NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA), the nation's longest running active arts advocacy organization for Latino actors, is pleased to announce that it will honor film and television star Luis Guzmán; "Law and Order: SVU" male lead, Danny Pino; singer-actor-humanitarian Rubén Blades; and broadcast journalist Natalie Morales of the "Today" show, as Delta Air Lines presents the Twelfth Annual HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit, also sponsored in part by NBCUniversal and Heineken USA. The Awards Gala and Benefit will take place this evening at 6:30pm at The Battery Gardens on the waterfront in New York's scenic Battery Park (opposite 17 State Street).
Luis Guzmán will be honored with the organization's inaugural HOLA Excellence in Film Award. Guzmán currently stars in the HBO program, "How to Make It in America," and was most recently seen on the big screen in Arthur starring Russell Brand. Rubén Blades will receive the Raúl Juliá HOLA Founders Award to be presented by Merel Julia, widow of the late Raul Julia for whom the award is named. Blades' career across the disciplines of music, politics and acting make him one of the Latino community's most compelling and iconic figures. Danny Pino, the male lead of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" will receive the HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award, and Natalie Morales of NBC's "Today" show will receive the HOLA Excellence in Media Award.
HOLA will also honor the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) with a Special Recognition Award for their achievements in promoting the work of Latino filmmakers and actors as the premier urban Latino film event in the country. HOLA has also chosen Heineken as the inaugural recipient of the HOLA Award for Distinction in Corporate Arts Philanthropy. This award honors those corporations whose philanthropic endeavors serve to further and promote Latino arts and artists. HOLA is happy to laud and highlight Heineken's efforts to create opportunities for Latino actors, through its Voces Grant held in conjunction with the Tribeca Film Institute.
In addition to the aforementioned awards HOLA will also continue its annual tradition of honoring the best of Latino theater in New York with noncompetitive awards encompassing multiple winners in each category. HOLA is at the forefront in recognizing the high caliber work being offered across New York's thriving Latino theatrical stages and, in that same spirit, is recognizing entertainment veteran Teresa Yenque with a Special Recognition Award for her over 40 years of excellence in the entertainment industry. A list of the 2010-2011 theater awardees is attached.
Musical entertainment that evening will be provided by Grammy winning pianist and bandleader Oscar Hernandez who will offer a musical tribute to Ruben Blades. Hernandez will be joined by Broadway singers Natalie Toro and Eliseo Roman as well as by singer Henry Gainza.
2011 HOLA Awards for Excellence in Theater
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR
Alfredo Huereca, Cayendo con Victoriano (World View Productions)
Francisco Reyes, Way To Heaven (Himmelweg) (Repertorio Español)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR
Vanessa Aspíllaga, underneathmybed (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater)
Susanna Guzmán, La luz de un cigarrillo (Teatro LATEA)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED MALE ACTOR
Ismael Cruz Córdova, La luz de un cigarrillo (Teatro LATEA)
Israel Ruiz, La Strada (IATI Theater/Compañía La Strada)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED FEMALE ACTOR
Arisleyda Lombert, La luz de un cigarrillo (Teatro LATEA)
Eva Cristina Vásquez, Sabina y Lucrecia (Teatro Círculo)
OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE
Inma Heredia, My Audition for Almodóvar (IATI Theater)
Lauren Vélez, They Call Me La Lupe (Teatro LATEA/Dura Vida Productions)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE CAST
Iván Camilo, Sunilda Caraballo, Juan Carlos Díaz, Mateo Gómez, Modesto Lacén, Graciany Miranda, Manny Pérez, Ruperto Vanderpool, La barbería (David Maldonado and Juan Toro/New World Stages)
Rosie Berrido, Zulema Clares, Dalia Davi, María Helan, Flor de Liz Pérez, Teresa Pérez-Frangie, Fermín Suárez, En el tiempo de las mariposas (Repertorio Español)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN TECHNICAL PRODUCTION
Raúl Ábrego, for his scenic design of La barbería (David Maldonado and Juan Toro/New World Stages)
Yanko Bakulic, for his scenic design of La luz de un cigarrillo (Teatro LATEA)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN PLAYWRITING
Florencia Lozano, underneathmybed (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater)
Marco Antonio Rodríguez, La luz de un cigarrillo (Teatro LATEA)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTION
Aminta De Lara, Aviones de papel (Paper Airplanes) (Teatro LATEA/Zer0Compañía)
René Buch and Jorge B. Merced, La Strada (IATI Theater/Compañía La Strada)
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Teresa Yenque, for over 40 years of excellence in theater, film and television
GILBERTO ZALDÍVAR HOLA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
Aviones de papel (Paper Airplanes) (Teatro LATEA/Zer0Compañía)
De Fuente Ovejuna a Ciudad Juárez (Thalía Spanish Theatre/The Cross Border Project)
Contact:
Maria Nieto
(917) 912-1381
Serena Tesler
(312) 451-4278
The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) is an arts service and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the presence of Hispanic artists in entertainment and media through the cultivation, education and recognition of emerging artists. HOLA strives for an accurate, informed and non-stereotyped portrayal of the full spectrum of Latino culture and heritage in all entertainment and media industries.
H i s p a n i c O r g a n i z a t i o n o f L a t i n A c t o r s ( H O L A )
107 Suffolk Street, Suite 302, New York, NY 10002 (212) 253-1015 www.hellohola.org
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