On April 25, Boystown nightspot Sidetrack, along with Bacardi, hosted "Havana in Chicago," a benefit in support of First Hand Aid, a volunteer organization that works to deliver badly needed medical supplies to the people of Cuba. The event, now in its third year, featured silent and live auctions, live Cuban music, salsa dancers, appetizers and a Cuban buffet.
With Art Johnston and Brad Balof hosting, the festivities began with video excerpts depicting the many medical needs of the people of Cuba and how First Hand Aid has been assisting by delivering medical supplies in person. After the near-overflow crowd was greeted with frozen daiquiri shots and appetizers, Cuban vocalist Angel d'Cuba and his band took the stage for the first of a series of sets, with professional salsa dancing following.
The night hit a frenzied peak when the live auction began. Among the items up for bid were a custom catering package that J & L Catering provided, a Sidetrack party package, a bottle of Cuban rum and a box of cigars touted as the best in the world. The cigars and rum were exports from Cuba, which, due to the current United States embargo, are not available in this countryresulting in some of the evening's most competitive bidding.
After the closing of the auction, Angel d'Cuba and the dancers closed out the night with a jamboree that had many in attendance dancing until the close of the event. Havana in Cuba raised more than $30,000, with all proceeds going to First Hand Aid.