ENTERTAINMENT

* The sixth annual Imagen Awards--sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews to foster positive images of Latinos in the media--went to the movie “Romero”, a two-part episode of “21 Jump Street”, and the KCET documentary “Valor.” Special recognition was accorded to NBC’s “The Old Man and the Sea,” to the KCBS-TV documentary “Teens with a Mission,” and an episode of “L.A. Law.” Presenters included Julie Carmen, Rita Moreno and Edward James Olmos, who in 1988 was the first individual to receive the award.

After an 18-year absence from the City of Angels, which saw him moving to Miami, celebrated orchestra leader Rene Touzet is returning to the Southland. It was in the 1940s that the Cuban-born Touzet, along with Xavier Cugat and Desi Arnaz, brought Caribbean dance rhythms to L.A. audiences. Touzet, whose career includes 22 albums, four gold records, and whose music has been interpreted by Frank Sinatra, Pedro Vargas and others, will bring back musical memories in two special concert/dances in Southern California--Aug. 24 at “El Parral” in South Gate, and Aug. 25 at “Casa Rivera” in Pico Rivera.

Puerto Rican recording artist Tito Puente and Zacatecas-born KTNQ DJ Humberto Luna are among the 21 entertainers selected to receive a star on Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame” in 1990-91. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the dedication ceremonies and 1,914 stars have been dedicated.

Can you picture Placido Domingo portraying Simon Bolivar? The Los Angeles Music Center Opera has approached the Spanish tenor, who expressed interest in doing a musical version on the life of South America’s famed liberator. But don’t line up for tickets yet--if the project goes through, it is not scheduled until the mid-1990s.

As soon as Panamanian singer/actor Ruben Blades completed “Predator 2” with Danny Glover, Gary Busey and Maria Conchita Alonso, he was called to Budapest, Hungary (which doubles as Paris in the ‘20s) for filming of “Josephine Baker,” HBO’s biography of the renowned black entertainer. Blades plays the role of Pepito, Baker’s paramour.

She would be lucky to get 6,000 people to the Hollywood Bowl for Mariachi USA, producer Rodri Rodriguez said she had been told. But the event, featuring Vikki Carr, Linda Ronstadt and five top mariachi groups, attracted a sell-out audience of 17,000-plus. After its success, plans are under way for an encore next year.