A Happy Hour to Celebrate the 2015 CCC Sponsorship in Rio

By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Rio Times is excited to announce the agreement to be the official 2015 media sponsor for the Carioca Cricket Club (CCC), and to celebrate there will be a Happy Hour event on Wednesday, April 29th from 7PM to 11PM at Mekong restaurant and lounge in Leblon.

It’s not just an event for the cricket squad though, it is open to everyone who enjoys great music, as put on by Mary Byker of the 80s English punk-rock band Gaye Bykers on Acid, and later the band Pop Will Eat Itself. Byker happens to be co-owner of the venue, and also works as a DJ around the city and is involved in ongoing music projects both here and back on London.

Add to that, the crowd will be even more interesting as the British Consulate Rio de Janeiro has agreed to join the party as a special event partner. Besides the obvious cultural connection to the sport of cricket, the consulate staff and friends are excited to have an excuse to come out for good music and drinks.

Mekong, which is an pan-Asian restaurant that opened in 2010 on the popular Rua Dias Ferreira in Leblon, is well up for a Wednesday event. They have generously offered a two-hour promotion of R$5 Bohemia long-necks, as well as R$10 Sabai Sabai drinks (drink made with our infusion of rum, sake and spices, lime juice, club soda & basil – a price reduced from R$17.

In addition Mekong is providing some appetizers on special, for R$12 the Goi Cuon Tom (2 rolls), which are fresh rice paper rolls filled with prawns, vegetables, glass noodles & asian herbs served with nuoc mam sauce, and also R$12 Pakora (4 units), onion bhajis served with mango, apple and apricot chutney.

Stone Korshak, editor and publisher explains, “For us the opportunity to sponsor the CCC is a perfect fit, we always want to support the foreign community here, and these guys have started something really special. I may not know much about the sport of cricket, but I know they are a group of good fellas that know how to have fun!”

Tobias Hanbury, current club chairman told The Rio Times, “The CCC is delighted to launch its new partnership with The Rio Times as our Official Media Partner with a relaxed get-together at Mekong Wednesday. The CCC runs various other social events during the year like Quiz Nights and Poker Nights, but this one is really about celebrating with some of Mekong’s delicious Asian dishes washed down with some stupidly cold beer.”

He goes on, “All CCC members and WAGS (wives and girlfriends) are cordially invited to the event, as well as all our friends at The Rio Times and the British Consulate. All CCC members who have played cricket in 2015 will be presented with their official CCC match shirt, adorned with the names of our two main sponsors: Granado and The Rio Times. Plenty of photo opportunities!”

Stone Korshak adds, “It should be a great crowd at a great spot with great tunes, we hope to have a nice turnout and see everyone enjoy the food and drink, mix with the CCC, the British Consulate, and everyone else that comes out.” Adding, “Remember to come early as the drink specials are from 7-9pm.”

What: The Rio Times and Carioca Cricket Club Happy Hour
When: Wednesday, April 29th 7PM – 11PM
Where: Mekong, Rua General Urquiza, 188 A, Leblon (corner of Rua Dias Ferreira)
Entrance: FREE