Featuring an unmatched culture, more activities than you can count, and some of the finest beaches on the planet, Miami, Florida is one of the top tourist destinations, period.
While most vacation destinations claim they appeal to everyone, Miami is a city that has a multitude of activities for every set of interests. Featuring an average of 249 days with sunshine annually and an average high temperature of 84℉, Miami is an ideal destination no matter the season.
The art and culture here will impress and are on display all over the city. You’ll encounter various galleries, museums, and exhibits that showcase a variety of styles and disciplines. A few galleries to check out include Robert Fontaine Gallery, Dina Mitrani Gallery and Alfa Gallery. You’ll find educational attractions like HistoryMiami, thrilling attractions such as Homestead Miami Speedway and sea life centers like Miami Seaquarium. When you get hungry, Miami is a foodie’s paradise. Whether you’re into the best fine dining establishments or you love unique food trucks, you’ll find them and everything in between here in Miami. Shopping is second-to-none with boutique shops, malls, outlet centers and much more. You won’t have to look far for a great shopping opportunities. Miami is a city that loves to celebrate and gather for big events. One event that has been making a big impression and attracting people from far and wide is the Overtown Music and Arts Festival.
Just entering its third year, the Overtown Music and Arts Festival has established itself as one of the top events celebrating Miami’s one-of-a-kind culture. This event is family friendly and showcases beautiful and historic Overtown. At the festival you’ll find a wide range of entertainment and things to do. You can take in live music from various acts, live art demonstrations by highly skilled artists, and enjoy a kids area that is packed full of fun games and activities. If you’re in need of food, there will be over 20 food trucks and vendors serving up just about any type of food you can imagine. Make your next vacation unforgettable and head to the Overtown Music & Arts Festival. ResortsandLodges.com got the opportunity to speak to Christina Largie, PR Consultant at Headliner Market Group, to talk about the highly anticipated festival.
RAL: Can you give us some background information about Overtown in general?
CL: Overtown is one of Miami’s earliest historically black communities, formerly called “Colored Town”. It became a tourist and entertainment destination, not only for local blacks, but people of African descent from around the country. White tourist and white residents frequented this neighborhood to enjoy the entertainment, to partake of the exotic food and to listen to popular and gospel music.
Overtown once rivaled the Harlem night scene of New York, earning the nickname “Miami’s Little Broadway”. Famous artists’ of the day such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, The Impressions, Brook Benton, Red Foxx and a host of others performed and stayed at Overtown’s finest accommodations including Knight Beat Lounge & Hotel, The Carver Hotel, The Rockland Palace, The Dorsey, The Marsha Ann and The Lord Calvert.
In the 1960’s and early 70’s expressway construction and urban renewal had a devastating impact on Overtown. The projects displaced close to 12,000 people, the community lost 51.2 percent of its population and 33 percent of its businesses.
Fast forward to 2016, Overtown is undergoing transformation and is on the fast track to becoming one of the City’s world class destinations with the construction of the Miami Worldcenter, Miami Innovation District and other multi-million dollar development projects.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
CL: The Overtown Music & Arts Festival (OMAF) merges the past and present to emphasize the culture of the historic Overtown. The festival takes place in the heart of the Overtown Business District.
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw and who are they demographically?
CL: OMAF is one of the fastest growing cultural events in the history of Miami, attendance has increased over 300% in two years. Attendance rose from 5,000 in 2014 to an estimated 6,000 in 2015.
Since Overtown itself is full of so much diversity, people of all ages and from all walks of life are drawn to OMAF. The typical demographic makeup of OMAF includes mostly African-Americans, Latin Americans and Caucasians, between 5-years old and 50-years old.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
CL: OMAF is a free festival that provides its audience a top quality experience. It is one of the fastest growing cultural events in the history of Overtown and ties present day Overtown to “Miami’s Little Broadway” as it was formerly known.
RAL: Take me through some of the activities.
CL: This year’s festival will provide interactive activities for adults and children to enjoy. In addition to musical performances, six local artists will allow festival-goers to witness goers to witness their creative skills as they demonstrate and create live art pieces on site in the Art Den.
There will also be a festival within the festival known as the T.E.E.S (Teens Exercising Extraordinary Success) Youth Zone. The youth zone is a section at OMAF where children can express themselves while families enjoy the culturally rich environment. Activities within the Youth Zone include arts & crafts, bounce houses, fitness competitions, Chalk the Block, improve workshops, multi-lingual story time and healthy eating food demonstrations.
RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?
CL: Each year R&B and Gospel artists grace the stage at OMAF. This year’s entertainment lineup features an eclectic mix of musical styles, from R&B neo-soul singer Eric Benet (4x Grammy Nomination), British singer songwriter, Estelle (2x Grammy Nomination and Winner), 6x Grammy Nominated R&B songstress, Kelly Price, Grammy Nominated & consummate artist, Jon B, Tito Puente, Jr. (son of the legendary Mambo King Tito Puente) bringing Latin Jazz and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, along with Grammy Nominated artists Carl Thomas and Jeremih.
The Youth Zone will have its own stage with performances by Young Lyric, from Jermaine Dupri’s TV Show “The Rap Game”, and DJ Chipman, who will perform every child’s favorite hit Peanut Butter Jelly.
RAL: What food options will people find at the event?
CL: During the festival, food trucks and vendors line the streets of Overtown. Festival-goers can choose from an array of foods including soul food, 60+ flavors of chicken, conch any way you like it, Caribbean & Latin cuisines and some old school kettle corn.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?
CL: Downtown Miami has many accommodations that your market would enjoy. OMAF works with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, which helps travelers search for the best place to stay in Miami.
RAL: What does the event mean to the community?
CL: OMAF serves as an opportunity for the community to restore pride and dignity back into Overtown as well as bring music and arts back to the community.
RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?
CL: OMAF serves as a forum for vendors to educate, inspire and connect with the community therefore it encourages businesses, even those outside of Overtown, to participate in the festival which in turn helps the local economy.
RAL: Does the event support a special cause in the community?
CL: In addition to promoting economic development and the reconstruction of Overtown, OMAF supports the local non-profit T.E.E.S (Teen Exercising Extraordinary Success). T.E.E.S helps youth find their dreams through educational and personal enrichment.
OMAF also partners with the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency which focuses on creating new development as well as redevelopment efforts to revitalize the community.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
CL: From the savory foods of cultures all around the globe to the soulful vibe radiated from the multiple Grammy nominated artists who perform live, OMAF offers an experience that cannot be captured at any other festival in South Florida. Not only will festival goers have fun but they will be a part of history and the positive renewal of one of Miami’s most historic communities.
For more information about the Overtown Music & Arts Festival, please visit their website.