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