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