Where Nature and Arts Flourish
Published on December 01, 2025
WHERE NATURE & THE ARTS FLOURISH
Set among historic rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and lush tropical landscapes, Pinecrest Gardens continues to thrive as one of South Florida’s most vibrant cultural destinations. Once celebrated as Parrot Jungle, one of the area’s first major attractions, the Gardens has evolved into a dynamic presenter of the arts, curating performances, exhibitions, and collaborations that celebrate creativity in all its forms. From classical to contemporary, dance to jazz, Pinecrest Gardens fosters a year-round dialogue between nature and the performing arts.
DANCE TAKES THE STAGE
This season marks an exciting expansion of the Gardens’ artistic vision, inspired by direct audience feedback. Responding to its 2024 patron survey, Pinecrest Gardens launches a new professional Dance Sampler Series, showcasing excellence in movement and dance storytelling. The series opens on January 31 with Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, acclaimed for its athletic precision and South Florida flair. The evening features In Bloom and selections from Four Seasons, along with Vow by Ariel Rose, Apollo & Daphne by Ben Needham-Wood, and Arcadia—all choreographed by Yanis Eric Pikieris—an exhilarating blend of neoclassical grace and contemporary innovation. Learn more about Dimensions Dance.
On February 27, the spotlight shifts to Zest Collective’s Roots & Rhythms, choreographed by founder Gentry George. Set to the music of Harry Belafonte and Ella Fitzgerald, and inspired by the legacy of Josephine Baker, this performance honors the artistry and resilience of the African diaspora. Through dance and song, Roots & Rhythms celebrates a century of cultural expression and artistic resilience. Learn more about Zest Collective.
A SYMPHONY IN THE GARDEN
Music has always been central to Pinecrest Gardens’ identity, and the 2025–2026 season reaffirms its reputation for world-class performances. The acclaimed Jazz at Pinecrest Gardens and Tropical Nights series continue to bring internationally renowned artists to the Banyan Bowl—an acoustically stunning amphitheater nestled beneath a historic geodesic dome.
Audiences can look forward to Grammy-winning pianist Arturo O’Farrill (Jan. 17), a visionary force in Afro-Latin jazz; and Alfredo Rodriguez & Friends (Jan. 30), a Cuban jazz fusion event marking the release of Rodriguez’s new album, “Coral Way.” On Valentine’s Day, vocalist Ashley Pezzotti brings her radiant jazz stylings to the Bowl (Feb. 14), followed by the genre-bending Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project (Mar. 14) and Nu Deco Ensemble (Apr. 18), celebrating Nina Simone and Duke Ellington.
Expanding its classical music offerings, Pinecrest Gardens also looks ahead to the debut of a new Classical Music Series in collaboration with Orchestra Miami, longtime presenters of the Family Fun Series. The series will launch in 2026 with a highlight performance, Beethoven in the Bowl, on March 22—a beloved community tradition that brings symphonic music to audiences of all ages.
Another season highlight is Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion with Latin 2 Piano: A Fuego Lento, a concert celebrating the emotional richness of Latin America. Pianists Vanessa Perez and Kristhyan Benítez perform inventive two-piano arrangements of “Gracias a la Vida”, “Moliendo Café”, and “Besame Mama”, blending classical virtuosity with the warmth and soul of folk traditions. Learn more about Latin 2 Piano: A Fuego Lento concert.
ART IN BLOOM
Pinecrest Gardens ushers in a vibrant art season with a dynamic series of exhibitions that celebrate creativity, culture, and connection. Visitors can experience the magic and legacy of beloved astrologer Walter Mercado through ten of his original, dazzling costumes on public display for the first time. This captivating exhibition honors his enduring message of “mucho, mucho amor” and his influence on fashion, spirituality, and self-expression, presented in collaboration with Gonzalo Rodriguez and the Gustavo Blanco Collection. At the same time, Sneaker Stories invites audiences into the colorful intersection of graffiti and sneaker culture, featuring rare kicks and collaborations from artists such as Abstrk, Cey Adams, Cope2, Futura, Claw$, and Rich Uno. Organized with the Museum of Graffiti, this exhibition explores how urban artists transformed athletic footwear into cultural icons. Rounding out the winter season, Shifting Grounds: Voices in Public Art showcases emerging and mid-career local artists from the Hartvest Mentoring and Exhibition Program whose works explore themes of belonging, identity, ecology, and collective memory, demonstrating how public art can shape community and inspire transformation. Together, these exhibitions reflect
Pinecrest Gardens’ deep commitment to cultivating art that engages the senses, amplifies diverse voices, and connects people through creativity and shared experience.