Festival Betances: Our Music, Our History, Our Community

¡Wepa! Ready to dance salsa like never before? New England’s longest-running Latino cultural festival is BACK on Saturday, July 19th from 1 PM to 9 PM at Plaza Betances. Join us to celebrate over 50 years of community, music, y muchas cosas buenas!  The 52nd Annual Festival Betances: Our Music, Our History, Our Community will be a day-long celebration of Latino culture, soul and sound under sun! Honoring the vibrant sounds, rich culture and joyous gatherings synonymous with the Caribbean and South America, this year’s lineup will feature celebrated Puerto Rican artists including Fania All-Stars legend Bobby Valentín "El Rey Del Bajo”, the Afro-Caribbean music ensemble Jorge Arce and Raíz de Plena, the energetic “fe-no-me-nal” cuatro player, singer and composer Tony Toyán, the electrifying “salsa gorda” (hard salsa) group Orquesta El Macabeo, and vocalist Lorna Marcano who will pay tribute to Celia Cruz, the iconic “Queen of Salsa”. In addition to musical performances, Festival Betances highlights the diversity of Latino culture through a parade, various food trucks and vendors, and arts, crafts and children’s activities.  Started by <a href="https://ibaboston.org/events/festival-betances">Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA)</a> in 1973, Festival Betances is New England’s longest-running Latino cultural festival and will bring together a diverse audience of more than 3,000 people from across Boston, the Commonwealth and beyond.

100 W Dedham St

Big Sing

Join the Boston Children's Chorus (BCC) for its largest Big Sing event ever since its inception in 2023. Approximately 700 young singers from 10 schools across Boston neighborhoods, including Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan, Roxbury, and South Boston, will come together for a vibrant performance. These students, ranging from grades 2 through 5, will join special guest artist Tamar Greene for a celebration of music and culture. The event will feature songs rooted in African American tradition and social justice themes, performed in multiple languages including English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Portuguese.  Led by BCC’s Conductor of In-School Programs Robert McFletcher-Jones, this year’s concert is the culmination of a series of workshops at all BCC-affiliated schools throughout the 2024-25 school year. Students participating in the program will meet weekly to rehearse for four weeks, beginning in May. The concert will be the first time 700 students perform all together as part of a BCC program.  More information about the concert can be found here: <a href="https://www.bostonchildrenschorus.org/our-programs/in-school-programs/big-sing/">https://www.bostonchildrenschorus.org/our-programs/in-school-programs/big-sing/</a>

Strand Theatre

Vermont Female Farmers by JuanCarlos González 

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, women make up 41% of farmers in Vermont. Born in Maunabo, Puerto Rico, Vermont-based photographer JuanCarlos González seeks to illuminate the lives and labor of these women through his powerful series Vermont Female Farmers. Inspired by his childhood experiences on his grandmother’s farm, González began the project in 2020 with the intention of creating 10 portraits. However, the series expanded into a comprehensive exploration of 45 individual farmers, each with a unique story to tell.&nbsp; This work highlights the profound contributions that female farmers make to the state’s culture, identity, and economy—contributions that are often overlooked, particularly when compared to their male counterparts. This oversight is especially pronounced for women of color. By photographing these farmers in their daily routines, González emphasizes their livelihoods, labor, and passion, capturing a wide range of agricultural practices, from saffron cultivation and goat farming to flower growing and produce for fermentation.&nbsp; Vermont Female Farmers has garnered significant recognition throughout the state, with exhibitions at Billings Farm and Museum, the Vermont State House, the Fleming Museum of Art at the University of Vermont, the Bennington Museum, and numerous other cultural institutions. This exhibition marks its first showing outside of Vermont, offering an opportunity to raise awareness of these important stories across the New England region.&nbsp; In addition to his work as a photographer, González has served as the Director of Arts Programming for Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) Boston, a community development corporation and nonprofit dedicated to addressing the displacement of low-income families due to urban development in Boston‘s South End. BA Boston to present the artist talk for this exhibition.&nbsp; Join us for the opening reception and artist talk, presented in partnership with IBA Boston, on Friday, June 6th from 5–9 PM. The evening will begin with a conversation with the artist from 5–7 PM, followed by the opening reception from 7–9 PM.&nbsp; To learn more about the project and involved farmers visit <a href="https://vermontfemalefarmers.com/">VermontFemaleFarmers.com</a>&nbsp; To learn more about IBA Boston visit <a href="https://ibaboston.org/">ibaboston.org</a>&nbsp;

Leica Store & Gallery Boston

Leaders Among Us

Join the Boston Children's Chorus (BCC) for their season finale concert, "Leaders Among Us," at the Strand Theatre. This inspiring event highlights the remarkable achievements of BCC alumni, singers, and community members who are influencing positive change.&nbsp;&nbsp; Audiences will embark on a journey honoring those who embody leadership and service, from grassroots organizers and philanthropists to mentors and advocates. The concert celebrates transformative leadership that nurtures a world filled with radical hospitality and love.&nbsp; The evening will feature performances by Boston Children’s Chorus (Choir levels), the Millennium Gospel Choir with the Museum of Fine Arts-Boston, and BCC Alum guest artist Sherylynn Sealy. For more information about Sherylynn Sealy, visit <a href="https://www.sherylynnsealy.com/">sherylynnsealy.com</a>.&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 💬

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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

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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

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S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

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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

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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

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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.

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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 

The Castle Group

Where

mdemartinocastle

Experiences

Festival Betances: Our Music, Our History, Our Community

Big Sing

Vermont Female Farmers by JuanCarlos González

Leaders Among Us