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