Hats off to MDC Live Arts for their always unique entertainment offerings that are a much welcome and needed addition to Miami’s cultural and arts scene. Once again, from now through May 2019, you can expect another provocative season of performances that you should definitely check out. Here’s the list and a recap of the ten offerings:
Black Queen Sept. 27 and 28 at 8 p.m., MDC Live Arts Lab on the Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2 Ave., Downtown Miami
Billed as “a sonic meditation and surreal encounter between dark myth and true spirit” where attendees are welcomed to dress in goth attire, LALA artist Juraj Kojs and composers Jennifer Beattie and Adam Marks present a program about medieval queen Barbora of Celie. The performance featured melds melodies, poetry, real-time electronics and a voice-controlled interactive star ceiling to examine contemporary societal struggles.
Omar Souleyman Oct. 5 at 8 p.m., North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Known as the Syrian wedding singer turned international music sensation, Souleyman performs a repertoire that includes dabke and other Middle Eastern electronic folk-pop styles. He’ll perform songs from his album “To Syria, With Love” which features techno beats performed on a synthesizer. The show is co-presented with Rhythm Foundation once again doing a top job with concerts Miami 2018.
La Medea Oct. 25-27 at 8 p.m., Sandrell Rivers Theater, 6103 NW 7 Ave., Miami
Writer, director and choreographer Yara Travieso presents a unique take on the Greek tragedy via a live simulcast and feature film that she shot and edited in real time. The performers and camera operators are the characters and the audience are the Greek chorus. It’s described as a Latin-Disco Variety Show.
Penny Arcade: Longing Lasts Longer Nov. 8-10 at 8 p.m., MDC Live Arts Lab on the Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2 Ave.
Performance artist, writer and poet Penny Arcade presents a show that combines stand-up comedy with a rock ‘n roll vibe about her New York City and its transformation from “city that never sleeps” to “city that can’t wake up.”
Dov & Blasting Pixels Feb. 7 & 8, 2019 at 8 p.m., MDC Live Arts Lab on the Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2 Ave.
Local Choreographer and Founder of Pioneer Winter Collective Pioneer Collective Izzi LieberPerson stars in “Dove,” a collaborative, solo physical theater work directed by local Choreographer and Founder of Pioneer Winter Collective Pioneer Winter. It explores the transition of the 12-to 13-year-old via dance, monologue and a sound score created through his basketball skills.
In “Blasting Pixels,” Claudio Marcotulli uses multi-channel projections of real-time feed and video loops from a 20-year-old collection of MiniDV tape and digitized memories plus dance by Roxana Barba and Liony Garcia, narrative from actor Jose Manuel Dominguez and live music by composer Jose Luis de Paz, to explore the concept of memory from a personal timeline.
Niyaz: The Fourth Light Feb. 21, 2019 at 8 p.m., Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188 St., Aventura
Persian electroacoustic duo Niyaz team up with renowned interactive design artist Jermoe Delapierre in this performance honoring Rabia Al Basri, an Iraqi-born saint who founded the doctrines followed in Sufi mysticism. Their show combines live music and sacred dance along with advanced technologies and responsive projection and body-mapping techniques to a create multi-sensory experience.
Peh-Lo-Tah March 2, 2019 at 8 p.m., Lehman Theater at Miami Dade College North Campus, 11380 NW 27 Ave., Miami
Award-winning poet/performer Marc Bamuthi Joseph leads a multi-disciplinary performance that pays homage to one of the world’s most popular sports, soccer, by telling urban folktales that invoke social commentary based on his childhood memories of playing the game, life as an American immigrant and visits to World Cup cities. He is accompanied by South African dance choreography, bossa nova and filmed imagery.
The Combat Hippies: Amal, March 29 & 30, 2019 at 8 p.m., Miami-Dade County Auditorium, 2901 W. Flagler St., Miami
The Combat Hippies comprised of a group of military veterans, wrote and perform the piece that reflects on the impact of war for people of color, both combatant and noncombatant delving into themes of veterans’ adjustment to life back home and civilians in war-torn countries. Puerto Rico’s cultural and military heritage is also explored. The piece was developed and directed by local writer/performer Teo Castellanos with music by Brimstone 127.
Afro Roots World Music Fest April 6, 2019 at 8 p.m., North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Noura Mint Seymali performs hypnotic grooves from her West African and Maghreb roots via ardine and tidinite, a pair of Mauritanian instruments, with the UK’s Quietus, an electrified psychedelic rock band that performs with her. She’ll perform music from her debut album “Tzenni.” The concert is co-presented with Rhythm Foundation and Community Arts & Culture as part of AfroRoots World Music Fest.
Laborers/The Stage Show/Cosquillas May 9 & 10, 2019 at 8 p.m.
The wordless play performed by Ana Mendez’s Laborers uses live-on stage scoring and a look behind the theater curtains, symbolizing the veils of realities, to tell the story of the chaotic state of childbirth and motherhood.In “The Stage Show” choreographed by Adele Myers, she creates an audience-friendly interactive piece using physicality, personal theatricality and humor to present an unpredictable theater show in the round meaning, there’s nowhere to hide! And in “Cosquillas” the cabaret show by local choreographer Rosie Herrera, she depicts the unique glamour and humor of the Caribbean via dance, film, live music and burlesque.
