Angélique Kidjo

With pulsating rhythms, a captivating voice, and dazzling stage presence, Beninese star Angélique Kidjo is a riveting Afropop tour de force. Her blend of West African traditions with elements of American R&amp;B, funk, and jazz has led to five Grammy wins and the title of “Africa’s greatest living diva” (NPR).&nbsp;

Somerville Theatre

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Honored as “South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World” by Nelson Mandela, legendary a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo has thrilled audiences with its strong, proud melodies harmonized in layers of call and response for over 65 years. The 5-time Grammy-winning group, now led by founder Joseph Shabala’s three sons, shares a path of peaceful protest through songs of hope and love.&nbsp;

Sanders Theatre

Habib Koité, Aly Keïta, Lamine Cissokho: Mandé Sila

Three standard-bearers of West African musical traditions unite to celebrate Mandé Sila: the way of the Mandingo empire—symbolizing languages, cultures, music, and the entire organology of West Africa. Malian guitar player Habib Koité, kora player Lamine Cissokho, and balafon master Aly Keïta are linked by the same cultural heritage, a melting pot that inspires their compositions. They’ll be joined by percussionist Mama Koné.&nbsp;

Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre

Patrick Watson

Montreal-based singer, songwriter, film composer, and pianist Patrick Watson and his band create dreamy musical landscapes that harmoniously mix organic elements and electronic textures, cacophonic rock songs, and pristine ballads, all held together by Watson's omnipresent voice. His lush, melodic indie music has been featured widely in films and on TV, including Grey's Anatomy  and The Good Doctor. After being covered by Billie Eilish and working with the late Leonard Cohen on one of his last songs, 2007 Polaris prize winner Watson went viral with the decade-old single "Je te laisserai des mots."&nbsp;

Yilian Cañizares

Yilian Cañizares is one of the most intriguing contemporary violinists, singers, and composers today—skillfully blending jazz, classical, and Afro-Cuban rhythms with her otherworldly voice. As famed Cuban bandleader Chucho Valdez proclaims, Cañizares "is one of the most incredible talents of the new generation of Cuban musicians. She is a virtuoso, she is expressive, spontaneous, and with a grace that makes her the favorite of all of us."&nbsp;

Rhiannon Giddens

“Master folklorist, banjo virtuoso, and vocal powerhouse” (NPR) Rhiannon Giddens stretches her brand of folk music, with its miles-deep historical roots and contemporary sensibilities, into just about every field imaginable. A MacArthur “genius grant” recipient, Pulitzer Prize winner, cofounder of the Grammy-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, and one of the 25 Most Influential Women Musicians of the 21st Century (NPR), Giddens amplifies the voices long buried in American musical history and invites a fuller understanding of its origins.&nbsp;

Orpheum Theatre

KAIROS Dance Theater

Boston-based KAIROS Dance Theater is dedicated to collaboratively creating visceral, socially engaged performance works that fuse rigorous physicality, embodied storytelling, and immersive design. The company presents three captivating works: Tavernous, a darkly comic piece featuring live music by the renowned vocal ensemble Renaissance Men; a world premiere collaboration with Grammy-nominated cellist Dave Eggar who performs live; and the critically acclaimed husk/vessel, cocreated with choreographer Paula Josa-Jones.

ICA/Boston

Chavi Bansal's Vimoksha Dance Company

Chavi Bansal’s Boston-based Vimoksha Dance Company presents an evening of three powerful interdisciplinary works. Touched by Water, with original music by Heiko Dijker (Netherlands) and Ustad Sabir Khan (India), explores gender disparity in India. Salt Soaked, with an original score by Inga Chinilina, is a visceral choreographic portrayal of immigration stories that weaves together audience-contributed memories. The company’s third piece is a new work-in-progress inspired by Moksha Patam, a 13th-century board game attributed to the poet-saint Jñāndeva, that was created as a tool to teach Vedantic moral values and was later adapted into Snakes and Ladders during British colonial rule.

Yagódy

Yagódy&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;visceral, immersive&nbsp;ensemble dedicated to reviving&nbsp;folk songs&nbsp;from their&nbsp;native&nbsp;Ukraine.&nbsp;The&nbsp;group blends haunting vocals, driving rhythms, and dramatic storytelling.&nbsp;

José González

Swedish-Argentinian&nbsp;indie folk artist José González&nbsp;has captivated audiences worldwide with&nbsp;his&nbsp;powerful, ethereal, and intimate&nbsp;songs. A deeply sincere and artful performer, González is renowned for his singular musical voice and classically inspired guitar work.&nbsp;He&nbsp;is touring&nbsp;in support of his new album,&nbsp;Against the Dying of the Light.&nbsp;Abby Sage will open.&nbsp;

Royale

The Hot Sardines

Fueled by the belief that classic jazz feeds the heart and soul, The Hot Sardines are on a mission to make old sounds new again. The New York-based ensemble effortlessly channel New York speakeasies, Parisian cabarets, and New Orleans jazz halls with brassy horn arrangements, rollicking piano melodies, and vocals from a chanteuse who transports listeners to a different era with the mere lilt of her voice.

Berklee Performance Center

Tanya Donelly and Chris Brokaw

Two of&nbsp;New England's most influential and enduring voices—Tanya&nbsp;Donelly (Belly, Throwing Muses, The Breeders) and Chris Brokaw (Come; collaborator with Codeine, Thurston Moore, and The Lemonheads)—come together to reimagine centuries-old medieval music for the modern era. Donelly’s luminous vocals and Brokaw’s intricate, atmospheric guitar work blend Renaissance tradition with contemporary songcraft, creating something haunting, beautiful, and boldly new.&nbsp;

First Church in Cambridge Congregational

Dobet Gnahoré

Combining tradition with contemporary influences, Grammy winner Dobet Gnahoré is redefining Afropop. The renowned singer, dancer, songwriter, and percussionist from Côte d'Ivoire is known for her dynamic performances and ability to blend various musical styles from across the African continent—creating danceable grooves with electronic beats, nimble electric guitar lines, and catchy melodic hooks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gibney Company

With exciting choreography and stellar dancers, New York City–based Gibney Company presents a breadth of works by emerging and renowned choreographers who are committed to exploring connections between the rigorous, often superhuman, physicality of contemporary dance alongside responsive, humanistic storytelling. The company will perform William Forsythe’s Trio (of six), Roy Assaf's A Couple, and Lucinda Childs’s Three Dances (for prepared piano) John Cage.&nbsp;

Tigran Hamasyan: Manifeste

Touring in support of his latest album, Manifeste, jazz-meets-rock piano virtuoso Tigran Hamasyan fuses potent jazz improvisation with the vibrant folkloric music of his native land, Armenia. A piano virtuoso with groove power, he’s one of the most remarkable and distinctive jazz-meets-rock pianists of his generation.&nbsp; “He’s the hottest pianist in jazz, and he likes to mix things up, whether it’s bebop, thrash metal, or dubstep. But his heart is in the folk music of his native land, Armenia.”—The Guardian&nbsp;

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.

Where

globalartslive

Experiences