Members of the Laredo Community College Citizens Advisory Committee convened at the theater of the new Martinez Fine Arts Center on Wednesday, September 3, to deliver an important announcement concerning student scholarships.
On Thursday, October 16, the LCC citizens advisory group hopes to fill the center’s theater with aficionados of Latin music in an effort to generate more than $50,000 in scholarships for the benefit of LCC students.
Headlining the LCC Fall 2003 Concert Gala on October 16 will be Grammy-nominated recording artist Enrique Chia and his Latin Ensemble. The evening affair will begin with a reception featuring wine and hors d’oeuvres at 7 p.m. The concert performance will begin at 8:15 p.m.
LCC Citizens Advisory Committee Chair David Kalisz says that Laredo and area citizens will have a special opportunity to enjoy a music concert featuring a high-caliber performing artist with a unique style of music.
“Maestro Chia is a talented pianist who is recognized internationally for entertaining music lovers with his romantic boleros, tangos, and other traditional styles so well known and loved in our culture,” said Kalisz.
The
multi-talented Chia is a man caught between his passion for science and the
romantic allure of his music. Chia,
who began playing the piano at age five, studied in his native Cienfuegos, Cuba,
at Havana’s Conservatory of Music. In
1961, as Cuba’s political climate was changing, Chia left home to pursue
studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he obtained his master’s
and doctorate degrees
in metallurgy. He has received 46
U.S. patents
Chia’s music was private until he recorded a cassette for family and friends. His music was well received by the public that he continued recording. Today he has recorded 30 CDs, including romantic boleros, tangos, traditional tropical, Christmas, inspirational and two sets of international hits of American music.
Initially, Maestro Chia began performing at benefit concerts only. However, he is now a regular performer across the U.S. and Latin America. He has performed in Mexico, Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica and Venezuela.
Maestro Chia has received numerous commendations and accolades. Most recently, he received the prestigious Casandra International Award in the Dominican Republic and a nomination for a Grammy Award for his recording, “The Music of Ernesto Lecuona.”
Tickets for the LCC Fall Gala Concert featuring Enrique Chia are $100 per person, with all proceeds designated for student scholarships. To purchase tickets, contact the LCC Development Office by calling 721-5812.
The LCC Fall Gala is underwritten by several local businesses and individuals. In the Maestro category, the sponsors are International Bank of Commerce- Laredo, Commerce and Zapata; Barnes and Noble; Falcon International Bank; Leyendecker Construction and The Hurd Family. In the Director category, the sponsor is Laredo National Bank. In the Artist category, the sponsors are South Texas National Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Ana Ochoa and Company, Walker Plaza and Daniel B. Hastings, Jr.
ENRIQUE CHIA
Set
to offer first major concert at the new Martinez Fine Arts Center
PROMOTING
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS: The Laredo Community College Citizens Advisory
Committee recently launched ticket sales for the Fall 2003 Concert Gala
featuring Grammy-nominated recording artist Enrique Chia.
Proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit student scholarships.
Present at the launching were, from left, LCC President Dr. Ramon
Dovalina, Roy Zepeda, J. Ismael Gonzalez, CAC Chair David Kalisz, Miguel
Pescador, Dan B. Hastings, Jr., and LCC Vice-President for Instruction and
Student Development Dr. Juan Maldonado.
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