Latin performers have been edging their way into the Great White Way scene for many years now. Names like Leguizamo, de Guzman, Lopez, Ramirez, Diaz, Hernandez, Rivera, Rubin-Vega, and Esparza have been carving out a place for themselves among the other names on the marquee. Now, the latter third of those names will celebrate both worlds at "An Evening of Latin Rhythms" at B.B. Kings Blues Club May 6.

Chita Rivera (Kiss of the Spider Woman, West Side Story), Daphne Rubin-Vega (The Rocky Horror Show, Rent) and Raúl Esparza (Cabaret, tick, tick...BOOM! will headline the evening to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Joining the stars will be Lissette Gonzalez (4 Guys Named Jose and Una Mujer Named Maria!), Andrea Burns (The Full Monty, Saturday Night, Songs For A New World) and Natalie Toro (Les Misérables, Zombie Prom).

Latin music star La India as well as Richard Amaro (Dangerous Games), Lloyd Culbreath (The Tap Dance Kid), Marcial Gonzalez (Marilyn), Joanne Hunter, Lisa Leguillo (Chicago), Greta Martin (Guys and Dolls), Julio Monge (Fosse), Richard Montoya, Andrew Pacho (Candide), Arte Phillips (Swing!) and Maria Torres (Swing! will also perform.

Amaro — conceiver and choreographer — co-directs the show with Ariadne Villarreal. Grammy Award-winning Ray Santos provides musical arrangements supported by The Jose Bellos Orchestra. The event will be modeled after a night at the historic Palladium during its heyday with live performances followed by an evening of dancing.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization. Since it was founded in 1988, BC/EFA has raised and distributed over $55 million to services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV related illnesses. For more information to "An Evening of Latin Rhythms" at B.B. Kings Blues Club, 237 West 42nd Street or tickets ($50-$1,000), call (212) 840-0770 x268 or visit www.broadwaycares.org.

— by Ernio Hernandez