Despite the torrential rain, true art lovers flocked to Wynwood this past Saturday night for the Second Saturdays Art Walk. Those who embraced the downpour experienced an unusually spacious and intimate evening, with galleries offering room to breathe – or so I heard. I opted to keep my sneakers dry and headed straight for one of Wynwood’s cultural hotspots: Miami Light Project’s The Light Box at Goldman Warehouse.
After a quick detour to Inkub8 for their Open Studio Series, I made my way to The Light Box for the 10 p.m. showing of Miami Light Project’s presentation of Daniel Bernard Roumain’s “Symphony for the Dance Floor.” Described as a “supersonic subatomic symphonic theater dance-off performance collage of classical, pop and hip-hop sounds,” it promised a fusion of live singing, dance, and captivating visuals. Admittedly, I went in with little prior knowledge of Roumain, making it a spontaneous adventure into the unknown.
“Symphony for the Dance Floor” was born from the inspiration of the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake. The performance began dramatically with Roumain’s silhouette projected onto a white screen as he played the violin. Then, the energy exploded as dancers stormed the stage, embodying the earth’s very rupture. When Roumain himself took center stage, the dancers moved around him in perfect, mesmerizing synchronicity. Their movements were powerful, sensual, and fluid, complemented by striking costumes.
Dancers performing Symphony for the Dance Floor in dynamic poses.
Energetic. Exhilarating. Overwhelming. These words encapsulate my experience of “Symphony for the Dance Floor.” The energy was relentless, with the sonic vibrations of Roumain’s violin penetrating and resonating deeply within. I left with a newfound desire for a personal violinist! The performance was truly overwhelming in its richness – a constant stream of movement, sound, visuals, violin, rap, and DJ-ing demanding simultaneous attention to every element.
Adding another layer to the symphony was actor/rapper Lord Jamar, whose rap verses injected a contemporary edge, elevating the entire performance. Another standout scene featured three local singers who commanded the space with self-assured energy and delivered captivating, edgy lyrics that seemed to lift the roof of The Light Box as Roumain’s violin soared alongside.
Singers performing with intensity during Symphony for the Dance Floor.
My only slight reservation came during Roumain’s two vocal solos. While his violin playing was captivating, his voice, for me, didn’t resonate in the same way. However, I admired his willingness to take that risk, to push his boundaries vocally, even stepping outside his comfort zone. True art should be daring, and Roumain certainly didn’t play it safe. He confronted any self-doubt and explored new territory for his voice, with The Light Box at the Goldman Warehouse providing the ideal space for such creative exploration.
You can witness Roumain’s performance here.
The performance culminated in a fantastic finale: the dancers invited the audience to join them and dance the night away. This invitation alone made the entire evening worthwhile, igniting the dance floor with collective energy.
Audience members and dancers joining together on the dance floor during Symphony for the Dance Floor finale.
For updates on future events at the Miami Light Project, visit http://www.facebook.com/groups/10844384579/ or http://www.miamilightproject.com/.
