The BAMS Festival is set to kick off its highly anticipated Momentum event series this Wednesday in Cambridge, aiming to spotlight local artists, creators, and small businesses.
According to community partnerships and programs manager Toki Wright, the festival’s mission mirrors that of major cultural events like the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans and South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.
Wright emphasizes that BAMS Fest is not about self-promotion but about uplifting the arts and culture sector and fostering community development.
The series will open with a local musician showcase titled “Authenticity: A Boston Lover’s Dream” at The Sinclair, featuring notable acts such as Western Massachusetts soul singer Kimaya Diggs and Boston R&B artist Aric B.
Following this, a variety of live music events will include Thursday’s “She’s in the Mix” at The Record Company, highlighting women DJs and producers through a series of live sets and discussions.
On Sunday, “The Stew: Beat Showcase” at High Street Place will give music producers a platform to showcase their skills in a live beat-making competition.
In addition to the music-focused events, two social gatherings will set the tone for the festival.
The first is “S.O.U.L.STICE: Play Playe Edition” on Thursday at the Emerson College UnCommon Stage, featuring karaoke and games.
This will be followed by the “Make ‘Em Sweat: Kickoff Party” hosted by Boston nonprofit Artists For Humanity on Friday.
Additionally, the Museum of Fine Arts will screen the documentary “May the Lord Watch” on Friday in collaboration with the Roxbury International Film Festival.
The film explores the journey of the North Carolina rap group Little Brother, detailing their rise to fame, eventual breakup, and remarkable reunion in 2019.
Following the screening, journalist Dart Adams will engage in a discussion with the group.
Little Brother is set to take the stage at BAMS Festival the next day, along with other headliners such as R&B artist Lalah Hathaway and genre-blending singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr.
Local performers, including Kasia Lavon and Cole Rodriguez, will also contribute to the vibrant lineup.
For those interested in non-musical offerings, Thursday will feature a fashion designer showcase titled “Bogosplit: Runway Heat” at the Liberty Hotel, featuring local designers.
On Sunday, poets Jessica Care Moore and Boston’s own Tim Hall will celebrate the spoken word at the “Wordspeak Lounge” event at JustBook-ish in Dorchester.
Momentum will culminate in Boston City Hall on Monday with “BAMS Fest Day,” which will include a screening of the documentary “BAMS Festival: A Local Anomaly” officiated by Mayor Michelle Wu.
This film chronicles the festival’s origins, established by founder Catherine T. Morris, as well as the events leading up to the previous year’s festival.
Wright notes that the Momentum series has enabled BAMS to diversify its offerings while providing vital support to artists, vendors, and community programming that were previously constrained by time and resources.
Wright expresses the festival’s mission: to highlight the creativity and significance of local creators of color, reinforcing their importance in the community and the existence of a supportive ecosystem around them.
With Momentum taking place during Pride Month and shortly after Juneteenth, there is an emphasis on intersectionality in showcasing the myriad identities within the Black and brown communities.
Wright states, “For us, it’s about saying, ‘We’re not one thing. We’re not one identity. We’re multiple identities.’”
He continues, “We are loving people, we are embracing, innovators, and creators. We create safe spaces and an environment that enables the possibility for us.”
Wright’s extensive experience in organizing events informs his understanding that hosting a festival is akin to building a city within a city.
He and the BAMS team are dedicated to creating a safe atmosphere for individuals to express themselves and engage in meaningful discussions around complex topics related to race and queerness.
“This is bigger than just the show,” Wright concludes. “This is about building a world that we want to live in.”
image source from：bostonglobe
