It is a well-known fact that Miami is a city full of exciting events, including film festivals, symphony orchestras, even flamenco dancing. Today’s students, however, have trouble locating a performance that costs less than a Broadway ticket.

Culture Shock Miami offers the solution to this monetary matter. The online box office allows students ages 14-22 to purchase tickets to shows, exhibits and other creative events for less than a movie ticket: $5.

The website caters to several cultural art mediums. Whether one wants to attend a play or a museum exhibit, CultureShockMiami.com provides discount ticket opportunities for all of these.

“We also work hard to make sure that there is a wide variety of events, everything from ballet to hip hop and classical symphony to cutting edge jazz,” project administrator Gerry Landreth said.

“There are so many shows to pick from, and the fact that it costs only five bucks for a quality show that you would normally spend $80 for is [great],” said senior Laredis Vargas, who has used the website. “I went to [the play] The Beast, and it was amazing.”

Culture Shock Miami is run by the Department of Cultural Affairs, made possible by several national organizations, including the Cultural Affairs Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as local groups such as the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.

“Culture Shock Miami was created to help students attend cultural events,” Landreth said. “One of the biggest obstacles is the price of tickets. By having tickets for only $5, more people can easily take advantage of the program ... Our website consolidates information about the shows so you don’t have to spend the day Googling.”

Certain events are chosen by organizations willing to donate tickets to promote their shows. “We leave it up to the organizations to determine which shows … are best for them,” Landreth said. “We look for ways to add diversity. A good example is Performing Arts Network (PAN), a dance company that presents mostly flamenco. We had lots of classical ballet and modern dance but very little Latin style dance which is very popular with students. PAN’s events expand the dance choices available to students.”

Culture Shock Miami has existed since Jan. 2005, previously running under the name High 5 Miami, based off a successful New York program of the same name. Landreth explains the name change came as more of a people issue than an executive decision. “After the first year, we had a good response from the students, but nobody remembered the name,” said Landreth. “The name of the program and the colors just didn’t catch people’s attention.”

The website underwent a few design changes in an attempt to attract more students to use the site, a renovation which has thus far proved successful. “Our graphics and new website were unveiled in January of 2005, and things have been doing great ever since,” Landreth said. “In the first year as Culture Shock, we doubled our sales over the previous year and we are on our way to doubling them again.”

Current sales are running high, and Landreth continues to marvel at Culture Shock’s success. “CultureShockMiami.com receives between 3000 to 6000 visitors per week,” said Landreth. “Winter and spring are our busiest times so we are getting around 6000 per week right now.”

For more information, visit cultureshockmiami.com or call 305-375-1949.