The New Tropic teamed up with the Knight Foundation for a special live celebration of the resilience of performing artists, “A Night of New Work.” The event spotlighted the 2020 Knight New Work winners —18 Miami-based performing artists developing innovative concepts in dance, music and theatre — and premiered cinematic excerpts of works by 2018 Knight New Work winners.
Watch the full show
Host Adam Ganuza, Knight Foundation arts program officer, also led a fireside chat with prominent Miami artists Pioneer Winter, Portia Dunkley and Carmen Pelaez. They discussed the resilience and creativity of performing artists during the pandemic and long-term challenges — and opportunities — for the field.
Watch works by 2018 Knight New Work winners
Danzon of Eclectic Cultural Origin (DECO)
Artist: Kevin Jenkins, choreographer
Presenter: Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami
A nontraditional ballet inspired by Miami’s unique identity and the city’s Latin energy, blending the flavors of salsa, tango, flamenco and contemporary ballet technique. The production incorporates original scenic work by Edouard Duval-Carrié and costumes by Andrea Spiridonakos.
Danzas del Silencio
Artist: Alvaro Bermudez, guitarist and composer
Presenter: Seraphic Fire, in partnership with New World Center
A compelling, innovative choral and guitar collaboration betweenGrammy-nominated ensemble Seraphic Fire and guitarist Alvaro Bermudez that will blend Colombian dance rhythms with Bach’s orchestral structure.
F/Punk Junkies
Artist: Teo Castellanos, actor, writer and director
Presenter: Miami Light Project
A dance theater experience that will disrupt traditional ways of both creating and experiencing art, incorporating Afropunk aesthetics, improvisation and both live and recorded music. The production is a collaboration with choreographer Augusto Soledade and Miami saxophonist Leo Casino.
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Victoria Rogers
Victoria J. Rogers is vice president of arts at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and an expert in nonprofit management. Rogers oversees Knight’s investments in the arts in eight cities where the foundation has historical roots, including Miami, Detroit and Philadelphia. Learn more about Victoria HERE.
Adam Ganuza
Adam Ganuza is a Program Officer on the Knight Foundation Arts team. Since joining the foundation in August 2016, he has led the administration of the Knight Arts Challenge, an open call for transformative ideas in the arts. Read more of Adam’s bio HERE.
Pioneer Winter
Pioneer Winter is a Miami-based choreographer and dancer. They direct Pioneer Winter Collective, a dance-theater company rooted in social practice and community, queer visibility and beauty beyond the mainstream. Pioneer is Assistant Teaching Professor at FIU and artist-in-residence at the Arsht Center. Discover more of Pioneer Winter Collective’s work HERE.
Portia Dunkley
Portia Dunkley is an accomplished Miami-based double bassist and a music educator with more than 16 years of experience throughout the state of Florida. She is also the founder of Music of the Unsung, an annual multi-event concert and conversation series that features a wide spectrum of Black musicians from the classical arts for and from South Florida. Learn more about Portia and Music of the Unsung America HERE.
Carmen Pelaez
Carmen Pelaez is an award-winning actor and playwright. Her plays include “Rum & Coke,” which received critical acclaim in Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami, and “Fake”, which was produced through Miami New Drama. She is also an independent filmmaker and a supporter of Miami arts. Learn more about Carmen HERE.
