The 2026 Neustadt Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music (JAAMM) Festival is back for its 19th year, bringing a month of comedy, film, music, magic, and cultural experiences to Denver! Presented by the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, the JAAMM Festival explores contemporary Jewish life and there are plenty of events to look forward to.
The festival opened October 8th with an appearance from Denver-raised magician and mentalist Max Davidson. Davidson grew up attenting Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC Denver) programs and now performs 150 shows a year around the world, including in New York City and at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. His act blends mentalism, storytelling, memory demonstrations, and audience participation, to create a performence that is shaped by the people in the room. The opening-night show was for audiences 14 and older.
The events continued on October 10, with New York comedian and podcaster Jared Freid, whose material draws on dating, relationships, and modern adulthood. October 13 saw matchmaker Linnea Sage host the Jewish Dating Game at 7 p.m. The interactive show welcomed singles and couples for an evening of audience participation, prizes, and laughs.
There is still plenty to experience, and several events are still ahead. On October 20 at 7 p.m., audiences can catch “Maitenance Artist,” a documentary about Denver-born public artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles, the artist-in-residence at the New York City Sanitation Department. October 22 will see Denver-based Celtic folk band Avourneen perform songs spanning Leonard Cohen’s career.
There is also KlezKolorado, a weekend-long celebration running October 23–25. The event brings together Klezmer music, Yiddish culture, and creativity through live performances, hands-on workshops, participatory music session, dancing, food, and family-friendly activities.
Festival-goers can also see “Always a Boy,” presented Thursdays through Sundays in October in partnership with Austin’s Ground Floor Theatre. Based on the memoir Never a Girl, Always a Boy by Jo Ivester the play follows a young man through different stages of his trans journey and self-discovery.
The lineup reflects the festival’s larger aim: bringing artists whose work speaks to the evolving Jewish experience to Denver and “creat[ing] opportunities for conversation, cultural discovery, and connection across Colorado,” said Tim Campbell, program director at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center.
Ticket prices vary by event. For many programs, the center offers sliding-scale pricing so attendees can choose a tier that fits their circumstances.
To view the full lineup and to purchase tickets, visit jccdenver.org/macc/jaamm/. Patrons can also email or call the box office at boxoffice@jccdenver.org or (303) 316-6360 for more information. The box office is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday from 12- 4:30 p.m. and one hour before all in-person events. Free parking is available.
Photo courtesy of social media
