WPBT2’s Program Trust Fund Celebrates Latin Music USA
CONTACT:
Ellen Oppenheimer
Director Development
Community Television Foundation of South Florida
305-424-4022
Ellen_Oppenheimer@wpbt.org
October 27, 2009 – Miami: The beat of Latin music filled the dining room at BNY Mellon Wealth Management when Steven D. Brooks, Senior Fiduciary Manager, hosted a preview event of Latin Music USA for WPBT2’s Program Trust Fund. Cristina Mendoza, Chairman of the WPBT2 Board, thanked Mr. Brooks for hosting the event and welcomed the Donors of Distinction and guests of WPBT2. Ms. Mendoza introduced Latin Music USA’s Executive Producer, Elizabeth Deane. Ms. Deane shared with the audience the challenges of producing a multi-episode series for public television. She welcomed Adriana Bosch, Senior Producer of Episode 4, Divas and Superstars, and Joe Cardona, Co-Producer of Episode 4. Adriana and Joe shared their love of Latin music and the musicians who made Miami the epicenter of this vibrant music.
WPBT2 premiered Latin Music USA on October 12th and 19th during Hispanic Heritage Month. It is narrated by acclaimed actor Jimmy Smits. Latin Music USA celebrates the great American music created by Latinos in the US, and highlights the Latin rhythms at the heart of jazz, rock, country and rhythm and blues. Going back to the deep roots of the music in the Caribbean, Mexico and the U.S., the series features the stories of an extraordinary range of artists, including Latino superstars Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Ruben Blades, Daddy Yankee, Linda Rondstadt, Juanes, Los Tigres del Norte, Carlos Santana, Willie Colon and more.
Latin Music USA is a WGBH/BBC Co-Production. Major funding is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and Latino Public Broadcasting.
ABOUT WPBT2
South Florida’s premier public broadcaster, WPBT2, is a community-licensed, not-for-profit media enterprise serving communities from the Treasure Coast to the Florida Keys. WPBT2 provides high quality content from PBS, independent acquisitions and its own original productions. WPBT2’s digital media platform, offers: 2HD, a 24-hour high definition channel; Digital 2.2, a mix of Science & Nature Channel, Culturas, The Florida Channel and Create; Digital 2.3, V-me, a 24-hour national Spanish-language network; and www.wpbt2.org, the WPBT2 website including, Impromp2 (a community blog), the Media Portal (an entrée into digital media) and uVu, a video sharing website. Based in Miami, WPBT2 is also home of the Emmy award-winning national PBS series, Nightly Business Report (pbs.org/nbr).
PHOTOS:
01.
Neil Hecker, WPBT vice President programming, Elizabeth Deane, Executive Producer, Latin Music USA, Adriana Bosch, Senior Producer and Producer, Writer, Director for episode four, Latin Music USA, Steven Brooks, Senior Fiduciary Officer, BNY Mellon Wealth Management
02.
Ellen Oppenheimer, WPBT Director, Development, Mary Lynch, WPBT Donor of Distinction and Cris Mendoza, WPBT Board Chairman
03.
Trae Williamson, Williamson Cadillac and Marika Lynch
04.
Elizabeth Deane, Executive Producer, Latin Music USA, Adriana Bosch, Senior Producer and Producer, Writer, Director for episode four, Latin Music USA, Patricia Boero, Executive Director, Latino Public Broadcasting and Massimo Boero
05.
Mary Lynch, WPBT Donor of Distinction, Elizabeth Deane, Executive Producer, Latin Music USA, Marika Lynch
06.
Cooley Fales, Gordon and Donna Fales, former WPBT Board Member
07.
Mili and Joe Cardona, Co-producer episode four, Latin Music USA, Astrid Vega and Elmo Lugo
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