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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD The MassMutual Center will be the host of an event that promoters hope will become an annual event spotlighting Hispanic culture. Holyoke-Based Bauza & Associates announced on Aug. 23 that "Voces Hispanas 2006" will take place at the MassMutual Center from 6 p.m. until midnight on Sept. 30. "We wanted to bring a high end cultural event to the region," Francisco Sol , vice president of accounts services at Bauza & Associates, said. "The best way of doing it is making it happen at the MassMutual Center." The date of the event coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The evening will include a concert featuring Puerto Rican, Colombian and Mexican performers. The newly crowned Miss Latina U.S. will also be appearing. There will also be exhibits of art, customs and history, Sol said. The show is not just for Hispanics, Sol emphasized. "We want all people to learn more about our culture and history," he said. Although much of the programming will reflect the Hispanic culture from the Caribbean, Sol said New England is seeing an influx of Mexican and Central American immigrants as well as Colombians and Peruvians. The cost will be $40 for advance tickets and $45 on the day of the event. There are also VIP tickets at $75 as well. Sol said that major companies such as Baystate Health Systems, Verizon, Williams Distributing and Comcast are among the sponsors for the initial event. The sponsorships reflect the acknowledgement of the impact Hispanics make on the local economy. "We participate in the economy," Sol said. "We participate in what happens here." Also as part of Hispanic Heritage Month there will be a Hispanic film festival on Oct. 13 through15 in conjunction with WGBY and the Fine Arts Center at UMass-Amherst. Screenings will be at the Basketball hall of Fame in Springfield and at the Fine Arts Center. For more information on either event, contact Bauza & Associates at 536-1110. |