Haute 100 MIA: Gloria Estefan to Host PBS 2015 Arts Fall Festival

On Monday, PBS announced the return of its Arts Fall Festival and Haute 100 lister Gloria Estefan will host the cultural event.

Returning next month, the seven-time Grammy Award-winner will host the festival each Friday for eight weeks. The festival will commence with a Unity-The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson featuring Michael Jackson’s greatest hits interpreted by award-winning Latin artists in a concert hosted by celebrated percussionist Sheila E.

Unity is a passion project created by Peruvian-born and Miami-raised producer and multi-instrumentalist Tony Succar. Iconic chart-topping Jackson songs like “Smooth Criminal,” “I Want You Back,” “Billie Jean” and among others will be reimagined by musicians from Latin America. Performers include Jon Secada, Tito Nieves, Michael Stuart, Obie Bermúdez, Jennifer Peña, Kevin Ceballo, Judith Hill, Jean Rodriguez, and more.

“PBS is committed to exploring diversity reflective of many cultures, generations and genres in all of its programming,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “We always strive to tell the stories of diverse America, and our programming throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) and beyond highlights the unique contributions and experiences of Hispanic Americans.”

The fifth season of the Arts Fall Festival will commence Oct.9^th

Following Unity-The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson, PBS will broadcast the 28^th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards. It will be hosted by Rita Moreno, which is the country’s highest award paying tribute to Latinos by Latinos. The evening includes live performances and appearances by some of the country’s most celebrated Hispanic artists.

Additionally, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month PBS will air a number of documentaries that focuses on the history and lives of Hispanic Americans. Some of the documentaries to look forward to are On Two Fronts: Latinos & Vietnam, which airs Sept. 22; Voces, American Masters “Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer’s Journey,” airing Sept. 18^th and on Sept 22^nd POV presents “Don’t Tell Anyone” (“No Le Digas a Nadie”), which profiles immigrant activist Angy Rivera as she shares her experiences of being undocumented and sexually abused.

Check out the preview below for the 2015 Arts Fall Festival. For the entire lineup for Hispanic Heritage Month visit here.

Photo via Shutterstock