Latin Grammys Give It Another Go

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – The Latin Grammys, canceled last year after the terrorist attacks on the United States, will be presented this year at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

C. Michael Greene, president of both the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and its offshoot, the Latin Recording Academy, announced details of the event Thursday.

He said the goal of making the Sept. 18 ceremony a success has given the 4,000-member Latin music group "a new sense of unity and purpose."

"Along with the world, the Latin Recording Academy has had a year that's tested its perseverance, as well as its dedication to celebrating music as passionately as it has since LARAS first started three years ago," Greene said.

He promised "a spectacular worldwide celebration" to make up for last year's canceled show. Awards for that ceremony, which had been scheduled on Sept. 11, were later announced at a small press conference.

The event had been scheduled in Miami, but was abruptly moved to Los Angeles less than a month before the ceremony. The move occurred after academy and local officials could not agree on where anti-Castro protesters would be permitted to picket the show.

The Kodak Theatre, part of a revitalization development in the Hollywood neighborhood, was used for the first time this year as the site of the Academy Awards.

Meanwhile, the Latin Recording Academy added two new categories this year, best contemporary tropical album and best Christian album, bringing the total to 41.

Nominations are expected to be announced in July. The 3rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards are set for live broadcast by CBS.

The Latin Recording Academy also raises funds to provide music education and health service programs in Latin countries.