Created in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente, this series celebrates years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks. The series is sponsored in part by:

• Berklee College of Music, and
• Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion
• Free salsa lessons are led by MetaMovements.

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation scholarship recipient Kristalis Sotomayor has just earned her master’s degree in classical flute from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Now, she’s making waves with the launch of her exciting new charanga band, Kristalis y Las Nenas del Swing ("The Swingin’ Babes").

This dynamic ensemble features seven exceptional female Latin musicians hailing from Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, joined by two equally talented male musicians from Colombia and Panama.

Created in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente, this series celebrates years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks. The series is sponsored in part by:

• Berklee College of Music, and
• Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion.
• Free salsa lessons are led by MetaMovements.

Hugo Díaz was raised in the vibrant world of tropical music. At the age of 15, he discovered his natural talent for singing and has been performing ever since. His musical development began with Cinco En Clave, led by director Carlos Daly, where he had the opportunity to share the stage with notable artists such as Mel Martinez, Paquito Acosta, Wiki Gonzalez, Primi Cruz, and Manolo Lezcano.

As his career progressed, doors began to open for Díaz, and he went on to perform with La Orquesta Mulenze, La Orquesta Abran Paso, as well as with prominent figures in the Latin music scene, including Pedro Brull, Yolanda Rivera, Luigi Texidor, Luisito Carrión, Tito Rojas, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Pichie Perez, and many others.

Díaz's performances have taken him to renowned venues like the Lincoln Center in New York, where he captivated an audience of 7,000 people, as well as countless patronal celebrations and festivals. His rich musical journey continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Created in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente, this series celebrates years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks.  The series is sponsored in part by:

• Berklee College Music
• Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion
• Free salsa lessons are led by MetaMovements

Barbara Zamora Vargas is a Cuban singer and songwriter renowned for her versatility and distinguished career in music. She graduated from the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) in Havana, Cuba, specializing in choral conducting under the guidance of esteemed instructors like Linda Mirabal, Zenaida Castro Romeu, and María Felicia Pérez.

In 1992, Vargas joined the legendary Cuban female orchestra Anacaona, where she has remained as a lead singer ever since. With Anacaona, she has performed on global stages and participated in numerous prestigious festivals, including Nuits D'Afrique in Montreal, Sunfest in London, Aruba’s International Jazz Festival, and Salsa al Parque in Bogotá, Colombia. Her work with Anacaona also saw her perform in the musical theater production El Burgués Gentilhombre, which was showcased at the Chaillot Theatre in Paris, the Metropolitan Hall in Mexico City, and the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco.

Vargas's career extends far beyond Anacaona. She has contributed as a backup singer in several notable productions, including the Latin Grammy-winning La Rumba Soy Yo in 2001, Isaac Delgado’s Versos en el Cielo, and Control by Manolito y su Trabuco. As a soloist, she has performed in prestigious events like the Adolfo Guzmán and OTI contests, as well as the Benny Moré Festival.

In 2011, Vargas launched her solo career with the release of Mi Entrega, an album that showcases her songwriting talents across a variety of genres, including bolero, son, blues, salsa, cha-cha-cha, danzón, and fusion. Her work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, marking her as a significant figure in Latin music.

Mayor Michelle Wu, elected officials and South Boston residents will officially reopen the BCYF Curley Community Center, which underwent a $31.2 million renovation, on Friday, July 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The newly renovated space includes state of the art fitness and activity spaces for community members of all ages, and was built with climate resiliency features to better protect the beachfront facility from flooding and coastal storms. 

The BCYF Paris Street Pool, located at 113 Paris Street in East Boston, will reopen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 6, at 10:30 a.m., following a $8.9 million, three year renovation. All are invited to the celebration.

The building was completely renovated including upgrades to the mechanical systems, bathrooms and locker rooms, and the pool. There is a modified main entrance and lobby area, reconfigured interior spaces and exterior upgrades which make it a more inviting and user-friendly space.

There will be no charge for membership or programming but visitors need to create a membership at Boston.gov/BCYF-Registration. Registration for classes and programs can be found on the pool’s webpage, Boston.gov/BCYF-Paris-Street-Pool, once the pool opens.

Inspired by traditional family gatherings, BWB is bringing together Black Bostonians from across neighborhoods, hometowns, and generations to experience joy and create memories with friends and family. Count on all your favorite Black-folk classics making a return this year, from line-dancing to epic Double Dutch showdowns and intense Spades tournaments to face painting fun for all ages. BWB will also feature live music that'll get you on your feet, BWB member exclusives, and innovative showcases of local vendors and artists from the community.

Learn more and RSVP

The Public Facilities Department (PFD), Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), and Fennick McCredie Architecture invite you to join us for a remote meeting to discuss the  BCYF Clougherty Pool Project. 

Join the Zoom

Join the City of Boston and local partners for a Community Resource Fair at BCYF Mattahunt focused on reducing energy bills and pursuing energy efficiency resources. Additional information on food access, housing, career development, and more will be available. Food will be provided!  

• Learn about utility assistance programs and payment plans through Eversource and National Grid.
• Find out about Fuel Assistance (HEAP) with ABCD.
• Enroll into Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE).
• Access resources on food, housing, career development, and more!
• Bring your utility bills! 

Resources from:

• ABCD, Fuel Assistance (HEAP)
• Eversource
• National Grid 
• Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) 
• Mass Save
• Boston Savez
• Disabilities Commission
• Boston Fire Department
• Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT)
• Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement (MOLA)
• Education and Outreach Office of Fair Housing & Equity
• Office of Human Resource
• Public Works/Waste Reduction/Zero Waste
• Office of Food Justice
• Boston Water and Sewer Commission 

This summer JP Chess is offering four free chess workshops and a free chess tournament at City Hall Plaza funded by a grant from the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture. A US Chess Federation titled player will guide you at each workshop covering elements of the opening, the middle game and endgame. Each workshop starts at 2 p.m. and lasts 1 to 1.5 hours followed by casual chess until 5 p.m. Then, once you've improved your chess, enter the blitz tournament in early August. 

The workshops and tournament will be held on the following dates:

•  Unfamiliar Waters (Sunday, July 2 at 2 p.m.) 
• Pawn Structure, the Key to Planning in Chess (Sunday, July 9 at 2 p.m.) 
• The Battle of Knights and Bishops (Sunday, July 16 at 2 p.m.) 
•  Endgame Basics - Rook and Pawn (Sunday, July 23 at 2 p.m.) 
• Tournament (Sunday, August 6 from 2 - 5 p.m.)

Learn more and register