Sparks to host Fiesta Night and celebrate inspiring women
August 17, 2009 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
LOS ANGELES - STAPLES Center will be full of festivities and inspiration this week as the Sparks host Fiesta and Hispanic Heritage Night on Tuesday, August 18 at 7:30pm, and Inspiring Women Night on Wednesday, August 19 at 7:30pm.
Fiesta Night presented by Boost Mobile will highlight Latino and Hispanic heritage and the diversity and culture it brings to Los Angeles.
Performances include mariachi dancers at the entrances to STAPLES Center before the game, Aztec dancers on the court before the game, and the flamenco sensation Nocy. There will also be an exhibit on the concourse from the Latino Art Museum, where Sparks' fans can browse to get a taste of what the Museum has to offer.
Models Zuleyka Silver, Jocelyn Cruz, Rebecca Hernandez and Leticia Castro from SÃTV's hit show Model Latina will also be in attendance, signing autographs on the concourse during halftime and participating in the Farmers Insurance Dress and Dribble Contest.
In addition to the performances and appearances, the night will be co-hosted by Christian Vera, a television host, writer and producer. She has reported from several major red carpet events, co-hosted the national, Emmy Award-winning television show LatinEyes and interviewed some of the biggest names in music, movies and entertainment.
The Sparks' annual "Inspiring Women Night" on August 19 is co-presented by Farmers Insurance and Anthem Blue Cross. The night will be a chance to honor and celebrate the women who uplift and inspire us.
The game will feature a presentation of the first ever "Lisa Leslie Inspiring Women Awards." Leslie has inspired generations of athletes and is a three-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Champion, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, a member of the WNBA All-Decade Team, and her slam dunk, the first in WNBA history, was voted the "Greatest Moment" in the league's first decade.
The awards will be presented by Sparks' co-owners Kathy Goodman and Carla Christofferson, who as successful businesswomen, are trailblazers in their own right. Goodman and Christofferson represent a limited number of women who own professional sports teams.
Four inspirational women that have made an indelible mark in their field and community from four different industries were selected to receive the awards. The first ever Lisa Leslie Inspiring Women Awards will be presented to the following women:
- Nikki Caldwell, UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach (Sports) - Karen Earl, Executive Director of the Jenesse Center (Non-Profit) - Sharon Herzberger, President of Whittier College (Education) - Faye McClure, Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Farmers Insurance (Business)
These remarkable women will be honored on the court at halftime.
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