Bernadette Peters, Gloria Estefan at Carnival Opening!

Thursday, October 5th – An inaugural ceremony at dusk, featuring 12 percussion ensembles and a spectacular fireworks display. "The Concert for Miami" featuring the all-star talent line-up listed above.

Friday, October 6th – Two Carnival Center resident companies will share the spotlight, New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy, and the Concert Association of Florida. NWS Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas will lead the orchestra in the world premiere of Turn the Key, a festival fanfare by acclaimed American composer Stephen Mackey, commissioned by the orchestra and Carnival Center. Joining the NWS are two special guests presented by the Concert Association: Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman - soloist for Heitor Villa-Lobo's Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 and Grammy Award-winning Russian violin virtuoso Maxim Vengerov - performing Beethoven's Violin Concerto. The program will also feature the finale to Copland's Symphony No. 3. Saturday, October 7th – Carnival Center resident company Florida Grand Opera will stage Act II of Puccini's La Bohème; Patricia Racette sings Musetta. Miami City Ballet, also a Carnival Center resident company, for the first time in its history will stage "Aurora's Wedding," the final act of Tchaikovsky and Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty. The evening also will star Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.

Following the concert, a grand opening black tie gala will be taking place inside the elegant "Boulevard Ballroom", an 1800-seat supper club, built specifically for the occasion across from Knight Concert Hall. Famed caterers, Restaurant Associates, will create a superb three-course dinner and an all-female orchestra will entertain guests.

The party continues as the Center's Peacock Studio is transformed into an exclusive after-hours dance club with top-notch DJ's. A water theme will spill over into the club, which will contain ice bars, water bars, ice sculpture, specialty vodka cocktails and projections on water screens. Sunday, October 8th – The celebration is rounded out with "Target Globalbeat," presented by Target, free gospel, reggae, rumba, cumbia, calypso, konpa, samba, and hip-hop performances by a host of local musicians and performers. Taking place on 8 stages, this impressive "community open house" will be comprised of 70 hours of music from more than 20 different countries. The annual Miami Carnival Parade & Festival will also be incorporated into the celebration. There are a limited number of tickets available for purchase for the first three evening performances, October 5, 6 and 7. Call Carnival Center Box Office at (305) 949-6722. Target Globalbeat on Sunday, October 8 is free and open to the public but passes are required for the indoor performances.

For more information, visit www.carnivalcenter.org.