Welcome the Spring with a free concert at the Hatch Memorial Shell on June 11th featuring local R&B, jazz, funk, spoken word and dance artists as part of the Esplanade Association’s Groundbeat Concert Series. The FINAL concert of the series will be produced by AFRODESIACITY. Enjoy live music, the gorgeous view of the Charles River Esplanade and our vendor fair featuring free empanadas to the first 100 people from Bocadillos (first come first serve), 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 Line Up

Aric B: Known for his versatile vocal range spanning Jazz, Pop, Soul, Gospel, and R&B, Aric is a recording artist and performer with a unique ability to connect deeply with his audience. In addition to his musical prowess, he is a renowned speaker and academic, holding degrees from Harvard University and New York Theological Seminar.

Abria Smith: Boston native Abria Smith has worked for over 20 years as an actor, musician, and writer. She is a published poet and songwriter who aims to create positive and uplifting art. Her signature statement—“When I cease to create, I cease to exist.”—sums up the importance of the arts in her life

DJ Basi B: Basi B is an all vinyl DJ well known in Boston’s dance underground scene. He is nothing shy of keeping the night grooving, spinning nothing but Rare Grooves, Funk, Boogies, R&B, and reggae on 45’s. Recent highlights include residencies at iconic venues like Bleacher Bar at Fenway Park, and joining Boston’s all vinyl rising Dj group, Funkin’ Vinyl Crew. Basi B’s mission is to create memorable experiences one vinyl at a time.

LesleyAnn Moore: The Poetic Artiste is a self-taught artist based in Boston, Massachusetts, whose work celebrates feminine beauty through abstract forms and multimedia techniques. She is deeply committed to self-expression and body positivity and views art as a grounding force.

Activities, Tablers & Vendors

Enjoy food and family-oriented activities including Bocadillos, Culture Pop, Polar, Mass Audubon, Stone Living Lab, and The American City Coalition.

About Afrodesiacity/Olasco Boston

Olawumi (Olasco Boston) Akinwumi is a Community Engagement professional and CEO/Creative Director of Afrodesiacity, a City of Boston WMBE-Certified Business. Olawumi Akinwumi is a seasoned event producer, cultural strategist, and community engagement leader based in Boston. She has worked with The Williams Agency for two years, serving as Co-Production Manager for Boston JerkFest. Previously, as Programs Coordinator and Circle The City Manager at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Ola played a pivotal role in managing Boston’s first Open Streets initiative under the leadership of Julie Crockford. She collaborated with key stakeholders to transform public spaces into vibrant cultural hubs, including curating live music programming for CTC’s Blue Hill Avenue activation. Her efforts helped unite thousands of participants in an interactive, car-free community experience featuring music, fitness, arts, and social engagement. Ola specializes in fostering inclusive and dynamic cultural experiences, ensuring Open Streets events authentically engage local communities and amplify diverse voices.

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, or humanitix page.

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 (@EsplanadeBoston) / Instagram (@EsplanadeInBoston) 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:

WALKING
If entering by foot, you can take one of many footbridges to enter the park. They are all noted on this map. The Hatch Memorial Shell is closest to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge 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!

MBTA
The Hatch Shell is a ten-minute walk from the 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 map.

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 System Map or mobile app. 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.

PARKING (outside of park)
Recommended parking locations include Newbury Street lots or the Boston Common Garage.

RIDE SHARE
Please direct rideshare vehicles to drop you off on Beacon Street near Arlington Street. Cheers 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.

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

Contact the host of Groundbeat Concert Series: Rhythms of Unity