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