Summer Arts Weekend Boston: July 26-28
From July 26-28, Boston Summer Arts Weekend takes over Copley Square, showcasing Boston’s thriving arts community by bringing local and national artists to the city for a variety of performances. But on Saturday morning, July 27, the main stage comes alive with Boston’s best family musicians, performing a range of music guaranteed to have people of all ages tapping their toes and dancing to the beat. With costumed characters, face painting, balloon art and much more, Boston Summer Arts Weekend becomes a destination for the entire family.
The morning begins at 11 am with Vanessa Trien, a Boston-based singer-songwriter who has become a rock star among the young and young at heart. The “Nessa Groupies” have been known to sing and dance in the aisles at her packed shows with her lively band, the Jumping Monkeys.
Vanessa Trien will be followed by Airborne Comedians, two performers who’ve traveled the globe performing their high energy, unorthodox comedy juggling show to the delight of all ages. Dan Foley and Joel Harris throw and catch birdbaths, lawn-chairs, electric guitars and baseball bats in their hilarious juggling routines while balanced atop 6 and 7-foot high unicycles.
With countless awards to their credit, including five Parent’s Choice awards, Ben Rudnick and Friends will round out the main stage programming with an adventurous, high-energy blend of happy, upbeat acoustic music, guaranteed to entertain an entire family. Blending musical styles from country to rock, their original songs and fun takes on familiar tunes make the audience stand up, sing and dance.
The Fountain Stage will feature a variety of dance and music, including the Harney Academy of Irish Dance, the non-profit music organization Zumix, Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band, and much more. Also joining in the fun for the day will be costumed characters from WGBH, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George and Arthur.
Blues and jazz icon Dr. John and the Nite Trippers as well as the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band will headline Friday’s opening concert at Copley Square. Noe Socha, a guitar and harmonica blues artist and student at Berklee College of Music will open the evening’s performance and will be followed by the bluegrass band Della Mae.
Saturday will celebrate music of the world. The day will feature performances from Carlos Nunez, a Galician bagpipe player from the Celtic region of Spain, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, Grammy-Award winning Beninoise singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo, Brooklyn-based Bhangra band Red Baraat and Boston’s own Session Americana.
Sunday will feature a performance from the Boston Landmarks Orchestra with Carlos Nunez, the New England Conservatory Jewish Music Ensemble and The Boston Conservatory Broadway Revue before the festival closes with a full set from Alison Krauss. Krauss, who has released 14 albums, has helped spur a renewed interest in bluegrass music in the U.S. She has been nominated for 41 Grammy Awards and has won 27, making her the most awarded living recipient.
Boston After Dark
Once the main stage at Copley Square darkens, the music will continue with a series of ticketed After Dark performances. In this relaxed and intimate cocktail party setting, attendees will be treated to short-form, intimate performances from the artists who were featured earlier that day on the main stage. Sometimes acoustic, occasionally amped, these performances will feature unique collaborations by the artists and special guests. Tickets for the Boston Summer Arts Weekend After Dark events are $65.00 per night and tickets for the Baroque Brunch are $75.00. All tickets can be purchased online at www.bostonsummerarts.com.
Local Arts Participation
Local arts organizations will offer discounts and unique programming for the public, all of them featured in a special guide. All arts and entertainment organizations are invited to list their events in the guide and on the Summer Arts Weekend website free of charge. The guide will be distributed in The Boston Sunday Globe and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and will be available online at WGBH.org. To submit a listing, please visit www.BostonSummerArts.com
Presented by Citizens Bank, the 2013 Boston Summer Arts Weekend takes place July 26-28, 2013. The weekend will feature a free festival on Copley Square, special offers around the city, and a series of ticketed unique performances. With music ranging from classical and jazz to Latin, bluegrass and soul, dramatic theater and dance, Summer Arts Weekend will showcase Boston’s thriving arts community by bringing local and national artists to the city for a variety of performances. The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) will also be onsite at the festival. Staff from GBFB will be collecting monetary donations to help local residents in need through GBFB member agencies in eastern Massachusetts.
Summer Arts Weekend is presented by Citizens Bank. For more information, follow Boston Summer Arts weekend on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/
