Deering Estate Festival Of The Arts: A Ten-Day Celebration Of Literary, Visual & Performing Art

From February 14 through 24, 2013.

A romantic moonlit Valentine’s concert kicks off the Deering Estate Festival of the Arts – a ten-day celebration of literary, visual and performing art at the historic Estate with events and programs from February 14 – 24, 2013. A curated exhibition Speak Now, places artistic interjections throughout the grounds, one-night only art events, classical and chamber ensemble concerts, walk and talk Curator’s tour, and a spectacular closing Red Carpet Wrap-Up are just some of the cultural experiences offered.

The invitational show Speak Now opens on Saturday, February 16th, from 6-10 pm, and features artists from the Deering Estate Artist in Residence Program, Fountainhead Residency and Studios, and invited exhibitors. The title, Speak Now, alludes to the urgent need to communicate with and be understood by others, and to the relationship between literary and visual arts as support structures for expressions of thought. Curator Ralph Provisero encourages the viewer to discover and develop dialogues between the space and artists with works placed around the Estate. There are pieces that confront the viewer; some works are on the peripheries of view, while others are hidden in plain sight. Opening night highlights include spontaneous poetry readings by the fire circle, and performance pieces that engage visitors to listen or travel around the site. Guests are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets. A walk and talk Curator’s Tour precedes the opening at 4:30 pm and provides insight to the concept, creation and selection of works for the exhibition.

Bill Belleville, environmental writer and filmmaker presents, “Salvaging the Real Florida: Lost and Found in the State of Dreams,” on Wednesday, February 29th as the featured speaker for Icon of a Moment. The Icon, the late John Kunkel Small, was a botanist who lived in the estate’s Richmond Cottage in the early 1900’s, and used it as a base for his explorations through the hammock and the Everglades. For over a decade, Kunkel Small documented the development and destruction of Florida. Author Bill Belleville wrote the introduction to Kunkel Small’s updated edition of “From Eden to Sahara – Florida’s Tragedy” which parallels his own travel, study and writings on the regions rich flora and fauna.

For the budding botanist, artist and musician ages 4-14, there are several events scheduled. On Saturday, Feb. 16th from 10 am-noon is “Field Study Books” at Book Nook by the Bay, where kids explore and draw plant-life and outdoor art installations from the “Speak Now” exhibit. Also in partnership with the Greater Miami Youth Symphony, there is a Piano Master Class and on February 23rd, a Concerto Competition that showcases South Florida’s best young musicians.

For fans of chamber music, the Living Artist Concert Series presents “Dreams of Biscayne Bay”, on Friday, Feb. 22nd, with guest composer Roberto Sierra. Intimately set in the ballroom of the historic Stone House, the Deering Estate Chamber Ensemble highlights the works of Schubert, Touzet, Valdes and Brahms.

The smashing Red Carpet Wrap-Up ends the festival on Sunday, February 24th, with a blend of broadcast and live entertainment hosted by Teddy Behr (David Rohn) and Adora (Danilo de la Torre). With real-time feed from the Kodak Theater in LA, the actual Oscar ceremony and red carpet will be broadcast and projected on large screens, while Teddy and Adora offer erudite commentary on the fashion choices, questionable results and all manner of madness surrounding Hollywood’s most glamorous event. Adding to the sparkle is the Estate’s very own red carpet, staged on the historic main entrance. Guests are encouraged to dress up, whether as historic Hollywood actors or one’s own version of red carpet attire.

Deering Estate at Cutler
16701 SW 72nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33157
Ph: 305.235.1668
www.deeringestate.org

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