Aventura Arts & Cultural Center’s 15th Anniversary Season - Forever Yiddish 3, God And The Holocaust, Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? And Many More

Forever Yiddish 3 - Songs and Stories from the Shtetl

Thursday, January 8th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

Join an evocative evening of Yiddish classics that transport audiences to a world both distant and ever-present. Forever Yiddish presents Songs and Stories from the Shtetl on Thursday, January 8th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Yitzhak Fried returns with a new program of soul-stirring Yiddish songs and heartfelt interpretations. Born and raised in post-war Austria, Fried absorbed the language and melodies of his heritage from his parents’ home. Accompanied by acclaimed pianist Alan Mason who has performed on stages around the world. Fried guides audiences on an emotional journey through stories and songs that are at times joyful, at times sorrowful, and always infused with a touch of humor. Proceeds from the performance will benefit Leket Israel, the country’s leading food rescue organization.

God and the Holocaust

Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

In commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, YI Love Jewish Founder and CEO Avi Hoffman joins Maestro Aaron Kula and the Klezmer Company Jazz Orchestra to present a powerful multimedia musical event examining the relationship between Jews and God as portrayed in Holocaust literature. God and the Holocaust comes to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. This event draws from the writings of renowned Yiddish playwrights, poets and authors, featuring poignant songs from that era in a moving musical experience.

Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish?

Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

As a special 15th Anniversary Season event, the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is thrilled to welcome back the first show to perform on its stage in 2010. The City of Aventura and Yi Love Jewish present Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. In this award-winning solo musical performance, Hoffman explores his Jewish roots and has discovered that all audiences can identify with the humor and music of his upbringing. Jews and non-Jews alike join Hoffman on a journey through his history, relating stories of his family’s immigrant background and the culture within which he was raised. He has discovered the ‘lost treasures’ of Jewish comedy and music, the songs and comedy routines that entertained hundreds of thousands of people from the Catskills to Miami Beach, from Carnegie Hall to Yiddish Vaudeville. Hoffman serves as a bridge between the old world and the new as he recreates and rediscovers the wonderful music, comedy and pathos of the extraordinary period of creativity that began with the immigrants and continues till today.

Avi Hoffman’s Still Jewish After All These Years

Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

The City of Aventura and Yi Love Jewish present Avi Hoffman’s brand-new production that will take audiences on a nostalgic, fun-filled journey through his extensive and entertaining life and works. It's another night of laughter and celebration during Avi Hoffman’s Still Jewish After All These Years on Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. His humorous and moving encounters with theater luminaries will have audiences laughing through their tears. Hoffman has entertained millions of people with his humor, his pathos and his passionate singing voice. According to the New York Times, "The precious truth about Avi Hoffman is that his shows rest on a solid foundation of scholarship. Mr. Hoffman is a teacher and a dedicated preservationist of culture. But like so many sages, he disguises his lessons as entertainment. He comes to the stage armed with books, songs, dances and jokes...” His extensive resume includes his groundbreaking productions of “Songs of Paradise” with the famous Broadway Impresario, Joe Papp, and the New York productions of “The Golden Land” and “The Rise of David Levinsky.” From New York to Los Angeles, from the stage to the big screen, Hoffman has received numerous awards and great acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

Yakov Smirnoff

Thursday, March 26th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

After escaping the communist Soviet Union in 1977, Yakov Smirnoff came to the United States with nothing but a dream. He won America’s heart and now brings his signature comedy back to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center to round up the 2025/2026 Aventura Comedy Series on Thursday, March 26th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. presented by the City of Aventura. Yakov humbly began working as a bartender at the famous Grossinger’s Catskill Resort in New York, where he started telling jokes to customers each night before even learning the language. As his English improved, he quickly grew in popularity. Smirnoff then made a daring move to Hollywood, where he grew his passion for comedy. His lovable view of life through the eyes of a poor immigrant captured the hearts of America. Smirnoff soared to the top of the comedy world, performing on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” and countless other television programs, including as a regular character on “Night Court.” He became a star of his show, named after his famous catchphrase, “What a Country!” VIP tickets are available as an add-on and include a post-show meet and greet/photo opportunity with Smirnoff.

The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180.

Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307.

Please note that not all events scheduled for the 2025/2026 Season are currently on sale and additional performances will be added throughout the season.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-Square-Foot, 330-Seat Waterfront Complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages.