On Saturday, May 16, the University of Miami Student Center Complex will transform into a music-filled gathering space for families as Little Jam Fest returns for its third annual celebration.

Created by Miami-based children’s music company Jam with Jamie, Little Jam Fest has grown into a recognizable South Florida family event centered around live music, interactive play, and community connection. What began as a vision to bring families together through music has evolved into an annual gathering that draws more than 1,000 parents and children from across South Florida, including Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay, and beyond.

New this year, the festival is launching the “Uplifting Young Voices” program in partnership with The Miami Foundation, inviting children ages 9–16 across South Florida to submit performances for a chance to win $250 and perform live on the main stage. Three young performers will be selected to showcase both an original song and a cover, highlighting youth creativity and confidence through music.

At the heart of the festival is founder Jamie Kolnick, whose company, Jam with Jamie, has spent the past 17 years bringing music into children’s lives. What started as birthday party performances has expanded into a nationwide children’s entertainment company offering preschool enrichment programs, public classes, community concerts, and large-scale family experiences across 9 cities. Miami, however, remains deeply personal, and Little Jam Fest
reflects that local focus.

“Music has a way of building community in the most natural way,” Kolnick says. “When families are singing and moving together, something meaningful happens. That’s what this festival is about.”

Inside the University of Miami venue, families can expect a curated experience designed for young children and their caregivers. The day will feature live musical performances, interactive jam sessions, youth performers, sensory-friendly play zones, creative craft stations, local and national brand activations, and food and beverage experiences that encourage families to explore together.

Unlike many traditional children’s events, Little Jam Fest is designed to feel immersive yet welcoming. Parents are encouraged to participate alongside their children — singing, dancing, and engaging in activities together rather than watching from the sidelines.

In 2025, the City of Miami Beach officially recognized the event with a proclamation declaring “Little Jam Fest Day,” acknowledging its cultural and community-building role in South Florida. The recognition reflected what many families already felt: that Little Jam Fest had become more than an event — it had become a tradition. Part of that success comes from strong community partnerships. Over the past two years, the festival has collaborated with organizations such as Baptist Health, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami Children’s Museum, Team Citron, Tonies, Sunset Pediatrics, local schools, and small businesses, helping create an experience that reflects the neighborhoods it serves.

The 2024 festival debuted at Jungle Island’s Bloom Ballroom, drawing more than 1,000 attendees. In 2025, the event expanded to the Miami Beach Convention Center, introducing wellness zones and additional youth performers. Now at the University of Miami for its third year, the festival continues to evolve while staying grounded in its original mission: building meaningful family connections through music.

As families increasingly look for opportunities to connect offline, Little Jam Fest offers a shared space for joy, creativity, and community — where music becomes a bridge between grown ups, children, and the broader South Florida community.

Tickets for Little Jam Fest will go on sale March 15th at http://www.littlejamfest.com

You can sign up for a one time only early bird discount!

Festival founder Jamie Kolnick

The post The Beat Goes On: Little Jam Fest Celebrates Its Third Year at the University of Miami appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

Coconut Grove enthusiasts and artists came together to bring theater back to the Grove, launching with electrifying energy as the Coconut Grove Theatre Festival opened its inaugural season with the deeply moving production of Liberty City Vignettes — written by Lolita Stewart-White and directed by Hattie Mae Williams. Rehearsals for the production were graciously hosted by Elizabeth Boone, Artistic and Executive Director of Miami Light Project, whose support helped bring this important story to life.

The opening night performance drew a packed and emotionally charged audience, setting the tone for a festival rooted in culture, community, and truth. Told through a series of poetic vignettes, the play follows 14-year-old Liberty City Red and her neighborhood as they confront the threat of being removed from the Pork N Beans Public Housing Projects — a visceral exploration of redlining, displacement, and redevelopment in Miami’s historic Liberty Square.

The performance, rich in rhythm and poetic storytelling, resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom were visibly moved by the raw emotion and cultural authenticity on stage. The cast received a standing ovation, and the night was punctuated with post-show conversations about community resilience and the power of place and unity.

“This play is a rallying cry,” said festival organizers. “It reminds us that storytelling is a vital act of resistance, and Coconut Grove is once again a home for voices that matter.”

Liberty City Vignettes marks a triumphant beginning for the festival, honoring Miami’s Black history and spotlighting local talent through a production that is as timely as it is timeless.

The festival continues throughout the weekend with more performances and events. For full schedule and tickets, visit https://www.cgtfest.com/.

Festival Director William Hector welcoming guests

Jessica de Vreeze and Geraldine Guardia

Sherill Martin handing out the program

Ariel Cipolla discussing the plays with volunteers at the Women’s Club of Coconut Grove

From left to right: David Hepburn, Arsimmer McCoy, Evelaure Denis, Nikki Floyd, Deana Butler-Rahming, Randy Coleman, Brette-Raia Curah, Hattie Mae Willams, Irvans Augustin, Lolita Stewart-White

From left to right: Hattie Mae Williams, Elizabeth Boone, Lolita Stewart-White

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