GroundBeat Concert Series | Abilities: Amplified

Join a one-of-a-kind, FREE event on the Charles River Esplanade celebrating people with disabilities, music, and technology. Abilities: Amplified brings the community together for an energetic live concert alongside an interactive resource fair. Throughout the event, attendees can explore the fair's booths to connect with local organizations, discover community support networks, and get hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology like wearable robots like those developed in the Harvard Biodesign Lab.

The main stage will serve as the heart of the celebration, showcasing a diverse mix of genres and performance styles. The on-stage lineup includes Lachi, a globally touring, award-winning recording artist performing upbeat pop and dance tracks, and a passionate advocate for Disability Culture; the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) Jazz Trio, featuring a talented collaborative performance between faculty and students; and the event's musical hosts and producers, Luigi’s Fishtank, who will bring a high-energy mix of rock, pop, and Latin music. Expect an unforgettable and inclusive show!

Bring a blanket, your dancing shoes, and your crew. Come celebrate the joy of music, the power of community, and the rhythms that bring us all together. Enjoy vendor fair featuring Mexibites, lawn games, and other family friendly activities. We will have a limited number of free picnic blankets and stadium seating chairs we can loan out during the event! 

CONCERT LINEUP

Lachi: Lachi is a globally touring artist, award-winning social entrepreneur, a PBS’ American Masters series host and active Governor of her GRAMMYs chapter board. Born legally blind, Lachi uses music, storytelling and film to amplify identity pride to promote Disability Culture and inclusion. Her U.N.-recognized organization RAMPD has collaborated with the GRAMMYs, Netflix, Tidal, SONY Pictures Television and more to bring opportunity, visibility and community to music professionals with disabilities, neurodivergence and other conditions.

The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) Jazz Trio: The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) Jazz Trio features teacher Stefan Winkler on bass and students Evan Taylor on piano and Adam Smith on drums. Evan and Adam are participants in the BIAAE's Arts Education Programs for people with disabilities. The trio has been playing together for three years, and they perform regularly at private functions and public events in the Boston area.

Luigi's Fishtank: Fishtank is a musical group that performs a dynamic mix of rock, pop, and Latin music formed in Boston in 2024. Building on their extensive busking experience and combining many music influences, the band regularly plays high-energy concerts across New England.

Plugged In | 3 Day Reign: At Plugged In Band Program, all students have the opportunity to participate in band classes, private lessons, workshops, and other musical programs.  Plugged In gives musicians a venue to channel their creativity, work in a group, and improve their music skills while learning about the importance of social activism and inclusivity in a nurturing, noncompetitive, and supportive environment.  Their goal is to bring students together and teach them how to be in a rock band and, more importantly, understand the importance of giving back to the community through music and philanthropy.  3 Day Reign’s band members have been rehearsing with Plugged In for years and represent all of our values, changing the world by creating music with each other and sharing it with all of us!

ACTIVITIES, TABLERS, VENDORS

Enjoy food, info sessions and family-friendly activities from Mexibites, Navigation Games, Youth Enrichment Services (Y.E.S.), Bionic Project, Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education, UMass Amherst Robotics, REEV, Lachi, and more!

ABOUT GROUNDBEAT

GroundBeat Concert Series fosters opportunities to perform on the Esplanade’s iconic Hatch Memorial Shell for producers and artists across greater Boston who are committed to increasing inclusivity and diversity in Boston’s arts scene. Learn more and register for other concerts on our website. 

EVENT CANCELLATION

In the event of extreme weather or other hazardous conditions, the Esplanade Association will email all participants and post a cancellation notice. Please follow our social media accounts - Instagram (@EsplanadeInBoston)/ Facebook page (@EsplanadeBoston) to keep up to date about potential class cancellations.

LOCATION INFORMATION & DIRECTIONS

NOTE: There is NO PARKING on the Esplanade. Please plan to arrive via one of the options below:

ABOUT LUIGI'S FISHTANK + HARVARD BIODESIGN LAB

Luigi’s Fishtank Luigi’s Fishtank is a musical group that performs a dynamic mix of rock, pop, and Latin music, while the Harvard Biodesign Lab develops wearable technology for people with disabilities. By combining their expertise in music and technology, these two organizations are dedicated to demonstrating how innovative tools and inclusive platforms can empower individuals and foster a more accessible community. Check out the links below to learn more!

Luigi's Fishtank

Harvard Biodesign Lab

ABOUT THE ESPLANADE ASSOCIATION

The Esplanade Association (Esplanade.org) 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 on Instagram (@EsplanadeInBoston) and Facebook (@EsplanadeBoston). Visit Esplanade.org/Events to learn about upcoming events and programs on the Esplanade.