OREANDA-NEWS. Miami International Airport kicked off its new Musical Happenings program with a flash-mob-style Afro-Cuban dance performance on July 11 in the airport’s Concourse D passenger boarding areas.  The Miami-based dance troupe IFE-ILE was the first of an eclectic line-up of artists scheduled for impromptu performances this year and in 2014.

From brass quintets to Brazilian jazz, Junkanoo and Latin big bands, the performances are designed to be reflective of South Florida’s diverse cultural landscape.

The Musical Happenings program is funded by a USD 40,000 grant from the Knight Foundation Arts Challenge and is being coordinated by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department’s Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs Division.

“The intent of the Musical Happenings program is to entertain travellers in a fun, interactive manner,” said Yolanda Sanchez, Ph.D., MDAD Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs Division Director.  “Based on our experience so far, it’s working!  There is nothing but smiles and laughter after these seemingly spontaneous performances.”

The primary mission of the Division of Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs is to humanize and enrich the airport environment through the commission of contemporary artwork and the presentation of exhibitions that communicate culture, environment and art resources of an international scope with special emphasis on those areas served by MIA. The Division is responsible for the mia Galleries in MIA’s Central and South Terminal, site-specific and community projects, Art in Public Places, and the Children’s Art Program at MIA.