Thursday, August 23, 2007

Gloria Estefan performs live in Key West


Artwork for the cover of Gloria Estefan's new CD "90 Millas."

The Westin Key West is scheduled to be the broadcast site for a taped "Despierta America" television show that is to feature several songs sung by Gloria Estefan.

"Despierta America" hosts Fernando Arau, left, and Raul Gonzalez, are to be in Key West Aug. 25 to videotape most of a three-hour show that is to air Monday, Sept. 17.

KEY WEST, Florida Keys – Latin diva Gloria Estefan is scheduled to perform several songs from her upcoming CD release, “90 Millas” (“90 Miles”), live in Key West Saturday, Aug. 25, during videotaping of Univision network’s “Despierta America” morning television show.

According to "Despierta America" producers, the singer’s performance is to be a facet of the production from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sunset Pier at the Westin Key West Resort & Marina, 245 Front St. The public is invited to watch Estefan and the rest of the show for free.

Key West is situated just 90 miles from the Cuban coast and on the CD Estefan revisits the Cuban music of her roots. Recorded entirely in Spanish and set for release Sept. 18, the 14-track set is led by the single "No Llores," (“Don’t Cry”) featuring guitarists Carlos Santana and Jose Feliciano, and percussionist Sheila E.

Hosting the show from Key West are to be Fernando Arau and Raul Gonzalez, two of the hosts from the morning show. “Despierta America” airs weekdays in South Florida on Channel 23 and is the Spanish-language broadcast version of such network morning shows as ABC’s “Good Morning America.” It also airs on 61 other Univision Television Group-owned television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets as well as Puerto Rico and on cable television in Mexico and some parts of South America.

Producers have been coordinating with the Monroe County Tourist Development Council to facilitate the taping. The show is to air Monday, Sept. 17, from 7 to 10 a.m.

Schooner Liberty, docked in Key West Harbor, and the Westin’s Sunset Key Guest Cottages are to be the backdrops for the show.

Segments to be featured include performances by acts from Key West’s nightly Sunset Celebration, the Westin’s bartender creating a signature "Gloria" cocktail and a singing contest where aspiring artists take their turn at the microphone to belt out a famous Estefan tune. Additional segments focusing on Keys activities also are to be featured, including a visit to the Pirate Soul Museum, a kayak excursion with Lazy Dog Charters and a snuba session that combines scuba diving and snorkeling.

The resort is to have food and beverages available for purchase by the audience during the taping.

“Despierta America” is the second production of a network morning show in the Florida Keys this summer. On July 5, portions of the “The Early Show” were broadcast live on CBS to kick off that network morning show’s Great American Vacation series.


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