

Additional event sponsors included: Naman’s Catering, Bon Secour Fisheries, US Foods, Gulf Distributing Company, Red Diamond, Graham Shrimp Company, Mason Hills Farms, Alabama Crown Distributing Company, Capital City Produce, SOHO Event Rentals, Heroman’s Florist and Alsco Uniforms. Event Co-Chairs were Mobile Ballet Board Members, Cassaundra Burks and LePret Williams.

Salsa lessons are held every other Thursday night at Las Floriditas. The event includes live Latin music by DJ Mystic, a one-hour Salsa lesson, a dance contest, a best-dressed competition, and prizes for the night valued at $300.

The Salsa lessons take place from 6-7 p.m. and require a ticket. However, any guest can enter the dance contest, which runs from 7:30-8:00 p.m., as well as the best-dressed competition that starts at 8:15 p.m. In addition to Salsa, guests can also learn other Latin dance styles such as Bachata and Merengue.

For more information about Salsa lessons, and to purchase tickets, click here.