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