AVENTURA, Fla. – The brand new Aventura Arts & Cultural Center comes alive with programming for all ages during its debut month in October. A star-studded grand opening celebration and a vibrant “Curtain Up” event highlight a month filled with ballet performances, family fun and more.
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida begins its new season with Petrouchka under the artistic direction of Vladimir Issaev on Saturday, October 2 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 3 at 3 p.m. Set at a Russian fair, the ballet with music by Stravinsky tells the story of three puppets who are given emotions by a sinister, bearded puppeteer and magician. The program will also include Issaev’s extraordinary set of four Pas de Deux Four Seasons set to the music of Verdi as well as a new piece by guest choreographer Yanis Pikieris. Tickets are $25.
The Family Fun Series kicks off its new season with the production of *Junie B. Jones* on Saturday, October 9 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Based on the popular books by Barbara Park, this fast-paced musical puts a humorous spin on the trials and tribulations of first-graders through the eyes of Junie B. Jones and her “top-secret personal beeswax journal.” Children will enjoy pre-show arts and crafts presented by Young At Art Museum, complimentary face painting and a post-show snack provided by Whole Foods Market and Blue Bell Ice Cream. Tickets are $14 with $3 lap tickets available for infants 12 months and under. Tickets are $15 when bought the day of the performance.
No tickets are required for the free family-orientated “Curtain Up“ which takes place on Sunday, October 17 between noon and 4 p.m. Designed to give the local community a behind-the-scenes view, the event will feature guided tours and performances by Next Step Dance, Arts Ballet Theater of Florida, Duelling Divas, International Piano Festival and Alhambra String Quartet, as well puppeteers, mimes and other entertainers.
Two-time Tony® Award winner Patti LuPone performs in Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda…..Played That Part as the gala opening concert on Saturday, October 23. One of the greatest performers in modern musical theater, LuPone swept the 2008 theater awards winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Musical and the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance for her role as Rose in the critically-acclaimed Broadway production of Gypsy. She also won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the title role of Evita. Grand opening festivities kick off October 23 at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by the concert at 8 p.m. Wachovia/Wells Fargo, Aventura Mall and Suffolk Construction are the main sponsors of the grand opening. Tickets are $185 per person and include the cocktail reception and performance.
Sticks and Stones is presented as a Smart Stage Matinee on Monday, October 25 at 10 and 11:30 a.m. This one-woman musical uses music, poetry and video projection to teach children about the critical effects of bullying. The show is commissioned by the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts and funded by the United States Department of Justice. Tickets are $10 with $3 lap tickets available for infants 12 months and under.
Tickets, group discounts and scheduling information for all performances are available through the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center’s box office at 954-462-0222 or online at www.AventuraCenter.org. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 N.E. 188th Street in Aventura.
All dates, times, programs and artists are subject to change.
ABOUT THE AVENTURA ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER:
The new Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is a 14,864-square-foot, 324-seat waterfront complex provided by the city of Aventura and managed by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Opened in the fall of 2010, the Center hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 N.E. 188th Street in Aventura. For more information, visit http://www.AventuraCenter.org.