Sonic Passports : Caribbean Heritage Month

Presented by the Esplanade Association’s GroundBeat Concert Series and Travel Through Music

Your passport is stamped. Your destination? The Caribbean 🌴✈️

Sonic Passports returns to the iconic DCR Hatch Memorial Shell for its second year and this time we are celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month in a big way. A free, immersive outdoor concert experience on the banks of the Charles River, Sonic Passports takes audiences on a journey through the vibrant sounds, rhythms, and stories of the Caribbean diaspora , from calypso and soca to reggae and kompa.

THE EXPERIENCE

Beyond the stage, Sonic Passports is a full cultural immersion 🌍

🎨 Kiddies Corner opens at 5:30PM with A Trike Called Funk — DJ EdWord spinning Caribbean sounds, MC-Dance Lead facilitating interactive dance, a full sound system and dance floor, and hand-held percussive instruments for guests to join in

🎭 Masquerade Presentations by D’Horizon Mas Band and Camo Mas Band — two stunning showcases of Caribbean Carnival artistry bringing elaborate costuming, color, and pageantry to the Hatch Shell stage. Camo Mas Band will also set up in Kiddies Corner creating a coloring book featuring Caribbean flags and cultural information for young guests

🖼️ Large-Scale Coloring Book Art Installation from Safiya’s coloring book — 36 inches tall by 72 inches long, inviting guests of all ages to pick up a brush and create. Copies available for purchase at the Travel Through Music table

✈️ Sonic Passport Hands-On Collage Experience facilitated by Nadege D. Okotie M.Ed. of She Moves Forward — create your own passport-style artwork using color, texture, national identity, and imagination. A playful and meaningful way to experience art, culture, and sound together

🎨 Live Portrait Painting by Medford-based textile designer and painter Talia Connelly — she will capture you in whimsical, stylized fashion illustrations on the spot. 50% of all portrait proceeds donated to Jamaicans for a Better Jamaica

🧘🏾 Terra Grove Wellness: Rhythm and Reset — a pop-up wellness activation by certified Reiki practitioner Stacey Charles. Selfie station, giveaways, and a chance to win a healing session. For adults and children

🍽️ Cool Shade Jamaican Restaurant Food Truck — bold, punchy, soul-warming Jamaican cuisine from 388 Blue Hill Ave. Come hungry

🫔 Free empanadas from Bocadillos for the first 120 guests. Slushies. Lawn games

🛍️ Vendor fair and tablers including the City of Boston Office of Cultural Affairs, Natural Fruitberri, Wanderful, Friendshipworks, Polar Beverages, and more

🌍 Travel Through Music Table — browse and shop a curated selection of international goods, learn about group travel experiences, subscription boxes, and Safiya’s coloring book

🪑 Complimentary picnic blankets and stadium seating chairs available to loan while supplies last

GETTING THERE

📍 DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, 47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02114

🚇 MBTA Green Line to Arlington Station or Red Line to Charles/MGH Station

🚲 Blue Bikes available nearby

🚗 Rideshare drop-off on Beacon Street near Arlington Street

🚫 There is no parking on the Esplanade

Bring a blanket, your dancing shoes, and your whole crew 🌴

ABOUT TRAVEL THROUGH MUSIC

Travel Through Music is a cultural platform dedicated to connecting global communities through music, travel, and shared human experience. Founded by Boston-based vocalist and cultural curator Safiya, TTM began as an international music subscription box and has grown into a full cultural ecosystem encompassing live immersive concerts, community activations, group travel experiences, and cultural education programming. Featured in Forbes and The Boston Globe. www.travelthroughmusic.com

ABOUT THE GROUNDBEAT CONCERT SERIES

GroundBeat is the Esplanade Association’s free riverfront music series initiated in 2018 in partnership with Catherine T. Morris and in coordination with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. GroundBeat fosters opportunities for producers and artists across Greater Boston committed to increasing inclusivity and diversity in Boston’s arts scene. www.esplanade.org

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