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White House pulses with Latin beat

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 14, 2009

WASHINGTON - The White House became La Casa Blanca on Tuesday, celebrating Hispanic musical heritage with a South Lawn concert and guests Gloria Estefan, George Lopez, the Bachata music group Aventura, Jose Feliciano and more.

President Barack Obama said Latin music, while hard to define because it comes in so many forms - from salsa to merengue and Bachata to reggaeton - speaks to everyone in a language they can all understand.

"In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" is the third in a music series launched by first lady Michelle Obama to celebrate genres of music. Jazz and country music events, with workshop for music students, have been held. Classical music is on tap for Nov. 4.

Tuesday's musical extravaganza came during the month dedicated to celebrating the culture and traditions of Hispanics. Hosts Jimmy Smits, Eva Longoria Parker and Lopez joked that Obama is really Latino.

"He just doesn't know it," she said.

Tuesday's concert was to be televised Thursday by PBS and Saturday by Telemundo.

The Associated Press

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