South End Summer Arts Preview

Again this summer, the South End will enjoy an embarrassment of riches in free, outdoor music and arts programs in our local green spaces. Neighborhood groups including the Friends of Ringgold Park, Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department (BPRD), IBA Arts and the Community Music Center of Boston (CMCB), Berklee College of Music and others.

The Titus Sparrow Park Summer Concert Series returns every Wednesday night at 6:30 PM with a varied menu of family-friendly party sounds. This season kicks off on Wednesday, May 30 with a fresh blend of hip-hop, R & B and jazz fusion from Pocket Radio5. Other performers include the Fifth Season Quartet, who present jazz with touches of classical and Bulgarian folk music on Wednesday, June 20, and Slim Jim and the Mad Cows, who bring their "country-fried metal" to the park on August 22. Also returning is the Children's Concert Series on Tuesday mornings from 10:00-11:00 AM at the Shady Triangle in Titus Sparrow Park. The fun begins on Tuesday, July 10 with folk-rock by Sara Wheeler. The Titus Sparrow concerts are free, all-ages and open to the public. See http://titussparrowpark.org/events/seasonal-events/summer-concert-series/ for full concert listings.

The popular Monday night salsa lessons and dancing return to the Courtyard at Blackstone Community Center at 6:00 PM on Monday, June 11. Brought to you by the MetaMovements performing arts collective, the lessons are free and open to the public. For more information, see http://mmsalsainthepark.weebly.com/.

Childe Hassam Park launches a variety of art and music events on Friday, June 15 at 6:00 PM with Artist in the Park: Public Art Installation Hi!, continuing through August 8 with two sessions of Dog Portraits in the Park on Saturdays, June 30 and July 28 from 9:00-10:00 AM and the Children's Music Series every Wednesday, June 26 through August 8 except Wednesday, July 4 from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM. For more information, please visit www.ChildeHassamPark.com.

Stop and smell the roses on Saturday, June 16 on the 25th annual South End Garden Tour, brought to you by the Trustees of Reservations. The self- guided tour, which runs from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, gives guests access to private gardens in the area bordered by Dartmouth Street to Rutland Square and between Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street. Tickets cost $24 in advance or $28 on tour day for Trustees members and $30 in advance or $35 on tour day for non-members. To purchase tickets, please visit https://events.thetrustees.org/tickets/ItemShow.aspx?Dep=x58rDrwgvC26UOja8STjdA==&Cat=7It89CgdTM2YvOriNJS4MQ==&It=cAOGSdglTU4=&d=06-16-2018.

Celebrate the longest day of the year with music on Thursday, June 21 at Make Music Boston, a citywide afternoon of music of all genres. South End venue Childe Hassam Park will host soul singer/songwriter Melissa Fine from 1:30-2:30 and rock singer/songwriter Kyle Bourquin from 3:00-4:00 PM, and BCA Plaza, 539 Tremont Street, will present the experimental classical group, Box Not Found. For details on all Make Music Boston venues and events, see http://www.makemusicboston.org/.

The Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association (WSANA) reprises its monthly Music in the Square series with performances in scenic, relaxing Worcester Square on the third Thursday of each month, June 21, July 19 and August 16 from 7:00-9:00 PM. Bring a picnic, some chairs and a blanket and enjoy the sweet sounds with neighbors and friends! Artists to be announced. See WSANA's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterSquare/ for upcoming details.

Fête de la Musique commemorates the summer solstice on Saturday, June 23 from 3:00-6:00 PM with more venues and performances at Ringgold Park, Union Park, Childe Hassam Park, Hayes Park, Frieda Garcia Park, Watson Park and BCA plaza, 539 Tremont Street. There will be live music, food samplings and family friendly activities. Artists have not yet been announced. Further details will be posted at https://cmcb.org/events/fete-de-la-musique/.

A neighborhood favorite, the Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church Picnic returns on Saturday, June 23 from 12:00-11:00 PM and Sunday, June 24 from 12:00-8:00 PM at the church's courtyard and parish hall, 15 Union Park Street. Dine on roast lamb, moussaka, souvlaki, gyros, spanakopita (spinach pie) and other Greek specialties homemade by church volunteers, followed by the bounteous array of Greek pastries and adult beverages. On Saturday night, Greek band Enosis sets the rhythm for traditional Greek dances. Free, all ages admission. See http://www.saintjohnthebaptist.org/news.html for further details.

BPRD's Artists In Residence Workshops for children ages 3 through 10 will return at Ringgold Park on three consecutive Thursdays, July 12, 19 and 26 from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. Local artists will lead the children in creating take-home art and craft projects. The series is free, and materials will be provided. To register, email parks@cityofboston.gov.

Progress has its price: Due to upcoming renovations to the South End Branch Library and Library Park, the Concerts at Library Park series will not take place this summer. Here's looking forward to the return of the concert series in the future when the library improvements are complete.

The Tito Puente Summer Concert Series returns to heat up the summer with Latin dance rhythms on three dates in O'Day Park, 85 West Newton Street, on Thursday nights in July. The fun begins on JULY 5 with a fusion of Latin, African and American styles by singer/percussionist ZAYRA POLA & 3NITY. On July 12, Orquesta El Macabeo combines salsa with punk and other genres to forge a unique sound. On July 19, Eguie Castrillo y Orquesta Mar del Norte brings salsa of the '70s and '80s to the park. Wear your dancing shoes!

IBA Arts presents a special 50th anniversary edition of Festival Betances on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21 from 1:00-8:00 PM at Plaza Betances, 100 West Dedham Street. The festivities begin with a parade including community performing groups, elected officials, neighborhood organizations and more, and continues with two afternoons filled with traditional and contemporary Latin music styles; Puerto Rican street food and tropical soft drinks; crafts and the traditional greasy pole competition on Sunday afternoon. Musical acts to be announced. Visit http://www.ibaboston.org/festivalbetances/ for more information. Admission is free, but an RSVP is requested at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/festival-betances-anniversary-edition-tickets-44459856628.
Sidebar: Kids' sports

Rookie Rugby: Cheryl Brown 961-3085

BPRD's Watercolor Painting Workshop comes to Blackstone Square from 12:00 PM-2:00 PM on Saturday September 8, providing an opportunity for artists of all skill levels to express themselves with guidance from an instructor.

The Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival returns on Saturday, September 29 from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM with rock, soul, jazz, blues and more performed on three stages along Mass. Ave., as well as music education activities, food and craft vendors and information tables from community organizations. Artists have not het been announced, but details will become available at https://www.berklee.edu/beantownjazz.

Now that you are in the know, go out and enjoy the summer