The Rhythm Foundation has a mission at the Miami Beach Bandshell, the venue they manage – to present multi-cultural and international acts, even during Miami summer doldrums.
“We do programming 11 out of the 12 months,” said Adam Ganuza, Rhythm Foundation executive director. “We use August to do major repairs, and it is when the folks go on holiday. July is our last summer month when we do programming.”
The month kicks off with the July 4th Stars & Stripes edition of their Roller Disco event, which is a fan favorite. All the chairs are removed and the Bandshell is transformed into a roller rink. Work is done with a local skate crew to bring the event to life.
Adam Ganuza, Rhythm Foundation executive director
“The crew brings all the costumes and the coordinated dance routines, keeping the energy high whether you are a skater or an observer,” said Ganuza. “Admission to Roller Disco is free and we offer old school four-wheel skate rentals. For Miami Beach residents the skates are complimentary.”
BANDSHELL BEGINNINGS
The bandshell is more than just a gathering place. The structure was designed and built in 1961 by Norman Giller, a founding member of the Miami Modernist School of Architecture. It was created in the MiMo style and as a ballroom venue for dancing under the stars. Folks in the neighborhood would also go roller skating on Friday nights.
“Laura Quinlan, Rhythm Foundation’s program director, grew up in the neighborhood and she would go there as a kid and her parents would go dancing there in the early days,” said Ganuza. “It is a center of the community.”
In the early days, the venue was also a television studio. Rhythm Foundation, the organization that has operated the venue for the City of Miami Beach since 2015, is also tapping into that history of the bandshell being a place that originated audio and video.
“Thanks to great leadership and vision at the City of Miami Beach and our staff’s hard work, the venue has grown exponentially since then, seeing nine times growth in attendance and six times growth in programming. Now we do around 150 shows throughout the year,” he said.
Having undergone numerous renovations over the years, the most meaningful of all was when Ira Giller, Norman’s son, designed the venue’s latest addition, the central canopy which, Ganuza said, resembles either a martini glass or a flower.
“Norman’s design made it a full circle moment,” said Ganuza.
In 2022, the Bandshell was designated a National Historic Landmark.
A PROGRAMMING PARADISE
Miami running legend Robert Ravens will perform with his band, Raven and the Dark Shadows
What attracts so many people to shows at the venue is the diverse programming, making it a cultural community neighborhood anchor. Ganuza believes that the multi-cultural shows have helped make the Bandshell a success.
“Our programming, ultimately, is to reflect the people that we serve,” he said. “Last year alone performers were from 25 countries, and they spoke 9 different languages.”
The Rhythm Foundation can offer such diversity thanks to the network of over 50 arts and culture non-profits they use to produce events. It allows them to feature kids’ choirs, orchestras, and film festivals, with a third of the shows produced by the Rhythm Foundation, a third by their non-profit partners, and the other third by commercial promoters.
Being a cultural anchor and fostering an attitude of inclusiveness while honoring the venue’s culture and character for both the longtime and new residents is what it’s all about. Longtime attendees John Flickinger and Angela Parra, a husband and wife who have seen more than 500 performances there since the early 2000s, know that all too well.
(Courtesy of Angela Parra)
Husband and wife John Flickinger and Angela Parra are all smiles at one of the more than 500 shows they've attended at the Miami Beach Bandshell.
Parra is originally from Colombia. Flickinger grew up in Miami and has been here most of his life. The couple used to live close to the Bandshell and when they moved a few years ago, there was one factor that affected their move – how close they could get to the Bandshell.
“We were introduced to the Bandshell by James and Laura Quinlan, who we met at an event in Coral Gables,” said Flickinger. “The first time we went to the Bandshell, we went as volunteers.”
“We have always loved live music and after we volunteered, we kept coming back” said Parra. “Since then we have not stopped.”
The couple share a love of music and dancing, traveling around the country and world to attend musical festivals and events.
“The Bandshell is the most beautiful and intimate venue with the most quality programming,” they said “We feel it is a real gem in our community.”
Flickinger and Parra attend performances even when they are not familiar with the artist because they love seeing different musicians from around the world and the different crowds the events attract, everything from the Hispanic crowd to the rock crowd to the reggae crowd.
Seeing the kids and the older folks coming together at one show, is just pure joy,” said Parra. “I always love that it is a safe space for everyone and has specific energy. It happens every time we attend an event. There is a beauty to this space, the lights and the moon shining down. It is magical.”
Flickinger echoes her feelings.
“They have created a place where you feel embraced and included,” he said. “All of us regulars appreciate that culture they have created plus, the architecture and the setting is phenomenal.”
Steel Pulse Band
A STELLAR SUMMER
Barrington Levy will perform at the Bandshell in July
Ganuza is proud of the line-up for July, which includes music from the islands, including the iconic reggae band Steel Pulse, and Jamaican artist Barrington Levy, whom Ganuza describes as one of the most influential acts in dance hall music.
Also in July, El Laberinto del Coco, which translates to Coco’s Labyrinth, will perform plena music, a brand of music rooted in African rhythms.
El Laberinto del Coco, which translates to Coco’s Labyrinth,
“It’s a really lovely fusion of sounds that are cinematic and also really upbeat and danceable,” said Ganuza.
Bandshell entertainment is not limited to live performances. There will also be a live screening of the final match of the FIFA World Club Championship, which will feature the greatest teams from around the world.
“It should be a lot of fun,” said Ganuza. “For the first time, a Miami team will be in the tournament and there’s a good chance they will be competing in the final. They are heavily favored.”
Mid-month on July 17, the Bandshell hosts the monthly North Beach Social, featuring a local Miami legend, runner Robert “Raven” Kraft, who has been running the same eight-mile route on the sands of Miami Beach since 1975. Turns out, he has a goth-type band called Raven and the Dark Shadows.
“It is an honor to give a platform to this living Miami Beach legend and give him the opportunity to present himself in an unfamiliar way,” said Ganuza. “We had to schedule the soundchecks around his daily runs. He is such a role model for everyone.”
MAGIC UNDER THE MOONLIGHT
Ganuza and Quinlan are proud of what the Rhythm Foundation brings to the community through the Bandshell.
“Having a place that helps express the world’s diverse cultures and their humanity is more critical than ever,” said Ganuza. “There is a bigger, deeper, important purpose to what we do here.”
And Quinlan expressed similar joy.
“When I look at the year-round level of programs we bring to this sweet community-centric venue, I am so proud of our team,” she said. “Who else has a schedule like we do at the Bandshell? Amazing international touring artists, innovative new music and media, excellent performing arts ensembles, programs for families, Latin, jazz, indie, festivals. We love the Bandshell, and hope our community appreciates how special it is.”
For a complete lineup of Bandshell events, visit MiamiBeachBandshell.com
Past performances can be viewed on the WXEL PBS website wxel.org/soundwaves-at-the-bandshell/