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2023 Tito Puente Latin Music Series: Jonathan Suazo

Join us this summer in Boston Parks for live salsa music and dance.

August 3, 2023
  • 7:00pm
  • Mozart Street Playground
    10 Mozart Street
    Boston , MA 02130
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Jamaica Plain
  • Posted:
2023-08-03T19:00:00

Created in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente, this series celebrates 15 years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks. The series is sponsored in part by:

Free salsa lessons are led by MetaMovements.

Puerto Rican saxophonist, composer, arranger, and flow artist Jonathan Suazo received his bachelor’s degree in jazz and Caribbean music at the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, and his Masters Degree in Contemporary Performance at Berklee College of Music (Global Jazz Institute). He's received the Berklee Urban Service Award for using the arts to support humanitarianism during the Hurricane Maria crisis in Puerto Rico. He's a 2023 Winter South Arts Jazz Road Artist and has been taught by renowned musicians: David Sanchez, Terri Lyne Carrington, Marco Pignataro, John Patitucci, Danilo Pérez, George Garzone, and Joe Lovano.

Jonathan has also performed in venues such as Dizzy's Club Coca Cola NY, Martinique Jazz Fest, DR Jazz Festival, Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest, SF JAZZ, Elephant Room Austin TX, SXSW 2023, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, The MFA Boston, The BPC,  and many more. He's collaborated with artists such as: Paoli Mejías, ILe, Miguel Zenón, Emil "El Hijo de Borikén" Martínez, David Sánchez, Kevin Harris, Rakalam Bob Moses, Giovanni Hidalgo, Christian Nieves, Ricky Rodriguez, Tito Matos, Ricardo Pons, Calma Carmona, William Cepeda, Jon Secada, Pedro Capó, Obie Bermudez, Hans Glawischnig, Humberto Ramirez, Silverio Perez, Tony Escapa, Charlie Sepúlveda, and many others.

Jonathan is part of the stellar artist roster at Ropeadope Records with whom he’ll be releasing his new Ricano album in August 2023. This is also a year that will bring many educational visits and pre album release performances led by Suazo throughout Puerto Rico, the eastern U.S., and the Dominican Republic. See full schedule. Suazo has independently released three previous albums: “Extracts of a Desire” 2013, “Vital” 2014 and “Memorias Vivas” 2022. His current project, RICANO, highlights traditional rhythms from his Puerto Rican/Dominican roots and ancestry within a cross-cultural fusion container of his many musical influences. He’s also co-leader of the free improv/experimental group, the No Base Trio, which has two albums out with Italian label setola di maiale.

August 3, 2023
  • 7:00pm
  • Mozart Street Playground
    10 Mozart Street
    Boston , MA 02130
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Jamaica Plain
  • Posted:
2023-08-03T19:00:00
Last updated:

2023 Tito Puente Latin Music Series: Clave & Blues

Join us this summer in Boston Parks for live salsa music and dance.

July 27, 2023
  • 7:00pm
  • Mission Hill Playground
    60 Smith Street
    Boston , MA 02120
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Mission Hill
  • Posted:
2023-07-27T19:00:00

Created in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente, this series celebrates 15 years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks. The series is sponsored in part by:

Free salsa lessons are led by MetaMovements.

Clave & Blues is a young Cuban music and Latin jazz band that has performed at several concert halls and festivals in the Boston area since 2016, including Lawrence Jazz Festival, Boston POPS, and many others. The mix between Afro-Cuban rhythms, blues, R&B, and world music creates a contemporary sound that gives this band its place in the New England music scene. The band includes professional international musicians under the direction of Cuban pianist and Berklee graduate Anibal Cruz. Their first single, "La Raza" (2020), shares a call for peace, diversity, celebration, and inclusion — a tribute to traditional Cuban music and its culture.

"Our goal is to create music that engages people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. We aim to grow an audience that loves Cuban music and its culture."

July 27, 2023
  • 7:00pm
  • Mission Hill Playground
    60 Smith Street
    Boston , MA 02120
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Mission Hill
  • Posted:
2023-07-27T19:00:00
Last updated:

2023 Tito Puente Latin Music Series: The Timba Messengers

Join us this summer in Boston Parks for live salsa music and dance.

July 20, 2023
2023-07-20T19:00:00

Created in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente, this series celebrates 15 years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks. The series is sponsored in part by:

Free salsa lessons are led by MetaMovements.

The Timba Messengers show is a dynamic performance that showcases the musical talents of our band members in two distinct parts. The first part features slow to mid-tempo Latin jazz, allowing each member to showcase their individuality and musical prowess. This section typically lasts for 20 to 25 minutes, setting the stage for the rest of the show.

The second part of the show begins with a bolero, a traditional form of Afro-Caribbean music that sets a mid-tempo pace. From there, they seamlessly transition to an up-tempo salsa, ramping up the intensity with each passing song. Throughout their performance, they strive to depict women in a leading role, avoiding themes that are self-destructive or misogynistic. Their goal is to provide a fresh perspective on the otherwise widely male-dominated salsa genre. As a band, they aim to engage the audience by incorporating choreography and encouraging them to sing along with the band. Their performance is not just a display of our musical talents, but an interactive experience that invites the audience to become part of the show. Overall, the Timba Messengers' show is a lively and inclusive celebration of Afro-Caribbean music and culture.

July 20, 2023
2023-07-20T19:00:00
Last updated:

2023 Tito Puente Latin Music Series: Pura Vida

Join us this summer in Boston Parks for live salsa music and dance.

July 13, 2023
  • 7:00pm
  • O' DAY PLAYGROUND
    75 W Newton Street
    Boston , MA 02118
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    South End
  • Posted:
2023-07-13T19:00:00

Created in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente, this series celebrates 15 years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks. The series is sponsored in part by:

Free salsa lessons are led by MetaMovements.

July 13, 2023
  • 7:00pm
  • O' DAY PLAYGROUND
    75 W Newton Street
    Boston , MA 02118
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    South End
  • Posted:
2023-07-13T19:00:00
Last updated:

2023 Tito Puente Latin Music Series: La Selección

Join us this summer in Boston Parks for live salsa music and dance.

July 6, 2023
2023-07-06T19:00:00

Created in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente, this series celebrates 15 years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks.  The series is sponsored in part by:

Free salsa lessons are led by MetaMovements

Angel Rodriguez (aka Miguel Ángel) was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Puerto Rico, Miami, and Boston.

At 17, he started playing percussion and at 20, he started singing. In 1983 he performed with the La Gran Manzana Orchestra in New York and later with the famous salsa singer José Alberto El Canario. Later, he moved to Boston where he formed his first band— Miguel Ángel y la Orquesta de él la Selección, in 1986. In 1990 he traveled with his band to different states, including New York, Connecticut, Florida, and California. He has also accompanied Oscar de León, Andy Montañez, Conjunto Classico, and Franklin Ruiz.

In recent years, he had the great opportunity to play with the well-known trumpeter Carlos de Leon. Currently, his band, La Selección, plays several times a month at La Fabrica Central in Cambridge and many other establishments in New England.

July 6, 2023
2023-07-06T19:00:00
Last updated:

114th NAACP National Convention

The City of Boston is proud to host the upcoming 114th National Convention in Boston from July 26, 2023 to August 1, 2023 at the Boston Convention Center.

The NAACP National Convention is an empowering and immersive experience held each year to celebrate our community's collective power. The 114th National Convention will focus on the theme of Thriving Together by inviting change-makers from across the country to celebrate the Black community’s collective power.

July 26 - August 1, 2023
2023-07-26T09:00:00 - 2023-08-01T01:00:00

As part of the NAACP National Convention’s programming, the City is partnering with the NAACP, Governor Healey’s office, AIR Boston, other organizations and local artists to host a series of free, family friendly events and programming open to residents and visitors throughout the week of the convention in the City of Boston throughout the week of the convention between July 26 and July 30, 2023. These events will complement the National Convention and provide opportunities for residents, families and visitors to build community, support local Black-led businesses and engage with the City of Boston.

Learn more and register

July 26 - August 1, 2023
2023-07-26T09:00:00 - 2023-08-01T01:00:00

Message from Mayor Wu

Michelle Wu

“Boston is thrilled to be hosting the 2023 NAACP National Convention led by the nation’s historic 1st chartered branch. As we continue to work towards this historic event, these free, family friendly events and programming are for residents, families and visitors to enjoy throughout the week of the convention. We look forward to seeing residents and visitors gather together and I encourage everyone to engage with these amazing opportunities.”

Mayor Michelle Wu

Events

Volunteer for the 114th National NAACP Convention

The NAACP is recruiting volunteers for the 114th National NAACP Convention, taking place in Boston July 26 - August 1, 2023. There are a number of volunteer roles, shifts and activities.

Seaport x Black Owned Bos. Market

Select Sundays | 12 - 6 p.m.

Celebrating local entrepreneurship, craftsmanship and art, the Seaport x Black Owned Bos. Market features 30+ vendors from a rotating collection of over 60 vendors throughout the season. Free and open to the public!

Pre-convention Prayer Service

Thursday, July 20 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Join us at the St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church as we pray for the NAACP, our City, and our Commonwealth.

Day of Action and Service

Saturday, July 22 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Join us as we kick-off our convention volunteerism with a Day of Action & Service in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan and Hyde Park! Assignments provide upon registration.

Boston While Black Family Reunion

Saturday, July 22 | 12 - 8 p.m.

Boston While Black (BWB) is taking over the Lawn on D for a day-long celebration of Black experiences, community and culture. BWB will feature live music, BWB member exclusives, and innovative showcases of local vendors and artists from the community.

Get Konnected! A Taste of Ethnic Boston 2023

Tuesday, July 25 | 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Enjoy Boston's premier multicultural food festival highlighting local restaurants and chefs in Boston.

Opening Reception

Friday, July 28 | 5 - 9 p.m.

This event hosted by the City of Boston and NAACP National serves as a kickoff event for the NAACP’s 114th National Convention. This event will feature music by DJ Jazzy Jeff and is free and open to the public with registration.

Culture Nights Music Fest: Seaport

Friday, July 28 | 6 - 9 p.m.

This event organized by the Artist Initiative for Revolution (AIR Boston) & City of Boston will feature performances celebrating Boston’s historic legacy and communities by various local artists and creatives. This event will be held at 88 Seaport Blvd.

Delegates Reception

Saturday, July 29 | 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.

This reception at the Westin Boston Seaport District hosted by Mayor Wu will create space for convention delegates and City community members to gather for a night of celebration. This event is free and open to the public with registration.

23rd Annual Gospel Fest

Sunday, July 30 | 5 - 9 p.m.

New England’s largest Gospel music celebration hosted by MAJOR, including performances by Fred Hammond, Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, and the Mayor’s Gospel Choir. Gospel Fest celebrates Boston’s communities and gospel artists.

Explore The Hub

In addition to the above programming, the NAACP National Convention is encouraging residents and visitors to explore The Hub, the Convention’s premier gathering space featuring music, food, and family-friendly activities. The Hub’s programming will also include a Block Party and Career Summit for visitors. From Friday, July 28 through Sunday July 30 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center – Hall A, The Hub will be free and open to the public at the following times. For more information, please visit naacp.org/TheHub.

  • Friday, July 28 (Hub Opening Block Party): 2 - 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 29 (Career Summit): 11 - 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 30 (General Programming): 12 - 6 p.m.

A Message from NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson

“Each year, NAACP members, friends, and elected leaders gather at the Convention in a shared space that has proven vital for our collective growth and advocacy,” said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. “This space, intently curated each year by the Association’s local branch, state conference, and national leaders, provides us with the ability to harness the power of Black America. We use this sacred time to inspire each other and align on what we need to do to continue pushing this country forward. Now more than ever, this sacred convening is crucial to our continued fight for the preservation of democracy. We are excited to bring vitality and vibrance to our roots in Boston, home of the Association’s first chartered branch.”

More Information

For more information about this year’s NAACP National Convention, please visit naacp.org/convention

Last updated:

BCYF Clougherty Pool Design Meeting July 11, 2023

Receive updates about the BCYF Clougherty Pool demolition that will start this summer and also review renderings of the interior finishes of the bathhouse and pool deck.

July 11, 2023
2023-07-11T18:00:00 - 2023-07-11T19:30:00

The Public Facilities Department (PFD), Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), and Fennick McCredie Architecture invite you to join us for a remote meeting to discuss the  BCYF Clougherty Pool Project. 

Join the Zoom

July 11, 2023
2023-07-11T18:00:00 - 2023-07-11T19:30:00
Last updated:

2023 Children's Arts and Crafts Workshops: North End

Looking for a free, fun activity to enjoy with the kids? Join us this summer for one of our arts and crafts workshops hosted by a local artist in various parks throughout the City of Boston.

July 25, 2023
  • 10:00am - 12:00pm
    Repeats weekly on Tuesday, starting from July 25, 2023, until August 8, 2023
  • Langone Park/ Puopolo Playground
    517 Commercial Street
    Boston , MA 02109
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    North End
  • Event Type:
  • Posted:
2023-07-25T10:00:00 - 2023-07-25T12:00:00

Our arts and crafts workshops are led by local artists. They're held Tuesday through Friday in July and August and run from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. These drop-in workshops encourage kids to explore their creativity through projects like mask making, crayon art, watercolor and much more. Supplies are provided, but you'll need to bring your creativity! 

This series is completely free and open to Boston residents. These workshops will take place in various parks throughout the City of Boston.

Pre-registration is required for groups of 8 or more. Please email Shannon.murphy2@boston.gov to register.

This series is also weather-dependent. Check our social media pages for updated weather info regarding this series. Follow us on social media for the latest updates on events: TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

July 25, 2023
  • 10:00am - 12:00pm
    Repeats weekly on Tuesday, starting from July 25, 2023, until August 8, 2023
  • Langone Park/ Puopolo Playground
    517 Commercial Street
    Boston , MA 02109
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    North End
  • Event Type:
  • Posted:
2023-07-25T10:00:00 - 2023-07-25T12:00:00
Last updated:

Canceled:
City of Boston Community Resource Fair

Reason for cancellation: Please contact organizer.
July 13, 2023
2023-07-13T16:00:00 - 2023-07-13T19:00:00

Join the City of Boston and local partners for a community resource event focused on energy affordability and others. There will be free food and giveaways.

Resources will include:

There will be additional resources for food access, housing, immigrant services, and more.

Registration is optional.

RSVP for the event

July 13, 2023
2023-07-13T16:00:00 - 2023-07-13T19:00:00
Last updated:

2023 Children's Arts and Crafts Workshops: East Boston

Looking for a free, fun activity to enjoy with the kids? Join us this summer for one of our arts and crafts workshops hosted by a local artist in various parks throughout the City of Boston.

July 25, 2023
  • 10:00am - 12:00pm
    Repeats weekly on Tuesday, starting from July 25, 2023, until August 8, 2023
  • 33 Sumner Street
    LoPresti Park
    Boston , MA 02128
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    East Boston
  • Event Type:
  • Posted:
2023-07-25T10:00:00 - 2023-07-25T12:00:00

Our arts and crafts workshops are led by local artists. They're held Tuesday through Friday in July and August and run from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. These drop-in workshops encourage kids to explore their creativity through projects like mask making, crayon art, watercolor and much more. Supplies are provided, but you'll need to bring your creativity! 

This series is completely free and open to Boston residents. These workshops will take place in various parks throughout the City of Boston.

Pre-registration is required for groups of 8 or more. Please email Shannon.murphy2@boston.gov to register.

This series is also weather-dependent. Check our social media pages for updated weather info regarding this series. Follow us on social media for the latest updates on events: TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

July 25, 2023
  • 10:00am - 12:00pm
    Repeats weekly on Tuesday, starting from July 25, 2023, until August 8, 2023
  • 33 Sumner Street
    LoPresti Park
    Boston , MA 02128
  • Contact:
    PARKS AND RECREATION
  • Price:
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    East Boston
  • Event Type:
  • Posted:
2023-07-25T10:00:00 - 2023-07-25T12:00:00
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