PBS "VOCES" Series is a Must-See for Everyone
PBS “VOCES” Series Showcases Latino-American Culture
The best of Latino culture will be showcased on national public television in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15. This innovative, dynamic 13 part series called VOCES (Voices) is a presentation of the Latino Public Broadcasting that is a must-see for everyone of every age. The series feature a diverse array of documentaries and musical specials that celebrate the rich variety of the Latino-American experience and will be introduced each week by acclaimed actor Edward James Olmos.
Says Olmos, “Our Latino culture is deeply woven into the fabric of American life — one doesn’t exist without the other. Latino stories — Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, etc. — are American stories and VOCES is so exciting because finally those stories will have a weekly home on public television. And it’s also a series that delivers as great entertainment.”
Luca Bentivoglio, the executive director of Latino Public Broadcasting, a seasoned television executive noted as a pioneer in Spanish language programming, is the curator of the series.
“We at LPB have been working for years to have our own signature showcase on public television and we’re delighted that VOCES will be airing this fall – and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. We see VOCES as the first national public television series to truly show the broad spectrum of Latino influence in America, one that goes far beyond the one-note coverage of Latinos seen, especially lately, in the media.
VOCES celebrates the lives and work of such pioneering Latinos as actors Rita Moreno, Anthony Quinn and Jimmy Smits (The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood Cinema – airs Saturday, Sept. 16 & 23, 9 p.m. on KCET in Los Angeles), Chicano musician Lalo Guerrero, Latin jazz legends Eddie Palmieri and
VOCES will explore Latin music, from mambo to mariachi (Placido Domingo hosts “Mariachi: The Spirit of Mexico” airing on KCET on Saturday, September 16, 10 p.m., which captures the excitement of the International Mariachi Festival in Guadalajara), Hip Hop to the Dominican bachata, and will feature films that explore such issues as immigration (The Guest Worker), gangs (Nuestra Familia), and suburban ethnicity (Recalling Orange County).
Continues Bentivoglio, “We see VOCES as a much-needed reminder of the enormous influence that Latinos have had on every aspect of American life. And our hope is to not only bring these stories to the existing public television audience but to bring more Latinos into the public television family.”
KCET will also air “The Mexican Americans,” Saturday, September 23, 10 p.m.
Actor Ricardo Montalban, comedian Paul Rodriguez, singers Vikki Carr and Tish Hinojosa, U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson, director Luis Valdez (La Bamba), activist Dolores Huerta, artists, politicians, journalists, community leaders and others from a broad spectrum of cultural experience share their personal stories.
The VOCES broadcasts began September 2 and run weekly through November 25, 2006.
Locally, in Los Angeles, the programs can be seen on KCET. Check your local PBS station for complete listing. For a sampling of programs, visit the KCET Web site’s Online Magazine. More information regarding programming is also available at www.voces.tv.
National Hispanic Heritage Month was initiated in 1968 as National Hispanic Heritage Week, but was expanded in 1988 to include the entire 31-day period that is officially proclaimed each year by the President of the United States.
National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrity Birthdays
Gloria Estefan (9/1), Salma Hayek (9/2) and Luis Avalos (9/2) are just a few of the celebrities celebrating birthdays during National Hispanic Heritage Month, or thereabouts. Others include Carlos Ponce (9/4), Marc Anthony (9/16), Adela Noriega(10/24), and Daphne Zuniga (10/28).
The Grammy Award-winning Cuban-American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan is a living miracle, having survived a horrific auto crash in 1990 in which she was critically injured with a broken back. Facing her dilemma with courage and conviction this extraordinary performer, wife, mother, and philanthropist never gave up, and in 1995 became the first pop star invited to perform for Pope John Paul II on the occasion of his 50th anniversary in the priesthood.
As reported earlier, the critically acclaimed “Frida” star Salma Hayek was honored recently as the 2006 Artist of the Year by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations. The acclaimed actress, producer, and director has also made inroads in the struggle against violence against women here and in her native Mexico.
He may forever be known as one of those famous and amusing cast members of The Electric Company TV series, but Luis Avalos is also beloved for his annual gift of Paquito’s Christmas — a live theatrical production (which he wrote, produced and directed) that is funded by individual and corporate donations for the sole purpose of bringing a little bit of happiness to Los Angeles families and inner city kids who get to see it for free during the holiday season.
Award winning actor, singer, composer Carlos Ponce, who did a stint as a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight and served as host of the Imagen Awards Gala in 2004, more recently hosted the Miss Universe 2006 Pageant that was held in Los Angeles on July 23.
The eclectic Mr. Marc Anthony, the biggest selling salsa singer of all time whose other talents include acting and producing, will soon be seen in the title role, opposite the love of his life — you know who — in the upcoming biopic, "El Cantante," based on the life of Puerto Rican salsa pioneer Hector Lavoe.
Since landing a lead role in Quinceañera opposite singer Thalia in 1987, award-winning actress Adela Noriega has reigned as one of the “Queens” of the Spanish-language telenovelas. In 2001, she starred in “El Manantial” for which she earned a best actress award, and in 2004 returned in the highly acclaimed telenovela “Amor Real,” opposite the fabuloso Fernando Colunga.
Of Guatemalan roots, Daphne Zuniga is a California native who is best known for playing Jo Reynolds on Melrose Place (1992 - 1996). Her film credits include Spaceballs, Gross Anatomy, Vision Quest and was also one of the many voice actors for the animated television series Stories from my Childhood. Zuniga is also dedicated to promoting awareness about the earth and campaigns to help keep it clean.
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