ST. PETE/CLEARWATER – As Tampa Bay recovers from a year of upheaval, and prepares for a new year of unknowns, the upcoming production of 2024 FAMILY BLESSING at the Duke Center for the Arts at the Mahaffey Theater on Sunday, December 15, reminds us we are ultimately uplifted and strengthened by our closest relationships.
While executive director Jai Hinson’s nonprofit, Artz for Life, Inc, has weathered more than three decades of arts excellence through training, live performance, and high-energy afterschool programming, this year she wants the FAMILY BLESSING to uplift viewers with a message of empowerment through family and community bonds.
“It’s a great time for family members to get together and see a production that helps them to understand the power and importance of working in unity — whether it’s your blood family or community members.
“As we go into the future, we don’t know what catastrophes are coming our way,” she continued, “but it’s important to continue to have faith and hope, appreciate your family, and be a family to those that don’t have one…and in many instances, just be ‘the one’ for somebody,” Hinson acknowledged.
Through the challenges Tampa Bay has experienced during the recent hurricanes and the devastation that has followed, Hinson continues as a guiding light for hundreds of local youth, and those who have gone on to Broadway, TV and film accolades, business success, and arts administration.
“This project has helped so many youth have a comfortable space to aspire to careers in professional performing artistry,” Hinson affirmed.
The story of FAMILY BLESSING artfully weaves together a vibrant tapestry of dance, music, and theater as we follow the inspiring journey of young Aliyah and her love for her Grandma Zola, as the production unfolds with a mesmerizing blend of ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, African, salsa, Irish clogging, Brazilian Samba, and Bollywood dance.
A multi-cultural odyssey that transports audiences from the streets of Harlem to the enchanting Island of Cuba, the majestic mountains of Mexico, the lush rainforests of Brazil, Brazil’s Carnival, the rich villages of West Africa, and the vibrant landscapes of India, the story was inspired by Hinson’s own relationship with her grandmother.
“With this production, it was my desire to encourage viewers to ‘be the one’ for others,” asserted the award-winning director, choreographer, and performer. “Everybody needs that one person who loves them unconditionally, helps them to aspire and be the best that they can be. That one person for me was my grandmother.”
Hinson recalls that, growing up her, grandmother spent lots of time telling her about their cultural history and about “life in general. It was through her that I learned about all the different cultures that are encompassed in our lineage — the Native America, Irish, African, Caribbean,” shared Hinson.
And it was her grandmother who first instilled in Hinson her love of dance and the arts, encouraged and enabled her to take classes in ballet and tap, and impacted her spiritual center with “memories of my upbringing in the church.”
A remarkable production that has solidified its place as a cherished family tradition in Tampa Bay for the past 27 years, Hinson noted that the evolution of today’s FAMILY BLESSING – which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year – has been born out of a legacy that includes sixteen years of The Chocolate Nutcracker, and a year of the Nutcracker Twist.
Hosted by Grammy-award winning artist Paul Anthony – known for his iconic contributions with the group Full Force and his role in the hit movie House Party – this year’s show also features hip hop legend and syndicated radio personality, Chubb Rock, remembered for his classic smash hit, “TREAT ME RIGHT!”
This year the production is also celebrating its lead dancer, Pharyn McCrae-Bryant. McCrae-Bryant, who also peforms with FYI Dance Company and is graduating as an honor student from PCCA at Gibbs, and going off to college, so this will be her last year performing Aliyah.
Pharyn McCrae-Bryant
“Pharyn has, for almost a decade, been part of our performing arts program; she is at the precipice of going out into the world to find her greatness,” shared Hinson. “She will be stepping out on the shoulders of those that have come before her such as Brianna Reed, Calvin Royal, Ephraim Sykes, Martina Sykes, Sir Brock Warren, Samiyah Parramore, Marquis Floyd, and many others.”
Hinson says Pharyn’s growth in the arts project is a testament to community art. “We provided a venue for the entire family to become immersed in the arts – her mother, her grandmother, her aunts and nieces, and of late her baby sister, have all become immersed in the FAMILY BLESSING production.”
McCrae-Bryant noted, “What matters most to me about participating in this production is the opportunity to strengthen my connection with the community through performance. Additionally, it allows me to refine my technique and grow as an artist each year I take part.”
Pharyn McCrea-Bryant
The young ballerina said that while she’s had to face and overcome challenges while at Gibbs, “in the PCCA dance program, I’ve gained knowledge about the history and art of dance, collaborated with many guest artists, and learned various background techniques for creating our own styles of movement and choreography. Thanks to these teachings, I can see myself pursuing a career in dance.”
McCrae also largely credits Hinson’s role in her development. “Miss Jai Hinson, also known as Mama Jai, has done a lot for me as a person and has contributed a lot to my dance career. I honestly believe that, without her, part of where I am now wouldn’t be happening. She has helped me to really get my name out there – as well as helped me to perfect my craft.”
The young dancer said dancing with Artz 4 Life has enabled her to perform all around the community, appear on various news stations, and experience and interact with many professional dance performers and organizations.
“Working with (Hinson) has been the first time I was able to really have the opportunity to work with professional choreographers, be able to discover so many cultures, and study so many unique styles of dance. Overall, Mama Jai is very inspiring and an awesome mentor to me and others.”
Hinson has also planned another highlight for this year: an honorary procession of over 100 alumni from the esteemed DUNDU DOLE URBAN AFRICAN BALLET who will grace the stage, “bringing down the house in a spectacular display of talent and artistry.”
“This is a show with something for everyone,” she added, noting that after a tumultuous year, “it’s a celebration of family, love, and the blessings we still have.”
You can purchase tickets now by visiting https://themahaffey.com/show/family-blessing. For more information visit https://artz4life.org.