Broad performance lineup for culture enthusiasts

As the winter season approaches, Miami-Dade County’s live performing arts institutions have created a lineup that is set to gather cultural arts enthusiasts from around the world.

The Adrienne Arsht Center at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. is set to present William Kentridge’s “The Head and The Load,” an immersing story about Africans in World War I. Starting on Dec. 1, the theatrical-music piece tells the neglected story of the millions of African porters and carriers who served British, French and German forces during World War I.

This holiday season, the Arsht Center also presents “Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert.” For one night only on Dec. 30, the romantic ballet is inspired by Vienna’s Neujahrskonzert and will showcase acclaimed European singers and dancers, as well as a full symphony orchestra.

Starting Dec. 16, the Miami City Ballet presents its holiday tradition “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” at the Adrienne Arsht Center. The production is made up of a cast of over 100 dancers and children in lavish costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s music is played by a live orchestra.

The New World Symphony Orchestra will present “Spanish Dances.” Carlos Miguel Prieto returns to lead a celebration of Manuel de Falla. Regarded by many as the greatest Spanish composer of the 20th century, Mr. de Falla brought the sounds of his homeland, like the Andalusian flamenco, to the stage. Joining Fellows in performing this music are dancers from Isaac Tovar Compañia Flamenca, and vocalists Catalina Cuervo and Esperanza Fernández. The orchestra concert will run Dec. 9-10 at the New World Center, 500 17th St. in Miami Beach.

On Dec. 16, the New World Symphony will also showcase “Sounds of the Season” at the New World Center. The NWS Fellows perform seasonal favorites decked out in their finest and funniest holiday costumes.

The Cleveland Orchestra will be in Miami from Jan. 20-28 at the Arsht Center. The orchestra will focus on Tchaikovsky’s masterpieces along with his passionate and quintessentially romantic final symphony. The productions will feature some of Tchaikovsky’s most romantically beautiful melodies, along with Gypsy dances and stratospheric technical passages.

The Florida Grand Opera will hit the Arsht Center’s stage presenting “Gianni Schicchi and Buoso’s Ghost” from Jan. 28-31. Get ready for an evening of comedy and the biggest scam of the year 1299. The performance depicts a family’s rich old uncle who has died, and everyone is out to get a slice of his estate. They will need the help of a good lawyer with dubious morals who will hoodwink them all.

On Feb. 5, the opera is also set to present “¡Viva Zarzuela!” at the Cuban Hebrew Congregation of Miami at 1700 Michigan Ave. in Miami Beach. Audiences will enjoy the rhythms of Zarzuela, the opera form of Spain, Cuba and other Spanish-speaking nations.

Running through Jan. 1, Actors’ Playhouse at Miracle Mile Theatre at 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables is celebrating its 35th anniversary with “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas.” Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together again to celebrate the holidays. Sun Records is transformed into a festive atmosphere with a Christmas tree, garland, a mistletoe and rings with sounds of the holiday season.