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