‘It’s time to give back.’ How two brothers have helped hundreds of Haitian orphans
In 2001, brothers JC and Fredis Perdomo opened The Spot Barbershop with a small 450-square-foot space in Little Havana.
Today, 18 years later, the brothers have created a mini empire with 14 locations in South Florida. They are always seeking ways to give back including taking a mobile grooming truck out into communities.
Just before Thanksgiving, they held a fundraising event with The Ricky Patel Foundation to send goods to orphans in Haiti. Over $6,000 was collected through the sale of T-shirts. And the containers used to ship the needed items will be turned into housing, classrooms and hospital clinics, they said.
“We are changing a child’s life, one T-shirt at a time,” Fredis Perdomo said.
“God has been good to us, now it’s our turn to give back,” JC Perdomo said.
The brothers said their hard-working family members, and especially their mother, were their biggest influences. Their mom emigrated from Honduras in 1982, leaving her boys behind so that she could find work, save money and bring them to join her in the U.S.
When Fredis Perdomo was 14, he borrowed his uncle’s cutting machine for the first time to give a friend a haircut. A week later, the same friend came back for another cut, and brought a new customer.
Word spread about how Fredis was cutting hair, and was good at it, and business began to grow. He continued to cut hair throughout high school in order to save money for his first shop, which he opened with his brother in Little Havana.
The success of that shop grew and the brothers now have multiple shops known as cool hideaways from everyday life. Each location has vintage barber chairs, edgy artwork, even antique motorcycles and car parts. A library in each shop is full of contemporary books and clients can read while listening to music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
The brothers also provide haircuts for kids at Lotus House, and at the It Takes a Village Block Party for members of the Overtown community. This month, The Spot Barbershop will be giving haircuts to homeless persons preparing for job interviews.
Honors for Orchestra Miami
Congratulations to Elaine Rinaldi and Orchestra Miami on the recent big win of The American Prize Ernst Bacon Award for the Performance of American Music, in the professional ensemble division, for the performance of Marvin David Levy’s Inquisition and Masada from “Atonement.”
“Winning this award is a huge honor for Orchestra Miami and for me personally,” Rinaldi said. “To be selected from several hundred applicants is really a wonderful recognition of the excellence of our musicians and the work we do together.
“The performance of ‘Atonement’ was a perfect example of the projects which I bring to Miami. Orchestra Miami provides me with the opportunity to present music which otherwise would not be heard in South Florida. I’m very grateful for that opportunity and am looking forward to continuing to bring interesting and beautiful programs to Miami,” Rinaldi said.
The American Prize is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. It recognizes and rewards the best performances of American music by ensembles and soloists worldwide, based on submitted recordings. There is no live competition.
Rinaldi, founder and artistic director of Orchestra Miami, is a Miami native who chose to return home and reinvest in her community. Under her direction, Orchestra Miami has performed high quality classical music concerts to thousands of people through annual free outdoor concerts.
The orchestra and its musicians have introduced over 25,000 students to classical music through its collaboration with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Cultural Passport Program, In-School Performances, and Carnegie Hall Link Up concerts. For more information, visit www.OrchestraMiami.org.
North Pole magic in Coral Gables
Celebrate joy, inclusion and Crystal Academy’s 10th anniversary when its students join with the Area Stage Company at a special holiday event, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Dec. 18 at Coral Gables City Hall.
The public is invited to participate in this dynamic artistic show with songs, music, and dance that depict the “secrets of The North Pole.”
“Area Stage Company’s Inclusion Theatre Project is really proud to share the achievements of the students we are privileged to work with. The art education we provide helps our community to appreciate what these talented students from Crystal Academy are capable of,” said Maria Banda-Rodaz, executive artistic director of Area Stage.
John Jacobson and Mac Huff created the fairytale-like show. The North Pole Musical includes goblins, elves, snowmen, Rudolph and all his deer friends, festive toys, and Santa’s helpers.
“We are forever grateful to Area Stage Company for their commitment, professionalism and love when working with our students,” said Mary Palacio-Pike, Crystal Academy founder & president. Palacio-Pike is the mother of a 17-year-old on the autism spectrum.
“We so look forward to seeing the reaction from our parents and guests as they see their children shine in the North Pole,” said Ashley Cunill, director and speech & language pathologist at Crystal Academy. Art Direction is by Irma Becker.
Learn more about Area Stage Company at www.areastagecompany.com. More about Crystal Academy at www.crystalacademycg.com.
Celebrate at the Hanukkah Factory
South Florida might not have snow, but we do have glittering holiday light displays throughout our communities. One of the most sparkling ways to celebrate is at The Hanukkah Factory, an immersive pop-up experience that will help the “festival of lights” shine.
This is the first year of its multi-sensory event, which opens Dec. 18 and runs through Jan. 5 at 8770 SW 131 St.
Included are multiple themed rooms and a dedicated Hanukkah-themed life-size game room.
“South Florida’s winter holiday calendar is about to expand its offerings with the arrival of The Hanukkah Factory, the nation’s first-ever immersive Hanukkah pop-up experience. This multi-sensory experience will appeal to all ages,” said Janice Lusky Greenspan.
The Hanukkah Factory is the brainchild of Miami Rabbi Jonathan Tabachnikoff in association with the 305 Club events venue. Tickets are $18-25. For more, visit www.hanukkahfactory.com or call 800-988-1565.
If you have news for this column, write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com.
