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florida

The 14th Annual Coral Springs Festival of the Arts [In Pictures]

by Dan Perez March 19, 2018

The city of Coral Springs (our home for the past 15 years since we moved to Florida from NYC) might not be the first place you think of for the arts in South Florida but that would be an egregious oversight. I mean, the city is home to the Coral Springs Museum of Art AND the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, an expansive cultural center that offers music, theater, comedy and dance. Oh, and the Coral Springs Festival of the Arts just celebrated its 14th year this past weekend. So there’s that.

Sadly, after living here for 15 years, we attended our very first Festival just last year (Mrs. Perez and I clearly don’t get out all that much) but we marked our calendar for this year and like the year before, the Coral Springs Festival of the Arts did not disappoint. The two-day celebration of arts and culture featured a fine art show, contemporary craft festival, theatrical performances, Urban Art Paintout, and full line-up of live music. Oh, and I got the photographs to prove it. Behold…

The festival. which attracts 30,000-40,000 people from all over the South Florida area, takes place at The Walk on University Drive, the ultimate social sanctuary to gather with family and friends…

Nigerian artist Rahmon Olugunna

Photographer Nancy Ney

Wisconsin artist Nick Ringelstetter aka Atomic7

The PTSA of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School and the Coral Spring Police Department were in attendance reminding us they stand #MSDStrong

Activities for kids? Yeah, there were plenty of those as well…

Plenty of food and drinks…

Funky cast iron mailboxes? Yeah, that too.

Cuban artist Raul Hernandez

Beautiful Art Deco from the imagination of Steven Penafiel

The young girls from the Kelly Academy of Irish Dance put on a show on Saint Patrick’s Day

Cachet Band got the crowd off their feet on Saturday afternoon…

The Gold Coast Banjo Band proved that you can rock a party at any age…

Orquesta Nostalgia brought the classic sounds of the Mambo to Coral Springs on Sunday

The gang from the Ronin Taiko Academy tore the proverbial roof off the place with their Japanese drumming aka “wadaiko”

Mariachi Los Monarcas brought Mexico’s rich cultural heritage to Coral Springs

What arts festival would be complete without an Urban Art Paintout?

The Coral Springs Festival of the Arts has something for everyone, regardless of age. This was my second time attending (one day with Mrs. Perez and the other with my daughter) and I can assure you, we will be back in 2019. See you there…

March 19, 2018

Corporate

A Conversation with Florida Senator Marco Rubio (Video)

by Dan Perez August 31, 2017

written by Dan Perez

I’m not much into politics (and yes, I do vote) and whatever my political leanings are, I generally keep to myself. That said, here’s an interview I produced featuring Marco Rubio, the U.S. Senator for Florida, and Ed Pozzuoli, President of the Fort Lauderdale based law firm Tripp Scott, one of my earliest and dearest clients. In this short video, Senator Rubio talks tax reform, the current state of affairs with Venezuela, and the preservation of the Everglades.

In this very unstable political climate our country finds itself in, this posting is merely an opportunity to hear what our state’s current Senator has to say on the topics outlined above, should they be of interest to you – nothing more. Give it a listen or feel free to skip on over to some of my other non-political posts instead. Either way, thanks for stopping by…

This is the latest in a continuing series of webinars I’ve been producing for Tripp Scott over the past 9+ years. For Tripp Scott, these videos are one of the most effective ways of maintaining close communication with their clients and subscribers. By featuring interviews with business and community leaders, Tripp Scott deliver compelling content targeted for their audience and establish themselves as a leader in their industry.

How is your company or organization communicating with their “audience”?

Dan Perez is a multiple award-winning documentary filmmaker who has produced distinctive videos for diverse clients such as Miami Children’s Hospital (now Nicklaus Children’s Hospital), The United Way, Easter Seals, and The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance.

Feel free to contact him HERE to discuss how he can help tell your company or organization’s unique story…

August 31, 2017

Corporate Miami Children's Hospital

Fighting Pediatric Brain Cancer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital – Lacy’s Story (Video)

by Dan Perez July 31, 2017

written by Dan Perez

Lacy was only 2 years old when her parents noticed that something was wrong. She was unable to walk and spent most of the day sleeping. They took her to several doctors to try to find what could be the cause but everything was coming back normal – until a neurologist found an 8 cm. tumor in her brain. That’s when Lacy was referred to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

A biopsy of the tumor at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital uncovered a parent’s worst nightmare – the tumor was malignant. Lacy had brain cancer. The surgery to remove the tumor was just the beginning of Lacy’s journey to recovery. Here’s the latest in a continuing series of videos that I’ve been producing for Miami Children’s Health Foundation, who help raise funds and awareness for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami – this is Lacy’s remarkable story…

July 31, 2017

Blog Featured Photography Sound and Vision

RedeyeUNTAMED Music and Art Festival, Fort Lauderdale (In Pictures)

by Dan Perez July 16, 2017

written by Dan Perez

You think all the cool art events happen in Miami? Not exactly. This past weekend, Mrs. Perez and I attended the RedEyeUNTAMED music and art festival presented by Artserve, a Fort Lauderdale based nonprofit organization that provides ongoing programs, facilities and services to empower local artists to help improve the cultural fabric of the community in South Florida.

Redeye serves as a fundraiser for ArtServe to support programs for at-risk youth, underserved populations, and local artists. Live bands, indie films, spoken word, live art, stand-up comedy, and art in all its forms converge at this truly unique event in Broward County (yes, Broward County).

This was our second time attending the Redeye (last year’s pics HERE) and as I am wont to do, I brought along my camera and snapped up a few pics that clearly illustrate that the arts are alive and well in Fort Lauderdale. Check them out (and see you next year!).

Art, live painting, body painting, photography, live music, dance, stand-up comedy, spoken word, art and more art on display at RedeyeUNTAMED

Virtual reality gaming stations? Yeah, that, too…

South Florida artist David Lavernia aka DaveL live painting…

Mrs. Perez admiring the work of Indian artist Indranil Ghosh

“Fragmented” by Italian-American artist Rosaria Vigorito

“The Collective Mind Makes Sense” by Kimberly Todd

“Peter Payne D.D.S.” by South Florida artist Susan Marie David

“Hombre con Ukulele” by Cuban artist Asbel Gomez Dumpierre (my personal fave piece of the night)

“Body Yellow” by Toby Maron

“Wondering” by artist Susan Thomas

“American Birth” by New York based artist Shakeera Thomas

South Florida rockers The Takers and Leavers

South Florida singer/songwriter Emily Sheila

It might have been hot inside Artserve for RedeyeUNTAMED but the art, music and entertainment was also pretty hot. We’ll be back next year, see you there. Oh, and if you’re interested in supporting the arts in South Florida, visit artserve.org

July 16, 2017

Blog Miami Children's Hospital Photography

VACC Camp: An Amazing Camp for Special Needs Children in Miami (In Pictures)

by Dan Perez April 18, 2017

written by Dan Perez

V.A.C.C. Camp (Ventilation Assisted Children’s Center Camp) is a unique free week-long overnight camp for ventilation assisted children (children needing a tracheostomy ventilator, C-PAP, BiPAP, or oxygen to support breathing) hosted each spring in Miami by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Overnight campers and their families come from throughout the United States and internationally to socialize with peers and enjoy activities not readily accessible to technology dependent children. South Florida families and youngsters from local residential care facilities join in as day campers.

Founded by pediatric pulmonology doctor Moises Simpser, VACC Camp celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2016 (I’ve been filming the past two years for an upcoming documentary film I’m working on). My first year of filming at the camp was in 2011 and after that memorable week, I was hooked. Over the years, I’ve created short videos of the camp (scroll to the end of the photographs to watch them) and have taken many photographs of the truly remarkable campers and young volunteers that give up their Spring Break in South Florida to serve in the camp. It’s been a labor of love and this year was no different.

So enjoy the images (the first in a series of photography posts I’ll be sharing on the camp) and visit www.vacccamp.com to learn more (or to support) this truly magical camp. You can like them on Facebook HERE (thanks, in advance!)

First-time campers are usually overwhelmed by the high-energy greeting they receive upon arrival to camp…

Day one of camp is all about campers arriving…

Day two features an annual trip to Shake-A-Leg and setting sail on beautiful Biscayne Bay…

Shake-A-Leg founder Harry Horgan and VACC Camp Founder Dr. Moises Simpser (and Wolfie in the middle)

Day three features a visit by long-time camp supporter Mike McCarthy of McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary in West Palm Beach (more photos forthcoming)

Day four is all about Nikki Beach and the annual camper relay race…

Day five is one of the most popular – “Pool Day” (more photographs forthcoming)

The last night of VACC Camp is all about partying – this year featured a “Mexican Fiesta” theme (more photographs forthcoming)

The emotional last day of VACC Camp is about saying “see you next year”. Stay tuned for additional VACC Camp photography posts in the coming week…

Here are a few short videos I’ve produced of the camp over the years…

Miami Children's Hospital: VACC Camp 2012 from DanPerezFilms on Vimeo.

V.A.C.C. Camp: A Day at the Beach from DanPerezFilms on Vimeo.

VACC Camp: A Day at Shake-A-Leg Miami from DanPerezFilms on Vimeo.

April 18, 2017

Blog Photography Sound and Vision

Coral Springs Festival of the Arts 2017 (In Pictures)

by Dan Perez March 21, 2017

written by Dan Perez

The 13th annual Coral Springs Festival of the Arts was held this past weekend at “The Walk” on University Drive. The two-day festival, which also featured entertainment from all of the arts (music, dance, theatre and literary performances), redefines Coral Springs (that’s right, Coral Springs!) as a cultural destination.

After attending UNplugged, a free outdoor art/food/music event last month, Mrs. Perez and I returned to “The Walk” for the Festival and spent a few hours there on Saturday (we weren’t able to make it on Sunday) and had a lovely time. Plenty of art, culture, and crafts to peruse and purchase. I brought along my camera and snapped a few photographs.

Oh, and while you’re waiting for next year’s festival, visit “The Walk” on Wednesdays as they feature live music (set up right in front of the large fountain) from 6-9pm. You can keep abreast of all things Coral Springs right here > www.coralsprings.org

Oh, and it just happened to be an absolutely beautiful day…

The fountain at “The Walk”

Plenty of treats, crafts, and art for sale…

We enjoyed the young boys and girls of Club Libertad Filial Florida “difundiendo el baile Nacional del Perú”

Country/Western act The Rodeo Clowns

The South Florida Cloggers doing what they do…

Plenty of activities for kids, too…

“Trash People” sculpture, life-sized human depictions created from trash collected around Coral Springs road ways courtesy of the ‘Keep Coral Springs Beautiful Adopt-A-Street’ program. It’s part of the ‘Love Where You Live’ Anti-Litter Campaign that encourages individuals and the community to “Keep it off the grass, throw it in the trash!”

See you next year!

March 21, 2017

Blog Photography Sound and Vision

Coral Springs Art Walk #UNplugged2017 (In Pictures)

by Dan Perez February 20, 2017

written by Dan Perez

So, my wife and I decided to stop by the Coral Springs Art Walk this past Saturday to check out UNplugged, a free outdoor event that featured live music, life-size games, craft beer from Funky Buddha Brewery, as well as wine, food trucks and live art. Just a few minutes drive from our home, I can tell you that I really wasn’t expecting anything great (I mean, it’s Coral Springs, not Miami, right?) but let me tell you something – we were very pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed ourselves.

First of all, parking was plentiful and free (when was the last time you went to an event in Miami that had plentiful free parking?). There were an assortment of great food trucks all over, plenty of seating and tables, and some terrific live music (we caught the set by The Gravel Kings and really enjoyed them). There was also plenty of live art and a friendly family vibe that’s really what Coral Springs is all about.

All in all, a good time was had by me and Mrs. Perez and we will be back next time. I snapped a few photographs as evidence, check them out below. And if you’re able to make it to this event next month, get there – you won’t be sorry. Promise.

Artists at work…

Plenty of food trucks (we enjoyed some delicious tacos from BC Tacos) and craft beers from Funky Buddha Brewery…

Magicians, vendors, live games and a few furry friends…

“Trash People” sculptures, life-sized human depictions created from trash collected around Coral Springs road ways courtesy of the ‘Keep Coral Springs Beautiful Adopt-A-Street’ program. It’s part of the ‘Love Where You Live’ Anti-Litter Campaign that encourages individuals and the community to “Keep it off the grass, throw it in the trash!”

The Cover Ups performing…

The Gravity Kings closed out the night…and a good time was had by all. See you next month.

For more information on upcoming events in the “maybe not as cool as Miami but still pretty darn cool” city of Coral Springs, visit www.coralsprings.org

February 20, 2017

Corporate Sound and Vision

A Conversation with Robert Runcie, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent

by Dan Perez December 7, 2016

written by Dan Perez

Robert Runcie, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, sits down with Ed Pozzuoli, President of Fort Lauderdale based law firm Tripp Scott to discuss the current state of the Broward County Public Schools system, what the future holds for the system, and he reflects of his first five years as Superintendent.

Video not your thing? Listen to the interview over at the Tripp Scott Podcast

Dan Perez is a multiple award-winning documentary filmmaker who has produced distinctive videos for diverse clients such as Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, The United Way, The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Easter Seals and many others.

Feel free to contact him HERE to discuss how he can help tell your company or organization’s unique story…

December 7, 2016

Corporate Sound and Vision

A Conversation with Florida Senator Jeff Brandes [Video]

by Dan Perez August 16, 2016

written by Dan Perez

Florida Senator Jeff Brandes (Republican, District 22) sits down with Ed Pozzuoli, President of Fort Lauderdale based law firm Tripp Scott, to discuss state-wide prison reform and his initiative to prepare Florida for self-driving vehicles. That’s right, self-driving vehicles.

This is the latest in a continuing series of videos I’ve been producing for Tripp Scott over the past 7+ years. For Tripp Scott, these videos are one of the most effective ways of maintaining close communication with their clients and subscribers. By featuring interviews with business and community leaders, Tripp Scott deliver compelling content targeted for their audience and establish themselves as a leader in their industry.

How is your company or organization communicating with their “audience”?

Video not your thing? Listen to the interview over at the Tripp Scott Podcast!

Feel free to contact him HERE to discuss how he can help tell your company or organization’s unique story…

August 16, 2016

Corporate Miami Children's Hospital Sound and Vision

The Impact of Child Life Specialists: Tonaly’s Story

by Dan Perez August 9, 2016

written by Dan Perez

At just 17 years old, Tonaly was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the digestive tract. Tonaly was taken to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital where she suddenly found herself hospitalized for almost three months. She was in constant and oftentimes unbearable pain; her mother trying to be strong as she watched her daughter fighting to cope with her condition.

Then she met Lisa, a certified Child Life Specialist assigned to her unit. Lisa taught Tonaly techniques to deal with her pain and was there supporting her every step of her treatment, which has included three surgeries. She also served as relief to her mother, “I didn’t want my daughter to see me cry” said her mother, Juana. “When Lisa arrived at that moment – she would come and take my place.”

Certified Child Life Specialists like Lisa help assess children’s psychosocial and developmental needs in order to create an individualized plan of care through advocacy, education, and empowerment; thereby normalizing the hospital environment and promoting best possible outcomes. The Child Life team at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital strives to enrich the hospital experience for their patients and families through pre-surgical orientation, music therapy, and play spaces.

This is the latest in a continuing series of videos that I’ve been producing for Miami Children’s Health Foundation, who help raise funds and awareness for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital – this is Tonaly’s (and Lisa’s!) story…

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo9ZsnYetvI[/youtube]

To help support children like Tonaly, please visit www.mchf.org/donate

August 9, 2016

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