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As Valentine’s Day approaches, are you left looking for potential options on what to do to celebrate? Look no further as the “Moonlight & Music” Valentine’s Day Concert is returning to Deering Estate. Love is in the air on Monday, February 14th, 2022, with an amorous picnic and concert under the stars for everyone to enjoy.
The concert would not be complete without its incredible artists, Keba and the French Horn Collective. Keba is a fan-favorite at Deering Estate, as several guests have raved about her fusion of several genres including Pop, R&B, and Soul. Her lyrics, combined with her consistent playful exploration of love, allow for a perfect Valentine’s Day performance. Opening for her, the French Horn Collective will show off their 1920s sound and eccentric band. Led by Vincent Raffard, the band combines Gypsy Jazz, Traditional Jazz, French Standards, Original Compositions, and Hot Swing. Sound and stage for this year’s concert is sponsored by MIAMIGO.
General admission open areas are available on the Front Lawn, in front of the two Historic House Museums, in the Royal Palm Grove and on the Boat Basin Jetties, on a first come first serve basis. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets. Private balcony seating is also available. Four to eight people can be accommodated on one of the Historic Stone House Balconies, including wine and dessert options sponsored by Joanna’s Marketplace and Liquor Split.
All guests will have the option to experience a luxurious dinner by preordering food from Joanna’s Marketplace. Orders must be made by Friday, February 11th at 12 PM. View Joanna’s menu online.
Guests can also have their favorite bottle of champagne or wine delivered to them by preordering from Liquor Split. Preorders can be made online. Orders must set their delivery time to 4 PM and location as Deering Estate. Nevertheless, no decisions have to be made yet, as other food alternatives will be provided by food trucks such as The Cask, Latin Fixin’s, and Coffee Vibes.
Here is an interview with the two musical guests: Keba and Vincent Raffard from the French Horn Collective. They discuss their performance at Deering Estate and musical sounds, as well as inspirations.
Q: Seeing as you’ve performed at other Deering Estate events, is there anything special about the Valentine’s Day Concert?
A: (Keba) I think being able to return to Deering Estate to celebrate love, friendship, and the ability to be close to one another after we’ve been in and out of lockdown for the past couple of years, is pretty significant. I’m looking forward to performing live for an audience this size again and being able to share this experience with a higher appreciation for live music and events.
Q: How does your fusion of Pop, R&B, and Soul play into the theme of Valentine’s Day?
A: (Keba) Music is a universal language, as is love. So, it’s no surprise that when those two worlds overlap, we get some of the greatest songs ever written. As a genre, Rhythm and Blues have been a commentary on love and emotion like no other, since its inception in the 1940s. Fusing it with Pop and Soul music is my way of keeping the conversation about love playful, yet real. That’s what Valentine’s Day is all about to me.
Q: What pushes you to keep coming back and performing at Deering Estate?
A: (Keba) I love that Deering Estate takes the time to create experiences that maintain a sense of local community. Their events evoke pride in all the different cultures that coexist in Miami. The fact that they’ve invited me to perform again, makes me feel like as an artist, I’m a part of Miami’s cultural narrative.
Q: What influenced you to base your music on 1920’s sounds and genres?
A: (Raffard) To my knowledge, Gypsy Jazz was founded in the 1930s while jazz became popular in Paris during the 1920s. For my concern, any time that I play, I feel very connected to the music, and to my native country, and city. Jazz music is very soulful and has a lot of energy behind it. It can be suited for any type of event because of it.
Q: As a French native, what attracted you to Miami?
A: (Raffard) What attracted me to Miami was the music. What made me want to stay in Miami was the diverse culture and the open-minded possibility of the American Dream, and of course, the love story that it represents.
Q: What unique touch do you bring to the Valentine’s Day Concert?
A: (Raffard) The repertoire that we will play will be very connected to Valentine’s Day through romantic sounds and danceable music. All of this through gypsy jazz and swing music. The French element mixed with Shira’s repertoire will create a beautiful diversity, that unit the couple’s dinner and special evening.
Deering Estate’s “Moonlight & Music” Concert is the perfect romantic celebration that you and your partner will never forget. You can also celebrate the special day with family and friends. Tickets for general admission or private balcony seating can be purchased online.
About the Deering Estate
The Deering Estate is a 21st Century house museum, cultural and ecological field station, and a national landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, owned by the State of Florida and managed by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. Deering Estate is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Stone House in 2022! The Deering Estate is located at 16701 SW 72nd Avenue in Miami.
