The grand finale of the second season of Global Arts Project and Collins Park Neighborhood Association's ArtScape Concert Series is this Sunday for free in Collins Park.
It's a great way to get out of the Hurricane Irma blues and hear some jazz.
"La Mulata del Sabor," with singer Lisset Morales, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month headlining the Sunday, Sept. 24 free event in Collins Park, 2100 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, from 4 to 7 p.m.
"It's a Celia Cruz celebration," says Kimberly Chmura, who is in her second year of producing the Global Arts Project and its ArtScape series. Chmura is known throughout South Florida for her company KCC Productions, which she bega in 2004 to bring jazz arts to South Florida venues.
"We already have the third season of the ArtScape concert series planned," says Chmura, who founded the event with Rafa Solano. "Reflecting on our first season, and now into our second, we've created a great time for people to come out and enjoy food and music. This year, we went a step above the previous year, bringing in more national acts. For next season, we've raised the bar even higher," promises Chmura.
Morales, who is the headliner for Sunday's show arrived in Miami from her native Cuba and quickly rose to stardom singing for president George W. Bush at The Miami Arena. She made her Off-Broadway debut as an actress with "Celia (The Life and Music of Celia Cruz)." This role landed her as the lead singer of the “Celia Cruz All Stars".
She has shared the stage with famous artists such as Jose Alberto "el Canario," Oscar de Leon, La India, Albita, Tito Puente Jr., Isaac Delgado, Marlow Rosado, Willy Chirino, Domingo Quiñones and many more.
"It's going to be quite the event," says Chmura, who added that salsa dancers will perform, "sharing the dance floor with the audience."
The Kiki Sanchez Latin Jazz ensemble will open the show.
Chmura says that attendees really enjoyed the availability of food vendors during the first season, so the producers heeded the call, and added even more.
There will be a Farmer's Market courtesy of The Market Company, and tents by local food vendors.
- Mr. Good Stuff serving its famous Luna. Luna is pork and brisket slow-cooked for hours until the meat is tender, cradled inside an arepa, a Venezuelan corn cake freshly made on a griddle. They are then topped with house-made slaws or pickled onions.
- Bocaditos Meals: Fresh and healthy American and Spanish influenced dishes.
- Silver Spoon Events with dishes influenced by his Italian Mediterranean roots.
- Popstarz Plus, which serves gourmet gelato popsicles and fried desserts such as fried oreos,candy bars, funnel cakes and so much more.
"The idea of ArtsScape is to escape for a bit, enjoy the park, enjoy the music. We've set the concert times for later in the afternoon, so people can go to the beach, then come here have something to eat and hear great music."
Good food and great music goes together, according to Chmura.
"It's also a FREE concert series to give people the chance to see and hear some truly highly talented and highly regarded artists without having to pay high concert prices."
The event is free thanks to co-sponsors Ray Breslin and the Collins Park Neighborhood Association, presenting sponsor, the South Beach Group, and to other sponsors: the LeRoy Schecter Foundation, Miami-Dade County, Commissioner Sally A. Heyman, W South Beach, 1 Hotel and Homes, WDNA, miamiartzine.com, The Market Company, ORA, Streamline Properties, and the City of Miami Beach.
Global Arts Project, as part of its education outreach, has also been giving student jazz ensembles the chance to perform as opening acts for big names.
Headliners in the second season included: On Feb. 19, Dr. Michael White New Orleans Jazz Quartet, celebrating Mardi Gras; On Feb. 26, The Allan Harris Jazz Quartet, and celebrating Black History Month ("he plays frequently at Lincoln Center," says Chmura); On April 30, Vivian Sessions, celebrating International Jazz Day; On May 7, Jean Caze to celebrate Haitian Flag Day, and, finally, this Sunday's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Lisett Morales.
"We put a lot of thought into the musical acts that we bring in. These are artists you don't get to see in a Miami Beach club. We're giving audiences musical celebrations with ArtScape that we know are unforgettable. And, from the feedback we've received from our audiences, they think so, too."
This Sunday's show, Sept. 24, at Collins Park begins a 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Find out more at http://www.globalartsproject.org.
