by Demian Russian
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th to October 15th each year, celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) announced today that in will be joining the celebration this year with special programing from now through October 16th on Sirius XM’s Caliente (Sirius channel 83 and XM channel 85), Real Jazz (Sirius channel 72 and XM channel 70) and Symphony Hall (Sirius channel 80 and XM channel 78) channels.
President Lyndon Johnson began the observation in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. President Ronald Reagan extended the observation period to one month in 1988, to run from September 15th to October 15th. September 15th is a significant date, as it is the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. It is also notable that Mexico celebrates their independence day on September 16th and Chile celebrates theirs on September 18th. Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) also falls within this 30 day period on October 12th. According to the Library of Congress, this year’s theme is “Heritage, Diversity, Integrity and Honor: The Renewed Hope of America.”
Sirius XM Radio’s special programming celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month will include performances from Jon Secada, Christian Castro, Poncho Sanchez, and Alondra de la Parra, as well as exclusive interviews with many Grammy award winning Latin artists, including Shakira, Emilio Estefan and Daddy Yankee. Daddy Yankee’s most recent album, Mundial, just received multiple nominations for the 2010 Latin Grammy Awards earlier this month, including a nomination for the Best Urban Music Album. The Daddy Yankee interview a will air on Friday, October 1st at 4:00PM ET and will be rebroadcast on Sunday, October 3rd at 4:00PM ET. Daddy Yankee will also host a “Top 10 Favorite Songs” special on Saturday, October 2nd at 3:00PM ET.
Caliente’s weekly show, La Vieja Escuela, will dedicate four shows to prominent Latinos, such as Ralph Mercado and Larry Harlow of the legendary Fania Records salsa label. Actor and salsa legend Ruben Blades will also discuss his humble beginnings, from working at the mailroom at Fania Records, to his journey from Harvard to Hollywood, to his Grammy winning music, in a special interview on Caliente’s La Vieja Escuela airing on Saturday, October 9th at 9:00AM ET. Caliente will also broadcast concert performances by other Latin Grammy winners and nominees, including Pitbull, Juanes, Victor Manuelle, Jon Secada, and El Gran Combo, Tito Nieves, Oscar DeLeon, and Cristian Castro.
Sirius XM’s Symphony Hall channel will broadcast a special musical profile of 27-year old Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra, who is the first Mexican woman to conduct in New York City, on Friday, September 24th at 6:00PM ET, with a replay on Monday, September 27th at 9:00PM ET. Ms. De la Parra will talk also about her new album, Mi Alma Mexicana, and the deep cultural melting pot that has shaped Mexican classical music on Friday, September 24th at 6:00PM ET, with a replay on Monday, September 27th at 9:00PM ET.
During the month long celebration, Sirius XM’s Real Jazz channel will also devote every Friday evening to Latin Jazz. Every Friday at 9:00PM ET, Real Jazz will broadacast exclusive, live performances from Latin Jazz legends, such as Arturo Sandoval and Poncho Sanchez.
Position: Long SIRI
Contact the Author: demianrussian@satelliteradioplayground.com
