Music Festival to Rock the Grove

Sun-Sentinel

The music festival Avenue J will rock Coconut Grove.

This festival, which is an alternative/indie rock concert with a Jewish flavor presented by Chabad of the Grove, takes place on Jan. 14 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at The Barnacle, 3485 Main Highway in Miami.

“It’s very unique,” said Rabbi Getzy Fellig of Chabad of the Grove regarding the festival. “The music is all very positive with positive messages and underlying Jewish themes but as a whole the artists are really targeting the mass market and the idea is to utilize this event as a way to introduce Judaism and the culture of Judaism to people who may not usually interact with a Jewish concert.”

Fellig added that the concert is a unique opportunity for people to experience and interact with Judaism in a very non-threatening and enjoyable way.

“It’s going to be an amazing event,” he added. “The venue is amazing, the artists are amazing and this is an opportunity for people to come out and see what things are all about without feeling this in-your-face style, down-my-throat Jewish experience. We’re trying to have a light program that undertones our Judaism.”

The event’s headliners, The Breslov Brothers, are reality television rock stars from Israel who have had success on “Rising Star,” the Israeli version of “American Idol.” Other artists come from different parts of the United States, including Distant Cousins, which is a collaboration of three musicians from Los Angeles, Levi Robin, who is from Brooklyn and is touring and opening for Matisyahu, and a local artist from Miami Beach, Aaron Holder.

“I’m really looking forward to playing on stage with such an eclectic group of artists,” Holder said.

Holder recently released his debut album, “Something Stronger,” that uses elements of folk, pop, country, rock and a hint of reggae laced with a deeply spiritual vibe. He has performed for the Jewish community and even competed in the singing competition “A Jewish Star.”

“I think we’re all up and coming artists and this concert is going to be a great showcase and highlighting event of great talent and I’m really excited about it and looking forward to playing for everyone who’s going to be there,” Holder said.

Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at http://www.avenuejfestival.com. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website or contact Fellig at 305-445-5444 ext. 201.