Stars gather to celebrate Latin Culture at The Air Europa Latin UK Awards

Phantom of the Opera lead Gerónimo Rauch and West Ham footballer Enner Valencia to collect awards.

Britain’s most popular Latin personalities from the worlds of music, sports, dance, art, business and television come together on Wednesday May 13th for the 4th Air Europa Latin UK Awards Gala (LUKAS) 2015, to be held at Camden Town’s celebrated KOKO venue.

Celebrating under one roof the best of Britain’s diverse and dynamic Latin cultures from Flamenco and Samba  to Salsa and Latin funk in a spectacular Gala Ceremony and Live Concert After Party headed up by Fellowship Award winner Jorge Spiteri & his Latin Funk Allstars.

One of 70’s West London’s more flamboyant musicians, Jorge Spiteri is considered the pioneer of Latin Music in the UK. Signed to major labels and recording with Traffic’s Chris Wood and Tyrone Downie from Bob Marley & The Wailers, Spiteri’s unique Latin rock fusion and two UK albums  influenced a generation of pop bands in Latin America. Spiteri returns to the very venue where he broke his unique Latin Rock fusion, to perform with his new Latin All Stars featuring  Karl Vanden Boscche (Blur), Tony Remy (Annie Lennox), Steve Lewinson (Amy Winehouse), Pete Lewinson (George Michael), Urban Soul Orchestra (Take That) and Roberto Pla.

Argentine Gerónimo Rauch, better known as the lead in the West End show “The Phantom of the Opera” is the overwhelming winner of Vocalist of the Year and West Ham’s Ecuadorian Enner Valencia wins Sports Personality of the Year.  Buenos Aires star Rauch began his career as winner of Argentina’s Pop Idol, becoming a megastar as a member of the country’s biggest ever boy band, Mambrú. Rauch has gone on to play three of the biggest male roles in musical theatre – Phantom, Valjean and Jesus.

After his success at last year’s World Cup, West Ham United forward Enner Valencia has been a high impact player in the first part of this season, contributing to the fantastic run that took the East London team to fourth place in the Premier League. Celebrating with Valencia will be several London footballers an ex-footballers including Juan Cuadrado, Hugo Rodallega, Ossie Ardiles, Ricky Villa and Gaizka Mendietta.

Hosted for third consecutive year by Spain’s most popular TV presenter Boris Izaguirre and Venezuelan comedian George Harris, plus acclaimed dancer Yanet Fuentes, the Air Europa LUKAS Gala Ceremony attracts an A list cast of Award presenters  and winners including Bianca Jagger, Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera, Royal Baller superstar Carlos Acosta as well as designer Vivienne Westwood and Pink Floyd’s Dave Gilmour.

Winning a 2015 Air Europa LUKAS Award is renowned Venezuelan pianist Clara Rodríguez, who collects Classical Act of the Year.  Born in Caracas and London resident since she was 17, Rodríguez, enthuses ” It’s a great celebration of the passion among Brits for the Latin culture and I’m delighted to win this prestigious award.” London’s Colombians sweep up 5 of the 10 music awards with Vibraphonist Dorance Lorza winning Musician of the Year, whilst others collect…..

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Fania Records. Often known as ‘The Motown of Latin music’, the iconic New York record label made superstars out of Latino musicians such as Celia Cruz and Tito Puente and took Latin music to the masses in the 1970s. The music still dominates salsa cluabs all over the world and Fania CEO Michael Rucker will be flying in to receive the award.

Winners to be announced on the evening of the LUKAS Gala Ceremony include Visual Artist Of 2015  and Personality and Entrepreneur of 2015, with BBC’s The Apprentice Felipe Baquero a finalist.

Air Europa LUKAS Winners 2015 (Already Announced)
Vocalist of the Year – Gerónimo Rauch (Argentina)
Sports Personality of the Year – Enner Valencia (Ecuador)
Fellowship Award Winner 2015: Jorge Spiteri (Venezuelan rock latin pioneer)
Musician of the Year, – Dorance Lorza (Colombia)
Classical Act of the Year – Clara Rodríguez (Venezuelan pianist)
Urban Act Of The Year – Mike Kalle (Rapper)
International Artist Of The Year – Juan Luis Guerra and Romeo Santos (Two mega artists representing Dominican Republic)
Tropical Act Of The Year  -Robin del Castillo (Cali born singer)
Alternative Act Of The Year – Fernando’s Kitchen
Tropical DJ Of The Year – Fernando KBson
Crossover DJ Of The Year – DJ Luigi Sanchez
The Air Europa LUKAS (Latin UK awards) is the annual award ceremony that recognises the contributions of one million Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese residents to British life. Now in its fourth year, it’s the fastest-growing awards ceremony and most media-covered Latin event in the UK.

The event is organised by www.Latinolife.co.uk, the N°1 magazine for Latin & Spanish lifestyle in the UK.

News from Organisation
Edited by Meritxell Vallve
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