PRESS ADVISORY

17TH Annual Hispanic Youth Showcase At the NJ Performing Arts Center
May 23, 2003

WHAT NJN Annual Hispanic Youth Showcase 2003

WHEN Friday, May 23 at 7 pm

WHERE New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark

WHO The list of finalists is attached. Months of screening video tapes and auditions in Camden and Newark resulted in this talented group of young stars who will adorn the stage of NJPAC's Victoria Theater. Thirty-seven representatives from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware will test their vocal chords, dance moves and instrumental training in two divisions: juniors 8 to 12 years old and teens 13 to 17 years of age.

WINNERS Two winners will be selected in each category of dance, vocals and instrumentals for a total of 12 winners. They will compete for $500 scholarships in honor of the King of Latin Music, Tito Puente; the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz; and the international dance star, Beatriz Rodriguez. In addition to the scholarships, the twelve winners receive a free trip to Six Flags Great Adventure and much more.

The NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase is the longest running Latino children's program on PBS and has received an Emmy Award and many Emmy nominations. The National Arts Council Co-op selected the program as one of the top six children's programs in the nation. Participants have appeared in Hollywood movies, on Broadway, Star Search, the Apollo, and Sabado Gigante and in international commercials. For 2003, the special guest performers will be the children's orchestra of the Jazz Institute of New Jersey.

AIR DATE NJN will broadcast a one-hour television special honoring the winners of the competition on July 26 at 6 pm, and on July 27 at noon. The television broadcast, as well as this year's competition at NJPAC, will be dedicated to the valor and greatness of baseball legend and Puerto Rican national hero, Roberto Clemente. Thirty years ago, on December 31, 1972, Roberto lost his life in a tragic plane crash just off the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Clemente gave up a New Year's family celebration to help bring supplies and save the lives of victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. His heroic act serves as a guiding light for all of us.

SPONSORS The NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase 2003 is made possible by the following sponsors: Public Service Electric & Gas, PNC Bank, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The United Way of Essex and West Hudson, Goya Foods, Inc., New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Six Flags Great Adventure.