The 2016 Monaco Rose Ball will be held under a Cuban theme with a host of superstars from the Caribbean nation setting the tempo for guests to dance the night away.

One of the most anticipated social events in Monaco, the glamorous and star-studded Bal de la Rose is held under the patronage of Monaco’s Ruler Prince Albert, his wife Princess Charlene and Princess Caroline.

The annual event is held in aid of the Princess Grace Foundation, which helps people and children in need by developing humanitarian and philanthropic projects.

The 62nd Bal de la Rose will be held on March 19 at the Salle des Etoiles hall in the Sporting Monte-Carlo complex.

Grace Foundation President Princess Caroline asked friend and German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld to design the 2016 Bal de la Rose. 

Together they’ve envisioned an evening that draws inspiration from Cuba. 

They felt that beyond the clichés and picture postcard landscapes, this creative starting point represents a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the energy, optimism and hope of a Cuban society, currently undergoing immense change. 

The 2016 Bal de la Rose will transport guests through the greenery of the sugarcane fields, the turquoise blue of the Caribbean Sea and the terracotta of the Viñales valley, for an “amazing explosion of colours and emotions”. 

The ambiance will be elevated by an exceptional showcase of Cuban music, offering guests the opportunity to get on the dancefloor and try out some salsa moves to the beat of some of the world’s finest musical talent. A “caliente” evening!  

Upon arrival, guests will cross a winding path through sugarcane fields, before arriving at Café Taberna. With just enough time for a mojito, they will then take their seats in the middle of the street, lined with characterful coloured facades, so very characteristic of Cuba, whose cracked, faded pastel buildings fondly evoke the past splendours of a Havana weathered by sunshine, tropical storms and ocean spray.

A rich music programme will be performed by a cast of supreme Cuban talent. 

Son Del Nene will kick-start the music accompanied by six musicians. Born Pedro Lugo Martinez, this Cuban artist is the spiritual son of the famous Ibrahim Ferrer of ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ fame, and claims to have learned his authentic Cuban sound from the masters themselves. In homage to his tutors, he starred in the film representation of the ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ by Wim Wenders, powering the most moving musical scenes of the film. 

The stage will then be given over to Son Damas, an all-female Cuban band, created in 1992 and comprised of ten musical stars, which has earned the reputation of being Cuba’s best female band.  Their talent goes beyond the country’s borders with sell-out concerts across America, Europe and Japan. 

The music continues with Septeto Nabori, a band of eight Havana musicians including Alejandro Morcate, Abel Delgado and Ramón ‘Monchí’ Carbonell. Students of The Conservatory and the Institut Supérieur Polytechnique de Santiago de Cuba, these musical geniuses abandoned everything in pursuit of sharing their love and passion for traditional Cuban music with the world.  

The night concludes with the must-see Cuban Reggaeton, a sound that is a symbol of modernity. Originating in Porto Rico, locally known as ‘Cubaton’, this genre integrates local rhythms with hip-hop and electro with a hint of reggae for a statement of Cuba’s modernity that has captivated the youth scene. 

The diverse Cuban musical offering will go to make an unforgettable night on the international society calendar, according to Monte-Carlo SBM Group, the event’s organiser.

An invitation-only event, doors open at 8 pm, and the dress code is black tie and evening dress. Tickets are priced at €800 ($877) per person.