The 36th annual Savannah Music Festival is like a passport to a dozen countries in 16 days

If you do not have plans to travel this year, the Savannah Music Festival has got you covered—at least in spirit. With individual ticket prices below $60—some as low as $39—you can cross a bridge from swampy Southern blues to the great symphony halls of Europe then sail off to Africa and South America. Here, at the Savannah Morning News, we have our metaphorical passports out and ready to stamp over a whirlwind 16-day trip through about a dozen countries’ musical traditions, starting March 27.

It is not too late to get tickets to many of the performances, and Savannah-Chatham County Public School students can take full advantage of the Explorers Pass option. Here is where you will find us during week one of the festival.

I Got a Feelin’

Although we will not make it to Wednesday’s borscht workshop served with a side of folk tunes (sold out), we will not miss opening night at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum with Ukrainian punk-pop quartet, DakhaBrakha—a name that means give and take in their mother tongue. Their live shows are legendary, because of their ability to meld their roots with the rhythmic conventions of other cultures. We hope their high energy is as contagious as their sound.

Twist and Shout

Head on over to the North Garden at Ships of the Sea on March 28, for the 5:30 p.m. performance of BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, the venerated Cajun band celebrating its 50^th anniversary and first appearance at SMF. You will still have time to make it to the 8 p.m. show at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts, 32 Abercorn St., for Shovels & Rope and Langhorne Slim. It will be a night filled with some of the best Americana roots music around.

Here Comes the Son…and Sunshine

Hard to believe that the precursor to salsa and other modern forms of Cuban and Latin music was banned by the Cuban government in the early-20^th Century for being “immoral.” The exuberant Son Cubano traditions, however, are considered a national cultural treasure now, and Kiki Valera is one of its chief ambassadors. Come dancing, and if you come to the 5 p.m. party on March 29, you can head across downtown to the Lucas for five-time Grammy winner Anegélique Kidjo, who was named in 2021 as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. Your feet will still be moving once she takes the stage.

Some suggestions to make your SMF 2025 experience even better:

Take a Musical Lunch Break

Seven “Noon30” concerts are scheduled throughout the duration of the festival. Bring a brown bag and take a much needed and well-deserved break at Trustees’ Garden while listening to the likes of pianist Emmet Cohen, jazz harpist Edmar Castañeda, Mongolian musicians Anda Union, and saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin.

Close Encounters of the Best Kind

One of our favorite aspects of SMF are the immersive experiences, whether the annual Latin and Zydeco dance parties, or the often-free encounters that put you up close and personal with the artists for a teaching moment.

• We are delighted to attend Step Afrika!’s pre-show workshop for a lesson in the art and joy of stepping at 4:30 p.m., April 2.
• Former Savannahian and renowned illustrator Matt Hebermehl will be live and in-person on April 3 at the Festival Pop-up Shop on Broughton Street signing this year’s posters and other merch.
• Participants in SMF’s 2024-25 Songwriting Workshop will hold a craft discussion and perform some of their works-in-progress at 6 p.m., April 10, at the Bull Street Library.
• Composer and drummer Allison Miller will be joined by biologists from the University of Georgia’s Marine Science Institute on April 11 to talk about her original jazz suite “Rivers in Our Veins.”

Hear Them Before They Get Famous

Many of the visiting artists take time out to teach masterclasses with SMF Jazz Academy students, and these classes are free and open to the public.

• At 5 p.m. on April 9 at the Metal Building at Trustees' Garden, saxophonist Benjamin will be performing with and providing feedback to students from nine different schools and spanning grades 6 through 12.
• Miller will collaborate with three student ensembles at 5 p.m., April 10, at the Trustees Theater, 216 E. Brought St.

If you arrive early at a number of venues, you may catch some of these local school students performing outside before the main attraction.

Can I Get a Witness

Do yourself a solid and get tickets to any of the classical shows, all held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 225 W. President St. The acoustics are astounding and the performances offer an intimacy not available at most venues. Even if you are not a spiritual person, your soul will be stirred and your heart lightened sitting in this space and letting the sounds lift you higher.

Parking Tip

If you see one of the concerts slated for District Live at Plant Riverside, 400 W. River St., park in the nearby garage then ask at the concert door for voucher that provides $5 off the parking fee.

Amy Paige Condon is a content coach, editor and reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at ACondon@gannett.com.