Stayin' Alive presents Viva! A Night in 1950s Cuba:
the Childhood Cancer Foundation
October 29, 2009
Photographs and Article by G.C. Eyre © 2009 All Rights Reserved
The Childhood Cancer Foundation held its annual fund raising gala entitled
Stayin' Alive presents Viva! A Night in 1950s Cuba at Toronto's historic Palais Roayale. As the name suggests, this year's event was a 19501s Cuban inspired dinner, drinks, band and Latin dancing.
The MC for the evening was the charming Laura Fernandez, the host of Cafι Latino, heard Saturdays from 4 to 6 p.m. on Jazz FM 91. The Entertainment included the
Band - Cuba Tradicional which is a sextet band headed by front man Luis Mario Ochaoa; the
Dancers - iFreeStyle.ca is a Toronto based Latin dance company - they gave dance lessons which filled the floor. The 1950's style food was fantastic:
Reception Hors D'oeuvres:
Mini Sopesitos (corn cakes, black beans, cottage cheese and salsa)
Yucca frita (fried yucca)
Croquetas de Jambon (Ham Croquettes)
Ropa Viehas Vol au Vent (shredded beef, green onion and tomato sauce in puff pastry)
Tostones (fried plantain)
Cheese Empanadas
Havana Style Mini Crab Cakes, Chipotle Mayo
Stations Seafood
Mixed Greens with Pineapple Vinaigrette
Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Sauce
Sofrito Rice
Sauteed Scallops, Ginger Citrus Sauce
Ceviche, Cured Seasonal Whitefish with Mango, Black Beans, Onions, Peppers, and Cilantro
Build a Paella Station
Mango Chicken Salad, Apple Vinaigrette
Clams in white wine
Shrimp and Tomato
Stewed Chorizo Sausage
Saffron Rice, Red Pepper Broth
Carne (Meat)
Arugula Salad, Shaved Manchego, Toasted Hazelnuts, Walnut Vinaigrette
Cane Glazed Garlic Studded Pork, Mojo Sauce
Boniato Mash and Black Beans
Chicken Diablo (Blackened Chicken Cutlet)
El Cafι (coffee station)
Cafι Con Leche
Cappuccino
Espresso
Iced coffees
Tea from around the World
Cuban Opera Cake and Polsorones Con Canela (cinnamon sugar cookies)
Dessert (miniatures)
Coconut Rum Flan
Floating Islands (Islas Flotantes)
Banana Casserole
Melocotones Chantilly (peaches)
Assorted Pastelitas
Fresh Fruit from the Caribbean
About the Childhood Cancer Foundation
"The Childhood Cancer Foundation was founded in 1987 as a support organization to help children with cancer and their families. Today, our important work includes the funding and promotion of collaborative childhood cancer research in the 17 children's hospitals across Canada.
Also critical to our mission, we support children with cancer and their families through a variety of unique programs and services."[www.childhoodcancer.ca]
Stayin' Alive was a fantastic evening for a worthy cause; namely, the Childhood Cancer Foundation. It was a great effort on the part of all the sponsors, organizers, business that donated auction items, bar staff to support the Foundation. So if you didn't go this year, you must go next year and check back here for details!






