Mi Casa Taste and Tango Brazil

Lindo maravilhosa! Beautiful, marvelous! is a popular expression for the ever-passionate Brazilians who typically know how to throw a party like there’s no tomorrow. So on Saturday, January 25, Mi Casa Resource Center celebrated Taste and Tango Brazil 2014, its third annual fundraiser, auction, dinner and wine tasting event hosted by the Warwick Hotel.

As part of the Brazilian theme, the annual event brought out samba dancers, and a Brazilian-themed dinner and musical tribute to the late Brazilian singer/songwriter Antonio Carlos Jobim. Nearly 200 guests enjoyed an intimate evening featuring a cocktail reception, silent auction and live entertainment as part of a long-term partnership with the Warwick Hotel and Mi Casa, a 38-year-old non-profit established to advance the economic prosperity of Latino families.

Emcee Jessica Alvarado introduced board members and entertainment for the evening while Mi Casa Vice President Richard Gonzales described Mi Casa’s latest achievements in several service areas. Among the Mi Casa board members in attendance were Board President Benita Duran of the DPS Office of Community Engagement; Luis Ventoza of PCL Construction; Inez Davis of URS Energy & Construction; Ana Cabrera of CNN; and Patricia Leipiani of The Idea Marketing. Several other long-time supporters attending were Pat “Gabby Gourmet” Miller, Juana Bordas, Teri Chavez, Bertha Lynn, Susana Cordova, Renny Fagan, Gloria Padilla de Garcia, Pauline Nuñez, Daniel Luna, Anna Alejo, Tim Sandos, and others from the academic, small business, construction, news media, banking, corporate and food industries.

Live entertainment featured a live samba performance by En Fuego Productions and the guitarist and bandleader Manuel Molina and his band. Special thanks went to Warwick Hotel Catering Director Nancy Litvak and to Randolph’s Restaurant & Bar Executive Chef Jesper Johnson.

Silent auction items featured some 50 baskets including packages for artists, special events, attractions, and some of Denver’s most popular restaurants and even a trip to Rio de Janiero. And, just in time for the Denver Broncos Super Bowl appearance, was an autographed No. 18 Peyton Manning jersey and a painting by Denver artist Daniel Luna titled “The Generations,” a piece that reflects the organization’s mission of family prosperity. The gourmet highlight of the evening went to Chef Daniel Asher of Linger and Root Down who presented a mouthwatering Brazilian-inspired 5-course feast.

Under the leadership of Mi Casa Executive Director Christine Marquez-Hudson Mi Casa has introduced and expanded programs, fostered partnerships and enhanced its efforts for community impact. In the past five years programs have been expanded to serve more clients throughout the Denver metro region including numerous success stories, represented by special guest speaker Latasha Bell, a graduate of the Mi Casa business program.

Founded in 1976, Mi Casa is among Colorado’s oldest Latino-serving nonprofit organizations. Most recently the non-profit has launched TalentSource, a staffing agency with diverse talent for contract, contract-to-hire and direct placement employment opportunities. For more information visit www.micasaresourcecenter.org