ArtsUnited is kicking off a new series “Celebrating Diversity” on Saturday with a concert, “Alexander and the Birds of Paradise.”
“I created this show, to not only give opportunity, but to give representation. We have people in our cast, who are from all different backgrounds of life,” said Alexander Zenoz, the show’s producer. “They're also from different backgrounds of life. They're representative of the LGBTQ community. They're representative of different races, and religions and ideologies, but always [with a] progressive mentality.”
This concert takes place at the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale. All the talent in the show is locally based, while the four-part series features a unique blend of artists from the LGBTQ community.
“In a one-of-a-kind performance and inspired by the spirit of the greatest showman, this concert aims to provide thought-provoking entertainment that sets it apart from other shows,” reads a press release. “The fusion of captivating melodies and powerful vocals will transport the audience into a world of wonder and enchantment.”
Zenoz is a singer, actor and musician with a passion for giving back to the community. He’s also participated in the SMART Ride.
“I’ve never been one to hold on to things, I’m always a sharer,” Zenoz said. "I just want people to know that they’re seen and taken care of. When I feel like I’m not seen and taken care of, I want people to know it’s alright, we’re a community, you don’t always have to hold up the weight of the world on your own.”
Zenoz is Cuban-American and was born and raised in Miami. He has long been a big supporter of ArtsUnited.
“We're trying to get money back into the hands of ArtsUnited as an organization. Because just like this, in this instance, ArtsUnited goes out of its way to genuinely invest back into liberal arts,” he said. “The reason I wanted to build this model is because I feel like South Florida has a retention issue with talent and arts.”
The concert is being funded through a collection of monies from Funding Arts Broward, the Broward County Cultural Division, the Community Foundation of Broward and others.
Chuck Williams, president of ArtsUnited, the largest LGBTQ+ visual and performing arts non-profit organization in Florida, is excited to bring this series to the community.
“It’s just very hard as an individual artist to succeed as a musician or performer,” Williams said.
This is the first of a four-part series. The other dates include Feb. 23, March 16, April 19.
Ticket prices range from $30 to $60. The event takes place Saturday, Jan. 27, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Sunshine Cathedral for the Performing Arts, 1480 SW 9th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.