The Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement and Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture will be celebrating National LGBTQ+ Pride month by hosting, supporting, and amplifying events that serve the local Queer community.

This celebration of National LGBTQ+ Pride Month will feature the unveiling of Portraits of Pride, a photography project that highlights LGBTQ+ leaders, which will remain on the Plaza for the entire month of June. The event will also include a flag raising and several performances including Big Body Kweeng, Neon Calypso, Patty Bourrée, and more!

In partnership with Boston University and the New England Conservatory, the City of Boston will present "A Celebration of the Lives and Legacies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King" on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.  The event will be live streamed on both boston.gov and Boston University website, as well as on the City of Boston’s cable network (Xfinity: channel 24, RCN: channel 13, and Fios: channel 962.) 



This year’s program features:       

• Robert A. Brown, President Boston University
• Brianna Bourne, Boston University Arts & Sciences ’22, Boston Latin Academy ‘20
• Saida Grundy, Assistant Professor of Sociology, African American Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies at Boston University
• Andrea Kalyn, President, New England Conservatory
• Katherine Kennedy, Director, Boston University Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground
• Jean Morrison, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Boston University
• Jean-Luc Pierite, Tuncia-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana,
  
  President of the Board of The North American Indian Center of Boston
• Kelsey Russell, Boston University Arts & Sciences ‘22
• Tanisha Sullivan, President of the NAACP Boston Branch
• Andrea Taylor, Senior Diversity Officer, Boston University
• Michelle Wu, Mayor, City of Boston

The program also features musical selections performed by student ensembles and choirs from the New England Conservatory and the Boston University the Inner Strength Gospel Choir.

In previous years, leaders such as U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley, Beverly Morgan-Welch, Sonia Sanchez, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Ernest Green of the Little Rock Nine, Judy Richardson of Eyes on the Prize, and civil rights activist and filmmaker Topper Carew served as keynote speakers. Governor Deval Patrick, Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, Boston Poet Laureates Sam Cornish and Danielle Legros Georges, former Orthopaedic Surgeon-in-Chief at Beth Israel Hospital Dr. Augustus White, and WGBH Radio host Eric Jackson are among those who have served as readers in previous years.

DJ Bruno will be providing the music. Dance the night away to house music at this free, family-friendly dance party by The Patios on City Hall Plaza.



The City of Boston is also hosting a pop-up Beer and Wine Garden, showcasing local businesses, in The Patios space on City Hall Plaza from 4 - 8 p.m. On the night of the event, Distraction Brewing will be vending at the Beer and Wine Garden.

DJ Bruno has been a DJ in Boston since 1987. He became known in the college scene in the late 80s to early 90s for mixing hip hop, reggae, R&B, and house music. In 1991, he began a residency at the Boston Loft after-hours club with Armand Van Helden. The following year, he started the Legendary Utopia Parties. Utopia still remains as one of Boston’s hottest deep house music events.

In 2006, Boston Magazine named DJ Bruno “DJ of the Year'' and in 2007, Weekly Dig awarded Utopia Sundays the “Best House Night in Boston.” With clubs not opened to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, DJ Bruno decided to take his music virtual on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.,  and on Fridays from 7 - 9 p.m. His motto is, “If we can dance together, we can live together." He is on a mission to spread this motto all over the world, whether it be virtually or in person. Follow DJ Bruno on Instagram @djbruno30.

On Friday, July 29, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy a salsa dance party on City Hall Plaza! DJ Big O will be playing salsa music and Salsa y Control will be providing dance lessons.

DJ Big O

Born in Venezuela, and raised in Massachusetts, Oscar ‘DJ Big O’ Nunez, has used his knowledge of many different genres of music to create a larger than life persona as a top DJ and emcee in Boston. DJ Big O is a true expert when it comes to any Latin genre, and he is always able to captivate his guests by his exceptional mic presence. DJ Big O is outstanding at interacting and engaging with guests... and does so in a way that makes guests feel welcomed, and ready to have fun and dance all night long! Follow DJ Big O on Instagram @djbigo1.

Salsa y Control 

Salsa y Control, a local small business with locations in both Allston and Cambridge, is one of the most beloved dance companies in the area, offering top quality and easy-to-follow instruction to get you on the dance floor in no time. Their classes provide a fun and welcoming environment for everyone of all levels. They also have performance opportunities where dancers are inspired to gain more confidence and reach their fullest potential. “Salsa y Control'' originated in 1999 with Johnny and Andres, two brothers who perform amazing duets with unique, intricate salsa footwork combinations. Salsa y Control later expanded to include partner dance performances with Johnny and Felicita. In 2003, the three established what we know today as "Salsa y Control Dance Company." Their drive came from the desire to inspire others to express inner emotion through the art of dance. In 2008, the Salsa y Control Dance Studio opened its doors in Allston under Andres and Leah. Today, Salsa y Control has grown to be one of the biggest dance companies in Boston with over 80 performing members for multiple dance teams and they continue to offer classes in Allston and Cambridge.

The Golf Course Concert Series is part of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s ParkARTS program. They are held in July, August, and September and shows begin at 6 p.m.

aBOUT Kaliloops:

• Kali Stoddard-Imari is a Boston based singer and songwriter who's sound consists of folk pop, rock, reggae, blues, and soul.
• Kaliloops has shared the stage with many talented artists, such as Taj Mahal, the Adam Ezra Group, Martin Sexton, Shawn Colvin, and Marc Cohn.
• Family and community inspires Kaliloops. His goal is to unite people and create positive experiences with every performance.

Learn more about Kaliloops

The Golf Course Concert Series is part of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s ParkARTS program. They are held in July and August. Shows begin at 6 p.m.

Grayson TY

Western Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter Grayson Ty has mastered the art of vulnerability. Entirely unpretentious, his stage presence is easy, genuine, and unguarded. In an era of so much disconnection and artifice, Grayson brings audiences together with his honest, heartfelt lyrics, and soulful, soothing voice.

Following a sold-out release show for his debut EP Believe, Grayson has shared the stage with American Idol winner Nick Fradiani, Heather Maloney (Signature Sounds), and Crystal Bowersox (American Idol runner-up) among others. Believe earned regional and international acclaim as Grayson toured extensively.

Grayson’s impeccable songwriting brings out the best of his full range, from R&B crooning and folk-inspired storytelling to masterful pop riffs and earnest lyrics. He believes deeply in the connective power of music, working as a music therapist by day, and collaborating as cowriter with other songwriters.

Grayson most recent single, “Fall Again”, has rapidly gained over 29,000 streams on Spotify, and was highly-reviewed by journals across the United States and Europe. His music can be found an all platforms, as well as at his website: Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

The Golf Course Concert Series is part of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s ParkARTS program. They are held in July and August. Shows begin at 6 p.m.

About It's a 'J' thing

The trio was established in the spring of 2016. Members Jessica Kelly, Jackie Turner, and James Caruso had previously played together with Aid to Navigation (2008-2016). When the group parted ways, the J’s came together to form It’s a J Thing.

The group has a dynamic sound boasting vocals from lead singer Jessica Kelly, a unique and powerful sound from Jackie Turner’s violin, and a solid core established by the guitar and singing of James Caruso. The group mixes in original tunes with a wide variety of cover songs spanning any music lover’s catalog.

It's a J Thing website