A new $51 million state-of the- art performing arts venue will be introduced officially to the South Miami-Dade community on Oct. 1 and 2. The much-anticipated South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, located at 10950 SW 211 St. in Cutler Bay, opens to the public with two days of spectacular high quality performances followed by its inaugural season.
The Grand Opening Celebration is highlighted by a multidisciplinary show featuring international artists, as well as some of Miami’s highest caliber performers. The show takes place on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m. On both days, the center offers additional free preshow outdoor activities, for all to enjoy.
Tickets for the Grand Opening performance are $50, $35, $20 on Saturday night and $40, $25, $10 on Sunday afternoon (Family Day). Sunday pricing also includes $5 Culture Shock tickets for youth ages 12-22, 50 percent off for children ages 6-12 and $5 off for seniors at all ticket levels. For information on how to buy tickets, the public should call 786-573-5300 or visit online at.
The Grand Opening performance spans genres and cultures of south Miami-Dade and includes jazz, classical, Latin, Caribbean and gospel music and dance, as well as theater and multimedia presentations created from interviews with community members. The Grand Opening Celebration is a community event that represents both the artistic and demographic diversity found in Miami-Dade and is designed to present outstanding cultural offerings to people from all backgrounds.
The artistic team producing the show includes: director Heidi Marshall; Teo Castellanos, dramaturge; Rosie Herrera, choreographer; Jordy Gomez, musical director; Elizabeth Sobel, manager of musical director; Andrew Yeomanson, DJ Designs; Edouard Duval Carrié, set concept designer; Ken Kurtz, set planner; Xavier Pierce, light- ing designer; Benton Bainbridge, projection/video designer; Mark Moormann, documentary filmmaker; Carry Cabrera, wardrobe supervisor, and Ronald K. Brown, choreographer (pre-show activities).
An official ribbon cutting ceremony takes place on Saturday night along with free outdoor pre-show activities, bringing together residents, community leaders, and government officials to commemorate the opening of the facility. Sunday’s activities feature outdoor family-friendly events and a children’s price for the Grand Opening performance.
The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, designed by an internationally acclaimed design team that includes Arquitectonica International Inc. (architects), Fisher Dachs Associates Inc. (theater design), Artec Consultants Inc. (acoustics), and AMS Planning & Research Corp. (theater management), provides, for the first time, a state-of the- art cultural venue and community gathering place in the southern part of Miami-Dade County.
The center features prominent works of art created by Miami artist Robert Chambers who was commissioned by Miami-Dade County’s Art in Public Places program to design a kinetic light wall and sculptures for the theater.
The center is an integral part of the economic and cultural development of the area, offering quality artistic programming and community accessibility.
The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center is managed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, with funding support from the Office of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. The center is dedicated to presenting and supporting arts and culture and providing access to the arts to the entire Miami-Dade County community.
South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center serves as a showcase for the performing and media arts, welcoming people from all backgrounds and economic means. The facility includes a 966-seat state-of-the-art theater, which features a fly tower, orchestra pit, front of house spaces (box office, lobby, concessions, etc.) and back of house support spaces (dressing rooms, storage and work areas, administrative offices, etc.).
The site also includes an activities building which houses lab/experimental theaters, and may be used for classrooms, rehearsals, and small-scale performances. An outdoor plaza allows for festivals, art shows, and other outdoor activities. The concert lawn “back yard” slopes to the Black Creek Canal, and can host outdoor concerts, performances and events.
