President and Mrs. Obama Monday night will host their third “command performance” since the sequester began in March, grooving in the East Room to the sounds of Hispanic music.
Among the stars who will appear to serenade the first couple are Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Raul Malo, Prince Royce, Natalie Cole, Lila Downs, Arturo Sandoval, Romeo Santos, Alejandro Sanz and Marco Antonio Solis.
While workers are being furloughed throughout the government, services are cut, and White House tours remain on ice, private concerts for the Obamas somehow remain beyond the budget axe. The Obamas hosted a “celebration” of Memphis soul music in April and a tribute to Carole King in May.
Tonight’s Música Latina: In Performance at the White House is actually the second musical event featuring the Latino music, the first being what was billed as a “Fiesta Latina” on the South Lawn. Estafan also performed there, as she did during the Carole King concert.
Michelle has also invited 130 middle and high school students from around Washington to take part during the day in an educational workshop,Celebrando el Ritmo Latino: The History of Latin Music. Some of the performers will drop by.
Tonight’s command performance, the 12th of the Obamas’ tenure, will be broadcast Tuesday, October 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
