Chita Rivera to Headline “West Side Story” 65th Anniversary Celebration on PBS’ “A Capitol Fourth” Program

Chita Rivera will bring the West Side to the world…

This year’s A Capitol Fourth, the annual televised Independence Day concert, will feature a celebration of West Side Story‘s 65th anniversary, headlined by the 89-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress, singer, dancer and Broadway star.

Chita RiveraRivera, who played Anita in the original Broadway production of West Side Story, will lead the anniversary celebration, as the National Symphony Orchestra performs a musical tribute.

The event, to be broadcast on PBS, will be hosted by Mickey Guyton, with performances by Darren Criss, Yolanda Adams, Gloria Gaynor, Keb’ Mo’, Emily Bear, Andy Grammer and Loren Allred with the National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Jack Everly.

Rachel Platten will do a special tribute to military heroes and their families, as she performs her song Stand By You.

The event, on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, will be open to the public, after two years of virtual celebrations due to COVID-19.

The evening will conclude with the Capital fireworks display, including a performance featuring The U.S. Army BandPershing’s Own,” also marking its 100th anniversary.

The event will air from 8:00 pm ET to 9:30 pm ET on PBS. It also will be aired on Armed Forces Network and aired on NPR member stations. It will be streamed on YouTube and PBS.org from July 4 to July 18.

“The Voice” Contestant Duron Breezes Into the Top 12

Dez Duron is feelin’ America’s love on NBC’s The Voice

Dez Duron

Following his impressive rendition of Hunter Hayes‘ No. 1 country song “Wanted” in the second installment of the show’s Playoff Rounds on Wednesday night, the 22-year-old Latino heartthrob was declared safe after receiving enough votes from the public to advance to the Top 12.

Duron and Sylvia Yacoub got the most public votes on Christina Aguilera’s team.

And when it came down to picking who else to send on to the Top 12, Aguilera had to choose between Latina singer Adriana Louise, Devyn Deloera and De’borah.

“Don’t let anyone or anyone’s opinion define who you are,” said Aguilera before revealing deciding to keep Adriana Louise.

Meanwhile, Team Adam member Bryan Keith Hernandez advanced to the next round after being one of the top two vote-getters, while  Melanie Martinez had to rely on her mentor to advance to the Top 12.

“No one is better than the other, I don’t believe that,” said Adam Levine before choosing Martinez over fellow Latina Joselyn Rivera and Loren Allred.

But Diego Val wouldn’t be so lucky… Cee-Lo Green opted to send Cody Belew on to the next round and send home Val and Mackenzie Berg.

And it was the end of the road for mariachi singer Julio Cesar Castillo. The member of Blake Shelton‘s was among the three at the bottom of the pack, but Blake Shelton decided to send Michaela Page forward instead of Castillo and Liz Davis.