Centre for the Arts, Hispanic Chamber Announce "Celebrating Latin Culture - Boca 2003"

Office Depot Presents Grammy Award-Winning Latin Artists Jon Secada, Nestor Torres to Benefit Multi-Cultural Youth Programming

Boca Raton, FL (August 4, 2003) - Latin culture will come to life in a rich tapestry of art, music, dance and cinema when Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park (CFA) and the Hispanic Chamber of Palm Beach County host "Celebrating Latin Culture - Boca 2003," October 3rd through 5th. Office Depot, Inc. (NYSE:ODP), the world's largest reseller of office products, is the Presenting Sponsor for this exciting, multi-dimensional weekend, which marks Hispanic Cultural Heritage Month and benefits the launch of CFA's culturally diverse children's programming.

Highlighting the three-day fiesta is a concert under the stars by two Grammy award-winning Latin artists and South Florida favorites, Jon Secada and Nestor Torres, at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. Robb & Stucky will host a lavish post-concert "Meet the Stars" reception for VIP ticketholders, featuring Latin cuisine and art, with dancing and entertainment sponsored by JM Family Enterprises, Inc.

The event kicks off with "Movies & Mojitos" on Friday, October 3rd. Sunrise Cinemas has teamed with Bacardi USA to bring the U.S. premiere of a critically acclaimed Latin film, "City of No Limits" to Mizner Park Cinema. Guests will then enjoy a Latin desserts reception and entertainment at Colonial Bank.

Throughout the weekend, Mizner Park will showcase Latin culture free-to-the-public at the Center Fountain. From 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, families can enjoy entertainment featuring Los Latigos Gaucho dancers; interactive drum sessions with Roots of Rhythm; Latin-theme stories and activities from the Children's Musuem; Latin band Made in Brazil; and a performance by Illusions: A Dance Company. On Sunday evening, Mizner park presents The Alex Fox Show, featuring the popular Argentian-born entertainer.

On Sunday, the Boca Raton Museum of Art presents Young Sunday: Celebrating Latin Art from 1 to 4 p.m., including hands-on art activities, performances by "Grupo Folklore Latino", a flag parade and a treasure hunt. The Museum also is exhibiting "The Language of Sculpture," highlighting the works of noted Costa Rican sculptor Jorge Jiménez Deredia, throughout the month.

Laura R.H. Corry, president of the Hispanic Chamber, and Allison García, CFA Board member, are co-chairs for the event. "We are thrilled with the enthusiasm and community support for this exceptional weekend," said Corry. "Through the generosity of Office Depot and our other sponsors, we will be recognizing the growth and diversity of the region's Latin population and sharing its rich cultural treasures and traditions."

"Celebrating Latin Life - Boca 2003 will help launch CFA's ambitious new multi-cultural youth programming initiative," explained co-chair García. "This first-ever event in South County will generate funds that will enable us to reach thousands of children and provide them with free cultural opportunities, from children's film festivals to live theater performances."

"We are proud to be the title sponsor for a weekend event that offers the South Florida community an opportunity to celebrate and experience Latin culture," said Mary Wong, Director of Community Relations for Office Depot. Wong noted, "Also, we are pleased that proceeds will benefit and make a difference in the lives of so many children in the communities in which we live and do business."

Event supporters also include Florida Crystals, Kaufman Lynn, Inc., El Heraldo, Sun Sentinel/El Sentinel and Sterling Financial Group of Companies. The event is spearheaded by a committee whose members include Maxine Adler, Timolin Cole Augustus, Marta Batmasian, Casey Cole, Enrique de la Pezuela, Nancy A. Dreier, Sandi Gafter, Kathie Janik, Julie Kaminski, Sally Kneiser, Andrea Knibbs, Wendy U. Larsen, Jeff Mustard, Nilsa Pinado, Jeff Pipes, Marlene Pomeranz, Jo Ann Root, Phyllis Rubin, Cynthia Sandler, Madelyn Savarick, Barbara P. Simon, Marilyn Swillinger, Claire Sylvia, Elaine-Miceli Vasquez and Lisa Warren. Additional sponsors: Publix Super Markets Charities, Sterling Limo Services, Citibank.

VIP tickets are $200 per person for the Saturday night concert, and include priority seating and the post-concert benefit reception. Tickets for the Friday night "Movies & Mojitos" and post-film reception are $50 each.

Click here to download a schedule of events (in pdf format).

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For more information on The Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park, call Lisa R. Warren at (561) 368-8445.