Speakeasy dazzles the suburbs on March 12

The Rotary Club of Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates invites the public to attend its 37th annual classic event Speakeasy Spectacular: Flappers, Feathers & Fedoras on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Chicago Marriott Northwest, 4800 Hoffman Boulevard, Hoffman Estates.  Daniel Dunn of Aqueity, Inc., Oak Brook, is the Honorary Chair.

Jim Fabbrini of Fabbrini’s Flowers, Hoffman Estates, is the Master of Ceremony, who will dress as Al Capone among the costumed characters randomly handing out hundred dollar bills as guests arrive.

Costumes of the Roaring Twenties and festive black-tie optional attire are encouraged for everyone a fun-filled night beginning at 6:00 pm with a cocktail reception and a farewell toast to the 18th Amendment. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and live piano music by Linda O’Connor, the popular pianist at The Anvil Club. Dinner will be served at 7:30 pm followed by music and dancing with local favorite Return II Soul.

A $10,000 cash prize and additional cash prizes of $2,500, $1,500, $750 and $500 will be awarded to lucky raffle winners. A silent auction will feature items ranging from Chicago Blackhawks Championship memorabilia to a chauffeured ride in a vintage red Mustang convertible.

Throughout the evening, guests will be engaged with Prohibition-era décor and amusements such as secret handshakes at a speakeasy alleyway. “Guys and gals, get out your feathers and fedoras – we’re going to have a lot of fun at this party!” relays the Club’s publicity chair, Nanette Sowa, Superintendent of Development at Northwest Special Recreation Association. “Sounds like the bee’s knees to me,” adds Debbie Nelson of Arlington Heights who has a ticket to attend in vintage costume with a friend.

Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates Charitable Foundation, the benefit will raise the funds needed to make possible the Club’s good works during the year. “We have a mission of serving people throughout our community,” says 2015-16 Club President Terry Parke, Senior District Executive at Pathway to Adventure Council Boy Scouts. “And we like to do it in a fun way, so come out and have a great time at our event with a lot of activities for all our guests to participate in with our speakeasy theme.”

True to the motto “If it can be done, it will be done by Rotarians,” The Rotary Club of Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates helps people year-round through dozens of community partnerships. Support of this event provides funding for scholarships and aid to these and more local non-profit organizations: Alexian Brothers Women & Children’s Hospital, Center for Health Services, District 211 Blessings in A Backpack, GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Awareness Centers, Kenneth Young Center, The Schaumburg Barn Senior Center, School District 54 Food Pantry, Special Leisure Services Foundation, and WINGS.

Tickets are $200 per person including cocktails, dinner and a raffle ticket, or $300 per couple. For tickets or donations, e-mail rotaryclubofschhe@gmail.com or text Rotarian Rosemary Justen at (847) 899-8686.