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Miami Performing Arts Center-Grand Opening Weekend

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MIAMI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR
GRAND OPENING WEEKEND: "A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CELEBRATION"
October 5 – 8, 2006

MIAMI - Miami Performing Arts Center (MPAC) will celebrate its highly anticipated, history-making four-day Grand Opening with performances by best-selling pop stars and exciting young artists, spectacular fireworks, appearances by celebrities and dignitaries, a free all-day multicultural extravaganza, and an array of stunning performances from its four resident companies – Concert Association of Florida, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy.

Taking its cue from MPAC's year-round programming schedule, the Grand Opening lineup will showcase an exciting mixture of internationally renowned classical and popular artists, whose performances will range from Top 10 hits, to ballet, opera and orchestral pieces that will include both beloved classics and a world premiere especially commissioned for this occasion.

Gloria and Emilio Estefan

Thursday Night, October 5

Opening Ceremony

A grand public opening ceremony and dedication of Miami Performing Arts Center on the outdoor Plaza for the Arts.

The Concert for Miami - Inauguration of the Carnival Concert Hall

A star-studded tribute to Miami by a host of popular artists, led by Grammy Award winner Gloria Estefan and produced by Emilio Estefan .

Friday Night, October 6

MPAC resident companies Concert Association of Florida and New World Symphony join forces to present a program of classical and contemporary music in the Carnival Concert Hall that will include the world premiere of an orchestral fanfare by Steven Mackey , especially commissioned for this occasion.

(Michael Tilson Thomas)

NWS Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas conducts with guest artists presented by Judy Drucker's Concert Association of Florida.  Grammy Award-winning virtuoso violinist Maxim Vengerov and soprano Measha Brueggergosman , whom the San Francisco Chronicle described as "a singer of rare gifts and artistic intensity."

(Maxim Vengerov)

(Measha Brueggergosman)

Saturday Night, October 7

MPAC resident companies Florida Grand Opera and Miami City Ballet welcome audiences to their new home with inaugural performances on the stage of the Ziff Ballet Opera House. FGO will present Act II of Puccini's La Bohème , featuring the internationally acclaimed American soprano Patricia Racette as Musetta and conducted by FGO Music Director Stewart Robertson.

 

(Stewart Robertson)

MCB will present, for the first time in its 20-year history, Act III of Tchaikovsky's spectacular fairy tale classic The Sleeping Beauty .

This night will also feature a surprise performance that will shine the bright lights of Broadway throughout the new hall.

Sunday, October 8

Global Beat

The celebration continues noon to midnight with many free performances of gospel, calypso, samba, hip hop and much more, as a host of South Florida musicians and performers pay tribute to the many diverse cultures from around the world that make Miami a unique city for the performing arts.

The pre-performance Opening Ceremony on October 5 and the all-day Global Beat on October 8 are free, public events. Additional details will be available soon.

Tickets for the performances on October 5, 6, and 7 start at $50 and will go on sale in July. At the time of ticket purchase, patrons will have the option to purchase, directly from the MPAC Box Office, an assigned parking space in a lot convenient to the Center.

The Miami Performing Arts Center is located on Biscayne Boulevard between N.E. 13th and 14th streets, in downtown Miami, just north of the I-395 interchange.

The current 'official' address is 1444 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL  33132

You may visit their website at www.miamipac.org
Telephone:  305-949-MPAC
or               866-949-MPAC

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