The Cuban-born singer bought some 2,000 tickets for her weekend concert and they will distributed by raffle among the nearly 17,000 workers who learned last month that they will lose their jobs beginning Nov. 6.

Stefan bought all the remaining upper-level tickets – at $40 each – as a gift to those who were affected, said Harold Rosario, the singer’s spokesman in Puerto Rico, said Thursday.

Officials have begun distributing the tickets to various government agencies, which will raffle them.

The government announced the layoffs in late September as it tries to close the gap on a $3.2 billion deficit. The U.S. territory is struggling with its third year of recession with a 15 percent unemployment rate, higher than any U.S. state.

Tickets to hear the seven-time Grammy winner sing Saturday range from $40 to $125.

Almost 8,000 tickets have been sold so far, Rosario said.

Source: Associated Press

President Barack Obama plans to host a concert next Tuesday to honor Hispanic musical heritage.

The White House says Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan and Jose Feliciano plan to join the event. Other entertainers will include Jimmy Smits, Pete Escovedo, George Lopez, Thalia, Los Lobos, Tito “El Bambino” and Aventura. Sheila E. will lead the house band.

The concert will be taped for a PBS broadcast to air on Oct. 15. It will then air on Telemundo on Oct. 18 and on V-me on Dec. 25.

Chef Maricel Presilla will be a guest chef for the event, called Fiesta Latina.

The White House previous hosted a jazz session in June and country music performance in July. The White House plans a night of classical music in November.

Source: Associated Press