Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is delighted to host two community events in December, both of which will feature exciting live performances that are free and open to the public.

On Thursday, December 7, the First Night, First Light: Klezmer & Latke Party will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St. This high-energy Hanukkah celebration will include a live performance by members of Klezmer Local 42, a popular band from Athens, Ga. Additional event highlights include savory and sweet latkes (potato pancakes), kids crafts and the lighting of the menorah at sunset to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.

Klezmer is a lively instrumental musical style that originated in Eastern European Jewish communities. Klezmer music was historically performed at events including weddings, social functions and religious celebrations 

The First Night, First Light: Klezmer & Latke Party ties in with Savannah Music Festival’s Musical Explorers program, which introduces area K-2 students to diverse musical styles and focuses on three musical genres each semester. Klezmer music is one of the traditions that Musical Explorers students have been exploring throughout the Fall 2023 semester.

On Saturday, December 9, the SMF Jazz Academy Fall Concert will feature live performances by Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) students in grades 5 through 12 at 6 p.m. at the Yamacraw Performing Arts Center at Garrison School for the Performing Arts, 649 W. Jones Street. SMF Jazz Academy students will be joined onstage by local jazz legend Teddy Adams, an accomplished trombonist, arranger and composer who has performed with top jazz artists ranging from Cab Callaway to Ben Tucker 

The SMF Jazz Academy is a free after-school jazz program organized by the Savannah Music Festival that aims to create an inclusive jazz community in Savannah. The program is free to all Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) students in grades 5 through 12 and is open to all music levels.