
The White House announced on Wednesday that it would invite a bevy of Latin musical artists to perform in its latest program from the series "In Performance at the White House", to be entitled simply "Música Latina". The event, meant to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, will convene Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, and Arturo Sandoval, among other performers. It will be taped on Monday, September 16 at 7 p.m., when it will be streaming live at www.whitehouse.gov/live, and air on television on October 8 on PBS as well as on October 13 on the American Forces Network for servicemen abroad.
In a press release, the White House said the program will reflect "the influence of richly diverse Latino communities from throughout the America" and "celebrate the beauty and diversity of that music". "From the lively rhythms of Central America and the Caribbean to the beautiful sounds of South America, Latin music is known for blending a wide variety of styles," it said. Other artists set to perform are Natalie Cole, Lila Downs, Raul Malo, Price Royce, Romeo Santos, Alejandro Sanz and Marco Antonio Solis.
First Lady Michelle Obama will also host an educational workshop, "Celebrando el Ritmo Latino: The History of Latin Music" that day for middle and high school students from the Washington, D.C. area. "The GRAMMY Museum's Executive Director Robert Santelli will lead the students in an overview of the origins of Latin music, inform them of the elements of the genre, discuss how Latin music has been popularized in other parts of the world and talk about the many subgenres that encompass the larger Latin genre," said the press release. "Some performers from the evening event, including Lila Downs, Romeo Santos and Marco Antonio Solis, will share their experiences as well as answer student questions about the music and entertainment world."
Since President Barack Obama entered office in 2008, the White House has hosted eleven "In Performance at the White House" programs. The most recent, broadcast in May, was held for Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Carole King and Hal David. Others have highlighted African-American artists whose careers were at their height during the Civil Rights Movement, as well as country and Broadway musical artists. Artists have included Marc Anthony, Tony Bennett, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Jamie Foxx, José Feliciano, Dave Grohl, Herbie Hancock, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Mick Jagger, B.B. King, Nathan Lane, Queen Latifah, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Lyle Lovett, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Smokey Robinson, Seal, Jerry Seinfeld, Esperanza Spalding, Elaine Stritch, James Taylor, Justin Timberlake and Jack White, among others.
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