"Voces Unidas"

Concert Opens National Council of La Raza Conference

CHICAGO-Latino community leaders from around the country gathered in Chicago for the annual conference organized by the National Council of La Raza. With a week long series of workshops, panel discussions and celebrity appearances, the NCLR brought approximately 10,000 participants together under one roof at the Navy Pier on Lake Michigan in an effort to address political, social and economic issues facing Hispanics at the end of the millennium. Among the topics being discussed in round table sessions and focus groups were statehood for Puerto Rico, Proposition 187 and anti-immigration legislation, public vs. private education, and affirmative action. An exhibit fair featured booths provided by public and private sector organizations.

Featured speakers for the week included Mexican writer and statesman Carlos Fuentes, former Texas Governor Ann Richards, U.S. Congressman Richard Gephardt and current Mexican President Ernesto Cedillo. Other high profile personalities who traveled to Chicago for the conference included entertainers such as salsa star Marc Anthony, the Grammy award-winning Houston band La Mafia, mariachi princess Nydia Rojas, and Mexican singer-songwriter Emmanuel.

Kicking off with an all-star evening concert held at the University of Illinois at Chicago Pavilion on Sunday, July 20, the conference attracted luminaries such as Henry Cisneros, now president of the Univision television network, as well as political activists and organizers from as far away as New Mexico and California. Headlining Sunday's performances, La Mafia followed well-received appearances by Emmanuel and the actor-salsero Marc Anthony, who turned in a dynamic 45-minute set before giving up the stage.

Bowing to demand, La Mafia delivered a stunning selection of classic songs that included "Me Estoy Enamorando," "Vida"and "Mejores Que Ella," a moving duet recorded with Marc Anthony. Returning to the stage for the popular duet, Marc Anthony once again drew applause and cheers from an enthusiastic audience.

From the moment La Mafia lead vocalist Oscar De La Rosa said "Quiero invitar an un amigo [I'd like to invite a friend]," to the moment Marc Anthony stepped off the stage for the second time, fans kept to their feet, swaying in time to the music and singing along to the lyrics of the powerful ballad.

La Mafia also availed itself of the opportunity to introduce material from their latest release, En Tus Manos, a monster album which went platinum only two weeks after its release on June 3rd. The lead single off of En Tus Manos, a cumbia titled "Enamorada," is currently the number four song on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks.

Also included in the showcase of new La Mafia material was a medley of songs written by and dedicated to the late Cornelio Reyna, the legendary South Texas music pioneer. Spotlighting the virtuoso accordion riffs handed in by La Mafia producer-arranger-band member Mando Lichtenberger, Jr., the tune pays homage to a Tex-Mex musical hero and drew applause from the many Texas-Chicago transplants who take pride in their Tejano roots.

"I'm from San Antonio, but I've been in Chicago for about fifteen years," said Michael Gonzales, a small business owner in the Windy City. "These guys [La Mafia] are the best."

Minutes before La Mafia took to the stage Mary Alice Cisneros, married to former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros, was pleased to receive an autographed copy of La Mafia's new album. "She's always been a big Mafia fan," said Lichtenberger as he agreeably signed a CD for the Univisions executive's wife.

"I've introduced La Mafia before, in Texas," said her husband, former cabinet secretary for Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros when asked if he would be introducing the band, "But tonight, the National Council of La Raza already has its own emcees."