Malik Pollard/MadFlavor TV

Do you hear that? The birds are beginning to sing the songs of Spring, and the sun is trying to peak through as Old Man Winter begins his exit [stage left]. As we are on the cusp of the Spring season, there are a few things that most of us look forward to:

1. 1. Moving clocks forward to enjoy a few more hours of sunlight. Have you ever sat in gridlock traffic on a nice Spring day? The sunny spring day makes it just a little more bearable. There is something about the extra hours of sunlight and the ability to open up the sunroof and pump your favorite music that makes even Atlanta, New York City, L. A. and Washington DC traffic a little easier.
   
   
   2. HAPPY HOURS and Day Parties. It’s not that Happy Hours aren’t doable in the Winter, but let’s be real, Happy Hours on rooftops and outside decks are much more enjoyable.
   
   
   3. Less Clothes! Although it is not summer so no one should be going crazy with shorts just yet, the spring does allow you to put away those bulky Winter coats and be able to show off your clothes. If lucky, the ladies will wear their occasional sundress, and the fellas can once again wear their Slide Sandals (Slides as I call them) and socks.
   
   
   4. However, there is another reason to look forward to Spring; and that is Music Festivals. YES!!! A time to get out and experience great food, a great market place full of art and culture, and THE MUSIC.

There is one festival that for the last 14 years has been THE QUINTESSENTIAL start of the Music Festival season and that is the Jazz in the Gardens Festival in Miami Gardens Florida. As one of the fastest growing jazz and R&B music festivals in the country, Jazz in the Gardens (JITG) synergies great music with a host of appurtenant events such as the 3rd Annual Film, Music, Art & Culture Conference (FMAC); a conference aimed to educate in music, film, and the arts. Also kicking off the Weekend is Poetry in the Gardens. In its’ 3^rd year, Poetry in the Gardens will feature some of the best spoken word artists across the country, and the top three artists that receive the most snaps will walk away with a grand prize of $10,000 for 1st place, $5000 for 2nd place, and $1500 for 3rd place. That’s enough money to even get me to dust off my “Love Jones” book of poetry and get up on stage.

On Friday March 8^th 2019, JITG honors Women’s History Month with one of its’ favorite annual events, The Women’s Impact Luncheon. Special guests for 2019 include Jazz in the Gardens performer, Stephanie Mills, author and entrepreneur Arian Simone, Rashan Ali, co-host of Sister Circle on TV One, and Kristen Campbell, attorney and NFL Agent.  [Sidebar: I wonder is Kristen Campbell wishes she could read men’s minds like in the movie “What Men Want”…hmmm]?

On March 9-10, 2019 ‘IT GOES DOWN’ as the highly anticipated festival will leave fans amazed as the best of R&B, soul, jazz, hip-hop, and funk descend on the Hard Rock Stadium. The Stadium will be rocking with an anticipated 70,000 attendees enjoying Headlining acts like the Legendary Lionel Richie, the Grammy award-winning Brandy, super producer, singer and songwriter Teddy Riley with his “New Jack Swing” comrades Blackstreet featuring Dave Hollister, Bobby Brown, and Doug E. Fresh with special guests En Vogue and Jagged Edge. Artists also include legendary trio The O’Jays, Stephanie Mills taking us Home, violinists Black Violin and gospel sensation Tye Tribbett. Back by popular demand, this year’s Jazz in the Gardens All-Stars will feature Maysa, Chieli Minucci, Gerald Veasley, Lao Tizer, and Nelson Rangell.

Now if this doesn’t get you excited for Spring, I don’t know what will. If you have never attended Jazz in the Gardens, do yourself a favor and make your way down to Miami Gardens March 7-10. You suffered all Winter, you deserve to get out, feel the sun, escape the gridlock, and listen to some great live music, sample different ethnic food, and sip on a Pineapple infused drink from one of the local vendors. Ladies, grab your favorite sundress you had tucked away in your closet (sorry fellas the slides will have to wait).

…AND don’t worry, MadFlavor TV will be bringing you all the music, food, and fun from Jazz in the Gardens so stay tuned.