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