Join the Kravis Center Block Party

(PRESS RELEASE)_West Palm Beach, Fla. (September 25, 2023) – The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce our first Kravis Center Block Party. Kick off the 2023 -2024 season with activities, workshops and live entertainment at this free event.
 
On Saturday, October 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Kravis Center campus will be a buzz with live music, performances by Palm Beach Symphony, Young Singers of the Palm Beaches community sing-a-long and a variety of workshops including Miami City Ballet, Samba percussion, Hip Hop/ Street Dancing, an African Drum Circle, Indian Fusion Dance and much more for the whole family to enjoy. We are bringing the best talent South Florida has to offer as well as the National tour of Paige Hernandez’s HAVANA HOP! (please see full schedule below.)

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​“Inviting the community to join us at the Kravis center, is a great way to celebrate the excitement and power of the arts”, said Diane Quinn, Kravis Center CEO “Whether we are moving to the music, singing with our friends or beating on a drum, come join us for this inaugural event as we open the doors of the Kravis Center – we can’t wait to welcome you.”
 
Participants are encouraged to arrive early to register for the free workshops. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. For more information on the Block Party and the schedule of events, please visit www.kravis.org.
 
PERFORMANCES AND ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE: *
 
10:30am-3pm
KRAVIS FAMILY PLAZA
DJ RUMBLE – Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop
Vibe out to hip-hop tunes that made history from the ‘70s to today with DJ Rumble, who’s known for his unique ability to connect to, unite, and electrify everyone, everywhere through sound. 
 
10:30am-3pm
DREYFOOS HALL LOBBY
PALM BEACH SYMPHONY INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO
Have you always wondered what it's like to play an instrument?  Visit Palm Beach Symphony's booth for an Instrument Petting Zoo!  Try out a variety of instruments and discover which one you enjoy playing the most.
 
10:30-11:10am
DREYFOOS HALL LOBBY
PALM BEACH SYMPHONY STRING TRIO
Musicians from South Florida’s premier orchestra perform music ranging from Americana, jazz and folk music to kids' Disney favorites. Also visit their Instrument Petting Zoo throughout the day!
 
11am-3pm
COHEN PAVILION (2nd Floor)
CARASmatic: STEVE CARAS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT (Self-Guided Audio Tour)
Go behind-the-scenes with 40+ years of photographs showcasing many of the dance world’s most celebrated artists and companies from the personal archive of Steve Caras, including one of the most significant moments captured in dance history. Bring your own headphones and mobile devices to scan the QR codes.
 
11am-12pm
DREYFOOS HALL STAGE
HAVANA HOP! BY PAIGE HERNANDEZ (Theater) - Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Recommended for pre-K to 3rd grade, and fun for all ages!
This one-woman show tells the story of Yeila, an aspiring dancer, who visits her grandmother in Cuba to add a salsa flavor to her own hip-hop style. Help Yeila find her roots, get confidence and be amazing!
 
11-11:30am
GOLDEN WALKWAY STAGE
CLEMENT LIGHTBOURNE (Caribbean Reggae)
Clement Aubrey has been a staple in the Florida Reggae scene for decades! Hailing from the Turks and Caicos Islands, Clement brings a taste of the Caribbean with him to every performance. From classic roots reggae to Soca to zouk!
 
11:30am-12:10pm
COHEN CANOPY STAGE
YVETTE NORWOOD-TIGER JAZZ ENSEMBLE (Jazz)
Award-winning jazz vocalist and founder of the Palm Beach International Jazz Festival often compared to the vocal stylings of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Yvette’s repertoire includes standards, the Great American Songbook, bebop and Latin jazz.
 
11:45am-12:15pm
KRAVIS FAMILY PLAZA
GYORGY LAKATOS (Spanish Guitar)
Rooted in Hungarian gypsy music, Gyorgy is a musical genius that will romance any audience with his slick and magical approach to making the guitar sing like an angel or explode with rhythm and power.
12:10-12:20pm
DREYFOOS HALL STAGE
MIAMIBLOCO BATERIA SAIDEIRA (Afro-Brazilian)
Groove, learn and connect with the sensational Samba percussion group from Miami, bringing their vibrant Afro-Brazilian beats and joyful energy that celebrates South Florida’s cultural diversity.
 
12-12:40pm
DREYFOOS HALL LOBBY
HARMONIC MOTION (Middle Eastern)
Performers Joe Zeytoonian and Myriam Eli showcase music and dance from the Middle East, Armenia and Sefarad.  
 
12:15-12:55pm
GOLDEN WALKWAY STAGE
ANDRÉS ESPINOZA AGURTO TRIO (Latin Jazz)
A native of Chile, Andrés is a percussionist, composer and ethnomusicologist specializing in Afro-Latino music. He is also Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University as well as the musical director of world music and Latin jazz ensembles. 
 
12:15-1pm
RINKER PLAYHOUSE
THEATRE GAMES WORKSHOP BY DAYANA MORALES
Recommended ages 8-12
This class fosters creativity, teamwork and spontaneity, nurturing essential skills for both aspiring actors and individuals looking to improve communication and self-expression.Dayana is a bilingual Venezuelan stage and screen actress. She has played roles in productions such as Red Riding Hood, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rent. She also has training in Droznin Russian Movement with the National Theater Institute and Stage Combat with the Society of American Fight Directors.
 
12:15-1pm
GIMELSTOB BALLROOM
AFRICAN DRUM CIRCLE WORKSHOP BY JASHUA SA-RA
Recommended for all ages.
An exploration of rhythm with African drums, including learning a traditional rhythm and creating spontaneous music that reflects the participants' culture and style. (If you wish to participate, please bring your own drum.)
 
Mr. Sa-Ra is an award-winning performance poet, author, event producer, host, lecturer, playwright, teaching artist, graphic designer and musician.
 
12:15-1pm
DANCE REHEARSAL HALL (2nd Floor)
MUSICAL THEATER DANCE WORKSHOP BY ASHLEY BACHNER
Recommended ages 12+
Learn proper technique, terminology and choreography from a former Rockette and Broadway dancer.
Ashley has appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award® winning musical FOSSE and has also performed as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall and at the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas. 
 
12:15-1pm
DANCE STUDIO (2nd Floor)
BALLET FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WORKSHOP BY MIAMI CITY BALLET
Recommended ages 5-10
Experience an introductory ballet class that will cover the fundamentals of dance with a Miami City Ballet Community Engagement Teaching Artist.
 
12:25-12:55pm
DREYFOOS HALL STAGE
YOUNG SINGERS OF THE PALM BEACHES & FRIENDS
COMMUNITY SING-A-LONG
Recommended for all ages.
Let’s get together and sing our favorite Broadway, pop and rock tunes like “Seasons of Love,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Hey Jude” and many more. We provide the music and lyrics; you just sing along!
 
12:30-1:30pm
KRAVIS FAMILY PLAZA
MIAMIBLOCO SAMBA INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
Recommended ages 12+
Get a taste of the basics of playing Afro Brazilian percussion. Learn the rhythms, hand signals, steps and how to play authentic samba bateria drums! Instruments are provided.
 
12:45-1:25pm
COHEN CANOPY STAGE
JOEY CALDERAIO (American Reggae)
Known for his outstanding assortment of releases, collaborations and live performances, Joey fuses rock, reggae, pop and other influences. Joey and his band have performed at festivals around the country and have opened for artists like Ky-Mani Marley, Tribal Seeds, The Expanders and Badfish.


1-1:10pm
DREYFOOS HALL STAGE
PALM BEACH OPERA
Discover all that Palm Beach Opera is offering this season! Hear PBO resident artists sing onstage and visit them in the lobby to try your hand at costume design and learn about their educational programs.
 
1:15-1:45pm
DREYFOOS HALL STAGE
BALLET PALM BEACH
Palm Beach County’s professional ballet company presents unique and meaningful performances, outreach programs and training experiences that add to the cultural richness of our community.
 
1:15-2pm
GIMELSTOB BALLROOM
CALYPSO INDIAN FUSION DANCE WORKSHOP BY RESHMA MAHARAJ
Recommended for all ages.
Providing a sample of Indian and Calypso music and dance movements which has spread throughout the Caribbean as Soca – the premier style of Caribbean Carnival events receiving worldwide recognition.
 
Reshma Murray is an Indian classical dancer born and raised on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, where over many generations, there has been a fusion of African and Indian culture, food, music and dance. 
 
1:15-3pm
DANCE REHEARSAL HALL (2nd Floor)
ADVANCED BALLET WORKSHOP BY STEVEN CARAS
Recommended ages 14+
A fast-paced class inspired by the teachings of Steven’s mentor, George Balanchine, plus other instructors of note including David Howard, Stanley Williams and Finis Jhung.
 
Steven Caras danced with the New York City Ballet for fourteen years under the mentorship of the great George Balanchine, who, noting Caras’s added gift as a photographer, supported his development in this art form most encouragingly. Today, Steven is regarded as one of the most prolific dance photographers in the genre’s history. Also, take a self-guided tour of Steven’s photography exhibit curated exclusively for the Kravis Center, located on the 2nd floor of the Cohen Pavilion.
 
1:15-2pm
DANCE STUDIO (2nd Floor)
MUSIC AND CIRCLE DANCE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS BY AMY & MATTHEW JOY
Recommended ages 7-10
Learn to sing, perform body percussion and play a circle game to a seasonal song.
 
Amy has taught piano for more than 25 years and dedicates herself fully to the field as the music teacher at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary and as an accompanist for Young Singers of the Palm Beaches.
 
Matthew has 20 years of experience teaching guitar, theory and composition to students of all levels, ages and various playing styles. He is currently an elementary school music teacher for the Palm Beach School District and maintains a roster of private students.
 
1:15-2pm & 2:15-3pm
RINKER PLAYHOUSE
“BE YOU DISCO” WORKSHOPS
Recommended ages 14+
Welcome to a portal of self-expression and creativity! Be You Disco.  Immersive, lightly guided dance experiences bridging the gap between people using the power of music and dance. This is a soulful silent disco that promotes fun, self-expression, wellness and a sense of belonging. Come as you are, let your authentic expression be set free, and “be you!”
 
1:30-2pm
GOLDEN WALKWAY STAGE
JOHN BOES
Inspired by a diverse spectrum of genres including reggae, blues, rock, ska and jazz, Boes has sculpted a distinctive style and sound with his saxophone that resonates deeply with his audiences.
 
2-3pm
COHEN CANOPY STAGE
ELASTIC BOND (Latin Fusion)
Elastic Bond brings urban edge with a tropical twist to the alternative music scene; combining hypnotic grooves of soul, hip-hop, Latin and electronica, expressed through melodic textures and sultry vocals sung in English and Spanish.  They’ve been named NPR’s "World Café Next Artist", dubbed "Florida funk fusionists" by the LA Times, and “Best Latin Act” by Miami New Times. They co-wrote the hit single “Espérame” with Los Amigos Invisibles, which received a Grammy® nomination.
 
2:15-3pm
GIMELSTOB BALLROOM
HIP-HOP AND STREET DANCING WORKSHOP BY LARRY ALBRIGHT
Recommended all ages
The first 2 dances of Hip-Hop culture are B-boy/B-Girl and Party dances. Come join Mr. Larry to learn some foundational grooves and fun party dances. Mr. Larry has been teaching, dancing, training and performing his style of hip-hop for 20+ years. He has choreographed for artists such as Sean Kingston “Fire Burning,” JRand “Ride,” and Black Dada “Imma Zoe.” He’s also been featured as an opening act for such artists as B.O.B., T-Pain, Cobra Starship, Ricky Martin, Sean Paul, The Spinners and the Village People. Larry has also been seen on MTV with Pitbull and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno where he performed with J Rand featuring Flo Rida.
 
2:15-3pm
DANCE STUDIO (2nd Floor)
BEAT BOX WORKSHOP BY MIKKESON DESIR
Recommended ages 9+
Mikkerson will go over the basics of vocal percussion, taking simple phrases and tying them into sound exercises. We will also cover where beat boxing came from. In addition, we will recreate iconic boom bap sounds like Biz Markie, Dougie Fresh and Slick Rick. Mikkeson Desir, better known as MickeyD, is a Haitian American, West Palm Beach native Teaching Artist with a heavy background in hip-hop dance culture. He has training in the various disciplines of HipHop, Breakdance, Afro-Caribbean and Acro.
 
2:30-3pm
KRAVIS FAMILY PLAZA
MIAMIBLOCO SAMBA KIDS WORKSHOP
Recommended ages 4+
The world is our drum! We'll transform plastic buckets into instruments playing Afro Brazilian rhythms to explore creativity and the joy of making music with everyday items. Together we'll learn how to have musical conversations in a group! Buckets and sticks are provided.