New Latin Dance Postage Stamps Commemorated in Conjunction With National Hispanic Heritage Month

New Latin Dance Postage Stamps Commemorated in Conjunction With National Hispanic Heritage Month

EVENT: Nationwide dedication of the Let's Dance/Bailemos commemorative 37-cent stamps at the Puerto Rican Family Foundation's Excellence Awards Noche de Fiesta

WHO: Willie Colon, Grammy Award winning musician and composer Vonzell Solomon, Performer, "American Idol" finalist, former postal Carrier Copacabana Dancers Edel Rodriquez, Artist, "Cha cha cha" stamp designer Jose Ortega, Artist, "Salsa" stamp designer David Solomon, Vice President, Area Operations, New York Metro, U.S. Postal Service Maria Elena Girone, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Puerto Rican Family Institute, Inc.

All participants are available for autographs following the ceremony

WHEN: September 17, 2005 7 p.m. (EST)

WHERE: Copacabana 560 West 34th Street New York, NY 10001-1304

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Postal Service is issuing four stamps featuring dances that trace their roots to the Caribbean islands -- the Let's Dance/Bailemos commemorative stamps. Although the four stamp images are similar in style, the four Latin American artists who produced the stamp images never saw the other's work. The stamps are being issued to coincide with National Hispanic Heritage month, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, 2005.

Mambo Known for its up-tempo beat, fast footwork, and sensuous body language, the mambo laid the groundwork for its offshoots: cha-cha-cha and salsa. The "mambo" stamp was created by Sergio Baradat, who left Cuba with his parents as a child, and immigrated to the United States.

Salsa The salsa was popularized in the 1960s by New York Puerto Rican musicians who integrated rhythm, blues and jazz into Afro-Cuban rhythms. The "salsa" stamp image artist Jose Ortega, born in Ecuador, grew up in New York City and owns a Salsa club in Toronto.

Cha-cha-cha The cha-cha-cha derived from danzon, the European salon-style of dance, took its name from the last three beats in its 1-2, 1-2-3 rhythm. Artist Edel Rodriguez, a native of Cuba, resides in Mt. Tabor, NJ, captured the famous "cha-cha-cha" on a stamp with vivid colors.

Merengue The merengue is a blend of European and African derived styles and is the national dance of the Dominican Republic. The "merengue" stamp image was captured by illustrator Rafael Lopez, who was born in Mexico City. He now resides in San Diego.

Spanish speaking representatives are available

CONTACT: Melissa Dodge, office: +1-202-268-5188, cell: +1-202-360-1552, or Monica Hand, office: +1-212-330-3118, cell: +1-202-746-1689, both of U.S. Postal Service.

PRNewswire -- Sept. 14

Source: U.S. Postal Service

Web site: http://www.usps.com/

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