By Jerry Fink

Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (8:21 a.m.)

CarnaVe, a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, debuts today in Las Vegas.

Parts of the event take place in different locations around the city, including the Palms, Fashion Show mall, Las Vegas Hilton and The Venetian.

"As we looked around, we saw no national or international event celebrating Latin music and entertainment," marketing executive Gene Dibble, founder of the event, said from his home office in Houston. "We wanted to be able to showcase all of the rich, diverse cultural attributes of Latinos all across the world." Hispanic Heritage Month is Monday through Oct. 15. It is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries -- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Chile and Mexico.

The annual "Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival," set for 9 p.m. Saturday at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, is a celebration of Mexican independence.

Dibble said in his search for the right location for his own fledgling festival, Vegas (the "Ve" in CarnaVe) was a logical choice.

"We looked for a city that would provide the best ambiance, to be able to welcome an international audience," he said. "We chose Las Vegas, as the world's entertainment capital.

"It's a natural fit."

Vegas, Dibble noted, is recognizable in every country throughout the world, and it's a city "that never sleeps."

"The Latin market is a festive, late-night community," Dibble said. "Add to that Las Vegas' proximity to many large Hispanic communities, and you've got the ideal location for an event like this."

He says he hopes CarnaVe eventually will achieve the status of Rio de Janeiro's annual Carnaval.

"Just as international travelers have flocked to Brazil for Carnaval, we want them to flock to Vegas for CarnaVe," Dibble said.

Among the scheduled events is the Miss Mesoamerica International Beauty Pageant at 1 p.m. Sunday at The Showroom at The Venetian. A reception will be held at Prana restaurant in the evening. Admission is $100 and $125.

Originally conceived to honor Mayan culture, the Miss Mesoamerica Pageant was created in 1992 by Francisco Cortez. Staged on the steps of the Mayan ruins of Tazumal, the inaugural pageant included representatives of seven Central American nations: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

In 1993, renamed Miss Mesoamerica Internacional, the pageant opened its doors to entrants throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Other events include:

Cine de CarnaVe: 7 p.m. screening of "Blue Diner" at the Palms' Brenden Theatres 14 followed by a reception. Admission is $10.

Noches de CarnaVe: Kick-Off Party at 10 p.m. Thursday in the Curve Nightclub at The Aladdin. Admission is $20 ($10 for locals).

Moda de CarnaVe: 11 a.m. Saturday at Fashion Show Mall's Great Hall. A fashion show featuring Miss Mesoamerica contestants. Admission is $100.

Oasis de CarnaVe: 8 p.m. Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton pool. A Latin-themed buffet and a poolside party featuring Miss Mesoamerica contestants. Admission is $100.

Noches de CarnaVe Closing Party: 8 p.m. Sunday at the Prana restaurant/nightclub. Admission is free.

Dibble has worked in the field of multicultural marketing throughout his career. Starting out in Chicago, he helped produce such popular events as a Taste of Chicago, the International Blues Festival and the Chicago Jazz Festival.

He later focused on the Hispanic market.

"Latino cultures have been in the forefront of creating large-scale destination oriented attractions," Dibble said. "Spain's Ibeza, Brazil's Carnaval and Mexico's Feria de Marcos and Acapulco Festival are examples."

A portion of the proceeds from CarnaVe 2003 will be given to selected charities, including the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the nation's leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education.

Dibble said a $25,000 check will be presented to the fund at noon Friday in a ceremony at The Venetian's Postrio in St. Mark's Square.