“The 2019 Azúcar Ball: Nueva Vista Social Club” highlighted the many contributions of Cuba and its music to the city of New Orleans. Nueva Vista Social Club is inspired by the documentary A Tuba to Cuba, which follows New Orleans’ famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band as they retrace their musical roots from the storied city of jazz to the shores of Cuba and in turn discover a connection that runs much deeper than could have been imagined. The decorations of the Ball and Patron Party were inspired by Cuba, including palm trees around the Ballroom and rum and cigars centerpieces for the Patron Party.
The 2019 Gálvez Cup Recipient was Beatriz Ball. Ball was born into a distinguished Cuban family who relocated to Mexico City. Her world travels and life in many places fed her creativity and fostered her artistry. Today, using inspiration from the natural beauty around her, Beatriz Ball products are handmade in Mexico using sand casting. The Hyatt Regency New Orleans sponsored the Patron Party, which featured entertainment by Papo y Son Mandao. Decorations included original paintings by Cuban artist Piki Mendizabal.
The Ball featured vibrant Latin Music by AshéSon, Julio & Cesar and DJ Felipe. The entertainment was provided by DileQueNOLA and was a joyful and fun Comparsa dance where all attendees joined in. The more than 500 patrons in attendance dined on Latin-inspired food from many of the best restaurants in the city. Three signature auction items included white gold and diamond ring and earrings donated by Friend & Company and an oil on canvas painting made exclusively for the “Azúcar Ball” donated by Mexican-American artist Belinda Flores-Shinshillas.
The Ball was presented by Pan-American Life Insurance Group and was sponsored by Jones Walker LLP, Ochsner Health System, Regions Bank, Hancock Whitney Bank, Entergy, JP Morgan Chase, among many other generous patrons. The Chairs of the 2019 Azúcar Ball Committee were MaryCole McCants, Rosa Balaguer Arostegui and Marguerite Henry.
Event at a Glance
What: “The 2019 Azúcar Ball: Nueva Vista Social Club,”
benefiting New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation
When: Saturday, November 23, 2019
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel
George Fowler, Ileana Suquet, Belinda Flores-Shinshillas and Maricarmen Aldana
Heidi Kiesling, Ana and Dr. Juan Gershanik and Dr. Blanca Rosa Maldonado
Carmen and Kelly Duncan
Ramon and Maria Vallejo with Alex Gershanik
Helen Flammer and Raúl Fonte