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