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