When Ballroom with a Twist makes its way to the Adrienne Arsht Center on Saturday night, Jan. 31, Miami native Nick Garcia will be front and center with the pros of television's Dancing with the Stars, American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance in a dynamic new, live dance production.
Garcia, who was a contestant on Season 11 of FOX Network's So You Think You Can Dance will join past finalists Randi Lynn Strong and Alan Bersten and fellow Miamian, breakdancer Legacy. Also on the bill will be Cheryl Burke, Dmitry Chaplin, Tony Dovolani, Lacey Schwimmer and Anna Trebunskaya of ABC's Dancing with the Stars as they headline the breathtaking evening of ballroom, rhumba, foxtrot, cha-cha, hip-hop and more in two performances, at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., in the Arsht Center's Knight Concert Hall. American Idol finalists Von Smith and Gina Glockson provide the sizzling soundtrack for the entertaining night of music and dance.
(miamiartzine.com will be giving away tickets to the show. Watch for the giveaway Wednesday right here at miamiartzine.com)
Local fans cheered Garcia on last summer as he fought his way through the competitive audition process and even though he was eliminated on the first episode, he is grateful for the life-changing experience.
"I have been so blessed to be where I am today and So You Think You Can Dance played a huge part in helping me achieve these incredible accomplishments," said the young New World School of the Arts alum, who was only 18 when he competed.
"Being on the show at such an early age was both an advantage and a challenge. I think it was an advantage because I got to learn a lot from all of my friends who have been in the dance business for a while; it was a challenge because up until that point I hadn't done anything by myself," says Garcia, who now calls Los Angeles home and where he is pursuing a performing and teaching career.
In many ways, taking the stage at the Arsht Center will be a homecoming for Garcia—not only a return to his hometown (he started dancing at DanceTown Dance Studio in Doral)—but an opportunity to perform with many of the pros he's met and forged relationships with since his adventures on the television competition.
The show was a huge stepping stone for me," says the dancer.
Ballroom with a Twist
Saturday, Jan. 31, 5:30 and 8 p.m.
Knight Concert Hall, Arsht Center, Miami
Tickets $35-300 at ArshtCenter.org
