The Opulence Ball: Harlem Heat

[DATE CHANGED TO SUNDAY, FEB 14th] It's gonna be a hot time in a cold town . . . From the 1920s through the 1940s, parallel movements took place in New York and Cuba in an attempt to find voice and identity for the descendants of Africans in the United States and in the heart of the Caribbean; The Harlem Renaissance of New York and Afrocubano of Cuba. In New York, this focused and vibrant burst of new art, thought, and sound was to create and cultivate an African-American existence, to be seen as both admirable and comparable, to that of Anglo-American culture in North America and in Europe. In Cuba, the merging of African and European cultures redefined a national identification. This inspiration of newfound status and perception, expanding beyond the reaches of the Caribbean and the new world, also influenced the Negritude movement of Europe, highlighting the glorious and romantic aspects of African culture. Havana, Cuba became the Paris of the Caribbean at the threshold of the Atlantic. And Harlem, the bustling epicenter of import and export of a demand for African-American talent. From the Cotton Club of Harlem and the Buena Vista Social Club of Cuba to La Revue Negre of France, Africanity brought about hot times across the western world for all to experience. A cultural, social, and artistic explosion left its mark on the world. In art, music, literature and dance, black presence and excellence flourished, expanded and gained recognition. Black sound and black art became the new meaning of life for those within it and a new extravagance for those who lived outside of it. This Valentine’s season, Austin Influential Group proudly presents a combination of hot times to be had in this cold town supporting Austin Pets Alive!: Harlem Heat. A Harlem Night merged with Afro-Latin flair in homage to The Cotton Club and the colorful indulgence of Cuban nightlife. Dance the night away to hot jazz, swoon to heavy voices, and be overcome in awe with raucous dances of talented movers and shakers. DECADENCE + OPULENCE + ROMANCE This night, we continue to elevate your senses with grand feats of beauty, emotion, and artifice. Kicking off the night, as you stroll along our grand 25 foot Red Carpet entrance and cross the threshold of our blind tiger, our famous champagne hour! From 8 to 9pm for all you "booticians", "boozehounds", and oenophiles; The Ombibulous Hour, bricks of passed complimentary sparkling bubbly. No dry land here, ladies and gents! Throughout the evening, our signature cocktail, The Millennium Gardenia, will also be available for a discounted price at the bar. Our dessert altar still in tow, assorted delicious and indulgent treats are provided to satiate your palates. Jazz! The new sound of a new era. They called it the Devil's music. Our compliments to the Devil for having such good taste! To keep you thoroughly syncopated, we have secured the best Latin Jazz band on this side of the country, TIBURON, an 8-piece orchestra transporting you straight back to the sizzling Tropicana. Taking center stage, Austin's cream of the crop of talented African-American singers and "dames de cocao", along with Latin fringed follies and steel magnolias, to motivate and excite with features from the City of Lights to the Pearl of the Caribbean. Come dressed to impress and to be seen in the styles of New York and Havana spanning the 1920s to late 1940s. Get dolled up in your glad rags, ladies and gents. Your image will be captured and suspended gloriously in time at our photo booth governed by the talented Magnetic Focus Photography. View our Look Book for inspiration and ideas here: https://www.pinterest.com/candipin1964/the-opulence-ball-harlem-heat/ As you journey inward through the speakeasy, make your way to the back upon Boardwalk Tropicana. Step foot into our Havana Cigar lounge. Envelope yourself in warm elegance for a quietude of comforts, conversation and fresh-rolled cigars. If you're in the mood for lively stakes and riffraff candor, The Greyhound Casino Parlor awaits you. Complete with decadent Art Nouveau furnishings and an 8 foot Craps table, the sound of the dice to those who find it to be music in the air. The lounge and the parlor accompanied by a silent broadcast of the film “Idlewild”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLn7aNjVNMA TICKETS: -:- Kitt Gimlet .......................... $50 Early Bird Single [Sales end Jan 18th] -:- Bee's Knees Josephine ..... $85 Early Bird Couple [Sales end Jan 18th] -:- Manhattan Ellington ........... $70 Advance Single -:- Boxcar Calloway ................ $125 Advance Couple -:- Sammie's Good Eye .......... $100 door/ $175 per Couple DOOR COVER REDUCED to $80 per person/$140 per couple!!! LIMITED VIP PACKAGES: -:- Bronze Sidecar ................. $150 (VIP for 2) * 2 patrons at a SHARED booth of eight. This ticket includes [1] bottle of chilled "giggle water" & complimentary gifts. -:- Golden Holiday ................. $175 (VIP for 2- stage side seating) SOLD OUT *2 patrons at a PRIVATE table for two flanking center stage. This ticket includes [1] bottle of chilled, "giggle water" & complimentary gifts. -:- Silver Fitzgerald ............... $400 (VIP for 4) *4 patrons at a PRIVATE booth of four. This ticket includes [2] bottles of chilled "giggle water" & complimentary gifts. **VIP: Reserved seating in one of our exclusive blind tiger booths decorated in lavish splendor of satins and brocades, each crowned with silver beaded candelabras, art deco mercury glass and a beautiful aromatic fresh bouquet. Each guest/party will be personally escorted to their table and receive a lovely complimentary gift. Featuring an optimum view of the evening’s spectacular performance highlights. Our exclusive VIP guests shall also gain early access into the speakeasy to enjoy an extended start of The Ombibulous Hour, in the grip of the "Demon Drink", before doors open starting at 7:30 pm. ***Each VIP guest in your party to receive (1) $500 Gaming Chip for the Casino Parlor and (1) Raffle Ticket automatically submitted into our drawing for great prizes! This Valentine's Day, in the midst of a cold embrace of Winter's kiss, we're going to make it hot and make it loud. THE NIGHT'S AGENDA: 7:30pm VIP Entry 8:00pm Doors Open 8:00pm - 9:00pm Complimentary Passed Champagne 8:30pm Live Latin Jazz by TIBURON 9:00pm Center Stage Cabaret/Burlesque Performances 9:30pm Live Latin Jazz by TIBURON 10:15pm Center Stage Performances 11:00pm Raffle Prize Winner Announcements 11:15pm - midnight Live Latin Jazz by TIBURON VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGE7VDElRso Here is a peek at our 2014 Valentine's Ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvIm1G_Wj8Q