Musical Melting Pot

The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts strives to be an epicenter of all things culturally enriching. Just this year alone, it has featured everything from Irish tap dancing and traditional Mexican ballet to Haitian hip-hop theater and Indian folk music. But what if your goal is complete multiculti immersion? If you’re seeking a diverse array of music, dance, and fresh ethnic experiences, you’ll find it all at Target Globalbeat, the Carnival Center’s monthly celebration of our city’s diversity and talent.

“We’ve created a series of six events, minifestivals. It’s all about the juxtaposition of different cultural traditions, bringing people into different communities, and exposing the talent we have here,” explains associate producer Kathryn Garcia. This month’s free outdoor jamboree will kick off at 3 p.m. with the Walking Tall Circus, a parade of juggling, acrobatic, stilt-walking kids who learned their skills at the Carnival Center’s Walking Tall classes taught in local community centers. At 3:30 the vibrant Delou Africa Dance Ensemble will take the stage, and throughout the afternoon there’ll be performances by Mariachi Voces de America, Jamaican reggae band Code Red, and seductive salsa star Aymee Nuviola. For a complete schedule of events, check out www.carnivalcenter.org/globalbeat, or call 305-949-6722.
Sat., Dec. 8, 3 p.m., 2007