Latin Beat Magazine: East Coast beat

Palladium Mambo King Freddy Rios held up the Puerto Rican flag with Van Lester (left) as Héctor LaVoe at Hostos College Tribute To Los Cantantes y Héctor LaVoe

The organizers of the Tribute to Héctor LaVoe, Noche De Los Cantantes at Hostos College with NYC Salsa Congress director Dave Meléndez (left)

Sonero Ray De La Paz performed at the Hostos College, "Tribute to Héctor LaVoe," October 23

Van Lester brought the crowd to tears and joy when he came out onstage impersonating Hector LaVoe as only he could

Van Lester presented a plaque to Norma Pérez (Hector LaVoe's sister) with Willie Melendez at Hostos College Tribute to Los Cantantes

Bobby Allende, promoter Ralph Mercado, Jimmy Bosch and new singing sensation Cynthia Castro at LQ for the Bobby Allende/ Marc Quiñones new Latin pop band premiere

Conjunto Clasico performed at LQ club Thanksgiving eve much to the delight of the revelers there to party

Oscar Hernández (Spanish Harlem Orchestra) and Salsero Ray Sepulveda at the Latin Quarters nightclub, October 8, 2004

Azuquita joined el Gran Combo onstage at Copacabana and they tore up the house with some of the hottest, mighty rhythms of salsa that La Universidad De La Salsa produces

Band leader Rafael (Raffa) Ithier with members of El Gran Combo and Spokesmodel Krystal at the Thanksgiving celebration sold-out concert at Copa in NYC

Dave Valentin and Mario Bosquez, who were recipients of Latin Roots Award, at Hostos College with MC Salsero Willie Villegas

Multi-talented musicians Edgardo Cintron and Tony Pérez were joined by choreographer Jami Josephson and dance diva Maya Torres at the festive opening of "Havana After Dark" at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City

Luis Cabrera, Executive Manager (second from right), Willie Torres and DJ Sugur Ruiz welcome Miles Peña, José Raposo, Pete Melendez, Willie Ruiz and members of the Miles Peña orchestra to the "Gift of Love" Christmas Benefit presented by Associación Puertorriqueños en Marcha

David Melendez sets the tone for excellence in youth dance instruction at the Stadite Dance Studio in the Bronx (Photos in this row by Rob Bernberg)

[ILUSTRACIÓN OMITIR]