Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Urban Bush Women Explore The Spirits Of The Historic Hampton House In Site-Specific Performance HAINT BLU

Haint Blu honors local Black history, recalling the movements, magic, and stories of the Brownsville community using performance as a center and source of healing.

Urban Bush Women Explore The Spirits Of The Historic Hampton House In Site-Specific Performance HAINT BLU

Live Arts Miami presents the world premiere of Urban Bush Women's (UBW) latest dance-theater work, Haint Blu in Miami , featuring an immersive audience experience at the Historic Hampton House, March 9 - 12. Audiences will also enjoy curated local food and beverage vendors plus an opportunity to tour the restored hotel and museum.

The culmination of a multi-year project commissioned by Live Arts Miami, Haint Blu honors local Black history, recalling the movements, magic, and stories of the Brownsville community using performance as a center and source of healing.

"It has been thrilling to create a site-specific performance with Urban Bush Women in Miami, one that is tailored to this incredibly historic space which speaks directly to the Black experience in our community," said Kathryn Garcia, Live Arts Miami's executive director. "Audiences can expect a magical evening with surprises around every corner."

Featuring the iconic Urban Bush Women Ensemble, along with a prestigious team of visual artists, designers, musicians and writers, as well as the inclusion of Miami based artists and movers, Haint Blu provides an immersive and interactive experience. The performers will activate various spaces within the Historic Hampton House, once the "Social Center for the South" and a hotspot for black luminaries such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sammy Davis Jr., Duke Ellington, Nancy Wilson, Louis Armstrong, Lavern Baker, Malcolm X, and Muhammad Ali.

"Haint Blu aims to take audiences through movement into stillness and rest: remembering, reclaiming, releasing, and restoring," said Mame Diarra Speis, UBW co-artistic director. "The Hampton House is particularly important as it contains many histories and stories of Miami's Black community. It is important to be in conversation with those stories and to honor the safe haven the place has been for many people over time."

UBW's socially relevant work lifts the perspectives of stories not necessarily told to mainstream audiences. Honoring and absorbing local history, each Haint Blu performance is a container of moments that are unique to each community.

"The Hampton House is a valuable piece of Miami's history, and it's the only segregated hotel of that era still standing," said Jacqui Colyer, the Historic Hampton House's Executive Director. "We are honored to have the world-renowned Urban Bush Women activate our space with this singular work of art."

Learn more about the artists at www.liveartsmiami.org.



COWBOY Extended Through June At The Actors Temple Theatre Photo
Cowboy, a story about Bass Reeves, will extend through June. The first full western on stage  in New York City in nearly 80 years.

TRYING by Joanna McClelland Glass to Close Out Palm Beach Dramaworks 2023-24 Season Photo
Joanna McClelland Glass’ Trying, a huge hit for Palm Beach Dramaworks in 2007, has been added to the company’s 2023-24 schedule, replacing Lynn Nottage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy as the final play of the season.

Symphony Of The Americas and Pablo Mielgo Present SPAIN…FURTHER BEYOND With Guitari Photo
Symphony of the Americas and Artistic Director Pablo Mielgo welcome guest artist Rafael Aguirre, one of the most sought-after international guitarists of his generation. Aguirre will perform with the symphony's April 2023 program 'Spain...Further Beyond', an exploration of Spain's Musical Excellence.

ZOMBIE BEACH: THE MUSICAL Comes to HCC Ybor City This Week Photo
The Hillsborough Community College Theater Department and LAB Theater Project are proud to co-present the new stage show, Zombie Beach: The Musical, with a book by Tampa Bay native John Cecil, and music and lyrics by Cecil and Laura Rebel-Angel.  Set in the 1960s, this show brings together beach movies, rock & roll, and zombies, in a story about the love of the living and the hunger of the dead.


More Hot Stories For You


Jeff Hamilton Trio Comes To Broward Center for the Performing Arts This AprilJeff Hamilton Trio Comes To Broward Center for the Performing Arts This April
March 29, 2023

This exuberant and lively musician, with reviews that reflect the riveting performances he offers, will share “Rim Shots” along with Tamir Hendelman on Piano and Jon Hamar on Bass at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Wednesday, April 12!

Lips Fort Lauderdale Launches New Saturday All-Inclusive Dragalicious BrunchLips Fort Lauderdale Launches New Saturday All-Inclusive Dragalicious Brunch
March 29, 2023

Saturday afternoons in South Florida just got more glamorous! Lips Fort Lauderdale is launching a new Saturday Dragalicious Brunch beginning April 22, at 1:30 p.m.

COWBOY Extended Through June At The Actors Temple TheatreCOWBOY Extended Through June At The Actors Temple Theatre
March 29, 2023

Cowboy, a story about Bass Reeves, will extend through June. The first full western on stage  in New York City in nearly 80 years.

TRYING by Joanna McClelland Glass to Close Out Palm Beach Dramaworks' 2023-24 SeasonTRYING by Joanna McClelland Glass to Close Out Palm Beach Dramaworks' 2023-24 Season
March 29, 2023

Joanna McClelland Glass’ Trying, a huge hit for Palm Beach Dramaworks in 2007, has been added to the company’s 2023-24 schedule, replacing Lynn Nottage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy as the final play of the season.

ZOMBIE BEACH: THE MUSICAL Comes to HCC Ybor City This WeekZOMBIE BEACH: THE MUSICAL Comes to HCC Ybor City This Week
March 29, 2023

The Hillsborough Community College Theater Department and LAB Theater Project are proud to co-present the new stage show, Zombie Beach: The Musical, with a book by Tampa Bay native John Cecil, and music and lyrics by Cecil and Laura Rebel-Angel.  Set in the 1960s, this show brings together beach movies, rock & roll, and zombies, in a story about the love of the living and the hunger of the dead.