Video: Copacabana, "Carmen Miranda," Bring Out Crowds for La Luz

Almost 400 guests gathered Sunday night as the was transformed into a Havana-wonderland—complete with palm trees and a Cabana bar—for "Copacabana," La Luz Center's annual fundraiser.

But there was nothing routine about this year's event, which took lead from the laisez-faire, larger-than-life Cuba of cinemas with performances by a Brazilian dance troop, roving stilt-walkers and a 9-piece Cuban orchestra Orquesta La Moderna Tradición.

Watch a video montage of the event, at right.

Guests were entertained with a spot-on performance from Carmen Miranda (better known around these parts as Sonoma chanteuse Sheila Whitney) who was one-upped only by the crowd-halting performance of the Aquarela dance troop.

("They're almost naked," quipped Whitney to the crowd.) 

Guests chowed down on a traditional meal of saffron-laced paella, Cubano sandwiches and pulled pork, arranged by Elaine Bell Catering.

But the lighthearted evening still emphasized the heavy responsibility of La Luz within Sonoma's Latino community.

Within recent years the center's upped up their educational offerings— starting a lecture series and courses in nutrition, child-abuse prevention and an expanded English-language program—hired a psychologist for part-time counseling and started teen and adult support groups.

"The needs are huge and they aren't getting any smaller," said Yvonne Hall, executive director for La Luz Center. "But we continue on because of this wonderful and generous community."

Much of the funding came from auction items, which included  private chef-tasting dinners, and a use prime Blue Angels-viewing spot in the Marina.

(The top seller, going for $5,400, was a five night stay in the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Tahoe home of event co-chair Marcelo Defreitas and Scott Smith, which has appeared in "The Bodyguard" and "City of Angels.")

"All of us have the opportunity to open the cages in peoples lives," said Defreitas, inviting the audience to directly fund-a-need within the center. 

Even sans the fun auction items, guests raised their hands and opened their checkbooks, donating over $37,000 directly to La Luz programs.