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Ballet Flamenco La Rosa: Passionate castanet moves
[caption id="attachment_60597" align="alignright" width="111" caption="Ilisa Rosa, artistic director of Ballet Flamenco La Rosa. Photo by Ali."]
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One of Miami's most beloved dance troupes Ballet Flamenco La Rosa, led by artistic director Ilisa Rosal, who formed the group in 1985. In their nearly three decades of existence, Rosal has developed more than 100 flamenco performances.
Serving as a choreographer and dancer as well, Rosal and her troupe take flamenco beyond the traditional well known dance and in their performances, present it in a theatrical setting. Their original numbers explore the connection between flamenco and other dance forms including Middle Eastern, Indian, jazz, tap, blues and Afro-Cuban.
They regularly collaborate with internationally renowned guest musicians and dancers who enhance the experience. In "Celtic Callings" they were joined by the Breffini Irish Dancers while productions like "Las Brujas de Salem" ("The Witches of Salem") and "Rey Lear" were inspired by Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and Shakespeare's "King Lear," respectively.
Ballet Flamenco La Rosa performs throughout the year at various venues around Miami and also host weekly classes at the Performing Arts Network, 13146-8 West Dixie Hwy., North Miami 305-899-7730, www.balletflamencolarosa.com, www.panmiami.org
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One of Miami's most beloved dance troupes Ballet Flamenco La Rosa, led by artistic director Ilisa Rosal, who formed the group in 1985. In their nearly three decades of existence, Rosal has developed more than 100 flamenco performances.
Serving as a choreographer and dancer as well, Rosal and her troupe take flamenco beyond the traditional well known dance and in their performances, present it in a theatrical setting. Their original numbers explore the connection between flamenco and other dance forms including Middle Eastern, Indian, jazz, tap, blues and Afro-Cuban.
They regularly collaborate with internationally renowned guest musicians and dancers who enhance the experience. In "Celtic Callings" they were joined by the Breffini Irish Dancers while productions like "Las Brujas de Salem" ("The Witches of Salem") and "Rey Lear" were inspired by Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and Shakespeare's "King Lear," respectively.
Ballet Flamenco La Rosa performs throughout the year at various venues around Miami and also host weekly classes at the Performing Arts Network, 13146-8 West Dixie Hwy., North Miami 305-899-7730, www.balletflamencolarosa.com, www.panmiami.org
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Area Stage: Edgy, provocative theater
Husband and wife team John Rodaz and Maria Banda-Rodaz have made the success of Area Stage their labor of love and the laboring continues. Long considered the place to see edgy, provocative live theater, the Rodaz team haven't lost their thirst for bringing theater lovers what they want, an experience that leaves them wanting more.
Just look at their titles "Confessions of a Jewish Shiksa Dancing on Hitler's Grave" about the daughter of Jewish Holocaust survivors who's raised Catholic and the trouble that ensues when she reveals her true identity. And like this, there are plenty others being presented here. The Rodaz' refuse to stop pushing the envelope to bring the best they can to their audience.
Area Stage is located at 1560 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, FL
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Mad Cat Theatre Company: Alternative to the traditional
Keeping theatre contemporary, fresh and original might as well be Mad Cat Theatre Company's motto, it's what they've been doing around Miami for the past decade.
Although a majority of their performances are one-time only there are a couple that have become part of their repertoire. There's the hilarious "Shepherd's Pie" filled with limericks and Irish humor and the hit play "Broadsword" which plays on the classic theme of the classic rock band break-up and the problems that ensue.
Made up a group of talented Carbonell-award-winning actors, this wacky and intelligent troupe seeks to provoke, entice and challenge their audiences with original plays that touch on a variety of subjects folks can relate to. At times gut-busting and always memorable, it's always worth making time for a Mad Cat show.
The company performs at the Adrienne Arsht Center at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Downtown Miami.
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Tigertail Productions: Culture of every kind
Veteran cultural group Tigertail Productions, headed up by legendary director Mary Luft, is presenting another season jam-packed with musical and theatrical performances as well as spoken word events.
They've been presenting passionate programs in performing and visual arts since 1979 and each year is better than the next. They're known for pushing the envelope and bringing recognition to lesser-known artists who they feel deserve their time on stage.
Gracing this season's calendar are Dutch jazz artists the Benjamin Herman Quartet, a variety of spoken word or "WordSpeak" events and workshops, blues legends Henry Gray & the Cats and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell. The Jess Curtis Gravity Dance troupe, featuring dancers from France, Germany, Italy, England and the United States, is an interdisciplinary mixed ability performance. And Japanese couple Eiko & Koma present their provocative performance piece "Raven."
Tigertail's performances are held on Miami Beach, in Coral Gables and throughout Miami. Visit their web site for exact locations.
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Paragon Theater: Movie-going taken to new heights
The Paragon Theater located in Coconut Grove's CocoWalk outdoor mall and it takes the movie-going experience to another level. It's more than just typical candy, popcorn, soda and hot dogs, the concession offerings as well as the theater itself are much more upscale.
The 13-screen theater features high definition digital projection in 3-D, a 1,500 seat all reserved VIP stadium seating and coming soon a bowling alley. Paragon takes dinner and a movie to another level, offering moviegoers expanded food offerings, like wraps, pizza and chicken fingers and more. In the "Back Lot" private screening rooms they show sporting events, concerts and classic films. It's all here. Of course, because it's located in CocoWalk there's plenty of shopping to do as well.
Paragon Theater is located in CocoWalk at 3015 Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove
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Award-Winning Shows at GableStage
With 148 Carbonell Award nominations and 43 wins, it's no wonder audiences flock to see GablesStage plays, which are presented in the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
Perfecting their theatrical craft for more than three decades, the players at GableStage, led for the last nine seasons by Producing Artistic Director Joseph Adler, whose legendary and provocative productions have been making headlines in Miami since his arrival at the theater, is something no one at this venue takes lightly. Speed the Plow and A Lesson Before Dying are some of the award-winners and this season's comedy Speech and Debate and the drama Fifty Words could very well garner more accolades.
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Staging a Stellar Line-Up at Actors’ Playhouse
Housed in Coral Gables' historic Miracle Theatre, the Actors' Playhouse is one of Miami's premier spots to catch stellar stage productions for both adults and children. Impeccably restored, but still maintaining the look of another era with a neon marquee announcing the latest productions and a grand glass box office, the showcased plays are just as spectacular.
The Actors' Playhouse continues to rack up the prestigious Carbonell awards- 57 and counting- and every season expect several classics alongside original plays by local playwrights. Catch a performance here and come away with a memorable evening.
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Diverse Drama & Dance at Deco Colony Theater
Whether it's laughing the night away at a comic's joke
s or watching dancers soar and leap across the stage, Colony Theater is the place to catch a wealth of diverse entertainment. The calendar is packed with something for everyone with groups like Miami Lyric Opera, Miami Contemporary Dance Company and New World School of the Arts Music Department presenting world-class performances. The venue has also become a hot bed for controversial plays and shows by Latin American artists, making headlines in the past year with attention-grabbing presentations.
Watching a show here is like stepping back in time. The marquee and Colony Theater lettering are in Art Deco style and the look continues inside throughout the foyer with a multi-patterned terrazo floor, vintage chandeliers and a grand stage framed in Deco-inspired moldings. The theater may be inspired by the roaring 20s, but what's showing inside is fresh, new and in the moment.
s or watching dancers soar and leap across the stage, Colony Theater is the place to catch a wealth of diverse entertainment. The calendar is packed with something for everyone with groups like Miami Lyric Opera, Miami Contemporary Dance Company and New World School of the Arts Music Department presenting world-class performances. The venue has also become a hot bed for controversial plays and shows by Latin American artists, making headlines in the past year with attention-grabbing presentations.
Watching a show here is like stepping back in time. The marquee and Colony Theater lettering are in Art Deco style and the look continues inside throughout the foyer with a multi-patterned terrazo floor, vintage chandeliers and a grand stage framed in Deco-inspired moldings. The theater may be inspired by the roaring 20s, but what's showing inside is fresh, new and in the moment.
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Intimate Space, Big Talent at New Theatre
Explosive and provocative theatre with a twist is 
what's being presented at the intimate space that is the New Theatre, and it's been happening here that way for 23 years. The quality of plays continues to get stronger as the playwrights and artistic and managing directors constantly collaborate to bring award-winning theater to South Florida.
Lovers of live theatre will recognize New Theatre playwright Nilo Cruz, who wrote the Broadway hit Anna in the Tropics, as one of the many writers churning out hits here. There are many surprises here, regularly offering seasons that feature classics like Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew alongside an original work by local favorite Michael McKeever, who has been exciting audiences with his original plays for years.
In other words, there's something for every taste here, and that's always been the theatre's forte.
what's being presented at the intimate space that is the New Theatre, and it's been happening here that way for 23 years. The quality of plays continues to get stronger as the playwrights and artistic and managing directors constantly collaborate to bring award-winning theater to South Florida.
Lovers of live theatre will recognize New Theatre playwright Nilo Cruz, who wrote the Broadway hit Anna in the Tropics, as one of the many writers churning out hits here. There are many surprises here, regularly offering seasons that feature classics like Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew alongside an original work by local favorite Michael McKeever, who has been exciting audiences with his original plays for years.
In other words, there's something for every taste here, and that's always been the theatre's forte.
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Fillmore at Jackie Gleason Theater is South Beach’s Gem
The gem of South Beach performance spaces, the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, has had several name changes, but the quality of performers and the elegant, commanding presence of the space is everlasting. The grandiose theater is treasured by locals and the many performers who grace its stage.
So beloved is the Fillmore,
it recently underwent a massive renovation to restore it to its original beauty, and added some modern touches that brought it into the 21st century. The exterior is all Art Deco, with geometric lines and blue pastel coloring. The interior, though, is a cross between 1920's elegance and a modern club scene, like the ornate grand crystal chandeliers that are hued with purple lighting.
Any artist would want to grace such a majestic stage, and they do, from all genres and eras. Where else does legendary singer Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, indie rockers Arctic Monkeys, and comedian Chelsea Handler of the "Chelsea Lately" late night talk show appear in the same venue? It all comes together at the Fillmore Miami Beach.
it recently underwent a massive renovation to restore it to its original beauty, and added some modern touches that brought it into the 21st century. The exterior is all Art Deco, with geometric lines and blue pastel coloring. The interior, though, is a cross between 1920's elegance and a modern club scene, like the ornate grand crystal chandeliers that are hued with purple lighting.
Any artist would want to grace such a majestic stage, and they do, from all genres and eras. Where else does legendary singer Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, indie rockers Arctic Monkeys, and comedian Chelsea Handler of the "Chelsea Lately" late night talk show appear in the same venue? It all comes together at the Fillmore Miami Beach.
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No Boundaries in Miami Light Project’s Contemporary World
There are no boundaries or limits when it comes to exploring the contemporary performance world, at least not for the Miami Light Project, who has spent the last two decades perfecting their craft and becoming Miami's premier contemporary art forum. Searching for the most innovative form of expression in live performance, MLP is a place to discover groundbreaking local and global artists in music, dance and theatre.
The Miami Light Project taps into the beat of the city by offering hip hop acts and world music groups. The annual Here & Now Festival is a great place to see up and coming fresh acts, but don't sweat it, there are special events year-round. Performances are at venues around the city, but mainly on South Beach and Downtown Miami.
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Twirls, Tutus and Tights at the Miami City Ballet
Master ballet choreographer George Balanchine had a protege once, his name was Edward Villella and he is now the artistic director of the Miami City Ballet. Even though Villella has made a name on his own, with an induction into the Dancer's Hall of Fame in 2004, it's no wonder a major chunk of the troupe's repertoire -- which numbers 88 ballets -- are Balanchine-choreographed pieces.
The troupe's international blend of dancers have performed with the Paris Opera Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, The National Ballet of China and the San Francisco Ballet, to name a few. This season, on top of the Balanchine pieces, there are nine world premieres in the mix. Check them out this season as they leap, twirl and float across the stage at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Downtown Miami.
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Momentum Dance: One of Miami’s Best Troupes
The hypnotic moves of Miami's stellar dance troupe Momentum Dance Company, who have been g
racing stages around the city for more than two decades, makes for a mesmerizing experience. A show by Momentum always holds some kind of surprise with their ingenious creativity. The repertoire of numbers conceived by artistic director Delma Iles are so popular that dance fans have come to expect them, like "Sand Dance," a solo effort by Iles that incorporates a single spotlight and sand into the performance.
Performing all over the city, this contemporary group is known for inventive and innovative moves and haunting performances that captivate the audience and leave them wanting more. Make a point of catching Momentum while in Miami or risk missing an unforgettable experience. Check out their website to find out when the next performance is taking place.
racing stages around the city for more than two decades, makes for a mesmerizing experience. A show by Momentum always holds some kind of surprise with their ingenious creativity. The repertoire of numbers conceived by artistic director Delma Iles are so popular that dance fans have come to expect them, like "Sand Dance," a solo effort by Iles that incorporates a single spotlight and sand into the performance.
Performing all over the city, this contemporary group is known for inventive and innovative moves and haunting performances that captivate the audience and leave them wanting more. Make a point of catching Momentum while in Miami or risk missing an unforgettable experience. Check out their website to find out when the next performance is taking place.