VEGAS, BABY: BPW’S ‘KEYSINO NIGHT’ IS BACK NEXT WEEKEND

a group of people standing around a black table
Mallory Pinto, left, Stephanie Zajac, Tom Zajac, Travis Livengood, Franco D’Ascanio Jr. and Chase Grimes celebrate a bust by dealer Randy at the 2023 Keysino. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

For one night only, Marathon City Hall will do its best impression of the “City that Never Sleeps” as its council chambers welcome the 2024 Keysino Night, presented by Marathon’s Business and Professional Women’s Foundation (BPW), on Saturday, Feb. 17.

While the 2023 iteration of the always-enjoyable fundraiser took on a black-tie “Casino Royale” theme, event organizer Mallory Pinto said she’s aiming for a more straightforward Las Vegas motif for the new year. And what that means is up for interpretation.

“Come as you are,” said Pinto, laughing about the “backlash” from the 2023 dress code that saw numerous attendees show up in tuxedo shirts. Though the event usually sees guests arrive dressed to kill, she said all options are on the table. “If you’d wear pajamas to the casino, great! Wear that. If you’d wear sequins, you can wear that too.”

A cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m. will serve as the prelude for three hours of games with the professional staff of Casino Party Nights Florida. Attendees will indulge in food catered by Brutus Seafood, music and lighting by DJ FIJI, drinks and fun until 10 p.m. At the end of the night, participants will be able to cash in their hard-earned chips for raffle entries to win a plethora of prizes including vacation stays in the Keys and on the mainland. 

With lighting and tunes provided by DJ Fiji along with casino tables from Casino Party Nights Florida, the Marathon City Council chambers will once again be barely recognizable for Keysino night. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Proceeds from the event will support the BPW’s Stacy Kidwell Memorial Scholarship, awarded each year to a Marathon High School senior, along with adult scholarships for women furthering their education.

Tickets are $100 and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and 2,500 gaming chips – with more always available for purchase in the case of a “bust.” Purchase tickets here.

Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.