Family Fest: The Ocean Lives There

This concert brings together South Florida music and literature for a family-friendly exploration of tropical culture.

Following a statewide call for artists in the summer of 2022, Greater Miami Youth Symphony and the Arsht Center commissioned Broward County composer Ethan Soledad to write a piece inspired by Haitian-born Miami author M.J. Fievre’s picture book The Ocean Lives There. A beautifully illustrated story about a little girl’s dreams of her Haitian homeland, The Ocean Lives There will come to life in Greater Miami Youth Symphony’s world premiere performance of Soledad’s vibrant composition.

In addition to the concert, we encourage you to join us for a pre-show celebration of culture and children’s literature starting at 11:30 a.m. on the Thomson Plaza for the Arts!

Schedule of events:

• 11:30 a.m. – Enjoy local vendors, face painting and coloring, and meet characters from your favorite children’s books
• 11:50 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. | Storytelling by Dance-a-Story, Inc
• 12:15 – 12:35 p.m. | Family Music Class with Laurah Merisier
• 12:40 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Live performance by Miami Sound Choir
• 1:30 p.m. | Concert

All families are welcome to share the experience of seeing family-friendly theater. This sensory-friendly performance will feature a welcoming environment that includes adjusted sound and lighting, and a quiet area for families who need to take a break from the show.