Out in the Tropics

From June 13 through 16, 2013.

Miami is once again the vortex for LGBTQ performing arts via Out in the Tropics, June 13-16 at The Colony Theater on Lincoln Road. The fourth annual celebration features an adventurous lineup of award-winning LGBTQ artists from throughout the country (and new performers direct from Havana making their U.S. debut).

The event is produced by FUNDarte, a non-profit arts organization celebrating its tenth anniversary, dedicated to producing arts events that speak to diverse audiences with a proud history of commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. This year’s Out in the Tropics features performances by: Taylor Mac, Carmelita Tropicana, Well-Strung

The festival also presents the first-ever U.S. performance by Havana’s notorious lesbian feminist performance group El Ciervo Encantado, and the U.S. premiere of the Cuban film about homophobia and gay life in Cuba, “Verde Verde.”

“FUNDarte is proud to present our fourth annual salute to the very best in contemporary lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender performance,” said Artistic Director Ever Chavez. “This year’s Out in the Tropics features two Obie award-winning artists, and the U.S. premiere of one of Cuba’s most daring performance groups. There’s no other LGBTQ performance festival quite like this anywhere else in Miami, and we continue to break new ground via this bold celebration that once again showcases an unparalleled collection of queer talent.”

For the first time this year, a specially priced three-day pass ticket option is available at Ticketmaster.com

The 20th Century Show by Taylor Mac
From New York, performance artist Taylor Mac presents the Miami Beach debut of his newest work, “The 20th Century Show.” A visual feast and a glorious concert, all rolled into one. Featuring one song selected from each decade of the 20th Century. “I am presenting this to Miami Beach as a performance ritual to help the audience let go of the 20th Century and move into the 21st,” says Taylor Mac. The Obie award-winner has performed at The Public Theater, at Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, and at hundreds of the world’s greatest theaters, museums, music halls, cabarets and festivals.

Also from New York, the Cuban-American diva of queer comedy Carmelita Tropicana presents her Miami premiere of “Post-Plástica Miami 2013.”

In collaboration with her sister, New York based filmmaker Ela Troyano, the part live performance/part video installation show offers a glimpse into a future in which celebrity culture has pitched a battle between the primacy of virtual and artistic lives.

Tropicana’s work has been presented at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London, Hebbel Am Ufer in Berlin, Centre de Cultura Contemporanea in Barcelona, the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, the Mark Taper Forum’s Kirk Douglas Theater in Los Angeles, and at El Museo del Barrio in New York. She has received numerous awards including the prestigious Anonymous Was a Woman, fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts, plus an Obie for Sustained Excellence in Performance.

There’s a new kind of boy band on the circuit. The all-male string quartet Well-Strung makes its Florida debut, featuring classical musicians who sing and put their own spin on the music of Mozart, Vivaldi, Adele, Lady Gaga, and more. Well-Strung stars first violinist Edmund Bagnell, second violinist Christopher Marchant, cellist Daniel Shevlin and violist Trevor Wadleigh.

Cubalandia by El Ciervo Encantado
(Direct from Havana / U.S. Premiere) An outrageously profound, wildly interactive performance by Havana’s daring and controversial lesbian feminist theater collective, addressing the social and political conditions of present-day Cuba. Presented in Spanish with English supertitles.

Verde Verde
A film by Cuban director Enrique Pineda Barnet
(U.S. premiere) The controversial Cuban film “Verde Verde” directed by Enrique Pineda Barnet, explores issues of gay male identity and homophobia in contemporary Cuba. Presented in Spanish with English subtitles. Miami-based actor Carlos Miguel Caballero, one of the film’s stars, will be in attendance to introduce the film.

Thursday, June 13, 7:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion & Reception at the Miami Beach LGBT Visitor Center
1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach (free and open to the public)

Miami’s LGBTQ leaders present a reception to welcome visiting festival Artists Taylor Mac, Carmelita Tropicana and El Ciervo Encantado, followed by a panel discussion on themes relating to their work and to Miami’s diverse LGBTQ communities.

Friday, June 14, 8:30 p.m.
“Cubalandia” by El Ciervo Encantado, followed by …
“The 20th Century Show” by Taylor Mac
Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

Saturday, June 15, 8:30 p.m.
“Cubalandia” by El Ciervo Encantado, followed by “Post-Plastica Miami 2013” by Carmelita Tropicana and Ela Troyano
Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Sunday, June 16, 4:30 p.m.
“Verde Verde” a film by Cuban director Enrique Pineda Barnet
Miami Beach Cinemateque, 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Sunday, June 16, 8:00 p.m.
Well-Strung in concert
Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Tickets to performances at The Colony Theatre are $60 for a Festival Pass; $30 general admission, $25 students/seniors. General Admission available at Ticketmaster, or at www.fundarte.us, by calling 800.745.3000, or in-person at the Colony Theatre box office, 305.674.1040.

Tickets to the film “Verde Verde” at the Miami Beach Cinemateque are $10 general admission, $9 students/seniors and $8 MBC members.

FUNDarte
www.fundarte.us