Miami is a city always looking outward…new openings, visiting chefs, imported talent, and a constant chase for what’s next.

Too often, we forget the magic is already here. For example, the Miami City Ballet. For 15 years, I have attended The Nutcracker without ever missing a show, not even during Covid (outdoor? mask? check!). I’ve always wanted to support other performances but hadn’t yet managed it. 

A couple of weeks ago, that changed. I was invited to cover Carmen’s opening night and was genuinely honored to attend. Now, it’s something I’ll easily add to my annual calendar. 

Miami City Ballet’s Carmen brought a modern, passionate, and cinematic edge. Choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, it blends classical ballet with Spanish influences, unconventional staging and formations. Principal dancer Dawn Atkins held the room effortlessly with gorgeous extensions, controlled transitions, and that rare ability to deliver both strength and grace without ever compromising either. Color me impressed.

At the center of the story is Carmen, a woman everyone tries to control, but no one truly can. She is unapologetic, self-possessed, and conscious of her power. The tension between control and defiance drove the performance, and I related closely to that energy.

As a former dancer, I feel what it demands. The discipline, restraint, and years of training needed to make such precision seem easy define artistry worth supporting. It reminded me why I love dance: storytelling without words. 

Which brings me to a larger point. This is the culture being built right here by artists who put in the work every single day. In a city that moves fast and forgets even faster…supporting local is essential. 

Performances take place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, right in the heart of Downtown Miami. It’s one of those venues that immediately sets the tone the moment you arrive, with the skyline around you and that buzzy pre-show energy building. Inside the Ziff Ballet Opera House, the scale is grand with clear sightlines and acoustics that pull you straight into the performance. It’s the kind of space that reminds you this city does, in fact, have a serious cultural backbone.

Tip: Always book your parking in advance through their website. It’s guaranteed, reserved, and saves you pre-curtain stress. Valet is an option, but pre-booked lots beside the building offer easy access.

For me, this felt like a reset, a reminder that some of the most meaningful experiences aren’t the ones we chase, but the ones we finally make time for. Seeing the work, understanding the discipline, and valuing what’s being created right here at home is what it’s all about. Miami City Ballet is part of that story. And it deserves to be seen.

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