Christine Maldonado sings with Peace Fighter, a favorite band at CNTB.
Some of the Many but ONE company dance a parody of Dr. Seuss’ book “The Grinch That Stole Christmas.”
Children check out the nativity story in the Bible.
A dad twirls his little girl.
“Hug her like you mean it!” I said. Sure enough, the girl came through for me. 🙂
Pastor Al Pino of Palm Vista Community Church, Miami Lakes, gives a short message on the meaning of Christmas.
The women cry out for freedom from sin and its price.
A Satan figure brings them to their knees.
. . . then confirms MaryÕs destiny to Joseph.
A singer with Sensere gives it up for the gospel.
Gravelly voiced Dale Powers plays keyboard . . .
Sensere merges gospel with Motown-era soul.
As the kids dance . . .
Angels dance with Mary.
. . . and as Christ, who secures her pardon.
Santa returns once more to lead the crowd in Silent Night, using their cellphones as candles.
As night falls, a large teddy bear on the stage takes on a magical hue . . .
Mary dances with the daughters of Israel . . .
He even scowls amid the festivities.
The green guy is not amused . . .
The drumline of Chaminade-Madonna High School gets everyone’s attention . . .
Gabriel encourages her . . .
The singers really seem to feel the message themselves.
A Satan figure brings them to their knees.
Kids get into the groove.
Deena and a friend help Sean lead dancing.
. . . a soul on trial for her life . . .
. . . causing her to break down in grief.
Children of Many but ONE sing about Christmas.
Then he sings a carol honoring the Christ Child.
Santa takes the stage . . .
Festival organizer Deena McDaniel discusses the show with Andrew Curran, who will play Santa.
Destiny Rayne’s bassist tunes his instrument. I got on my knees to get this angle. 🙂
One last shot: Deena with her husband, Mickey. She gathers the talent for CNTB, while he helps with the organization and financing. This is the twelfth time they’ve put together this beautiful Christmas gift for South Florida.
Jeff Maldonado sings and plays lead guitar for Peace Fighter.
. . . as sax master Jesse Jones Jr. and his friend, guest trombonist Charlie, play together.
The choir of First Presbyterian Church invites children from the audience to help sing Silent Night.
. . . as does a Christmas tree.
Joseph rejects her in disbelief . . .
. . . as Sean leaps from the stage for some close-up dancing.
Deena and three friends form a dance quartet.
Grinchy glares from his mountain.
And the audience vigorously follows along.
Many but ONE has talented dancers in a range of ages.
Christmas Near the Beach 2018 featured Many but ONE, a ballet troupe and dance school in Boca Raton, Florida.
He then joins the dance and embraces the day … and one of the dancers. 🙂
Blue-gowned dancers dance to a soulful version of Joy to the World.
. . . and the Wise Men offering gifts to the Christ Child.
. . . for Santa’s arrival, in a classic T-Bird.
DJ Mr. E is hard to get in a candid shot. He always knows where the camera is. 🙂
Members of Destiny Rayne’s band do a sound check.
Destiny Rayne opens the five hours of music, dance and pageantry in CNTB 2018.
The dancers celebrate the story.
A crowd member gets into the dance.
Deena performs a narrated mime in three roles, as a satanic accuser . . .
Sean Olivera leads kids in some hip-hop, a role he’ll fill two or three times over the night.
Check out their shirts: “God, Family & the Band.” Great riorities.
Women in brown outfits perform as the Children of Israel.
A family waits for the show to start.
Santa hams it up for the camera. 🙂
Jesse is at the leading edge of a jazz revival in South Florida.
. . . and thank God for their deliverance.
They look forward to deliverance by a Messiah.
. . . but he checks out the story for himself . . .
Reassured, he accepts Mary.
A family waits for the show to start.
. . . and gives the first gift of the season to the Holy Family.
The newly freed soul rejoices.
Dr. E whips up some enthusiasm from the crowd . . .
Angels surround and adore the Baby Jesus . . .
A rosy sunset joins the crowd in greeting Santa.
She announces to Joseph that she is to bear GodÕs Son.
A member of Many but ONE gets some Grinchy makeup.
I was privileged to be given such access to the festival — I was even allowed on the stage for reverse shots like this.
. . . even leaping for joy.
