Those watching the 20th annual Casandra awards last night enjoyed a burst of national pride in local artistic talent. Staged as a show with nothing to envy from the Grammy or Oscar presentations, the E Leon Jimenes-sponsored gala of the best in show business according to the Dominican Association of Entertainment Writers (Acroarte) included the recognition with the Soberano top award to Joseito Mateo, known as the King of Merengue. The evening?s big winners were Grupo Negros, who took awards in the categories of Best Musical CD and New Artist of the Year. Their lead singer Wason Brazoban won the songwriter?s award, as well as the honours for Merengue of the Year and Bachata of the Year. Producer Amaury Sanchez also had a great evening, with awards received in the categories of Best Performance, Best Concert and Best Children?s Show. The evening of song and dance closed with a montage of winners of Soberano awards over the past 20 years, whose illustrious names included Fernandito Villalona, Maridalia Hernandez, Milly Quezada, Pochy Familia, Jorge Taveras, Johnny Ventura, Sonia Silvestre, Ramon Orlando, Wilfrido Vargas, Luisito Marti and Juan Luis Guerra. Milagros German received high reviews for her conducting of the show. Special International Casandra awards were bestowed to Roberto Gomez Bolanos, Florinda Mesa (of Chavo del 8 fame) and legendary Cuban singer Olga Guillot. Special Casandra awards went to Yaqui Nunez del Risco for Artistic Merit and to Anthony Rios.
This year?s Casandra winners of the various categories were:
El Soberano (the top, overall prize for 2003): Joseito Mateo
Classics & Theater:
Best Actor of the Year: Carlos Alfredo Fatule
Best Actress of the Year: Edili
Best Theater Director: Enrique Chao
Best Drama Production: ?Yo, Minerva? (Mu-Kien Sang)
Dance, Music and Shows:
Best Classical Dancer: Sylvia Crespo
Best Classical/Modern Choreographer: Isadora Bruno
Best Classical/Modern Performance: Jesus Christ Superstar (Amaury Sanchez)
Best Popular Show Choreographer: Chiqui Haddad
Best Folklore Ballet: Centro Cultural de Santiago
Best Classical Vocal: Juan Cuevas
Most Outstanding Dominican Artist Abroad: Michael Camilo
Best Group Abroad: Grupo Aventura
Best Orchestra: Sergio Vargas
Best Orchestration and Musical Arranger: Rando Camasta
Best Songwriter: Wascar (Waso) Brazoban (Grupo Negros)
Best Music CD: Negros (Grupo Negros)
Best Merengue: Loca conmigo (Toros/Wason)
Best Concert: Bachata Sinfonica (Amaury Sanchez)
New Artist of the Year: Grupo Negros
Best Soloist: Pavel Nunez
Best Bachata Performer: Joe Veras
Best Bachata CD: Asi te amo (Elvis/Wason)
Best Grassroots Music Group: Geovanny Polanco
Best Children’s Show: Mis canciones favoritas (Amaury Sanchez)
Television & Radio:
Best Investigative Journalism or Special Program: La Vida Misma
Best Daily Variety TV program: El Escandalo del 13
Best Weekly Variety TV Program: 9 x 9 Roberto
Best Variety Show: Con Jatnna
Best Children’s TV program: Sabado Chiquito de Corporan
Best Youth Program: D?Calle con Dafne
Best Comedy Program: El Show de Luisito Marti
Best Comedian: Philips Rodriguez
Best TV Special: Artistas y Medio Ambiente
Best Presenter: Luis Manuel Aguilo