“Sometimes, when you support artists, they blow your mind.”

 

Bandshell Laboratories is an initiative to commission new work, incorporate visual arts into the live music setting, and help artists to launch innovative projects. We are now seeking applicants for projects in 2024 and 2025. Multi-media projects, collaborations between Miami and international artists, collaborations between music and visual artists, commissions, residencies, and other ambitious initiatives.

The series began with a two-year residency by MIAMIBLOCO, the local Brazilian percussion ensemble. The group held bi-weekly community-focused open rehearsals, sometimes featuring Brazilian master drummers and dancers supplementing the work of bandleader Brian Potts. Each season closes with a Miamibloco Saideira Social, as the group backs up a phenomenal roster of special guests.

In May 2023, we premiered a live score by ambient legend Laraaji, set to a film by marine biology-arts collective Coral Morphologic (and edited by Robert Beatty).