The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center’s (SMDCAC) 2013-2014 Season runs October, 2013 through May, 2014 and includes a broad array of quality performing artists presented in various venues and series titles including: a Main Stage Series of shows in the 961 seat main theater, aCabaret Series presented in the intimate 130 seat black box theater, a Family Series (main theater), and a new series featuring local bands called Black Creek Nights At South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (black box theater). The Center also offers a brand new Build Your Own Subscription Seriesbeginning July 30 on designated Main Stage Series productions. Patrons can buy a number of shows of their choice and receive up to a 20% discount and also their choice of the best seats available. Subscription details will be posted soon at www.smdcac.org or by calling the box office at 786-573-5300. The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center is located at 10950 SW 211 Street in Cutler Bay.
Main Stage highlights in Dance include: the Los Angeles-based acrobatic troupe Diavolo, with their South Florida premiere of Transit Space, a work inspired by the sport of skateboarding; a touring production from Argentina with the sultry moves of tango music and dance called Tango Fire; the family holiday favoriteThe Nutcracker by Miami Youth Ballet; and a modern ballet show by Complexions Contemporary Ballet, a company founded by former Alvin Ailey stars Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. Also featured this season is a group of 22 youth, ages 10-20, from East Africa who bring the dance, music, and theSpirit of Uganda to South Florida. Spirit of Uganda is a Co-Production with Culture Shock Miami. Rounding out the Dance presentations for the season is theTrey McIntyre Project from Boise, Idaho, led by the young and dynamic choreographer and artistic director Trey McIntrye. The New York Times writes “If you had to pick a dance company to represent the United States, the Trey McIntyre Project would be an excellent choice.” This show is a Co-Production with MDC Live Arts.Main Stage highlights in Theater include an SMDCAC produced show Bring It Home Miami – Viva Broadway! This production is part of the Department of Cultural Affairs’ initiative to reconnect established artists with the community that inspired their careers, and is funded through the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge. Bring It Home Miami-Viva Broadway! celebrates Latinos on Broadway and allows Miami up-and-coming young talents to perform alongside Broadway’s hottest Latin stars. Other Theater offerings include: Broadway’s Godspell, from Philadelphia Wallnut Street Theatre’s production of Driving Miss Daisy, and from Sarasota Asolo Repertory Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet, presented with Shadow Interpretation.Music highlights include: jazz legends Kurt Elling performing popular songs with his band from the Grammy-nominated album 1619-Broadway – The Brill Building Project (The Henri Mancini Institute Jazz Combo opens the show); Stanley Clarke performs with the Harlem String Quartet; and Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band perform with special guest James Carter from the album Olé Coltrane. The Center also presents up and coming jazz artists including the beautiful new voice of Grammy-nominated Gregory Porter, a Co-Presentation with Miami Nice Jazz Festival, and acclaimed piano player and vocalist Jon Batiste with his stellar band Stay Human. Also presented on the Main Stage in the genre of Music are: the Fisk Jubilee Singers an African-American a cappella ensemble of students from Fisk University in Nashville, singing Negro Spirituals (members of the Coral Reef High School Chorale will perform with the group); local Grammy-nominated a cappella singers Seraphic Fire with a holiday concert; and Great Opera Moments presented by the The Opera Atelier from South Florida.
This season the SMDCAC’s Cabaret Series features nine outstanding artistic groups in the intimate space of the black box theater. Artists include string quintet Sybarite5. From Mozart to Radiohead Sybarite5’s eclectic repertoire and dynamic performance style is turning heads throughout the music world! South Florida-based Siempre Flamenco, a return engagement, performs a traditional tablao-style flamenco show called Corazon Y Alma (Heart and Soul). Broadway singer-songwriter and pianist Johnny Rodgers comes back to his home town of south Miami-Dade to perform popular songs and Broadway tunes with his renowned band. The sexy Canadian comedy duo, The Wet Spots, bring a burlesque-style show that uses a lively blend of original songs, audience interaction, spankings and sing-alongs. Acclaimed string quartet Brooklyn Rider also performs. The group is highly praised for their stunningly imaginative performances, wildly eclectic repertoire, and gripping performance style! The Los Angeles Times wrote “The dazzling fingers-in-every pie versatility that Brooklyn Rider exhibits is one of the wonders of contemporary music.” Modern dancers Liz Casebolt and Joel Smith, Casebolt and Smith, deconstruct their creative process in a comical, fast-paced, intricately layered, meta-theatrical work called O(h). And back after a successful premiere at South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center last season, acclaimed jazz singer Rene Marie returns to Miami for a weekend of soulful witty singing. Also featured in the Cabaret Series is North Carolina-bred, New York-based singer/composer/guitarist Becca Stevens and her band. Stevens is described by, The New York Times, as “a best-kept secret” and “impressively absorbing.” And finally, The District Stage Company returns to the Cabaret Series with Broadway Uplugged, an intimate evening packed with popular songs from New York’s hottest musical shows!SMDCAC’s Family Series features three main stage shows and the return of the All Kids Included Family Festival, an action packed day of accessible arts experiences for children with and without disabilities. Main stage productions throughout the season include Choo Choo Soul and the musical adventures of singer/train station manager Genevieve Goings and dancing/beatboxing engineer DC. Choo Choo Soul takes kids to the jungle, the sea and magical locales while performing songs from classic Disney films including Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious , When You Wish Upon A Star, Hakuna Matata and many more! The second Family Series production is Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo™ a unique show that allows kids to travel back in time on a prehistoric journey. They’ll experience an amazing selection of dinosaurs and creatures that inhabited the landscape millions of years ago. The audience is invited to help feed, water and care for these prehistoric marvels. Watch out for the T-rex! The third and final show of the season is Fancy Nancy based on the children’s book series. Fancy Nancy and her friends Bree, Rhonda, Wanda, and Lionel are going to be performing in their very first show, ‘Deep Sea Dances.’ Nancy is positive, that’s fancy for 100 percent sure, that she and Bree will be picked to be mermaids. When another girl wins the coveted role of the mermaid, Nancy is stuck playing a dreary, dull tree. Can Nancy bring fancy flair to her role, even though it isn’t the one she wanted?A brand new series featuring local bands called Black Creek Nights At South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center takes place in the black box theater. The Center presents performances featuring Lanza, Roosevelt Trio, Alberto Castiglia, Elatic Bond and Suénalo, among others to be scheduled, for only a $10 cover charge.
