Latino stars to appear in show to benefit children’s charities

Top Mexican actors, athletes and recording artists are scheduled to appear tonight at the Los Angeles Sports Arena as part of “Teveton 2002,” a televised program to benefit children with disabilities in Latin America and the U.S.

The annual event, broadcast from Mexico since 1997, is being staged for the first time north of the border. Tonight’s 5 1/2-hour show will feature performances by such recording stars as L.A. banda star Lupillo Rivera, alt-Latino group Kinky, and singer Alicia Villareal and her band, Limite. Former Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, boxer Julio Cesar Chavez and other celebrities will appear.

Proceeds go primarily to support four rehabilitation centers built in Mexico by Fundacion Teleton MexAmerica, the sponsoring Mexican charity, and to other agencies in the U.S. and Latin America that help children with disabilities. More information about the charity and its services can be found at its bilingual Web site, www.teveton.org.

The 7:30 p.m. show will air nationally through various Spanish outlets. It can be seen locally on KWHY-TV and on cable channel LATV. Radio Unica (KBLA-AM 1580) will also broadcast the program. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

-- Agustin Gurza