By Jahziah Defoe
Westside Gazette Intern
Over the weekend a community of young and old came together to celebrate 50 years of The Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (DAHCAC). A place where Liberty City youth can experience all genres of performing and visual arts including theater, art and band; falling in love with something they didn’t even know existed. The evening featured extraordinary performances from the Nu Deco Ensemble, alumni whose lives were forever changed by the center, and a one-hour screening of the documentary feature film An Instrumental Start: A Model for the Nation.
The evening opened with an energizing set from the Nu Deco Ensemble. The individual sounds of the violins, cello, trumpet, flute, piano, drums, and other instruments blended to create a melody that stilled everyone in the theatre.
Hosted by Chello Davis, Myron Davis and Santonya Davis, the event transitioned to the screening of An Instrumental Start: A Model for the Nation. From the beginning, the audience erupted into applause for the opening credits as anticipation built for what was to come. The film shared the story of how The Marshall L. Davis; Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center came to be and the lives it influenced. It showed how stu-dents from Liberty City in Miami overcame obstacles and setbacks that would normally force inner city youth into the controls of society. The students were supported by mentors, learned life lessons, and found a home away from home. Once they transitioned out of the Center, opportunities opened where they were able to perform with Beyonce, attend Julliard School of the Arts, compete on So You Think You Can Dance and so much more. This allows current students to picture themselves in these roles which one would not normally dream could be achieved. Tyrell Rolle, Robert Battle, Naderah Munajj, and Tarell Alvin were just a few lives who were touched by the DAHCAC. The audience was able to learn and absorb those stories through the film.
The evening closed with a tap performance from Marshall Davis Jr., that ended in a standing ovation and a closing set from the Nu Deco Ensemble that kept audience members on their feet; clapping, singing, and dancing along.
The 50-year celebration of The Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African American Heritage Cultural Arts Center was an inspirational evening of history, support, and pride. The success of Center will only multiply in the next 50. We can only imagine the growth and talent that will continue to be discovered.
See ‘The Voice Within Liberty City’ for an article on the history of the Marshall L. Davis, Sr African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
