BAMS! African American Arts and Music Festival in Boston

Photo by Mike Von via Unsplash

This Saturday, the 28th, the Boston Arts & Soul Music Festival (BAMS) will delight audiences with a celebration of African American culture in Franklin Park. This free event, starting at noon, will consist of a series of concerts and performances by several artists who have shaped modern African American art. 

The BAMS festival is a tradition supported by several different hosts, including the Boston City Hall. It is an annual festival that celebrates the importance of African American culture and the opportunity they now have to celebrate this culture openly and proudly.

The festival will take place in the Playstead Field area of Franklin Park. It will begin around noon and end at 9:00 p.m. The festival also includes several vendors from local/small businesses owned by members of the African-American community. 

The History of BAMS 

The BAMS festival was established to honor to one of the most important artists for the African American community: Elma Ina Lewis. Lewis had an indisputable impact; not only on the spread and acceptance of African American art, but more specifically, she had a major impact on the development of the areas around Franklin Park, where the festival will take place.

The first festival was held in 2018; this year marks the seventh annual BAMS Festival. Members of various organizations organize the BAMS Festival to uphold the dignity and improve the quality of life of the African American community.

What to expect from the event

Lala Hathway, Little Brother, and Durand Bernarr will headline the event. These award-winning and nationally recognized artists will lead a roster of iconic celebrities in the African-American community. This roster includes artists such as DJ Bruno, Amanda Shea, and Jireh Calo.

The event's artists aren't limited to just singers: poets like Cole Rodriguez, dancers like The Peacekeepers, and music producers like Haasan Barclay will also be performing. 

Although the event is free, participants are invited to purchase a “solidarity ticket” to show their support.

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Sources:

• Boston Music and Arts Festival.