In October, the South-Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center opens its doors. Sure, the center already hosted several shows, but those were part of its soft opening. This took place in April, after 19 years of planning and development — and $51 million from county tourism and other taxes. The oficial, the real grand opening will take place this fall. The $51 million center just announced that its grand opening celebration would in fact take place on October 1-2. The Grand Opening Celebration is highlighted by a multidisciplinary show featuring international artists, as well as some of Miami’s highest caliber performers. No matter what type of music or moves you enjoy, chances our the opening will satiate your cultural proclivities.
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.
Tickets to the performances cost $20 to $50 on Saturday night and $10 to $40 on Sunday afternoon (Family Day) but there’s also a bunch of free pre-show stuff to see and enjoy outside of the performance halls.
The center, the first of its kinds in the area, sits on six acres on Southwest 211th Street, just east of U.S. 1, in Cutler Bay, on land purchased by Miami-Dade County for this purpose in 1994. It features a 966-seat theater, which includes an orchestra pit, front-of-house spaces (box office, lobby, restrooms, and concessions), dressing rooms, storage, work areas, and administrative offices and a multi-purpose rehearsal space.
The Arts Center was designed by an internationally-acclaimed design teams including lot of members of different faculties.
Here an Selection of the schedule for the inaugural season:
OCTOBER
Hamlet Redux, Theater October 14, 8pm (Main Stage)
“A Night in Treme,” The Musical Majesty of New Orleans, MusicOctober 21, 8pm (Main Stage)
Christina Robinson, Gospel Music October 29, 8pm (Main Stage)
NOVEMBER
Garth Fagan Dance, Dance November 5, 8pm (Main Stage)
Brazz Dance Theater, Dance November 10-12, 17-19, (Lab Theater), 8:30pm
Nestor Torres. Music & Dance November 11, 8pm (Main Stage)
DECEMBER
The Nutcracker, Ballet December 3, 8pm (Main Stage)
O Holy Night: Christmas with Seraphic Fire, Music Saturday, December 17, 8pm (Main Stage)
JANUARY 2012
Black Violin, Music Sunday, January 15, 7pm (Main Stage)
Band of the United States Air Force Reserve, Music January 26, 8pm (Main Stage)
FEBRUARY 2012
Keb Mo, Music February 4, 8pm (Main Stage)
Evidence, Dance February 18, 8pm (Main Stage)
The Langston Hughes Project “Ask your Mama,” Music 12 Moods for Jazz Ron McCurdy Quartet February 23, 8pm (Main Stage)
MARCH 2012
James Cotton “Superharp,” Music March 17, 8pm (Main Stage)
Abraham.In.Motion, Dance March 31, 8pm (Main Stage)
APRIL 2012
Turtle Island Quartet, Music A Love Supreme, The Music of John Coltrane April 21, 8pm (Main Stage)
BeBe and CeCe Winans, Music April 27, 8pm (Main Stage)
MAY 2012
The 6th Annual All Kids Included Family Festival May 5, 10am-5pm (All Venues)
Hamlet Prince of Cuba/Hamlet de Cuba, Theater May 17-20 (Main Stage)