Latin Rhythms of Rivera, Banderas, Esparza, and Others Will Benefit BC/EFA

Broadway and Latin music will collide on May 19 at Latin Rhythms, a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS conceived by Richard Amaro and directed by Amaro and Ariadne Villareal.

Among the stars scheduled to perform are Chita Rivera (the current revival of Nine, Kiss of the Spider Woman), Antonio Banderas (Nine), Rosie Perez (Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune), Daphne Rubin-Vega (The Rocky Horror Show, Rent), Raúl Esparza (Cabaret, The Rocky Horror Show), Saundra Santiago (Nine, A View From the Bridge), Natalie Toro (Les Misérables), and Olga Merediz (Man of La Mancha). In addition to songs from their shows, they will be singing numbers arranged by Grammy Award winner Ray Santos.

After the performance, the tables will be cleared for an evening of salsa and mambo dancing to the music of the Ray Santos Orchestra, featuring such guest musicians as Dave Valentin, Jimmy Bosch, Willie Rodriguez, Andy Gonzalez, Jimmy Sabater, Mario Rivera, and Angel Rodriguez.

Latin Rhythms will erupt at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42nd Street, on Monday, May 6 at 8pm. Tickets are available at $175-$1,000 for the show and a reception at 6:30pm, or $90 for general admission. Reservations may be made by calling Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at 212-840-0770, ext. 268, or through the website www.broadwaycares.org.