Groundbeat Concert Series: Sonic Passports

Join us for&nbsp;Travel Through Music: Sonic Passports, a powerful evening of global sound, storytelling, and cultural celebration on the iconic Esplanade. As part of the&nbsp;GroundBeat Concert Series, this free and family-friendly concert highlights the richness of the African diaspora—featuring soul-stirring music, spoken word, and rhythms that connect continents. From Madagascar to Jamaica, Boston to the Caribbean, experience a sonic journey that bridges cultures and uplifts community. Enjoy live music, the gorgeous view of the Charles River Esplanade and our vendor fair featuring free empanadas (free empanada to the first 100 customers)&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bocadillosfoods.com/">Bocadillos</a>,&nbsp;food vendors, lawn games and other family friendly activities. We will have a limited number of free picnic blankets and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.merchology.com/products/bg601-port-authority-black-seat">stadium seating chairs</a>&nbsp;we can loan out during the event!&nbsp; Concert Line Up <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amandasheaallday/?hl=en">Amanda Shea</a>:&nbsp;Amanda Shea is a 3x Boston Music Award spoken word poet, educator, and activist based in Boston whose performances are known for their emotional depth and social impact. She uses her voice to challenge injustice, empower marginalized communities, and speak truth to power through rhythm and word. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/consciousband_/?igsh=MzVmajVuazdhejV4#">Concious Band</a>:&nbsp;Boston’s Conscious Band is a foundational force in New England's reggae scene, blending authentic Jamaican roots with decades of live performance experience. The group features&nbsp;Bobin Nicholson&nbsp;on bass,&nbsp;Tariq Nicholson&nbsp;on keys,&nbsp;Aaron Seymore&nbsp;on drums, and&nbsp;Errol Strength&nbsp;on vocals—together creating timeless performances that uplifts and inspires. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/niuraza/#">Niu Raza</a>:&nbsp;Niu Raza is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Madagascar blending soul, Afrobeat, and traditional Malagasy rhythms into a fresh global sound. Based in Boston, she uses her music to build cultural bridges and empower voices from her homeland.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/safiya.music/">Safiya Leslie</a>:&nbsp;Safiya Leslie is a dynamic vocalist blending jazz, and neo-soul with Afro-Caribbean roots, earning acclaim for her captivating performances and cultural fusion.Founder of the global arts platform&nbsp;Travel Through Music, she has graced stages from Boston to Tokyo and was recently nominated for both the New England Music Award’s Jazz Act of the Year and the Boston Music Award’s Reggae Artist of the Year. Activities, Tablers &amp; Vendors Enjoy food, info sessions and family friendly activites from Bocadillos, Culture Pop, Polar, Mass Audubon, Ohana, Navigation Games, The American City Coalition, E-inc, Grateful Queen, and Brookline Bird Club. About Groundbeat GroundBeat&nbsp;Concert Series&nbsp;fosters opportunities to perform on the Esplanade’s iconic&nbsp;Hatch Memorial Shell&nbsp;for producers and artists across greater Boston who are committed&nbsp;to increasing inclusivity and diversity&nbsp;in Boston’s arts scene. Learn more and register for other concerts on our&nbsp;<a href="https://esplanade.org/groundbeat/">website</a>, or&nbsp;<a href="https://events.humanitix.com/host/esplanade-association">humanitix page</a>.&nbsp; Event Cancellation In the event of extreme weather or other hazardous conditions, the Esplanade Association will email all registrants and post a cancellation notice. Please follow our social media accounts Facebook page (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/EsplanadeBoston/">@EsplanadeBoston)</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;Instagram (<a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&amp;&amp;p=008d7f72c9e11873906731010fa33ad157b31138f06b360c2000f8832c5179fdJmltdHM9MTY1MzUwODUyOSZpZ3VpZD1kOGRhOWQyYy00Yjg3LTQwMWEtODE4OC1lNmM0Yjk1YmNhNjYmaW5zaWQ9NTE1OA&amp;ptn=3&amp;fclid=a09fe0bb-dc64-11ec-ad4f-d835eeaa604f&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9lc3BsYW5hZGVpbmJvc3Rvbi8&amp;ntb=1">@EsplanadeInBoston</a>)&nbsp;to keep up to date about potential class cancellations. Location Information&nbsp;&amp; Directions NOTE: There is NO PARKING on the Esplanade.&nbsp;Please plan to arrive via one of the options below: WALKING If entering by foot, you can take one of many footbridges to enter the park. They are all noted on this<a href="https://esplanade.org/the-esplanade/map-directions/">&nbsp;map</a>. The&nbsp;Hatch Memorial Shell&nbsp;is closest to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge&nbsp;which is located between Beacon Street and Beaver Place, adjacent to David G Mugar Way. Once in the Esplanade, begin walking right to shortly find the Hatch Shell!&nbsp; MBTA The Hatch Shell is a ten-minute walk from the&nbsp;Arlington MBTA Station (Green Line) and a ten minute walk from the Charles / MGH MBTA Station (Red Line). Find all of the nearby stations on this<a href="https://esplanade.org/the-esplanade/map-directions/">&nbsp;map</a>.BLUE BIKES Pick up a Bluebike at any station around Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville and return to a station located conveniently near the Hatch Shell. Find locations on the<a href="https://member.bluebikes.com/map/">&nbsp;System Map</a>&nbsp;or<a href="https://www.bluebikes.com/how-it-works/get-the-app">&nbsp;mobile app.</a>&nbsp;The closest Blue Bikes station is located where Beacon Street meets David Mugar Way, in front of Beacon Street access to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge.&nbsp; PARKING (outside of park) Recommended parking locations include<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/newbury+street+parking/@42.3515323,-71.0799151,16z">&nbsp;Newbury Street lots</a>&nbsp;or the<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Boston+Common+Garage/@42.3540071,-71.0680711,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xd3e777674c8cd760?sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwirn9W5tI_iAhWPrFkKHc8sCe0Q_BIwEnoECAsQCA">&nbsp;Boston Common Garage</a>.&nbsp; RIDE SHARE Please direct rideshare vehicles to drop you off on Beacon Street near Arlington Street.<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cheers/@42.3579942,-71.0677127,16z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1scheers!3m4!1s0x0:0xbe3034e549bbe342!8m2!3d42.3559237!4d-71.0712782">&nbsp;Cheers</a>&nbsp;is a good reference spot. Once you’ve been dropped off, enter the park on foot via the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge, located between Beacon Street and Beaver Place, adjacent to David G Mugar Way.&nbsp;&nbsp; About the Esplanade Association The Esplanade Association (<a href="https://esplanade.org/">Esplanade.org</a>) is a nonprofit organization that works to revitalize and enhance the Charles River Esplanade, sustain its natural green space, and build community in the park by providing educational, cultural, and recreational programs for everyone. Stay up to date with the Esplanade by following us:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/EsplanadeBoston/">Facebook (@EsplanadeBoston)</a>,<a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&amp;&amp;p=008d7f72c9e11873906731010fa33ad157b31138f06b360c2000f8832c5179fdJmltdHM9MTY1MzUwODUyOSZpZ3VpZD1kOGRhOWQyYy00Yjg3LTQwMWEtODE4OC1lNmM0Yjk1YmNhNjYmaW5zaWQ9NTE1OA&amp;ptn=3&amp;fclid=a09fe0bb-dc64-11ec-ad4f-d835eeaa604f&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9lc3BsYW5hZGVpbmJvc3Rvbi8&amp;ntb=1">Instagram (@EsplanadeInBoston)</a>.Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://esplanade.org/events/">Esplanade.org/Events</a>&nbsp;to learn about upcoming events and programs on the Esplanade.

DCR Hatch Memorial Shell

Esplanade Association

Fabian

Amelia MacNeil

Daniel Minozzi

dona

Carolina

Ivan

Caroline

Rachel

Kaitlyn

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

Where

Groundbeat Concert Series: Sonic Passports

Website

Where?