Superstar Gloria Estefan was honored as the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of The Year at a star-studded gala dinner in Houston’s Convention Center.

Estefan, the first woman to receive the honor, spoke at the Nov. 12 event about music’s ability to touch and change people’s lives. “It’s such a powerful force,” she said.

Estefan’s musical achievements for over 30 years were celebrated with performances by a varied roster of acts — most personal friends — that included Carlos Santana, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, José Feliciano, Alexandre Pires, Gian Marco, Jon Secada, Luis Fonsi and Ednita Nazario. The musical accompaniment was by the Philharmonic of the Americas, conducted by Alondra de la Parra and The Miami Sound Machine, Estefan’s original band.

Newscaster María Elena Salinas and actor Andy García hosted the event, with Garcia also picking up the congas for a few solos.

Following a rousing, opening number by LaBelle, standouts of the evening included Gian Marco’s performance of “Mi Fotografía,” a song he wrote for Estefan’s album “Unwrapped.” Brazil’s Pires performed an acoustic version of “Santo,” which he recorded as a duet with Estefan, and Estefan herself took the stage for “No Llores” — “I still have to sing for my supper,” she joked — a single from her latest album, “90 Millas,” which she performed with Santana and Feliciano, who were both guests on the album.

Mexico’s Banda El Recodo performed earlier in the evening. Estefan’s daughter Emily also contributed to the evening with electric guitar and drum solos.

Source: THR.com

October 18, 2008: Gloria Estefan poses for a photo with ‘a creature of the night’ at Halloween Horror Nights 18 during a visit to Universal Orlando Resort, in Orlando, Fla. with her family.

Gloria Estefan Celebrates Her Three Latin Grammy Nominations In The Middle Of A Sold Out Concert In London

Miami, FL (September 11, 2008) – In a press conference held yesterday, the Latin Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 9thAnnual LATIN GRAMMY Awards. Five time Grammy award winner and international superstar Gloria Estefan was among the elite nominated for the prestigious LATIN GRAMMY awards, in three of its main categories.

The nominated categories include:

Best Traditional Tropical Album
90 MILLAS
Gloria Estefan

Best Tropical Song
Píntame De Colores
Emilio Estefan, Jr., Gloria Estefan, Alberto Gaitan & Ricardo
Gaitan, songwriters (Gloria Estefan)
Track from: 90 Millas

Best Long Form Music Video
90 MILLAS
Gloria Estefan
Emilio Estefan, Jr., video director; Emilio Estefan, Jr., video
Producer

Besides from these three nominations, Estefan was chosen “2008 Person of the Year” for her philanthropic, professional and cultural accomplishments and will receive the honor at a star-studded concert and tribute dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Estefan is the ninth Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honoree and is the first woman to receive the honor. She joins a prestigious list of previous honorees, which includes Julio Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Carlos Santana. A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s tribute dinner will benefit the Gloria Estefan Foundation as well as St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The prestigious event will be produced by 13-time GRAMMY winner Phil Ramone and will precede the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, which will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, Nov. 13, and will be broadcast live on the Univision Television Network at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central.

Gloria was in the middle of her concert, in London, when she was informed of the nominations. Her sold out concert at Wembley couldn’t be better scenery for this celebration. This marks the first time in 12 years that Estefan Tours Europe. The tour will take her to European cities including London, Rotterdam, Madrid, Barcelona and Belfast. Upon returning to the states, Gloria will perform a very special concert on October 24 at the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Education Funds of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Indian River County Public Schools.

Source: gloriaestefan.com

GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winning international superstar Gloria Estefan will be honored as the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, it was announced today by The Latin Recording Academy. Estefan was chosen for her philanthropic, professional and cultural accomplishments and will receive the honor at a star-studded concert and tribute dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s tribute dinner will benefit the Gloria Estefan Foundation as well as St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The prestigious event will be produced by 13-time GRAMMY winner Phil Ramone and will precede the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, which will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, Nov. 13, and will be broadcast live on the Univision Television Network at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. (more here)

Source:yahoo.com (Thanks to RealWoman!)

People are invited to view an unveiling of the Estefans’ Music and Memorabilia Display at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

The celebrity duo will be on-hand for this extraordinary occasion.

They will also be announcing details about an upcoming charitable event to benefit the education fund and foundation initiatives for Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Indian River County Public Schools.

The event will take place Monday, Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. and will be held in the main lobby of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at (954) 327-ROCK or 1-800-937-0010.

Source:nbc6.net (Thanks to Jos !)

Thanks to meiga for this information! Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio are working on a documentary called ‘Con los Pies en el Cielo’ about the singer in 1990 after losing movement in an accident.

At the ceremony the mayor proclaimed today as “Costa d’Este Day” in Vero Beach. Other speakers included the Estefans; Andy Zinni, the resort’s GM; and Burt Cabanas, chairman and CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International, the operator of the resort. Also in attendance were local and county officials, and area residents. A reception followed the ceremony.

The new resort is fully booked this weekend with a private group that also reserved its signature Cuban-fusion restaurant Oriente. The resort and Oriente will open to the public on Monday, June 23.

Gloria Estefan welcomed the VIP delegation by stating, “We developed this stunning resort because it made good business sense, but it was also a labor of love because Vero Beach is our home away from home and has been for six years, and we wanted to share this special community with vacationers from around the world.”

“Today marks the culmination of a long road,” added Emilio Estefan, Jr. “Mayor White, city commissioners and council members, Gloria and I thank all of you for the incredible support you have shown us and the very warm welcome we have received here in Vero Beach.”

“This gorgeous resort reflects Gloria and Emilio’s flair, keen style and multi-cultural sophistication,” added Burt Cabanas, Benchmark’s founder. “Benchmark Hospitality is delighted to add Costa d’Este to our new Personal Luxury Resort(TM) collection.”

From its premier Ocean Drive location to its fashionable accommodations, gourmet cuisine and attentive service, Costa d’Este will cater to the most discerning leisure travelers from around the world. The $50 million resort also features a signature restaurant and bar, infinity-edge pool and cabana bar, spa and gym.

Source:eturbonews.com

Latino singer Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio have been honored in Miami by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the cancer center says.

The pediatric center said in a news release that the Grammy Award-winning singer was recognized at the sixth annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala for her efforts to improve international and local healthcare.

John P. Moses, chief executive officer for St. Jude’s fundraising organization, thanked people such as the Estefans for their help.

Thanks to the supporters and sponsors of this gala, St. Jude is able to provide hope for sick children and their families from all over the world, the fundraising official said during the May 17 event.

In addition to the former Miami Sound Machine singer, the event was attended by philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, model Candela Ferro and Telemundo star Genesis Rodriguez.

Source:moldova.org (Thanks to conga_ilaria!)

Singer-celebrity Gloria Estefan’s sleek Costa d-Este Beach Resort is to open to guests about June 16 — but without fanfare, hotel officials said.

In the next few days the county Building Department expects to clear the way for the opening by approving that the newly-constructed hotel is structurally ready for use, department Operations Coordinator Kery Jones said Wednesday.

“We look forward to its opening,” he said. “We need more hotels.”

However, it could be late September or early October before there is an official grand opening of the $50 million, five-story beach-front facility.

Some people have already reserved rooms that have an introductory rate of $189. Rates will rise to $249 beginning Oct. 1 through Dec. 19. The resort has 90 guest rooms, four suites and a large spa.

Rooms feature marble floors, teak headboards and even iPod docking stations, along with wireless internet access.

Details are still being worked out for the opening of the resort’s 85-seat restaurant Oriente that will be under the management of Cuban-American chef David Rodriguez.

The Ocean Drive hotel is built around the core of a five-story hotel purchased for $12.5 million after it was heavily damaged by hurricanes in 2004. The overall architecture was changed, creating a modernist style unique to the hotel.

The showers are round and made of limestone. Large circular opening, of random sizes, punctuate the building’s stark exterior.

Estefan co-owns the 2.4-acre hotel with her husband, Emilio Estefan. They have a home in the Vero Beach area. Benchmark Hospitality International is managing the resort that will employ 70 people.

Costa d-Este Beach Resort will have “keen style and multi-cultural sophistication,” according to the resort’s publicist. Service will be “discreetly attentive.”

Source:tcpalm.com (Thanks to Jos for this information!)

Gloria Estefan attends The 6th Annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Miami Gala at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on May 17, 2008 in Miami, Florida.