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