ENTERTAINMENT

Mark your calendars for the third annual L.A. Fiesta Broadway--Sunday, April 26, from noon until 7 p.m. More than 100 musical acts from the Latin entertainment world will perform throughout the day on seven stages. Early musical talent that has been booked includes Willy Chirino, Alvaro Torres, Los Caifanes, Poncho Sanchez, an array of mariachi groups and plenty of local talent. The fiesta is the biggest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the country, covering more than 36 downtown city blocks. In each of the last two years, Fiesta Broadway has drawn more than half a million visitors.

Mijares was in town to record “Maria Bonita,” his next LP, which, in a change from his usual pop-rock style, will feature standards from the past. At a rehearsal, the youthful Mexican singing idol showed his impressive ability to interpret melodies normally associated with older crooners. Mijares explained that the concept came about when he appeared on Veronica Castro’s TV show, “La Movida,” which featured a tribute to legendary actress Maria Felix. During the program, Mijares dedicated “Maria Bonita” to Felix and the public response was so overwhelming that the idea for the LP was born.

Mijares’ album was produced and arranged by Argentine-born Bebu Silvetti, who is based in Los Angeles. The day after Silvetti finished Mijares’ LP, he was again at the studio with another artist, Raphael, to be followed by Placido Domingo.

Raphael was in L.A. recording “El Ave Fenix,” his 54th LP in Spanish, to be released April 1. And, as with Mijares, get ready for something different. The album introduces two songs penned by popular salsero Willy Chirino, marking the first time that these two talents have joined forces. Currently celebrating his 30th anniversary in show-biz, Raphael will launch a U.S. tour in Southern California with concerts at Anaheim’s Celebrity Theater April 3 and the Universal Amphitheatre April 4.

Kenny Ortega has worked with the likes of Cher and Madonna but is perhaps best known for his choreography in the movie “Dirty Dancing.” Now he has taken the directorial plunge. His first effort, the Disney musical “Newsies,” is scheduled for a spring release. Ortega and several “Newsies” cast members also worked in the production of an anti-drug music video titled “We’re All in the Fight Together.” The public service announcement was put together by the Scott Newman Center, which was founded in 1980 by actor Paul Newman after his son’s drug-related death. The video is expected to receive extensive theatrical, network and MTV airplay before the end of this month.