Somerville ArtBeat 2017: Music, Art And More

SOMERVILLE, MA – Somerville's ArtBeat 2017 festival will be held Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15 in Davis Square. In case of rain, the dates will shift to the following days with the same schedule. ArtBeat features music, dancing, art, live performances and activities for kids. The festival is free, although a $3 donation is suggested.

Here's a full breakdown of the schedule, musical acts, artists and more.

ArtBeat Schedule

July 14 ArtBeat by Night [Rain date: 7/15; same times]

Park Stage, Seven Hills Park (behind Somerville Theatre)

6:00 PM Kina Zoré (Mozambican funk)

7:00 PM Sugar Blood Jinx (Blues)

8:00 PM The Northeastern Railroads (Dream pop)

9:00 PM This Bliss (True grime with light/video show)

Statue Park

7-10 PM Dreamland Silent Disco

July 15 ArtBeat by Day [Rain date: 7/16; same times]

Park Stage, Seven Hills Park (behind Somerville Theatre)

12:00 PM Henry Acker Gypsy Jazz Trio (Jazz)

1:00 PM Stars Like Ours (Rock)

2:00 PM Jorge Arce & Raiz de Plena (Plena/Boricua)

3:00 PM Red Right Hand (Garage rock/pop)

4:00 PM Hillbilly Holiday (Country)

5:00 PM Smallest Town Ensemble (Indie)

Elm Street Stage (corner of Elm St. and Chester St.)

12:30 PM Strangers by Accident (Indie folk)

1:30 PM Tory Silver (Singer/songwriter)

2:30 PM Ebinho Cardoso & Albino Mbie (Mozambican/Brazilian)

3:30 PM Kali Stoddard-Imari & Ancestors in Training (Folk pop/rhythm)

4:30 PM Air Congo (Jazz)

Somerville Theatre Dance Showcase (55 Davis Square)

12:30 PM Hui Lehua

1:30 PM Grant Jacoby & Dancers, Jessica Smith

2:30 PM Tai Jimenez, Mystique Illusions Dance Theatre

3:30 PM Jessie Jeanne & Dancers

Kid-Friendly Elm Street Plaza (between Starbucks and Chipotle Grill)

11:00 AM Magpie Kids’ Band

12-4 PM Knuckebones

1:00 PM Jeremy Lyons

2:30 PM Jungle Jim Manning

3:30PM Reynaliz Herrera

4:30 PM Oom Yung Doe Martial Arts Performance

Statue Park

All Day “Lift Your Voice” with Buzzroar

All Day Welcoming Immigrants Photo Booth

11:15 PM Story time with Somerville Public Library

12:15 PM Soapbox Shakespeare

1:00 PM Speaker Corner

2:00 PM Theater games with Youth Arts Program

2:45 PM Voice workshop with Gary McLinn

4:00 PM Oom Yung Doe Martial Arts Workshop

Traffic Island

All Day “Community, the Song We Weave Together” by Hannah Verlin

“10,000 Voices: Community Collage” by Ariel Freiberg

Location TBD

All Day Language Lab

ArtBeat by night: Fri., July 14th

Music in Seven Hills Park (Behind Som. Theatre)

6:00 PM Kina Zoré

Boston-based Afropop group Kina Zoré commands the dance floor with earthy-yet-electric African rhythms that echo from frontman Helder Tsinine’s hometown of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Shortly after moving to Boston to attend Berklee, Tsinine formed Kina Zoré (the band is named after a Mozambican, traditional, celebratory dance) to share some of his songs and stories of his life in Mozambique. Kina Zoré has attracted international attention, including features on BBC Africa, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Agência Angola Press. In the spirit of Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Thomas Mapfumo, Kina Zoré seeks to illuminate social issues that impact communities near and abroad.

7:00 PM Sugar Blood Jinx

Songwriter Eric Waxwood conjures an aggressive old-style sound on his National Steel Guitar. Scott Pittman (drums) and Matthew Murphy (bass) drive the rhythm section, while Jim Clifford adds harmonica, hoots, and hollers. Combined, it’s an alchemy of old and new, a reverence for Delta Blues greats such as Son House and Charlie Patton. But don’t get it twisted, this isn’t some precious museum piece. It’s get up, shake and dance music—a hardcore boogie.

8:00 PM The Northeastern Railroads

“The Northeastern Railroads” is the artistic name of Tony Moureilles. Markedly influenced by shoegaze and dream pop bands, he creates songs with textured layers of atmospheric guitars and dream-like vocals. Tony’s debut album —Hope— was released on March 17, 2017. The lyrics to Hope reveal both sweet and bitter life experiences painted sometimes with child-like grief, sometimes with self-deprecating humor. A close group of musician friends helps him deliver his nuanced sound during his live performances.

9:00 PM This Bliss

This Bliss introduces listeners to a brand new musical genre: true grime, which has been recently described as electronic soul. According to a local music blog, true grime is sure to be every music website’s preferred buzz genre. But seriously, we’re about synergy. And drum machines. And the kurzweil. And a totally awesome light/video show.

Statue Park (plaza by main traffic intersection)

7-10 PM Dreamland Silent Disco

Grab a pair of wireless headphones and dance the night away in this disco with a twist! Those without headphones won’t hear the music you’re dancing to, making it look as though Statue Park is filled with people dancing to nothing. With three different radio stations, there will be something for everyone!

ArtBeat Sat., July 15th

Music on the Park Stage, Seven Hills Park (Behind Som. Theatre)

12:00 Henry Acker Gypsy Jazz Trio

Henry Acker is a thirteen-year-old gypsy jazz guitarist with abilities far beyond his years. After playing for only four years, he has already shared the stage with many jazz greats. He is the winner of both the 2017 Djangofest North West Saga Award and a 2017 Downbeat Magazine Student Award for jazz guitar soloist. He performs exhilarating gypsy jazz repertoire and jazz standards along with his father Victor Acker, a Berklee alum and jazz guitarist and his Uncle Dana Acker on double bass, also a Berklee Alum. Henry’s career is just getting started but he must be seen to be believed.

1:00 PM Stars Like Ours

Stars Like Ours is a 90’s influenced, driving rock band with pop sensibility from Boston. The band consists of Michelle Paulhus on bass and lead vocals, Kristin Holliday on guitar and backing vocals and Rice Edmonston on drums. Stars Like Ours formed in the fall of 2014. Since then, they have played clubs in and around Boston including the Paradise Rock Club. The band’s first 2 singles, “High” and “The Callout” were released in the fall of 2015, in December 2016, they released a 5 song EP titled “A Million Ways to Exit”.

2:00 PM Jorge Arce & Raiz De Plena

Jorge Arce and his group, Raiz de Plena, features Comparsa Boricua with Bomba music and dancers, stilt walkers, and masqueraders in parades with a Carnival flavor. Their traditional plena music concerts include percussion, trumpets and trombones, and audience participation in the form of lots of call-and-response chants! Raiz de Plena has made over 1,000 appearances at colleges, conferences, schools, art centers, fairs, and community centers throughout the Northeast, the United States, and Puerto Rico.

3:00 PM Red Right Hand

March 2015 marked the debut of Boston-based Red Right Hand with a full-length release. With a nod to one of their favorite songwriters and influences, Nick Cave, Red Right Hand straddles the line between accessible pop and garage rock. Think: early PJ Harvey meets Patti Smith. Their follow-up EP will be released this fall. The band is comprised of Jess Baggia, Gordon Carlson, Mario Epstein and Tom Maroon.

4:00 PM Hillbilly Holiday

What if a group of indie rockers took a hard right turn into traditional country music, not worrying too much about the rules, except for the one that says “anything goes”? And what if they were fronted by a lead singer whose only country credentials are that she comes from a country (Taiwan) and doesn’t really like country music? Well, Hillbilly Holiday is what you’d have. It starts with three members of late-90’s Boston indie band Baby Ray -- Kenny Lafler, Nate Logus, and Pete Sutton. Add in Selena Tan on lead vocals, and BOOM! HH do songs from pretty much every decade of the 20th century as if they were all being played in 1956.

5:00 PM Smallest Town Ensemble

From the heart of Inman Square, Matt Bowker has launched a charm offensive of lush arrangements and gorgeous harmonies, at the intersection of old-time song craft and newfangled technology where the Crosswalk Cowboy is always up early, lending a hand to guide people through the kaleidoscopic landscape of his vibrant little city. Bowker is joined by Belfast singer/songwriter/producer Colin Campbell, along with fellow Mount Peru alumni, Tim Nylander (drums), Alan Durell (bass), and Thom Valicenti (guitar).

Music on the Elm St. Stage (Corner of Elm & Chester)

12:30 PM Strangers By Accident

Started in Cambridge by Brian Sousa and Amy Wynne, Strangers by Accident are an energetic indie-folk act with an old-school respect for songwriting. Their debut EP was released in 2016, and currently the band has become a powerful live act, adding Justin Bartlett on vocals /electric guitar and Heidi Crampton on drums. SBA’s lyrically driven songs feature three-and-four-part harmonies and veer from suitcase-stomping acoustic, to snare-pounding electric, to minimalist folk.

1:30 PM Tory Silver

Inspired by bossa nova, folk, and rock music, Tory uses these influences to create a fresh sound with a distinct punch. Known for her interesting chord progressions and warm voice, Silver has crafted an extremely unique sound.

“Tory’s music is FRESH,” says Will Buchanan of The Bonbon Plot, “She combines an understated vocal approach and unpretentious, real-life lyrics with seriously unique harmonic language and song structure to create a refreshing sound.”

2:30 PM Ebinho Cardoso & Albino Mbie

Ebinho Cardoso is a virtuoso on his instrument. Due to the uniqueness of his music and technique, he is one of the most respected Brazilian bassists. As a composer, arranger, singer and researcher, Ebinho uses atypical elements of the electric bass, showing its range of possibilities. Albino Mbie is a multi-award-winning musician and one of the first Berklee College of Music’s African Scholars from Mozambique. His music is a unique blend of Afro-pop and Afro-jazz with Mozambican voice, native languages, dance, music and culture topped with global musical influences.

3:30 PM Kali Stoddard-Imari & Ancestors in Training

Ancestors In Training is an up and coming Boston based band fronted by Kali Stoddard-Imari, a singer songwriter that has been placed in front of acts like Adam Ezra Group, Taj Mahal, Martin Sexton, Shawn Colvin and Marc Cohn. They always bring a positive message and energy with them no matter the situation. The body and soul moving music that emanates from the folk pop rhythm & rock band shares stories of compassion, triumph and fun with hints of roots rock, blues, reggae fusion, and soul. They are currently working on a second EP set to release later in 2017.

4:30 PM Air Congo

Boston-based African style band Air Congo play music from the 1960’s-70’s Kinshasa/Brazzaville scene–the music of Docteur Nico, Tabu Ley, Les Bantous De La Capitale, Franco et l’Orch TPOK Jazz, and more! Drawing inspiration from the instrumental sessions that Tabu Ley’s band Afrisa recorded to be played on the jets of the Congolese airline, our instrumental readings of this amazing music are upbeat dance ravers of another age. The group is led by guitarist Nathaniel Braddock, also the leader of the much celebrated Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int’l. He is joined in this group by a cast of Boston’s hottest jazz and world music players.

Somerville Theater Dance Showcase (55 Davis Square)

12:30 PM Hui Lehua

Hui Lehua, a hula troupe from Somerville, presents Na Leo O Hula: The Voices of Hula. Hula is a story-telling dance, giving voice to the deeds of Hawaiian gods and goddesses, people long gone and storied places--and the struggles of contemporary Hawaiians to protect their land and heritage.

1:30 PM Grant Jacoby & Dancers

Grant Jacoby is a New York City and Boston based choreographer, performer, and teacher. He began making his own work professionally in October 2013, and has presented choreography at many institutions. As a teacher, he has been on faculty at Boston Ballet, The Boston Conservatory, Sereda DanceWorks, and Brookline Academy of Dance.

Jessica Smith

In Stone Ground, Jessica explores relationships between object and performer, and she is most interested in the story these relationships might generate for each audience member. In her performative work, Jessica hopes to incite further communication across difficult landscapes in order to help heal, restore, and move our collective thinking forward - begging the question: will you meet me halfway?

2:30 PM

Tai Jimenez

Tai has been a ballerina for over twenty years and served as a Principal Dancer for both the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Boston Ballet. She is performing “Movement Meditation,” in which she hopes to tune into a state that is a response to pure listening, transcendent of thought.

Mystique Illusions Dance Theater

Mystique Illusions Dance Theatre transcends the evolution of dance through reflection of the movement of our world, by the contemporary changes of everyday life. Their dancers will be presenting an exceprt from their piece “What Ascends from Ashes.”

3:30 PM

Jessie Jeanne & Dancers

Jessie Jeanne & Dancers (JJ&D) is a rigorous creative laboratory and performance collaborative for visceral and somatic research, via contemporary dance making practices. They will be performing “Beaneath Crystal Skin,” which seeks to boldly rupture the superficial layer of socially imposed ideas and customs cocooning our authentic selves.

Kid-Friendly Elm Street Plaza Happenings (Between Starbucks & Chipotle Grill)

11:00 AM Magpie Kids’ Band

Do you wanna twist and shout? Do you feel good? Then join Davis Square’s Magpie for an action-packed session on the history of call and response music. We’ll sing, dance, shake, rattle, and roll as we learn about how call and response has shaped popular music over the last 200 years.

12:00PM-4:00PM Knucklebones

Knucklebones is bringing unique games and equipment to get kids of all ages moving and having fun!

1:00 PM Jeremy Lyons

Jeremy plays a variety of instruments: banjo, guitar, harmonica, ukulele, kazoo, jaw harp, rhythm bones... and so on and likes to show kids how they work. He sings songs that have been around a long time: folk ballads, railroad tunes, campfire songs, food songs, car songs, dancing songs, and so on again!

2:30 PM Jungle Jim’s Wild About Ballons Magic Show

The Wild About Balloons Magic Show combines balloon artistry, magic, comedy and improv to create an amazing experience for children! The children are given a series of safari adventure challenges, which are interactive performance pieces that will help them train to be safari adventurers. If they pass the challenges (which we know they will!), they will get to see a fantastic finale!

3:30 PM Ideas, Not Theories

Ideas, not Theories Is a theatrical percussion show created by Reynaliz Herrera. The performance features original music which explores the use of unconventional instruments such as bicycles, tap and body percussion, water, brushes, as well as traditional percussion instruments such as marimbas and drums. All of the musical works are linked together through a storyline and original characters, making the complete performance a unique, quirky and creative artistic experience.

4:30 PM Oom Yung Doe Martial Arts Performance

Activities in Statue Park

All Day “Lift Your Voice” with Buzzroar

Decorate a balloon with words and images of optimism, then raise it up with others to create a colorful bouquet of hope and unity.

All Day Welcoming Immigrants Photo Booth with photographer

Yorgos Efthymiadis

11:15 PM Story time with the Somerville Public Library children’s librarian Cathy Piantigni

12:00PM Soapbox Shakespeare

From the saucy to the surly, quips and prose of the Bard come to life through the talents of the Actors’ Shakespeare Project.

12:30 PM Speaker’s Corner with Robert Smyth

Hear ye, hear ye! Calling all citizens! Come raise your voice at Somerville’s own Speaker’s Corner!

1:30 PM Theater games with the Youth Arts Program

2:15 PM Voice workshop

Join Gary McLinn for a seminar on the versatility of the singing voice, and the inherent music living in all of us.

3:30 PM Oom Yung Doe Martial Arts Workshop

Throughout the day, there will be ongoing activites from various artists and organization such as Groundworks Somerville, Artisans Asylum, Portrait for a Story, the Growing Center, Outside the Lines, and many more.

Visual Art on the Traffic Island

All Day “Community, the Song We Weave Together”: interactive art installation by Hannah Verlin

This installation will explore the impact of voices united together in a community. ArtBeat attendees will be invited to weave colorful slips of paper into a structure. The colors of paper will correspond to participants’ length of time in Somerville.The final form will be a mingling of color, people, and patterns.

“10,000 Voices: Community Collage”: interactive art installation by Ariel Freiberg

“10,000 Voices” is an immediate collaboration and visual conversation. Our community is multilayered, dimensional, and evolving over time. “10,000 Voices” is play with printmaking and arrangement. Come make a print and connect with the layers of your community!

Location TBD

All Day Language Lab

The Language Labs station at ArtBeat will be your cultural passport to the world! Festival goers will have the chance to stop by different language tables to have a chat in Portuguese, Spanish, and several other languages. Don’t speak another language? No problemo! Folks will be on hand to teach you a few key phrases in foreign tongues.

Through July:

Located in Inside Out Gallery, CVS Windows, Elm St. Visualizing Voice- Out of Many: ONE Visualizing Voice is a community art project led by the Somerville Arts Council and a band of dedicated volunteers. In honor of this year’s ArtBeat theme: Voice, this project is designed to reflect the many voices in our community. During the weeks leading up to the festival, volunteers have led a series of public workshops to help bring one’s inner creative voice to life. These creations will be exhibited as a part of the final installation.

Throughout the Festival:

Along Elm and Holland Streets, 7 Hills Park

All Day Food, over 100 Craft Vendors and Community Organizations!

Craftsters and crafty companies like Dasken Design, Da Metals, Glass by Kristine, Stonehouses Studio, Albertine Press, Serenity Bamboo Flutes, Cody’s Creations, Benyosef Glass, Edie and Fin, Fire Garden Pottery, Brown and Coconut, Henna by Heather, Unique Art Wear, Cruz Art Designs, Foxfire Creative Studio, Allan Dines Photography, Theresita Design, Allison Glick Ceramics, Stella Marie Soap, Little Man Originals, Hathaway Ceramics, Luna Pines, Absolutely Creations, My Urban Kitchen, Heart at Work Jewelry, Stone Street Tye Dye, Sturtevant Illustrations, as well as dozens of other vendors. Bring your pocketbooks and wallets because this is a shopping opportunity not to miss.

Community Organizations like STEP, Brown PTA, Single Volunteers Boston, Somerville Public Library, Somerville Garden Club, Actor’s Shakespeare PRoject, Temple Binal Brith, Somerville Homeless Coalition, Friends of the Community Path, OpenAir Circus, Artisan’s Asylum, Mystic River Association, Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, Cambridge Friends School, Winchester School of Chinese Culture, and many more!

Also featuring caricatures by Alejandro Yegros and face painting by Elizabeth Stone.

Photo via Somerville Arts Council release