JENNIFER JOHNSON: THE HOTTEST SPOT NORTH OF HAVANA >>>

Last night red, yellow and green lights, zigzagging streamers and paper palm trees transformed The Library at Sanford and Son into the tropical setting for The Prom, a night of dancing and cavorting in the name of charity. It was another successful year for this annual adult fundraising event benefiting CARS, Companion Animal Rescue Society. With “Copacabana” as the theme, partygoers sported all manner of island dress, Cuban linen suits, skimpy showgirl dresses and headpieces of glittery feathers, fruit, and shiny fabric.

Sadly arriving too late to catch band Si Si Si, I was blown away by Anthony Astrada and his band The Toughtimes. Blending blues, punk and surf rock, Astrada worked the crowd as a true showman would.

Later DJ Infinity taught the crowd of flush-faced revelers a 4-step shuffle. Hilarity unfolded. Grinning, laughing and clapping along, even people that swear they don’t dance were caught up by the energy and did a little sashaying.

I took mini-breaks from dancing in the Copa-Feel lounge with delicious teas from Mad Hat Tea Company, icy cold beers, glasses of wines and tasty hor d'oeuvres.

After the king and queen were crowned, the raffle tickets drawn, and my picture taken prom-style, I ended the evening sipping handcrafted martinis at 1022 Lounge.

More Prom photos are at the Photo Hot Spot.

Photography by Steve Dunkelberger