Latest news with #HispanicHeritageMonth
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Premios Juventud 2025 Will Take Place in Panama: Here's Everything We Know
Univision has revealed the date and location for the 2025 Premios Juventud, Billboard can exclusively announce Wednesday (July 16). For its 22nd edition, the ceremony will take place in Panama City, Panama, for the first time, and will air live on Sept. 25, coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month. Nominations for the fan-voted awards will officially be announced on Aug. 19. More from Billboard 'American Idol' Music Supervisor Robin Kaye & Husband Found Dead in Their Home, Suspect Arrested (UPDATED) Soulja Boy & Bow Wow Return to SeaWorld & Perform the Hits Nicki Minaj Says SZA 'Sounding Like a Fkng Dead Dog' During Social Media Spat 'Our alliance with the Republic of Panama reaffirms our commitment to honoring the strengths of Latin American countries, which form the foundation of our community, values and traditions. Panama's strategic location, vibrant culture and rich ethnic diversity stand out as key hub for investment, tourism and international business,' Ignacio Meyer, president of Univision Networks Group at TelevisaUnivision, said in a press statement. 'We are excited to host Premios Juventud in Panama this September, as part of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, showcasing everything the country has to offer to the world.' Known for recognizing young artists and creators for their contributions in society and music, this year's event will also honor Panamanian music icons who continue inspiring audiences today, as noted by Meyer. 'This celebration in Panama is a clear sign of trust in our country as a creative, vibrant epicenter full of possibilities,' added Maruja Herrera, minister of culture of the Republic of Panama. 'This international recognition highlights the strength of our identity, the richness of our artistic expressions and the dynamism of a new generation that builds with courage, imagination and commitment. Panamanian and Latin American youth will find here a space to shine, to share their voices and to strengthen the connection between cultures, musical genres and unifying causes.' For minister of tourism Gloria de León, Premios Juventud taking over the Central American country is an 'invaluable boost for tourism.' 'From the Tourism Authority, we celebrate this great opportunity because it means global exposure for our landscapes, culture, gastronomy and hospitality,' she expressed. 'Every image that comes from Panama in this broadcast will be an open invitation to the world to come and discover us. I am deeply moved to see our country shine before so many eyes. This platform not only gives us visibility but also energizes our tourism economy and solidifies Panama as the ideal venue for major international events.' Additionally, this year's vibrant Premios Juventud logo — created by Panamanian artist Eduardo Bragin — is inspired by Mola, which, according to the statement, is 'a traditional hand-crafted textile art from Panama that is an essential part of the clothing worn by the indigenous Guna women.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Business Journals
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Journals
D.C. jazz institution Blues Alley celebrates 60 years in Georgetown
Blues Alley, the Georgetown jazz club whose stage has been graced by Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck and countless other jazz luminaries, is turning 60. That milestone belies another: that Blues Alley is the oldest continuously operating jazz supper club in the U.S., according to owner Harry Schnipper. The venue located in a carriage house in an alley behind Wisconsin Avenue NW was opened in 1965 by founder Tommy Gwaltney. Over the years, it adapted to the changing times and appetites for different types of jazz. Schipper has been its owner since 1997. He has organized a blockbuster lineup for the anniversary with the theme 'The House that Dizzy Built.' Blues Alley will build on its annual Brazilian Jazz Series this year with several other Latin embassy jazz series for Hispanic Heritage Month, including Chilean, Peruvian, and Cuban jazz artists playing in September and October. Starting with the week of the July 21 anniversary itself, the venue will begin a series called Decades of Divas featuring several vocalists singing in different styles of the different decades of the venue's tenure. Performances include two nights of shows from jazz icon Melba Moore on July 24-25, and two nights of Jane Monheit on July 26-27. Kicking it off on July 21 will be Clara Campbell, the winner of the international Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocalist Competition, which Blues Alley sponsors. Tickets to all shows are available on Blues Alley's website. Schnipper founded the competition in 2016 to continue to raise Blues Alley's profile, and in part to increase interest in jazz music among the next generation of musicians. The competition now receives hundreds of entrants annually from around the world. Campbell is from the U.S., but this year's second place winner from India and fourth place was from Belarus. 'Ella Fitzgerald's name continues to resonate for future generations, and this competition allows me to identify the future generations of emerging vocalists who will go on to achieve prominence,' Schnipper said. The competition is just one part of the venue's nonprofit efforts. The Blues Alley Jazz Society, which organizes the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra, summer jazz camps, and other events for young people, turns 30 next year, and has been a huge part of the ongoing sustainability of Blues Alley says Schnipper. Gillespie himself helped with the youth orchestra in the '90s, after famously declaring Blues Alley a quintessential jazz club in the 1970s. expandPhoto courtesy Blues Alley expand 'Dizzy Gillespie was the first one to assist us in founding our youth orchestra back in the 1990s, and he was instrumental in educating me that if we don't invest in the future of jazz music, there will be no listeners and there will be no performers,' Schnipper said. 'So it's a self perpetuating prophecy in which we've created organic sustainability.' That sustainability is also aided by a number of ways Blues Alley has adapted its business model, especially since Schnipper took over shortly before 9/11, which had a huge impact on Washington's economy. The venue has managed to survive even as most of the city's other jazz clubs have closed; it helps that they own their building, something that goes a long way to ensuring longevity of any hospitality business. But Schnipper has also grown Blues Alley's profile through broadcasting performances on Voice of America during the pandemic, which up until recently broadcast jazz performances from a studio in the National Press Building to dozens of countries around the globe. President Donald Trump's administration defunded and attempted to shut down the state-sponsored global media channels earlier this year, though a judge halted the shutdown, giving VOA a reprieve. But the broadcasts to 37 countries that began during the pandemic significantly raised Blues Alley's profile; Blues Alley's website now sees 300,000 visits a month, many of them from overseas, Schnipper said. 'We expanded our brand and our footprint by streaming worldwide,' Schnipper said. 'It was a significant accomplishment that brought us a much bigger, more loyal customer base.' The business has continued to pivot in the past six months as the Trump administration's actions laying off government employees have created economic uncertainty in Washington. While Blues Alley traditionally booked one act from Thursday-Sunday, now it often splits weekends to capitalize on different artists' fan bases. The venue also lowered ticket prices to ensure it is still within its liquor license threshold of earning 51% of its revenue from food and beverage, Schnipper said. The lower ticket pricing has allowed Blues Alley to bring in more new musicians, however. 'Emerging Musician Mondays' are now a standing weekly event that provide a platform for young musicians getting started in the industry — some of whom may have played in the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra, or attended a summer camp. 'It's very gratifying,' said Schnipper. Still, even as it makes space for emerging talent, Blues Alley remains a must-stop for the biggest names in jazz and other touring musicians when they come through D.C. And many of them will be doing so over the next few months to wish the club a happy birthday, including David Benoit, Mike Stern, Monty Alexander's annual Christmas to New Year's residency, and others. (Find tickets on Blues Alley's website.) It's that talent that contributes to Blues Alley's longevity. 'I like to colloquially say it's like backing the right horses. We've been very successful in finding the talent that's going to sustain itself over the course of many decades,' Schnipper said. 'The quality of the talent that we present nightly, the names are the marquee names of the jazz industry.'
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Happy Valley Tourism Investment: Happy Valley's $1.1 Million Boost to Tourism for 2025–26, ET TravelWorld
Advt Advt By , ETTravelWorld Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis. Download ETTravelWorld App Get Realtime updates Save your favourite articles Scan to download App Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, has announced a record-setting investment in its tourism economy, with more than USD 1.1 million allocated for 81 projects in the fiscal year 2025–26. The announcement, made jointly by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) and Centre County Commissioners , marks the largest disbursement in the history of the region's Tourism Grant Program The funding, drawn from Centre County's hotel occupancy tax, is designed to enhance visitor experiences and promote long-term growth through cultural events, local attractions, and heritage tourism. The initiative was unveiled at Rolling Rails Lodge in Port Matilda under the theme 'Tourism in Bloom,' reflecting the region's emphasis on inclusive and diversified travel offerings.'Topping the one-million-dollar mark is a tremendous milestone for the Tourism Grant Program,' said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of HVAB. 'It's a visible example of how a strong tourism economy, particularly through overnight stays, benefits our entire community.'Among the 81 funded projects, 11 are first-time recipients, including the Happy Valley Latin Festival. Now in its fifth year, the festival will benefit from increased marketing support to expand its reach during Hispanic Heritage Month. 'Thanks to this support, we'll be able to reach a wider audience for our bilingual, inclusive celebration of Latinx and Hispanic culture,' said Ady Martinez, Festival Higgins, Chair of the Centre County Commissioners, highlighted the broader economic context. 'It is exciting to see total tourism revenue for Centre County exceed USD 1 billion and the Tourism Grant pool cross USD 1 million. These grants directly enhance visitor experiences and enrich local life,' he Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society, another grant recipient, will use the funds to promote its seasonal heritage train rides, including popular Christmas services. 'These funds are vital for attracting visitors from beyond the region,' said Dan Durachko, President of the HVAB programme continues to channel tourism tax revenue into regional development, reinforcing Happy Valley's position as a growing cultural and recreational hub in Pennsylvania.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hispanic Heritage Council receives $7M for construction of cultural institute
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York will receive $7 million from New York State to complete the construction of its cultural institute on Buffalo's West Side, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sunday. The council's plans for the multi-use 37,000-square-foot facility on the corner of Niagara and Hudson Streets was first announced in 2019, but it has since faced delays due to COVID-19. Hochul described the investment as a 'gap-filling' initiative for phase two of the institute, which will serve as a hub for Hispanic history, arts and community. The $30 million facility broke ground in September 2023 at the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. The council plans for the institute to house a museum, 150-seat performing arts theater, event spaces, cafe, media center and learning labs. 'We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for her unwavering support of the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute. This historic investment is not just a milestone for the Buffalo Hispanic community — it's a gift to all of Western New York,' said Casimiro Rodriguez, the council's president and founder. 'As the first of its kind, this institute will serve as a vibrant hub for arts, culture, education, and heritage, drawing visitors from near and far, including our Canadian neighbors. It will enrich our region's cultural landscape and strengthen our identity as a welcoming and diverse community. The future is bright, and we are filled with hope and gratitude as we take this giant step forward together.' Hochul said the previous announcement in 2023 of a $5 million grant, along with additional funding, will continue to help with the completion of the project's second phase and grand opening. 'New Yorkers of Puerto Rican heritage have been an integral part of our state's cultural fabric for generations,' Hochul said. 'We are honored to make bold investments that will empower organizations to expand and thrive, ensuring that the vibrant presence of Puerto Rican culture in New York State remains a cherished aspect of our state's identity.' The council also received $1 million in federal funding in August 2023 for construction. Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Annual Salvadoran festival in Montgomery County canceled over ICE raid concerns
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in a file photo from 2019. (Photo courtesy Immigration and Customs Enforcement) By Jose Umaña The D.C. region's largest Salvadoran festival — and one of the area's largest Latino heritage events — has been canceled due to fears surrounding immigration policies put on by the Trump administration. Organizers for Salvadoreñisimo Festival told WTOP the annual event, which was set to take place at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, has been canceled for this year. It normally takes place in September around the time of Independence Day in El Salvador, Sept. 15, and Hispanic Heritage Month. Organizers told WTOP they did not want to put those in the audience in danger of possible raids from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The event welcomes thousands of people for musical performances, comedic skits and food. The festival was set to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. The D.C. region is home to one of the largest Salvadoran populations in the country. The U.S. Census reports Salvadorans represents more than a quarter of the Latino population in Maryland and D.C. Local outlet Telemundo 44 was the first to report the event's cancellation. Concerts and events around the country have been affected because of immigration policies being pushed by the Trump administration. In April, Michelada Fest — a two-day music festival in Chicago — was canceled after performers experienced issues with visas. – As part of Maryland Matters' content sharing agreement with WTOP, we feature this article from Jose Umaña. Click here for the WTOP News website.
