White House celebrates Hispanic musical heritage [View All]

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

The White House became "La Casa Blanca" on Tuesday, celebrating Hispanic musical heritage with a South Lawn concert and such guests as 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.

"It moves us, and it tends to make us move a little bit ourselves," Obama said in brief remarks before the infectious rhythms began pulsating on the White House grounds. "In the end, what makes Latin music great is the same thing that's always made America great. The unique ability to celebrate our differences while creating something new."

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



Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1824421,w-obama-salsa-hispanic-latin-dance-101409.article