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MEDIA CONTACT: Jordan McCrary
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Four Miami-Dade Arts Organizations Partner to Form the
Miami-Dade Arts Education Collective
The Collective will focus on providing arts education to Miami-Dade K-12 students
MIAMI, FLA. (November 19, 2020) -- In an effort to bring arts experiences to thousands of Miami-Dade students during these challenging times, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, Miami Theater Center, and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs’ Culture Shock Miami program, and South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) have joined forces to create the Miami-Dade Arts Education Collective. The Collective is committed to providing diverse and high-quality arts programming to students across all grade levels throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, students are unable to go on typical field trips to participate in live arts performances. While virtual performances cannot replace the magic of live theater, the Collective seeks to engage students by making arts performances available and accessible via online/virtual offerings instead of the traditional, in-person field trip. The Collective provides the virtual content to teachers and students at no charge through a collaboration with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (MDCPS) Cultural Passport Program as well as private, charter and homeschools, keeping students engaged with the arts.
The proposed season includes eight virtual performances. The first performance, A Kids Play About Racism, created with elementary students in mind, started on October 19 and will extend through May. So far, 53 teachers have participated, reaching nearly 3,000 students. Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom ran from October 26 through November 13 and had 28 participating teachers, reaching about 2,890 students. Encompassing the fourth largest school system in the nation and the largest county in the state, the Collective has the potential to reach well over 400 schools and upwards of 400,000 students.
The season includes the following performances throughout the 2020-2021 school year:
A Kids Play About Racism
• Discipline: Theater; Theme: Social Justice
• Dates: October 19, 2020 through May, 2021
• Audience: Elementary School
• A groundbreaking online performance inspired by the New York Times best seller A Kids Book About Racism. This performance explains what racism is, how to know it when you see and experience it, and ideas for what you can do about it. This is one conversation that’s never too early to start, and this virtual play was created to be an introduction for young children on the topic.
Hip Hop Nutcracker
• Discipline: Hip Hop Dance/Musical
• Dates: December 7 through December 18, 2020
• Audience: 3rd grade through High School
• Hip Hop Nutcracker is a virtual performance by a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers. With the freshest hip-hop choreography, a live DJ and electric violinist, this crowd pleasing, uplifting saga turns the original Tchaikovsky score on its head in the coolest possible way. Digital scenery transforms E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story into a romance set in 1980’s New York. Rap legend Kurtis Blow is special guest MC for this new holiday tradition celebrating love, community and the magic of New Year’s Eve.
Air Play
• Discipline: Circus
• Dates: January 4 through January 15, 2021
• Audience: Elementary and Middle School
• Circus and science collide in a gorgeous homage to the power of air. Flying umbrellas, larger-than-life balloons, giant kites floating over the audience, and the biggest snow globe you’ve ever seen will make you gasp in wonder and laugh until it hurts.
• “AIR PLAY holds the whole audience in the palm of its outstretched hand.
A winning combination of visually stunning sculptures and cheeky but heartfelt storytelling that keeps both adults and children enthralled.” –British Theatre Guide
Black Violin
• Discipline: Music Concert
• Dates: January 19 through February 26, 2021
• Audience: All grades
• Black Violin is composed of classically trained violist and violinist Wil B. and Kev Marcus, who combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound that is often described as “classical boom.” Black Violin has shared stages with top names including Kanye West, Aerosmith and Tom Petty, and has creatively collaborated with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean, and Alicia Keys. Black Violin’s most recent record, Stereotypes, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart and at #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart. NPR praised the album and band, saying “their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.”
Emil and the Detectives
• Discipline: Play; Theme: Resilience
• Dates: March 1 through March 12, 2021
• Audience: 3rd grade and up
• Emil and the Detectives is a journey about discovery and self-discovery, the value of friendships and taking risks, and the empowerment of young people. In Slingsby’s signature intimate theatrical style, the story is told by two skilled actors combining the thrilling intrigue of a classic caper with an evocative film noir design, complete with smoke and mirrors, miniature worlds and a cinematic score.
Ballet Hispánico
• Discipline: Dance; Theme: Celebration of Latin-American Dance and Music
• Dates: April 12 through April 23, 2021
• Audience: All grades
• Ballet Hispánico takes audiences on a virtual guided journey through Latin-American dance and music. This interactive, fun-filled exploration features excerpts of the Ballet Hispánico repertory and is narrated by Artistic leadership. Latin music and cultural connections, choreography insights, and dance history come together to deepen the audience’s experience of dance. Students will be exposed to world-class choreographers and the cultures of Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Americas, while learning about Latinx icons such as Celia Cruz and Tito Puente.
Inez Barlatier - Ayiti - Stories and Songs from Haiti
• Discipline: Music Concert; Theme: Celebration of Haitian/Miami Culture
• Dates: May 1 through May 31, 2021
• Audience: Elementary School
• Local musician, Inez Barlatier and her Family Band, will be celebrating the vibrancy and significance of the Miami-Haitian community’s art and culture. Through storytelling, songs and visual art, kids and families will be guided on a journey through Haitian folklore, exploring themes of community and gratitude.
For more information, please contact education@arshtcenter.org.
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About the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
Set in the heart of downtown Miami, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is committed to welcoming and connecting ALL people to the arts, to the Arsht Center and to each other. Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has been a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area, a leader in programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity, a host venue for historic events and Miami’s hub for arts education. Each year, we serve more than 50,000 young learners and offer more than 100 culturally diverse and inclusive education programs. Our 300+ annual events include our Knight Masterworks Classical Music series featuring magnificent orchestras and soloists from around the world; the very best musicals direct from New York for Broadway in Miami; Jazz Roots, the largest jazz series in South Florida; our award-winning, Miami-made Theater Up Close program; Flamenco Festival Miami; brilliant work from our many Arts Partners and local artists, and much more. The Arsht Center is a home stage for three resident companies - Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony - and a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage. In addition, our Family Fest, Free Gospel Sundays, CommuniTea LGBTQ+ celebration and Heritage Fest are among dozens of free activities that bring together people from all corners of our community. For more information, visit arshtcenter.org.
About Culture Shock Miami
Culture Shock Miami, the young audience development program of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, is designed to introduce the next generation of audience members to live arts and cultural experiences at the age when they are beginning to make their own entertainment decisions. Based on research that shows most people begin their appreciation for the arts at a young age, Culture Shock Miami is founded on the premise that when teens and young adults make the arts a regular entertainment choice, they are more likely to become full-price ticket buyers and subscribers in the future. Through its website, CultureShockMiami.com, the program offers teens and young adults (ages 13-22), $5 tickets to top music, theatre, and dance performances, as well as admission to museums, landmarks, and cultural destinations in and around Miami-Dade County. With the purchase of one $5 ticket for a 13-22 year old, a second $5 ticket can be purchased for someone of any age to accompany them. Culture Shock Miami Presents was recognized with a 2018 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). For more information about this exciting program, call 305-375-1949 or contact Christina Tassy-Beauvoir at Christina.Tassy-Beauvoir@miamidade.gov or Mary-Margaret Dale at Mary-Margaret.Dale@miamidade.gov.
About the Miami Theater Center
Miami Theater Center (MTC) is a not-for-profit cultural organization located on NE 2nd Avenue in the heart of Miami Shores’ downtown district. While MTC is nationally recognized for groundbreaking adaptations of children’s literature and original plays, its profound commitment to community is the focus of their new mission of creating transformative live experiences and educational opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and to provide affordable rehearsal, performance and screening facilities for artist and arts organizations.
About the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC)
The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center provides a world-class, multi-disciplinary cultural venue and community gathering place in the southern part of Miami-Dade County. The Center plays a key role in the economic and cultural development of the area and opened on October 1, 2011.
In addition to providing a diverse range of quality entertainment to people from all backgrounds and ages, the Center's mission includes an emphasis on educational and outreach activities in partnership with community groups. The Center's multiple rehearsal and performing spaces also offers accessible state-of-the-art facilities to the Miami-Dade artistic community, presenters and audiences throughout South Florida.
The 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.