The BAMS Festival, held in Franklin Park, brought together a diverse array of artists, dancers, and attendees for a vibrant celebration of Black culture and joy.
With breakdancing workshops led by Stiggity Stackz and demonstrations of line dancing to the hit song “Boots on the Ground” by the Boston Rhythm Riders, the festival showcased both contemporary and traditional forms of dance.
Chanel “Ms.5678” Thompson taught Jamaican dancehall and Cape Verdean music, aiming to uplift participants during challenging times. Speaking after her session, she expressed a desire for attendees to experience “ultimate joy” through her music selections.
Many guests echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the importance of highlighting Black joy amidst discussions often focused on pain and struggle.
Melanie Wilkerson, 32, visiting from Brooklyn, noted, “It’s important for there to be hypervisibility of Black joy, because right now, I believe that a lot of politicians and even the media are profiting off of Black pain by sharing the worst of what we’re going through right now. We’re going to liberate ourselves and find our joy in the process.”
This need for celebration is particularly pronounced in Boston, according to Ashé Brooks-Cook, who attended the festival for the fourth time. He remarked on the lack of spaces for Black people to gather, saying, “You look around, you see us, and there aren’t many spaces and places where you see people that look like you, especially in mainstream Boston.”
Offering a blend of local and international influences, the festival featured an Afrobeats workshop and a family stage called KidChella, where 21-year-old spoken word artist Val Lapree performed a piece titled “Wishful Thinking.” The poem, written in response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020, critically explored the concept of “Boston Strong.”
Local performers utilized their stage time to present special acts. DJ Whysham combined dancers, fellow DJs, and 17-year-old singer Solari Blue for an exciting review, while Boston rap legend Edo.G highlighted his family’s talent by sharing the spotlight with the vocal trio Blue Hill Gang.
One of the festival’s goals was to uplift both Black and brown creatives, evident in performances by a variety of artists, including Filipina singer-songwriter Jireh Calo, who captivated audiences with tales of a “wild woman” brought to life by a vibrant dancer.
Kasia Lavon, who had previously performed as a background vocalist for rapper Red Shaydez, led her own ensemble this year, showcasing her songwriting talent and the effort her band put into rehearsing for their set. “This is home, and because so many people pour their hearts into this festival to honor Black culture,” Lavon stated.
The local talent ranged from The Peacekeepers, a recently formed dance crew, to multi-faceted artist Haasan Barclay, who seamlessly transitioned from pop and hip-hop to punk rock during his performance.
As the early afternoon rain cleared, BAMS Festival board chair Austyn Ellese Mayfield observed the enthusiastic turnout, affirming the community’s need for safe spaces to celebrate and recognize their identities. She stated there was a evident demand for places where their “personhood and humanity” could be showcased through the arts.
Although the festival reduced its duration from two days to one this year, it extended its reach with a week of related events around Boston.
The culmination of the festival will feature a free screening of the documentary “BAMS Festival: A Local Anomaly” at Boston City Hall. This event, scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m., emphasizes a decade of highlighting diverse artists and organizations within the community. Interested attendees can register at blacksoulsummer.com/alocalanomalyscreening.
image source from：bostonglobe
