National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts Will Honor Multiple Grammy Winner Juanes With The Raul Julia Award, And Present Emily Rios And Jesse Garcia With Horizon Awards At The 18th Annual Noche de Gala - October 1st In Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) is pleased to name Latin Rock superstar and dedicated philanthropist Juanes as the recipient of the 2014 Raul Julia Award for Excellence.  The two-time Grammy and 19-time Latin Grammy winner, as well as this year's Horizon Award recipients - actress Emily Rios (The Bridge) and actor Jesse Garcia (From Dusk Til Dawn) - will be honored at the NHFA's 18^th Annual Noche de Gala. The special evening will be hosted by NHFA founders Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Sonia Braga, Merel Julia and Felix Sanchez on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel.

The Gala will also present the 2014 Scholarship recipients - with Marisa Medina,who is earning her MFA in film directing and graduating in May of 2015 from Columbia University - selected to speak on their behalf.  The Noche de Gala dinner, underwritten by Ford Motor Company, will also feature a musical performance by "Best New Artist" Latin Grammy Winner Gaby Moreno. 

Hailed as "One of the 100 Most Influential People in the World" (TIME) and "the first truly international rock star to emerge from Latin America" (AP), Juanes is also frequently recognized as one of the Spanish-speaking world's leading social media voices with an online following of over 17 million fans. The Colombian superstar also boasts an impressive history of bringing all-Spanish Language music to wider audiences in the United States via groundbreaking appearances on English TV broadcasts such as THE GRAMMY AWARDS, SESAME STREET, DANCING WITH THE STARS, THE MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE, The TODAY SHOW PLAZA CONCERTS, LIVE WITH KELLY & MICHAEL, and multiple visits to THE TONIGHT SHOW. Juanes' dedication as a global activist also extends far beyond his passionate lyrics and is seen in his wide ranging charitable work, both as a co-founder of the "Paz sin Fronteras" (Peace Without Borders) organization, and his extensive advocacy through his own Mi Sangre Foundation -which promotes youth empowerment and positive social change, using music and art as the tools for creating visible, lasting social transformation.

Working with famed rock producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Matthews Band & more), Juanes' latest album "Loco De Amor" was released in the Spring of 2014 and debuted at #1 on Billboard's "Latin Pop Albums" chart and topped iTunes sales in over a dozen countries.  With the album's first single "La Luz" likewise notching Juanes' ninth #1 entry on the Latin singles charts, Loco De Amor was quickly hailed as "One of the Five Best Albums of 2014 so far" by PEOPLE Magazine, saying it "is one of the best records out now in any tongue… Juanes has never sounded better." Just last month, Juanes launched the year-long "Loco De Amor World Tour" with a series of special philanthropic shows and workshops for people in underserved areas of Colombia that have long lived under threats of violence. Three days after his appearance at the Noche de Gala dinner, Juanes will take to the stage of The Austin City Limits Festival as the only Latin artist on the bill alongside performers such as Eminem, Pearl Jam, Beck, & More.

"The Raul Julia Award for Excellence acknowledges the person or institution, who is making a critical difference for Latino artists," said Felix Sanchez, NHFA Chairman and Co-Founder. "Juanes demonstrates that in both his professional and personal life, as exemplified by his Mi Sangre Foundation."   The Raul Julia Award is presented annually to the person or persons who most advance the mission of NHFA.  Previous awardees include: Rita Moreno, Demian Bichir, U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra; journalist/talk show host, Cristina Saralegui; Film Director Robert Rodriguez; Creator/Producer Roberto Orci; Film Director Patricia Riggen; Film Director Gregory Nava; ABC News Anchor Elizabeth Vargas; and TV Executive Producer/actress Sandra Bullock.

"Ford Motor Company has been a partner and premiere sponsor of the foundation since 1999.  Ford's partnership with NHFA and other Latino organizations is integral to our mission to help enrich the lives of many. We stand alongside NHFA in celebrating Juanes with the prestigious Raul Julia Award.  Juanes, known for his music worldwide, is also a champion for changing lives and we are honored to present him with a $25,000 grant to support Fundacion Mi Sangre's youth development programs.  Through this award, we hope to promote the involvement of public figures in community causes," said Jim Vella, President, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. 

NHFA is pleased to present this year's Horizon Award to two individuals who have not only emerged but continue to make a positive impact in all that they do, both personally and professionally.  The award was established as a way to recognize the rare rising star that shatters the status quo and redefines the environment. 

This year's first Horizon Award recipient is actress Emily Rios, who currently stars in the FX Network series The Bridge opposite Demian Bichir and Diane Kruger.   Rios made her acting debut as the lead in the critically acclaimed film Quinceanera, which went on to win the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize at the 2006 Sundance Film.  She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of 'Andrea Cantillo,' love interest to Aaron Paul's 'Jesse' in AMC's award-winning hit series Breaking Bad. 

The second Horizon Award recipient is actor Jesse Garcia, who currently stars in the popular series From Dusk Till Dawn on Robert Rodriguez's El Rey Network.  Garcia is also widely recognized for his performance in Quinceanera.  He was most recently seen in Joss Whedon's The Avengers and has appeared in such projects as Bajo La Misma Luna and A Beautiful Life, among others, and will next appear in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day opposite Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner.  Jesse is currently the star of Robert Rodriguez's El Rey Network's From Dusk Till Dawn.

This year's event will also feature a highly anticipated performance by Best New Artist Latin Grammy Winner Gaby Moreno.  The critically-praised Guatemalan singer-songwriter and is a vocal powerhouse, who's music ranges from blues and jazz, to soul and R&B.  Moreno's voice is breathtaking and compelling; she has the ability to elegantly transition between English and Spanish, offering a captivating performance every time.

Honored Guests Attending the Gala include:

Honorable Tony Cardenas, United States Congress
Honorable Joaquin Castro, United States Congress
Honorable Maria Echaveste, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico--Designate
His Excellency Ramon Gil-Casares, Spanish Ambassador to the United States
Ms. Patricia Harrison, President and CEO, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Ms. Deborah Rutter, President, Kennedy Center

About National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts

NHFA was founded in 1997 by actors Jimmy Smits, Sonia Braga, Esai Morales, Merel Julia and Washington, D.C. lawyer Felix Sanchez.  The foundation's mission is to promote Latinos both in front of and behind the camera.  The Foundation has concentrated on increasing access for Hispanic artists and professionals while fostering the emergence of new Hispanic talent.  NHFA scholarships have contributed to graduating students at eight leading universities who are pursuing careers in the entertainment and telecommunications industries.

This year, NHFA and the District of Columbia's Office of Latino Affairs (OLA D.C.) are launching Quorum Weekend, September 29 & 30, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Quorum Weekend will bring together Latino-themed content providers and diverse media platforms with a goal of jumpstarting contemporary Latino film, TV and web content.  The 2-day media pitch weekend—held immediately before NHFA's Gala-- consists of a day of advice from industry professionals, followed by a day of one-on-one content pitches.  For more information, visit www.hispanicarts.org.

Contact: Carol Marshall
Carol Marshall Public Relations
[email protected] 
Cell - 213-598-5888

For NHFA: Iris Argueto
[email protected] 
301-655-0074    

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140928/148836

SOURCE National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts