‘ALMA Awards’ to Honor Latinos in Arts

Diversity comes to prime-time tonight as ABC carries “The 2001 ALMA Awards” (8 p.m.), the sixth annual ceremony honoring Latinos in the arts.

Awards recognizing excellence in film and television were handed out April 22 in Pasadena by the National Council of La Raza, the nation’s largest Latino advocacy group.

Winners include director Steven Soderbergh’s “Traffic” (best feature film and cast); “Resurrection Blvd.” (TV series); Martin Sheen (“The West Wing”), Ruben Blades (“Gideon’s Crossing”); Lauren Velez (“Oz”) and Elizabeth Pena (“Resurrection Blvd.”).

In other categories, Jennifer Lopez was named entertainer of the year and “Peanuts” animator Bill Melendez received the Ricardo Montalban lifetime achievement award. Nickelodeon, which has introduced several Latino-themed shows, was also honored.

Among the musical highlights: “Maria Maria” is sung by Wyclef Jean and Product G&B; Luis Enrique performs “Alma Rosa”; and Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval accompanies salsa star Olga Tanon on a rendition of “Ran Kan Kan.”

Maria Conchita Alonso, Tia Carrere, Hector Elizondo, Andy Garcia, John Leguizamo, Esai Morales and Raquel Welch are other celebs on hand.