ZUMIX, a local nonprofit providing creative opportunities for young people through music and technology, will kick off its annual Summer Concert Series on Sunday, July 13, in Piers Park. The first concert coincides with ZUMIX’s annual Walk for Music, a major fundraiser and joyful celebration of the ZUMIX community, and the launch of Eastie Week, a celebration of cultural and musical heritage and organizations in the East Boston neighborhood. Local Eastie band Don’t Be Denied will headline the show, with an opening set by Voces, ZUMIX’s youth vocal ensemble.
The Summer Concert Series highlights local professional musicians showcasing a vast array of genres. The July lineup this year includes Latin hip-hop group FM Collective on July 20 and Boston-based genre-bending artist Eph See on July 27. Musicians headlining in August include local jazz collective Women in World Jazz on August 3; boundless musical storytellers Kapatid Kud on August 10; soul musician Evan Goodrow on August 17 (along with two ZUMIX youth bands); and Puerto Rican cuatro player Juan Nieves at the final show on August 24, along with ZUMIX’s Latin ensemble, ¿Porqué Puma?.
“We’re so excited to welcome the community to our summer concerts this year,” said Madeleine Steczynski, co-founder and executive director of ZUMIX. “It’s always a great opportunity for our students to perform in front of their community, and for us to showcase local musicians. Anyone is welcome to join us.”
All family-friendly concerts will take place from 6-8 pm at Piers Park, which is located at 95 Marginal Street in East Boston. The concerts will open with young musicians from ZUMIX’s programs.
ZUMIX’s Summer Concert Series is presented with support from the East Boston Foundation, Massport, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
ZUMIX’s mission is to empower young people to build successful futures for themselves – transforming lives and community through music, technology, and creative employment. ZUMIX works with 1,000 young people ages 7-18 each year. Free and low-cost programs are offered out-of-school in instrumental music, songwriting, performance, radio, audio engineering, and audio and video storytelling. ZUMIX partners with local schools to bring more arts education opportunities to Boston’s youth. In addition to youth programs, ZUMIX offers free concerts and events for all ages. For more information, visit zumix.org.
For more information, please contact Brian Burke, Events Coordinator, at [email protected].