Marlon Johnson presents The Retrofit at Deering Estate 

Deering Estate Artist-in-Residence and Emmy-award winning filmmaker Marlon Johnson launches The Retrofit, a new interdisciplinary series inside the Deering Estate theatre. The Retrofit is a five-part multimedia film and live performance series at the intersection of the arts, natural environment, and social justice. The Retrofit is a campaign to reimagine spaces and expressions while celebrating a shared foundation. Hosted by Miami native Carla Hill and curated by Marlon Johnson, this series champions the transformative power of the arts through storytelling and invites audiences along for the ride. 

This inaugural event of The Retrofit will include a screening of the short documentary film Sweet Soul (2022), poetry readings by Deering Estate Artist-in-Residence Dr. Keshia Abraham, and a Q&A with the filmmakers and on-camera contributors of the film. 

In 2014, the documentary film Deep City: Birth of the Miami Sound chronicled The Miami Soul Sound's genesis through the lens of the Deep City record label. Deep City, founded by Johnny Pearsall and Willie Clarke, was the first black-owned record company in Florida. Also featured in the film are singers Helene Smith, the first artist recorded on the Deep City label, the late great Betty Wright, and lead guitarist/vocalist Willie "Little Beaver" Hale. In 1968, Pearsall and Clarke went their separate ways. Clarke became an in-house writer/producer at TK records collaborating with Clarence Reid on hits like "The Clean Up Woman and "Rocking Chair." Pearsall married Smith, and both worked in the Miami-Dade school system. He was an administrator until his death in 2000 and she was a teacher until her retirement in 2013.

Directed and produced by the filmmaking team from Deep City, Sweet Soul made its world premiere at the Miami Film Festival in March of 2021.

The screening and performance will take place indoors inside the Deering Estate theatre on Friday, November 4, 2022. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to start time. Cocktail hour will be outdoors with live music by DJ Le Spam from 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online. 

For more information, including artist and speaker bios, please visit the Deering Estate website. 

About the Deering Estate
The Deering Estate is a 21st Century house museum, cultural and ecological field station, and a national landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, owned by the State of Florida, and managed by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. 2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Stone House, and along with our philanthropic partners, the Deering Estate Foundation & 100 Ladies of Deering, we will be hosting a series of events & programs in celebration of this momentous occasion. The Deering Estate is located at 16701 SW 72 Ave. in Miami. 

Cultural Arts Programming at the Deering Estate is made 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, and The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc.

About the Deering Estate Foundation
For those who treasure the Deering Estate, who advocate for its preservation and wish to invest in its future, The Deering Estate Foundation provides opportunities for individuals and corporations alike to partake in membership, signature events, and one-of-a-kind experiences, all in service of providing vital funding and support to the Deering Estate. Through these efforts, the foundation fulfills its mission to uphold the legacy of Charles Deering's cherished 1920s-era property, to provide funding for the cultural, educational and recreational experiences it offers, as well as its significant scientific and archaeological endeavors to conserve its diverse flora, fauna and the eight native ecosystems that thrive on its 450 acres, and to ensure its longevity as a prized American heritage site. Established in 1989, The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. is a community-based charitable 501(c) 3 Florida Corporation and the philanthropic partner of the Deering Estate.