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