Britain's most popular Latin personalities from the worlds of music, sport, dance, business and television watched Human Rights activist and LUKAS award presenter, Bianca Jagger and Islington MP, Jeremy Corbyn, celebrate the ‘Latin Elephant’ charity who are fighting to save London’s ‘Latin quarter’ - Elephant & Castle - at this year’s Latin UK Awards (LUKAS) at KOKO last Wednesday.

Joined on stage by Jeremy Corbyn (who has just won his biggest majority ever) to present Latin Elephant with the Charity/Human Rights Organisation of the Year Award,  Bianca congratulated them on fighting for the rights of London’s migrant and ethnic business community with their recommendations being adopted in the London Plan 2015 in both Southwark and Haringey.

‘I am extremely proud to live in a city that is so diverse.The LUKAS is a fantastic expression of London's diversity." enthused Jeremy Corbyn.

"Elephant and Castle is the heart of London's Latin community. This area is also now considered to be prime property for speculators and is undergoing a gentrification process. ‘Latin Elephant’ was created to stand up for the rights of those who have made Elephant and Castle their home over the years and built its vibrant community so I’m very pleased to present them with the LUKAS Award for Human Rights Organization."  said Bianca Jagger.

Celebrating the best of Britain's diverse and dynamic Latin cultures from Flamenco and Samba  to Salsa and Latin funk the spectacular Gala Ceremony also honoured Phantom Of The Opera lead, Gerónimo Rauch with Vocalist Of The Year and New York’s legendary Fania Records, behind the careers of Tito Puente, Celia Cruz & Ruben Blades and who picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award with the Fellowship Award going to musician Jorge Spiteri, who re-ignited his career with his new band, Jorge Spiteri’s Latin Funk Allstars, in an explosive live show.

West Ham United forward Enner Valencia won Sports Personality Of The Year in the company of the legendary Spurs players Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa and former Spanish & Barcelona FC star, Gaizka Mendietta.

Argentine Gerónimo Rauch, better known as the lead in the West End show "The Phantom of the Opera" is the overwhelming winner of Vocalist of the Year and West Ham's Ecuadorian Enner Valencia wins Sports Personality of the Year.  Buenos Aires star Rauch began his career as winner of Argentina's Pop Idol, becoming a megastar as a member of the country's biggest ever boy band, Mambrú. Rauch has gone on to play three of the biggest male roles in musical theatre - Phantom, Valjean in Les Miserables and Jesus.

Fania Records, often known as 'The Motown of Latin Music', made superstars out of Latino musicians such as Celia Cruz and Tito Puente and took Latin music to the masses in the 1970s. The music still dominates salsa clubs all over the world and Fania CEO Michael Rucker flew in to receive the award.  

Hosted for third consecutive year by Spain's most popular TV presenter Boris Izaguirre and dancer Yanet Fuentes with comedy from Venezuelan comedian George Harris, the Air Europa LUKAS Gala Ceremony attracts an A list cast of Award presenters  and winners including Bianca Jagger, Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera, Royal Baller superstar Carlos Acosta as well as designer Vivienne Westwood and Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour.

Air Europa LUKAS Winners 2015
Vocalist of the Year - Gerónimo Rauch (Argentina)
Lifetime Achievement Award - Fania Records (USA)
Fellowship Award Winner  - Jorge Spiteri (Venezuelan rock latin pioneer)
Musician of the Year, - Dorance Lorza (Colombia)
Classical Act of the Year - Clara Rodríguez (Venezuelan pianist)
Urban Act Of The Year - Mike Kalle (Rapper)
International Artist Of The Year - Juan Luis Guerra and Romeo Santos (Two mega artists representing Dominican Republic)
Tropical Act Of The Year  -Robin del Castillo (Cali born singer)
Alternative Act Of The Year - Fernando's Kitchen
Sports Personality of the Year - Enner Valencia (Ecuador)
Tropical DJ Of The Year - Fernando KBson
Crossover DJ Of The Year - DJ Luigi Sanchez

The Air Europa LUKAS (Latin UK awards) is the annual award ceremony that recognises the contributions of one million Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese residents to British life. Now in its fourth year, it's the most media-covered Latin event in the UK.
The event is organised by www.Latinolife.co.uk, the N°1 magazine for Latin & Spanish lifestyle in the UK.


Notes

Latin Elephant promotes the integration and recognition of Latin Americans in the capital’s ongoing urban regeneration in London as well as highlighting the invaluable contribution that migrant entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, professionals and organisations make to British society. Elephant and Castle, often nicknamed ‘the Latin quarter’, is home to the largest and oldest Latin American business cluster in London.