Pangea - Dorian Reyes, Raymond Daniel Rodriguez, and the rest take the stage for their first post-Covid performance at 6 PM.

Born in Cuba, Raymond Daniel Rodríguez is a tremendous guitarist, as well as composer, singer, arranger, sound engineer and accomplished producer. Living in Havana until the end of 2013 he was hired with his group to tour the United States when he decided to reside in Miami, working as lead guitarist of the legendary band Pangea, one of several multi-faceted collaborations with Dorian Reyes, iconic band leader of Miami-based Pangea. He also produced at "Red Rock Studio" in Miami, which Dorian Reyes and Gloria Estefan's pianist and composer Clay Ostwald owned until Covid forced its shutdown. Pangea is the long-standing standard of Miami’s live music industry ever since legendary band leader Dorian Reyes began the group years ago. Of course the members of the band have turned over a few times since its inception back in the day, but the result is the same: a party going on, as we will witness on July 4th.

Raymond was awarded a Cuba Disco, the highest recognition that is given to musicians in Cuba, where he collaborated with other Cuban artists like David Blanco, Los Aldeanos, Iván Lejardi, Maylu, and others. 

Thousands of fortunate Miamians saw Raymond play with Dorian Reyes at the Deering Estate on Valentine’s Day 2019 where their original project Vintash Band played on the expansive grounds. It was an amazing performance on a perfect February evening. We are very excited that Raymond will be playing with Pangea on July 4th and while St. Luke’s lawn isn’t quite so expansive it is plenty big enough to handle the several hundred neighbors we are expecting on the Fourth. This time the music will be largely favorites from Pangea’s galactic repertoire of Miami’s favorites.

Thanks to his voice register, Raymond can perform different styles from R&B, Salsa, Pop, to Jazz, giving a different color to each performance and loyal followings on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, Facebook, etc.

It’s been a tough year for musicians everywhere and Covid has put most in a tough place. But the light is shining at the end of the proverbial tunnel. This is Pangea’s first gig since the lock down and we are pleased to provide the venue to play for the neighborhood.
All are invited to this free event sponsored by St. Luke the Physician Episcopal (Anglican) Church and TheoEco.

​For more please go to Lukes4th.org.

We are very pleased that State Senator Annette Taddeo will be speaking at the 4th of July Celebration at St. Luke’s in Kendall. We are also very pleased to have the former Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Cuba Bishop Miguel Tamayo kick the day off with a benediction.

An original emphasis for the event was to celebrate this very special July 4th and also talk about gun violence in our midst. Especially since we are less than two miles from the Hookah Lounge shooting just a few weeks ago. A crime still unsolved. With that in mind we reached out to several community leaders and are very happy that Senator Taddeo will be able to talk with us and take questions. Obviously, we have more on our minds than community violence, not least of which is the tragedy unfolding in Surfside, lingering Covid concerns, etc.

​But most of all we are planning a festive day with bands, food trucks, and fun. We are expecting hundreds of neighbors throughout the afternoon and are honored to have both the bishop and senator join us. 

But right now Dorian’s focus is on getting his iconic band ready for a great July 4th performance at St. Luke’s in Kendall.

The last time I saw Dorian play was with Raymond Daniel Rodriguez at the Deering Estate on Valentine’s Day 2019 where their original project Vintash Band played for several thousand on the expansive grounds. It was an amazing performance on a perfect February evening. We are very excited that Raymond will be playing with Pangea on July 4th and while St. Luke’s lawn isn’t quite so expansive it is plenty big enough to handle the several hundred neighbors we are expecting on the Fourth. This time the music will be largely favorites from Pangea’s galactic repertoire of Miami’s favorites and will also include the electric Cuban American singer, songwriter, dancer, DJ, Dayana Falcon.

It’s been a tough year for musicians everywhere and Covid has put most in a tough place. But the light is shining at the end of the proverbial tunnel. This is Pangea’s first gig since the lock down and we are pleased to provide the venue to play for the neighborhood.

​All are invited to this free event sponsored by St. Luke the Physician Episcopal (Anglican) Church and TheoEco.

Our July 4th Celebration is taking place at St. Luke the Physician - a “hidden in plain view” garden parish, right in the middle of Kendall.

Just a mile or so west of Miami-Dade College’s Kendall campus on Killian Parkway, as you drive over the turnpike and look to the right, you’ll notice a big red cross over the trees, on top of a bell tower. As you get closer you’ll notice a big open green space – St. Luke’s lawn. A tree-lined green expanse just perfect for our July 4th Celebration, complete with bands, food, and fun!

Once on the grounds you notice there is so much more than just the lawn and the understated church building itself. The meditation garden and recently opened La Casita Thrift Store make this a very special place that thousands drive by every day, but rarely notice. It’s likely been this way since the early 1980’s when it opened – though the Banyan tree and Staghorn ferns were likely much smaller, and the priest lived in the thrift shop building.

St. Luke’s is an Episcopal (Anglican) church with many members rooted in the Caribbean and other spots around the world. It’s been a tough year as it has for churches everywhere. In-person services stopped at the beginning of the lockdown and have only resumed under meticulous conditions including temperature checks, mandatory hand sanitizing, socially distant seating, no choir, no wine, etc.

St. Luke’s is trying very hard to get ready for its future and this July 4th celebration is part of that; with the extra opportunity for fellowship – and fundraising - it offers. Because the best thing about St. Luke’s if you ask those that have been here since the beginning, is the fellowship. St. Luke’s is a very special place which represents our melting pot community in ways like few others. So the idea of St. Luke’s remaining in its pandemic induced status is distressful to the long serving members that make the place go.

This July 4th at St. Luke’s has come together very quickly as it became clear that CDC guidelines will permit it. It is really shaping up with food trucks and three bands offering music for all Miamian tastes.

We hope you can spend at least part of your July 4th afternoon with us. If you can’t make it we hope you’ll consider a donation anyway. We are also reaching out to the local business community for potential sponsors. Just go to Lukes4th.org where you can find more information, the flyer, sponsor materials, schedule of performances,  and updates. Just click on the “Donate or Sponsor” button.

​And, as always, please remember St. Luke’s in your prayers and good thoughts.

See you on the 4th!

Music, Food, and Fun! Bring a blanket and hang out ‘til sunset at this free event.

Our July 4th event is really shaping up with food trucks arranged, a stage booked, and three bands! We are also looking for sponsors who want to share in bringing this very special July 4th to our community. Of all the food options I’m thinking the Cold Stone Truck might be the most popular since what is July 4th without ice cream!? For more just check out the Lukes4th.org page for updates.

Of course, our ability to make this happen can really benefit from sponsors as this is also a fundraiser for St. Lukes, the TheEco Institute, and our local musicians. So, we’ve set up the following sponsorships which can be reserved from the website. Just go to Lukes4th.org and click on the “Donate or Sponsor” button.
​
Sponsorship Levels:

$2,500 – Founding Father Principal Sponsor (One available.)
Most prominent logo on all promotional pieces, website and mailings. Tented VIP area. Free food and drinks for 10. VIP parking. Large signage on stage. Speak at event. Our heartfelt Thanks! - Limited to one sponsor.

$1,500 Liberty Bell Music Sponsor (Availability limited to two.) Extra prominent logo on all promotional pieces, website and mailings. Tented VIP area. Free food and drinks for 6. VIP parking. Signage on stage. Recognition at event. Our heartfelt Thanks!

$1,000 Tea Party Stage Sponsor (Availability limited to two.)
Logo on all promotional pieces, website and mailings. Tented VIP area. VIP parking. Signage on stage. Recognition at event. Our heartfelt Thanks!

$500 Minuteman Security Sponsor (Availability limited to three.)
Logo on all promotional pieces, website and mailings. VIP parking. Recognition at event. Our heartfelt Thanks!

$250 Old North Church Promo, Assurance and Tidying Sponsor (Availability limited to five.)
Logo on website. VIP parking. Recognition at event. Our heartfelt Thanks!

$100 Patriot Sponsor (Availability unlimited.)
Logo on website. Our heartfelt Thanks!

To sponsor this event just go to Lukes4th.org and click on the Sponsor button.

Music, Food, Speakers, and Fun! And Fundraiser for the feature documentary film So Flo Guns.

We are planning a major celebration with our community on this very special Fourth. It will be one to remember and a bit of surprise that it is possible at all given the CDC guidance just weeks ago. But we have it organized, Miami’s top band Pangea and other artists are booked, and much more is in the works.

I am struck that another Miami mass shooting happened less than two miles from our office at St. Luke The Physician in Kendall. (Deadly mass shooting near Miami area college campus | Miami Herald) Three dead and five injured in our neighborhood. This is a poignant reminder that the issues our event and documentary addresses are all around us. None of us are immune to these risks in our midst. However, I believe we are not helpless to affect gun violence in our community. This event is a way to help.

So Flo Guns (SoFloGuns.com) is the new feature documentary from TheoEco about guns in South Florida past, present, and the future. From Ponce De Leon’s arrival on Key Biscayne in 1513, to pirates in the Keys, throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, to Seminoles and Soldiers in the 1800s, to gangsters in the early 1900s, to the Cocaine Cowboys, to Parkland, we have a long and tangled relationship with guns, and their evolving lethalness.

TheoEco’s goal is to have hundreds of thousands of South Floridians, and millions more worldwide see the film by the end of 2023. Clearly, we need a lot of repeated screenings to all corners of South Florida - a role community organizations can uniquely provide for their neighbors in addition to the awesome local cinemas throughout our area. They have screens and venues that can be put to good use in off hours, while also offering fundraising opportunities and the chance to increase the flow of visitors and regulars alike.

But first we have to make it! Our co-hosts can get on board now and be a part of it from the very beginning. Which is what these fundraisers are all about. We have a budget of just over $200,000 and have spent a little more than $60,000 so far. We are reaching out to foundations for grants, wealthy donors for donations, crowdfunding campaigns, social media, etc.

​For more go to SFG Co-Hosts (theoeco.org)