Cafecito Caliente Events

The 2025 Cafecito Caliente Awards are upon us!

The Cafecito Caliente Legacy Award is presented to someone who has been instrumental to building the foundation of the Hispanic Latino community here in Mid-Michigan for many years. For over 40 years Guillermo Z. Lopez has not only brought his talents to the Lansing School Board, Cristo Rey Church and its Fiesta, but also to a community by always making himself available for advice, thoughts and ideas. Guillermo has long been a pillar in our community and Cafecito is proud to select him for a 2025 Legacy Award!  

Mr. Guillermo  Z. López was first appointed to the Lansing School Board of Education in 2000. He was elected to a full term in 2001 and re-elected in 2007, 2013 and in 2020-to-six-year terms. Lopez has served as President and Treasurer of the board and currently chairs the Building Facilities Committee of the board and is the Board Liaison to the Promise Authority Board and the Latino Advisory Committee to the Board of Education.

Lopez retired as an Equal Opportunity Specialist  for the City of Lansing in the Human Relations and Community Services Department in 2014 after 30 years of service. Mr. López previously served as Executive Director of the Spanish Speaking Representative Council, a 501c-3 nonprofit multi service organization in Bay City, Michigan from 1977 -1984.

Besides serving as an elected Lansing School Board of Education Trustee, Mr. Lopez served on the following commissions and boards:       

1. Director                                   Michigan Association of School Boards
2. Central Director                      NSBA Hispanic Council of School Board Members
3. Commissioner                         Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging
4. Commissioner                         City of Lansing Board of Police Commissioners
5. Chairperson                            LLEAD of Greater Lansing
6. Member                                   Ingham County Fair Board
7. Member                                   Happendance Board of Directors
8. Coordinator                             Cristo Rey Church Fiesta

Mr. Lopez and his wife have five grown children who are graduates of Everett and Eastern High Schools and grandchildren who attend Lansing School District schools.

Tickets: https://cafecitocaliente.com/store-2/2025-cafecito-awards/

With Title Sponsor Lake Trust Credit Union, the Cafecito Caliente Awards will be held Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Cadillac Room in Lansing’s REO Town District. For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sein Paul Benavides at 517-303-7001 or seinpaul65@gmail.com.

Tickets: https://cafecitocaliente.com/store-2/2025-cafecito-awards/

The 2025 Cafecito Caliente Awards are upon us!

The Community Partner of the Year Award is for an organization or business that may or may not be Hispanic Latino. Maybe they provide support with resources, guidance through volunteerism, or perhaps they continually bring together a community that so desperately looks for spaces to gather to celebrate family and the culture.

Tickets: https://cafecitocaliente.com/store-2/2025-cafecito-awards/

For the 2025 Community Partner of the Year Award, Salinaz Promotions led by Corina Salinaz Fiscal! Coming out of Covid back in 2022, Corina had the creativity and forward thinking to believe people would show up to a dance and outside in a parking lot such as Grand Cafe Sir Pizza in Old Town Lansing. About 250 people showed up and once again, the Tejano community could celebrate and renew friendships in person.

Corina has worked tirelessly and often without much of a thank you for your persistence and hard work. Please know, the Cafecito team appreciates everything you do in building the community. It may seem like “just a dance” to some, but you truly help build the Hispanic Latino community. Thank you Corina Salinaz!

Tickets: https://cafecitocaliente.com/store-2/2025-cafecito-awards/

The 2025 Cafecito Caliente Awards welcomes Lake Trust Credit Union as our Title Sponsor for this years evening of celebration. Forbes recently named Lake Trust Credit Union on their. 2025 list of America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions

As a purpose-driven credit union, Lake Trust is committed to empowering Michigan communities and supporting members in their financial wellbeing journey.

Lake Trust Credit Union was a proud sponsor of the 2024 Cafecito Awards and Cafecito is very excited to have them as the Title Sponsor for the 2025 Awards.

The Awards will be held once again in Lansing at the Cadillac Room located at 1115. S. Washington Ave. The evening will start with a cocktail hour at 5:00pm, a lavish charcuterie board and then dinner followed by the presentation of the Awards. Award categories include business, culture and the arts, legacy, community service and partner and a couple special ones for lifetime achievement. We also have the Latina of the Year and Rising Star of the Year awards.

Cafecito Award Tickets: 2025 Cafecito Awards – Cafecito Caliente

Lake Trust Credit Union: Lake Trust Home

The 2024 Awards sold out early and we expect this year to be the same. For more information please contact Sein Paul Benavides at seinpaul65@gmail.com or 517-303-7001.

Latino Night with the Lugnuts has been a local tradition since 2012 with a mini festival in front of the stadium since 2017. Also popular are the t-shirt designs for Latino Night which are created by Cafecito Caliente’s owner Sein Paul Benavides the last several years.

Latino Night Facebook Page: 13th Annual Latino Night with the Lugnuts | Facebook

Tickets will be available at a “Group Rate” through Sein for $13.00. Latino Night Shirts will be on sale at the Arctic Corner Ice Cream Shop in Lansing’s Old Town District for $13.00. Purchase both a ticket and shirt and the cost is $26.00. Seating will be on the Third Base side. For more information, please contact Sein Paul Benavides at seinpaul65@gmail.com or 517-303-7001.

The 13th Annual Latino Night with the Lugnuts moves from August to a special July date, July 5, 2025, with a mini festival in front of the stadium beginning at 3:00pm. Tejano Sound Band (TSB) will perform from 3:30pm to 6:30pm in front of the stadium and again as soon as the fireworks end inside the stadium.

Tejano Sound Band will be celebrating 31 years in the music industry on September 10, 2025. Long known as one of the best Midwestern bands, TSB has a large following as they always put on a good show.

Tejano Sound Band Facebook Page: Facebook

Latino Night with the Lugnuts has been a local tradition since 2012 with Tejano bands performing since 2017. Also popular are the t-shirt designs for Latino Night which are created by Cafecito Caliente’s owner Sein Paul Benavides the last several years.

Latino Night Facebook Page: 13th Annual Latino Night with the Lugnuts | Facebook

Tickets will be available at a “Group Rate” through Sein for $13.00. Latino Night Shirts will be on sale at the Arctic Corner Ice Cream Shop in Lansing’s Old Town District for $15.00. Purchase both a ticket and shirt and the cost is $26.00. Seating will be on the Third Base side. For more information, please contact Sein Paul Benavides at seinpaul65@gmail.com or 517-303-7001.

Don’t miss the pre-game and in-game performances from the Maria Luz Ballet & Maria Castillo folkloric dance groups. Also performing will be Tejano favorite Grupo Viento from Grand Rapids. They will be performing in front of the stadium from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

Gametime will be at 4:00pm with Grupo Viento moving inside the stadium performing on the concourse approximately 20 minutes after the game has finished.

We’ll be offering $5 Margaritas! Copa de la Diversión is a special nationwide MiLB initiative, connecting teams to their Latino fanbase. For this special Copa game, the Lugnuts suit up as the turquoise and marigold Lansing Locos, personified by the loco Potoo bird. ¡Vamos Locos!

In honor of Free Comic Book Day, celebrate with a Comic Book Gate Giveaway!

For more information, please contact Sein Paul Benavides.

On the night of Friday, September 27, 2024, the Hispanic Latino community celebrated the 2nd Annual Cafecito Caliente Awards at the Cadillac Room in Lansing’s REO Town. From the moment you walked in the doors, you knew it was going to be a special evening. Friday morning, we were at 210 tickets sold then a website glitch oversold and gave us 261 attendees. That caused some seating issues, our bartenders were super busy and dinner was a touch delayed. Despite all this, it’s safe to say that 98% of the 261 attendees walked away inspired, amazed and wanting to shine their own light in the world. 

In attendance was Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, Judges, LCC Trustees, City Council members, School Board members, as well as people from different generations. The Lansing Eastern Latino Club filled a table and even one of our Latina Sororities from MSU was represented. The best compliment of the night came from the older generation: “Sein, you know I go back to the 60’s. I have seen so many celebrations in the Hispanic Latino community, but I have never seen anything like this. Well done!” 

Most importantly on this night, the Cafecito Awardees were the ones who shined the brightest. Eight individuals and one Latino non-profit were recognized.  Felipe Lopez-Sustaita delivered a keynote that resonated with people about how the Hispanic Latino community tends to stay humble and silent. He stated we have to realize it’s okay to shine, to be openly loud and proud of our accomplishments.

Each Award Recipient had their own story, their own words and based on feedback, there were so many inspiring words spoken by this group that people took home. In each case, they have been shining for years but they never sought awards or recognition. Mid-Michigan has never seen an awards program that recognized so many local Hispanic Latinos on one night. Their words provided proof of their humbleness, their hearts and their souls as they accepted the well overdue recognition.  

Lorenzo Lopez and Nicolas Hernandez were Master of Ceremonies for the event and provided direction, professionalism, grace and humor through the evening. Lorenzo has long been one many of us go to for the MC spot and true to Lorenzo’s skillset, he was very good. For Nicolas, it was his first time and he himself shined. Part of the mission for Cafecito is to lift up a younger generation and Nicolas made us all proud. 

To say that Events2Envy by Sonia decorated the venue doesn’t clearly describe her impact on the Cadillac Room or the people who were there. Her vision for the Awards program inspired us all as we walked in the venue. The backdrop, the tables, the chairs, etc. were all Sonia. We so appreciate Events2Envy by Sonia.  

People were treated to Pour Decisions Services as our bartenders for the night. They served drinks and treated us to their own concoction of “Chili Mango Margarita”. Dinner was delayed and they handled the rush and long lines beautifully and with grace. I look forward to what you will bring to the Cafecito Awards in 2025. 

LG Charcuterie provided such a beautiful display that when dinner was announced, many were surprised as they thought the boards was dinner. It was so amazing that several people mentioned they didn’t want to take from the boards as it was simply beautiful to look at. I had so many compliments on choosing LG Charcuterie that we have already invited them back for 2025. 

Lucy’s Kitchen provided dinner and the carne asada was about as delicious as you could imagine. I still am receiving compliments about her catering. Known to many around Lansing even before their food truck became a reality in 2024, please keep them in mind for any type of event. 

Marisa Laura Photography handled the photos. At one point, Marisa knew she would be taking photos of 210 people. A few hours later, it would become 261. She had to be everywhere, and she was. From getting photos on the “red carpet” when you walk in, to the Award recipients to random shots of people and the crowd. I enjoyed peace of mind knowing Marisa would take care of the photography. 

360 Sublime offered its unique version of a photo booth. The different props, the music and the capability to have several people dancing and moving on its platform, brought fun to the Cafecito Awards. Available for most any type of gathering, 360 Sublime showed why they have been thriving since they started their business. 

Victor Vasquez, aka DJ Fuego, quietly but effectively handled our sound, tunes and kept us on task. With help from Marisa, he actually put together all the music and his program in a couple days. Thank you, Victor, as you brought me peace of mind in this area.

A big thank you to Nicole Hernandez who just slipped into the front on her own and helped Lorenzo and Nicolas with the crystal awards. She kept everything moving for them. Also, for our registration people, Irma Carillo and Azzy Mitchell, your time and grace was priceless at the front. As the first ones to greet our guests for the evening, you both shined bright! 

To all of those who helped clear the tables and linen at the end, it was a great reminder of the Hispanic Latino community. You seen the need for help, and you jumped in without being asked. I have always said that we are a community that wants to get involved, even if it’s doing cleanup and you proved my point. Thank you for helping! 

A huge thank you to Lake Trust Credit Union who immediately upon receiving sponsorship forms, backed the Awards program with a Diamante Sponsorship. More importantly, we have become good friends with several different members of the Lake Trust team. Thank you to the Lansing Lugnuts for your continued support over the years as a trusted partner and friend. You hosted the inaugural Awards in 2023 and chose to stay with us in 2024.  

Much thanks also to Consumers Credit Union who served as a Gold Sponsor, have been supportive of Cafecito over the past couple of years and we have enjoyed some great personal friendships with your team too. Lastly, thank you to the Latino Business Conexions of Michigan. You have been by our side cheering us on as you yourselves have been busy with the recent success of the 2nd Annual Latino Business Expo. Thank you for being there for us as you inspired me personally and I know now that the future looks promising for the Hispanic Latino Business community. 

2024 Cafecito Caliente Awardees:

Heart of the City – Alfonso Salais Jr.

Educator of the Year – Circe Chavez-Rodriguez

Small Business of the Year – Events2Envy by Sonia

Legacy Award – Maria Luisa Zavala

Community Partner of the Year – Lansing Latino Health Alliance

Rising Star of the Year – Elena Herrera

Latina of the Year – Trini Lopez-Pehlivanoglu

Community Service Award – Shekina Mitchell

Arts & Culture Award – MariaLuz Salas Arambula

Most who know me well, know that I prefer to stay in the balcony cheering others on. That has always been my nature. To see all of this come to fruition in less than two years has been amazing and beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you to all those who believed in this program and believed in me. Congratulations to all the recipients who have inspired so many that they know of, and so many they never realized were watching and thus inspired them too. 

Cafecito Caliente is proud to recognize Circe Rodriquez for the Educator of the Year at the Cafecito Caliente Awards Friday, September 27, 2024.

All of this wouldn’t be possible without the support of sponsors like Lake Trust Credit Union whom Cafecito has built a great relationship with many of their staff. Thank you for your Diamante Sponsorship.

The Lansing Lugnuts hosted the Inaugural Cafecito Awards in March 2023 and despite the venue change to accommodate the growing Awards program, the Lugnuts continue to be a Platinum Sponsor.

We also want to give thanks to Consumers Credit Union for their Gold Sponsorship, and we also have enjoyed our building our relationship with you. This program really doesn’t happen without your support.

Circe Chavez-Rodriguez is a graduate from Michigan State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and has a master’s degree in Curriculum in Teaching. She is a passionate and dedicated 3rd grade teacher at Cumberland Elementary in the Lansing School District. Circe is in her 25th year of teaching. She has had the privilege of teaching multiple grade levels in her educational career. Circe has been selected to speak on multiple teaching panels to present her expertise in education.

She is a mentor to Michigan State University seniors, juniors, and colleagues who are new to the teaching profession. Circe has received many awards for her excellence in education. She was nominated for 2024-25 (MTOY) Michigan Teacher of the Year. The most current award given was for her outstanding NWEA projected growth scores in math.

Her third grade class outperformed every third grade class in the Lansing School District. Circe continues to strive for excellence in the teaching profession. She leads her life with faith, grace and the willingness to have a growth mindset.

We are proud to highlight and recognize Circe for her brilliance in motivating and captivating so many young minds. We salute you Circe Cesar-Rodriguez as the 2024 Cafecito Educator of the Year.

Also, much thanks to the partnership we have with the Latino Business Conexión of Michigan and their support of the Awards. The Awards Night will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, starting at 5:00pm at the Cadillac Room in Lansing’s REO Town.

Tickets: https://cafecitocaliente.com/…/cafecito-caliente…/