Healing-Oasis Workshops & Performance

Lazaro Godoy (GoPra) and performance guest artists

“Healing-Oasis Workshops & Performance”
Artistic director/head choreographer of GoPra Dance Company Lazaro Godoy invites international performer/choreographer/multidisciplinary artist and friend Shamel Pitts and musician, friend Michael Gil for the three to share their multilayered insightful workshops at distinctively unique Miami's urban oasis Smart Bites To Go.

Created to regenerate by moving diversified energies into an exchanging experience purposefully designed within a healthy moment and setting to invest on the “gift” of self re-discovery, while sharing with others.

It is about connecting to earth and breath for a conscious and positive body-mind-spirit to arise and extend outwardly to impact the sustainability of natural intelligences that flow harmoniously. Taking in from nature being the undefined, unlabeled, but experiential, work-play space-time healing journey.

Space limited to 15 participants, 16 and up only

Be advised to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, since activities will fluctuate between indoor and outdoor spaces

Cash/check tixs available at the door April 21

Day’s Schedule:

Lazaro Godoy Inter-Play-Intro (11:00am-11:45am)

Shamel Pitts Activation. Subtlety. Groove. Empowerment. Generosity (11:50am-12:50pm)

___BREAK____ (12:55pm-1:10pm)

Michael Gil Musician (1:15pm-2:00pm)

Lazaro Godoy, Rey Rodríguez and Jasond Thomas Closing live performance (2:05pm-2:45pm)

Join Us!

Open space till 3:30pm for everyone to absorb and contemplate

Artists' BIOS

Lazaro Godoy Born in Pinar del Río, Cuba (1977)

Godoy studied at the National Arts School (ENA) in Cuba, graduated from New World School of the Arts, Miami (1996), and the Juilliard School, NYC (2000). Godoy received (NFAA)/YoungArts first place for the performance of his solo choreography (1996). Along his career as a dance performer, Godoy has performed in works by Hans van Manen, Nils Christie, Jiri Kylian, David Parsons, Stijn Celis, Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak Dance Company across Europe and later in Israel among others.

2002-2007, he was Bern Ballet’s Company member and later assistant, Switzerland. In 2007, Lazaro was selected to participate at The Swiss International Coaching Project under the direction of Susanne Linke. From 2007 to 2009, Lazaro created and performed solo Jugo de Limón in Festivals across Europe, Russia and Israel.

In 2008, Lazaro moved to live and work in Tel Aviv, Israel. In this dance arts heaven, Lazaro developed project StreetStage (marrying encounters of multidisciplinary nature among art colleagues to share creative time with Sudanese immigrants living in the streets).

Lazaro Godoy is the artistic director, head choreographer and performer at GoPra Dance Company (Independent Interdisciplinary Arts Platform for International Research and Creations). Since its establishment January 2014, Lazaro Godoy has created Bare Bones, Harmonicum Accordion | Act l, MEDAKA, BrookDale, ArMOUR and solo in development 刀 | Katana with support from organizations Inkub8, Miami Theater Center, Tigertail Productions, Miami Light Project, Bistoury Physical Theatre & Film, The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and private donors. Godoy has been guiding movement-creative workshops while assisting the Bern Ballet, across EU, in various educational and professional institutions in Tel Aviv, Israel and in USA. He was movement coach for Miami Theater Center’s “The Two-Character Play” and “Everybody Drinks the Same Water” (2016-2017). In 2019, Godoy received Dance Miami Choreographers’ award, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs.

Michael Gil Arango Born in Havana, Cuba, 1980

As a teenager, Michael was admitted as a gifted student at I.P.V.C.E Vladimir I.Lenin, Havana, Cuba. He studied classical guitar at Felix Varela School of Music. Once graduated and working as a guitar instructor, he has composed music for cinema, theater, and audiovisual performances, for which he received nominations and awards, like Cine Plaza 2004 for documentary De Moler, Havana. His career is partially devoted to research and study on ethnic musical instruments like berimbau, kalimba, didgeridoo, talking drum, Jew’s harps and more. These instruments are in his compositions and have been subject of lectures in Cuba, Mexico, and South Florida. For the last six years he has been immersed in Luyano Band (http://www.luyanoband.com/)-a world’s music Miami based band-as director, composer and multi instrumentalist; too, for "DJ ma non troppo" project. Teaching and interacting with audiences is a big part of his career as a musician. He has worked with organizations Musicall, Teatro en Miami Studio, Fundarte, Gold Coast Aikikai Miami, Artefactus Cultural Project, Fundación Cuatro Gatos, Anti Heroes Project, Miami International Book Fair, Miami-Dade College and since 2013-present as a certified teaching artist for Arts for Learning. He has been impacting South Florida’s after school programs’, juvenile and delinquency prevention programs, and families in art festivals and venues. In 2018, Michael was awarded a distinction in fathers in education by South Florida’s Fatherhood Task Force. In 2006, the ordination of Bodhisattva from Soto Zen school lineage by Zen Master Bárbara Kosen developed the insertion of mindfulness and meditation into Michael’s music and teaching. He has performed in prestigious institutions such as: The Havana Museum of Fine Arts; the Plaza de Armas in Zacatecas and Puerta de Tierra Campeche, Mexico; Miami Dade County Auditorium; Adrienne Arsht Center; CCEMiami, MOCA and MDC among others.

Shamel Pitts Born in Brooklyn New York

He is the recipient of a 2018 Princess Grace Award in Choreography. He began his dance training at LaGuardia High School for Music, Art and the Performing Arts, and, simultaneously, at The Ailey School. Shamel received his BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School and was awarded the Martha Hill Award for excellence in dance. He then went on to dance with Batsheva Dance Company for 7 years, under the artistic direction of Ohad Naharin.
Shamel has created a triptych of multidiscplinary performance art works entitled:
BLACK BOX: Little Black Book Of RED (featured in The New York Times), BLACK VELVET: Architectures And Archetypes (which received the Audience Choice Award At Stockholm Fringe Festival) and BLACK HOLE: Trilogy And Triathlon which has received the CROSS Award Residency IV Edition in Italy.
Shamel is an adjunct faculty member at The Juilliard School and has been an artist in residence at Harvard University.
For more information, visit www.shamelpitts.com

Rey Rodríguez Born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Rey Rodriguez picked up the guitar at 15 years old and has been playing ever since. His musical journey began studying classical guitar at the prestigious Miguel Cervantes School of Arts, Cuba. And, at age 19, he became Musical Director and sole Composer at Hubert de Blanc, Cuba.

At 20, Rey relocated to Madrid, Spain, where his musical career took off. He spent the next 13 years writing, singing, arranging and playing guitar.  He formed the critically acclaimed band Picadillo, signed with Warner Chapel publishing company, and released his first album “Las Cosas de la Vida.”  Rey and his band had the privilege to play and tour to many festivals and concert halls.  They played in Canada at the infamous Roy Thompson Hall, Lula’s in Toronto, Sun Fest in Ontario, Madrid’s popular Café Central & Café Berlin, the famous Fabrica del Arte in Cuba, Miami’s New World Symphony Center, Carnival on the Mile Fest, and other venues and cities across the map. Rey toured for 2 years in Spain with Spanish popstar Meche as her guitarist, arranger and composer. His time in Spain was also spent working as a vocalist and guitarist for advertisements at Doremix Studios.

Now, in his next chapter, Rey relocated again to Miami, Florida.  He formed new band called Sol + The Tribu, who have just released their debut album “Miami 3050.”  They’ve played Carnival on the Mile and 305 Day festivals, as well as multiple venues in Miami. Visit https://soltribu.weebly.com/ to hear the abum and learn more about Rey’s recent musical ventures.

Jasond Thomas Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago

Jasond is creative visionary with an array of multifaceted talents including singing, dancing, acting, song writing, directing, choreography, photography and music production. Jasond graduated from New World Schcool of the Arts (Miami) in Musical Theatre and Dance. His training extends to Dance Theatre of Harlem and The Juilliard School, NYC. He is winner and recipient of YoungArts Award in Musical Theatre. Thomas has been a performance artist for over 22 years performing in Broadway shows, working with and alongside Grammy Award winning recording artists. During this time he also had his photography featured in NYC galleries and signed a record label’s deal in Miami leading to his song “NYC” being released in a couple of albums and in major streaming platforms. In addition, he has taught master classes, workshops and lectured motivational speaking worldwide.

He has been a performance artist in the following Browadway musical shows and musical shows: “Chicago the Musical”-which was the first musical performed in the U.A.E invited by the Royal Family of Dubai & Abu Dhabi-; “The Lion King” invited to be performed at Oprah Winfrey’s Show; “Fooloose” (Las Vegas); “Hey Mr.Producer” working with Sir Cameron Mackintosh; and he has appeared in Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular. He’s worked with popular artists: Elton John, Patti Labelle, Brandy Norwood, Christie Brinkley, Wayne Brady, Debbie Gibson, Kevin Richardson and Gloria Estefan. He performed with soca artists Neval Chatelal, Ravi B, KI, and Anselm Walter for a charity event, Trinidad and Tobago. He has performed for Hillary Clinton and Kamla Persad-Bissessar, previous prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Too, he has performed at Allure of the Seas by the Royal Caribbean.

His mission is to use his gifts and the past 20 plus years to inspire, motivate and educate society in a way that transforms the mindset by uplifting the opening of the minds to infinite possibilities to manifest heart’s desires limitlessly and freely.

Emmanuel Flores Ceja, Flyers' & GoPra Dance Company’s Logo Designs (Made in Mexico)

Smart Bites To Go concept:

Founded by Mari Carmen Fernández (chef) and William Ltaif in 2007, Smart Bites To Go has elevated healthy eating to an entirely new level. Smart Bites delivers artisanal, fresh – never frozen – nutritious and gourmet meals.

We understand the time and creativity needed to research, plan, shop and prepare enticing and healthy meals. Therefore, Smart Bites delivers an impressive selection of delicious gourmet meals that have been specially prepared by our chef using only locally grown products.

An assessment with our Nutritional Concierge Team allows us to create the perfect meal plan for you – one that stays within proper nutritional guidelines.

Our Vegetarian, Detox, Organic, Paleo, 80/20; and Athletic Program meals and snacks arrive three mornings each week, delivered in chilled, portion-controlled, individual serving containers –Ready to EatSmart Bites' clients relish their free time out of the market and out of the kitchen.

Healing-Oasis Workshops & Performance art event its possible “With the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.”