The biggest event for Dominican musicians, singers, dancers and other performers was held last night at the National Theater, in the form of the Premios Casandra. Fernando Villalona, called ?el Mayimbe? by his fans, won the highest honors of the evening, the Soberano prize, to recognize outstanding work throughout the year. Villalona had also been a nominee for a Grammy the evening before. There were only three two-time Casandra winners last night: Villalona, Aventura and Felix Veloz, the composer of ?Vuelvo?. The complete list of the 2002 winners is:
Classics & Theater
Best Actor of the Year: Waddy Jaquez
Best Actress of the Year: Robmariel Olea
Best Theater Director: Enrique Chao (“El Ultimo Instante?)
Best Drama: “Otello Snif”
Best Lyrical Singer: Francisco Casanova
Dance and Shows:
Best Classic Ballerina: Mary Louise Ventura
Best Classic/Modern Choreographer: Carlos Veit?a
Best Classic Performance: “Carmina Burana”
Best Popular Show Choreographer: Chiqui Haddad
Best Folklore Ballet: Sangre Mulata
Most Outstanding Dominican Artist Abroad: Michael Camilo
Best Orchestration and Musical Arranger: Manuel Tejada (?Mal Acostumbrado?)
Best Songwriter: Feliz Veloz
TV & Radio:
Best Radio Commentator: Luis Manuel Aguilo
Best Radio Show. ?Botando el Golpe? (Rumba FM)
Best Presenter: Jochy Santos
Best TV special: “La delincuencia” (Alicia Ortega) CDN
Best Music Video: “La cosita,” (Los Ilegales-Juan Basanta)
Best Investigative Journalism Show: “Nuria en el 9” (Nuria Piera)
Best Children’s TV program: “S?bado Chiquito” (Color Vision)
Best Comedy Show: “Titirimundati” (Telecentro)
Best Comedian: Miguel Cespedes
Best Daily Variety TV program: “Con Freddy & Milagros” (Telecentro)
Best Weekly Variety TV Program: “S?bado de Corporan”
Best Weekly Variety Review: ?Hola Gente? (Tania Baez)
Pop:
Best Grassroots Music Group: El Prodigio
Best Bachata Performer: ?Obsesion? (Aventura)
Best Bachata Group: Frank Reyes
Best Alternative Music Performer: Jose Roldan
New Artist of the Year: Grupo Aventura
Best Music Album: “Mal Acostumbrado” Fernando Villalona
Best Merengue: ?Vuelvo? (Parada Joven)
Best Concert: “Merengazo de Verano” Luis Medrano
Best Show: ?Atrevido? (Eddy Herrera)
Most Outstanding Group Residing Abroad: Monchy & Alexandra
Best Music Orchestra: Sergio Vargas
Casandra International: Willie Colon, Eddie Santiago, Jose Feliciano
El Soberano: Fernando Villalona