Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
On Saturday, March 12, Cirque de la Symphonie brought the magic of cirque and symphonie to the incredible Amphitheater of Mizner Park. This special iconic destination is a ‘must see’ for anyone living or visiting South Florida. From the shops to the people, there is always something visually stimulating going on right in front of you.
Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
The show started at 7:30 p.m. with special games, children’s activities and more at 6 p.m. The Cirque talent coupled with an astounding orchestra was a mesmerizing event. I had seen Cirque shows and I have also experienced symphonies. But, never in an astounding compilation as an elegant adaptation of some of the most amazing cirque acts performed on a stage shared with the full symphony orchestra, showcasing many of the best artists in the world. The audience was thrilled and bedazzled by aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen. These accomplished veterans include world record holders, gold-medal winners of international competitions, Olympians and some of the most original talent ever seen.
Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
Yet words do no justice to this memorable event. As the acrobats performed, the symphony played music to accompany their movement. The music alone brought the audience to their feet, but, when played along with acrobatic moves, you felt as if you were transformed to another time and place.
Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
The stage was adorned with hundreds of lights in the background that only gave you more goosebumps than you could imagine. To say ‘it was a sight and experience to behold,’ is an understatement. It was my first experience at this beautiful amphitheater and I look forward to next years’ lineup.
Below are the highlights of this years’ events. As new events become available, join as a member and give yourself a treat with all the talent these programs present:
Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
The 10th Annual Festival of the Arts BOCA, presented by the Schmidt Family Centre for the Arts, had everyone “on their feet,” March 4 – 16, 2016 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real and Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, 201 Plaza Real (2nd Floor) in Boca Raton.
Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
“The 10th Annual Festival of the Arts BOCA is the most celebrated and memorable yet,” said Charlie Siemon, Chair and Co-Executive Producer of the Festival of the Arts BOCA. “We are thrilled and humbled to welcome a full line-up of international superstars, thinkers, authors and performers.”
Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
Headlining the Festival of the Arts BOCA was the violin superstar and conductor Joshua Bell, who was the soloist and conductor in a performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the Lynn Philharmonic.
Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
This season’s Festival opened on Friday, March 4, 2016 with the Florida premiere of Raiders of the Lost Ark, presented with live orchestra. Digitally remastered, the film that gave the world one of its greatest movie heroes, Indiana Jones, is back and better than ever before. John Williams’ epic score was performed live to the picture by the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music conducted by Constantine Kitsopoulos. Concert goers were invited to participate in a fun Raiders-themed treasure hunt with prize packages at the Mizner Park Amphitheater prior to the show.
Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
Other highlights included jazz trumpet legend Herb Alpert and his wife, Grammy Award winning singer Lani Hall; Cirque de la Symphonie, featuring cirque acts with live orchestra and free pre-show party under the big top with games and activities for kids of all ages; 12-year old jazz piano phenom Joey Alexander recently featured on 60 Minutes, in the Florida premiere of the Joey Alexander Trio, presenting a night of symphonic jazz with The Symphonia, Boca Raton and Constantine Kitsopoulos; and Mozart’s The Magic Flute in a new family-friendly, semi-staged 90-minute English translation by Festival Music Director Constantine Kistopoulos, featuring a star-studded cast of international singers, as well as local students and chorus.
Photo: Courtesy of Sherry Ferrante Photography
This season’s Authors & Ideas program welcomes some of the world’s brightest intellectuals. Fareed Zakaria, CNN host, contributing editor at The Atlantic, Washington Post columnist and author will talk about Global Hot Spots and Trends: The Next Security Crisis. Dr. Robert Sapolsky, a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and multiple-award winning author will present The Biology of Good and Evil. Laila Lalami talked about her novel, The Moor’s Account, an account of the Spanish exploration of Florida and the Gulf Coast that was a finalist for the 2015 Pulitzer Prize. Lalami is a regular contributor to The Nations, Newsweek and The Los Angeles Times. Dr. Jay M. Winter, former professor of history at Yale University, award-winning author and specialist on World War I explored its history and impact on the 21st century. Irwin Stovroff, U.S. Veteran and founder of Vets Helping Heroes presented “An Extraordinary Life, Gone to the Dogs.”
New this season is a free official Festival of the Arts BOCA app, a digital pocket guide featuring GPS directions, schedule of events, ticket purchasing, contests, links to social media channels, videos, sneak previews of upcoming performances and much more. Users will have the ability to enable push notifications for up-to-the-minute schedule changes, emergency information, and traffic updates. To download, visit the app store on your mobile device and search for Festival BOCA.
Festival of the Arts BOCA sponsors include the Schmidt Family Foundation, the City of Boca Raton & Downtown Boca, Mizner Park Amphitheater, Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Discover the Palm Beaches Florida, Palm Beach County, Gray Robinson, Publix Super Markets Charities, Janice Middlebrook, Investments Limited, Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation and Rosemary Properties. Media partners include Boca Raton Magazine, CBS 12, The Coastal Star, Boca Pineapple and Sun-Sentinel.
Tickets for the 10th Annual Festival of the Arts BOCA range from $15 to $225 per person -click on the link or call (866) 571-ARTS (866-571-2787). Multi-event and full Festival packages are also available.
Get yourself ready for the upcoming year of spectacular shows, music, entertainment and presenters. I certainly am looking forward to it!
# #
