Cuba Libre Fort Lauderdale is kicking-off National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct.15) with the unveiling of the rendering of “Esperanza” (Hope) - a Cuban-inspired mural by celebrated artist Erni Vales - on Sept. 14 at 5 p.m., with a special happy hour featuring a meet and greet with the artist. The Esperanza mural was inspired by the recent uprising in Cuba and represents a renewed hope for the Cuban people. It will be 85 feet long and cover more than 1,500 square feet and will be painted on the SE 8th Ave. wall of Cuba Libre Fort Lauderdale.
“I am honored to have been chosen to bring to life ‘Esperanza’ for Cuba Libre,” said Vales. “My intention for this mural is for it to inspire continued hope for the Cuban people living on the island and their loved ones in South Florida and beyond. The flower shown on the mural is Cuba’s national flower and is its most famed orchid, known generally as the White Mariposa, symbolizing independence and purity. The sunburst signifies a hope for a new day along with the numbers on the dominoes marking a day of remembrance to reflect the significant date of July 11, 2021, when a series of solidarity marches broke out in the streets of Cuba and S.O.S. Cuba and Patria Y Vida became rallying cries and trending hashtags.”
During our Sept. 14 special happy hour, guests will be invited to raise a glass to freedom as we launch our new mural-inspired Esperanza Sparkling Mojito, which will be available at all Cuba Libre locations throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (see more info here). This special limited-time mojito was crafted by Cuban-born and Miami-bred master mixologist and U.S. Ambassador for Bacardi’s Havana Club brand rum Giovanny Gutierrez. (Bonus: Giovanny will join us behind the bar during the mural design unveiling event on Sept 14!)
Happy hour guests on Sept. 14 will enjoy samples of the new cocktail passed by Havana Club promotional models and may purchase fresh cigars rolled live by Gables Cigars of Coral Gables. To continue our support for Cuba Decide, a citizen driven non-profit organization tirelessly advocating for change in Cuba’s political system, a portion of the proceeds from each cigar sold on Sept. 14 as well as $1 from each Esperanza Mojito sold during Hispanic Heritage Month will be donated to the organization.
Vales will begin painting the mural on Sept.15 at 9 a.m., weather permitting, and expects “Esperanza” to be finished within two weeks. An official unveiling of the completed work is set to take place at Cuba Libre Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 4 with a dedication ceremony and the announcement of an online auction of an NFT (non-fungible token) of Vales’ original work, culminating on the one-year anniversary of the uprising, the proceeds of which will benefit non-profit Cuba Decide.
“We are proud to showcase the ‘Esperanza’ mural at our Las Olas location to not only celebrate Hispanic Heritage, but to continue to bring awareness to the ongoing fight for freedom in Cuba,” said Cuba Libre Chef-Partner Guillermo Pernot. “We want to amplify the message of hope by supporting a cause that is working tirelessly to fulfill the dream of a democratic Cuba.”
Food & drink specials, including a special 3 course prix-fixe menu, will continue through the end of Hispanic Heritage Month at Cuba Libre Fort Lauderdale. See more about our specials here.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to celebrate, honor and reflect on the rich and diverse Latin cultures,” added Chef Pernot. “We look forward to celebrating this exciting time with our guests.” We can’t wait to see you soon, Fort Lauderdale!
Cuba Libre Fort Lauderdale is located downtown at 800 E. Las Olas Blvd. at the corner of E. Las Olas Boulevard and SE 8th Ave. Make a dining reservation online here, or by calling us at 954-314-6500.
More about Muralist Erni Vales: Best known for his development of the 3D graffiti style that has influenced thousands worldwide, Vales is a Miami-based creative powerhouse, having created artwork for more than four decades across a variety of mediums, including graffiti clothing (L.E.S. Clothing, Miami), furniture with Ferra Design, canvas painting for galleries, street murals on subway cars and walls and notably, a 13-year collaboration with famed photographer David LaChapelle on widely seen shots of Madonna, Elton John, Mariah Carey, Lil Kim among others. For more info, visit his website here.
