Rhythm is Gonna Get You: Labor Day Cuban Style
This party blogger has been listening to Gloria Estefan all day (come on shake your body baby do that Conga) and has had a wonderful Labor Day party planning vision: Labor Day Cuban style. Dig up your old Miami Sound Machine albums, decorate your party space with bright, bold colors and celebrate Labor Day the Cuban way.
For party food, one of my favorite Cuban dishes that isn't terribly hard to reproduce is ropa vieja (a shredded steak dish served in a tomato sauce). Serve a summer take on rice and beans by tossing them in a simple salad, and be sure to serve plenty of plantains in your favorite style. If you're looking for some excellent Cuban recipes, I suggest looking here. In terms of which Cuban party beverages to serve, I suggest cafe cubano and lots of supplies for mojito making. (Thank you, Cuba, for such a delicious cocktail.)
Party music wise, my favorite choice is Gloria Estefan, as I mentioned above. Her music is not only full of amazing rhythm and beats, it's also a fun trip down memory lane. She's not the only Cuban musician of course, and if you're not terribly Cuba-savvy, Putomayo makes an excellent sampler CD of Cuban groups and individual artists (called Cuba of all things) that will provide an ideal musical backdrop for your Cuban style Labor Day party.
I've just put on Conga for the fourth time today. It's certainly addictive, and it makes me think of beaches and bathing suits and the perfect Labor Day ending to a wonderful summer '07.
Enjoy Planning.
Penelope
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