PBS Arts Fall Festival Features Gloria Estefan and Highlights Top Hispanic Artists

– Shows Include Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson Hosted by Sheila E.,
Dazzling Musical Specials with Chita Rivera, and More –

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The 2015 PBS Arts Fall Festival brings international music superstar
Gloria Estefan back to television alongside top Hispanic artists
including legendary Broadway star Chita Rivera and world-renowned
percussionist Sheila E. The seven-time Grammy Award-winner hosts the
Festival each Friday for eight weeks starting October 9. The
multi-talented Estefan, who conquered music and acting (opposite Meryl
Streep in the film “Music of the Heat” and on TV’s “Glee”) continues her
arts journey as composer, lyricist and orchestrator alongside husband
Emilio Estefan for the new Broadway musical ON
YOUR FEET!, premiering in October.

Celebrating its fifth season, the PBS Arts Fall Festival returns October
9, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings), and launches with the
high-energy UNITY – THE LATIN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON,
featuring Michael Jackson’s greatest hits interpreted by award-winning
Latin artists in a concert hosted by celebrated percussionist Sheila E.
UNITY is the passion project of Peruvian-born, Miami-raised
producer and multi-instrumentalist Tony Succar, who also produced and
arranged the chart-topping album of the same name. Signature
Jackson songs like “Smooth Criminal,” “I Want You Back,” “Billie Jean”
and others showcase musicians from throughout Latin America to reimagine
the iconic catalog. Performers include Jon Secada, Tito Nieves, Michael
Stuart, Obie Bermúdez, Jennifer Peña, Kevin Ceballo, Judith Hill, Jean
Rodriguez, and more.

Fresh off a recent Tony-nominated Broadway run, GREAT
PERFORMANCES brings “Chita Rivera: A Lot of Livin’ to Do” to
PBS November 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings). The
legendary Broadway performer has ignited the stage for more than 70
years with starring roles in numerous iconic Broadway shows including
West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, and Chicago, and the 2015 revival of
the John Kander/Fred Ebb/Terrence McNally musical, The Visit. In
addition to archival clips from Rivera’s many stage and TV appearances,
this career retrospective features interviews with her and her famous
co-stars to tell the story of peerless showbiz virtuosity.

Click here
for more information on the full 2015 PBS Arts Fall Festival, and here
to learn more about how PBS is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month.

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Contacts

For additional information, photos, interviews and more, contact Goodman
Media or PBS:
Goodman Media International for PBS
Meghan
Newton / Nisa Kiang, 212-576-2700
PBSArts@goodmanmedia.com
or
PBS
Carrie
Johnson / Kayla Springer
703-739-5129; 703-739-5351
cjohnson@pbs.org
; kmspringer@pbs.org