For Mexicans, ‘Divas’ shows their own world

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 | 6:59 a.m.

Who: "Mexican Divas "

When: Open ing Friday, the show can be seen at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays and also at 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Through: Dec. 23

Where: Empire Ballroom, 3765 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite G

Tickets: $39.95 to $59.95; 737-3183

Alba Galvan, a native of Michoacan, Mexico, started a house-cleaning business in Las Vegas when she was 18.

Almost a decade later, the 27-year-old entrepreneur will star in "Mexican Divas," a glamorous revue that begins Friday and runs through Dec. 23 at the Empire Ballroom.

But she isn't about to give up her day job running Alba's Cleaning Service. Her 17 employees count on her for their income.

"I have three girls who help manage the business," said Alba, who is assuming one name for her fledgling career as a performer.

She heads a cast of 30 in "Mexican Divas." Her co-star is Andres Arturo, who entertained and produced shows throughout Mexico for 18 years before arriving in Las Vegas three years ago. Arturo, a native of Tijuana, also is the writer, producer, director, choreographer and costume designer.

He's also Alba's boyfriend and she serves as his interpreter for this interview.

"We created an all-Mexican show because there is not another show like this in the history of Las Vegas - strictly Mexican music and Mexican performers," says Arturo, who will provide much of the comic relief in the production.

The costumes are colorful and elaborate, along the lines of "Folies Bergere." In addition to singing, dancing and comedy there will be specialty acts, such as a rope twirler.

"The show also reaches out to the Anglo audience as well," says Grant Griffin, whose Griffin Productions Group is promoting the show. "But it is primarily geared to the Mexican audiences, who are underserved in entertainment in Las Vegas. They will see their own world of Mexico onstage."

There is potential for the right production to reach a Hispanic population estimated at more than 400,000 in the valley , plus thousands of Hispanic tourists. Other attempts at attracting Hispanic fans have met with mixed success. There are several mariachi festivals here each year and concerts by Mexico's most popular singers draw huge crowds. "Havana Night Club," which featured a Cuban cast, garnered mixed reviews before closing after 18 months at the Stardust.

Alba is a confident person. She arrived in Las Vegas at the age of 15 to live with her three sisters. She tried for a modeling career but had a child when she was 18.

"I was supposed to do calendars and posters but then I got pregnant," she says. "The father never came back.

"My son put my feet on the ground. I focused on work. I wanted a business that would let me spend time with my son, to buy a house and a car and to do what I wanted to do. It was always in my heart to be a model."

She gave herself 10 years to accomplish her goals. "It only took two or three years to make it big."

She had resumed her modeling career when she met Arturo. He was working as a make up artist and she was posing for a calendar.

She found out later he was also a producer. He took her under his wing and began to nurture her talent. Arturo created "Mexican Divas" around her.

"It was destiny for us to be together," she says. "This show is going to stay. It has a lot to give."