International Latin Music Hall of Fame April 2, 2003

Latin Beat Magazine, March, 2003 by Vicki Sola

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On April 2, 2003, members of the international Latin music community will gather at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture, in the Bronx, for the International Latin Music Hall of Fame's Fifth Annual Award ceremony and concert.

This year's inductees are Arturo Sandoval, Trini López, Juan Luis Guerra, Roberto Roena, Ismael Quintana, Raphael, Flaco Jiménez, Alberto Beltrán, Juan Gabriel, Nelson Ned, Ray Santos, Manny Oquendo, Justi Barretto, José Luis Monero, and Henry Lee "Pucho" Brown. Inducted posthumously will be Desi Arnaz, Maria Grever, Consuelo Velásquez, Eliseo Grenet, Gonzalo Roig, Alvaro Dalmar, Esther Borja, and Joseito Fernandez.

ILMHF Special Recognition Awards will be presented to famed Palladium dancers Cuban Pete Aguilar, Augie and Margo, Milly Donay, plus artist Erich Padilla and filmmaker Avenol Franco. The recipient of the ILMHF Lifetime Achievement Award will be Johnny Ventura, and the ILMHF Benny Moré Memorial Award will be presented to José Alberto "El Canario."

Joe Hernández, president and founder of the nonprofit 501(c) (3) tax exempt ILMHF, is dedicated to honoring those who have contributed to and supported the global growth of Latin music. "Every year we grow and receive more recognition as an organization that truly honors Latin artists in the same spirit that characterizes all great Halls of Fame."

The ceremony will be filmed by New Jersey Public Television's "Images/Imagenes" and by ABC-TV's "Puerto Rican Panorama." More info is available at the ILMHF website, www.latinfame.com, and at the Hostos box office at (718) 518-4455 (Tuesdays through Fridays, from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.)