N?amed Best Music Festival by Boston Magazine, BOSTON ART & MUSIC SOUL - BAMS Festival is one of the fastest growing urban arts and music festivals in the City of Boston that celebrates Afro-centric identity and Black artistry, all while amplifying the voices and creative contributions from local, regional and national entertainers of color.

Thursday, June 22 – Saturday, June 24th

ABOUT BAMS CONX

New in 2023, BAMS CONX (Connects) is our inaugural, one-day the ultimate super connector conference that brings together creators, industry leaders, and movers and shakers who shape, influence and amplify Black artistry, Black business, and imagination across Greater Boston and beyond!

The conference will focus on the intersection of arts & culture, design, diversity/equity/inclusion, workforce development, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and social impact.

SESSIONS - June 22, 2023, 9am - 4:30pm

REGISTRATION & CREDENTIAL PICK-UP

Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115

Get all the information you need to experience the first BAMS CONX conference. Make sure to pick-up your credential before going to your first session.

SESSION 1:

Creative Career Equity: Innovative pathways for the next generation to learn & create

9:00 AM

The creative economy starts with investment and the intentional development of new and emerging artists within our educational system and into early adulthood.

Learn from leaders who are creating new pathways for artists into college and creative career readiness.

Speakers:

Aysha Upchurch (moderator)

Amber Torres, Julia Meija and Mickey Factz

SESSION 2:

Boston is a sole city: Sneakers and cutting edge design, tech and commerce

9:30 AM

David Recital Hall,

921 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115

Boston is Sole City. Most of the sneaker industry brands at the global and local level are headquartered here in Boston, and this group of owners, designers, marketers and techies will tell you how the sneaker industry is at the cutting edge of art, fashion, design, tech, community, culture and commerce.

Speakers:

Che Anderson (moderator)

Sidney Baptista, Rekha Purwah, Natan Santos, and Joamil Rodriguez

SESSION 3:

Queendom: Motherhood, Music & Movement Building

10:30 AM

Berklee Performance Center

136 Massachusetts Avenue,

Boston, MA 02115

The ingenuity of Black women is what elevates and molds community, often while Black women unapologetically drive force behind some of the most important social and cultural movements of our time. At the center of that is the delicate balance of being a mother, leading with intention, and creating from the heart.

Hear from some of the music industry's most respected champions of change about their life's work and legacy.

SESSION 4:

Words to Stand On: Going from Local to Global Songwriting and Production

1:00 PM

Berklee Performance Center

136 Massachusetts Avenue,

Boston, MA 02115

Musicians are global citizens, and they are making culturally impactful music on a local and global scale. This conversation will give an inside-the-studio perspective on songwriting and production from some of the industry's best in Boston and beyond.

Speakers:

Cliff Notez (moderator)

Genie Santiago, Kevin Ross and Nadine El Roubi

Getting to the Mic: Building Your Brand Identity through Strategy, Collaboration and Intention

2:30 PM

Berklee Performance Center

136 Massachusetts Avenue,

Boston, MA 02115

Getting your music and your message heard in today's music industry is a significant challenge.

Hear from leaders in the industry who know how to amplify Black creatives through strategy, collaboration and intention.

Speakers:

Jazzmyn RED (moderator)

Dr. Stevie Johnson, Sammye-Ruth Scott and Ryan Haslami

INDUSTRY MEETUP:

unCommon Stage curated by BAMS Fest

6:00 - 9:00 PM

Corner of Boylston and Tremont Streets, Boston, MA

Are you up for a little more networking inside a  beer garden?

Join BAMS Fest as we curate a dope line-up of three emerging local artists set to take the music industry by storm.

This event is an event you don't want to miss.

You must 21+ to drink. ID's will be checked and wristbands will be distributed at the gate. 

Food & Beverage available for purchase.

June 23, 2023

SOUL FOOD ROW

Curated by Everybody Gotta Eat

Hours: 5:00 - 9:00PM

In partnership with Everybody Gotta Eat, we encourage you to put all of your senses to work and try out a variety of hot & fresh cuisine from some of Boston’s Black and Brown chefs, cooks and food truck owners. You may want to double your order so that you have some to take home!

June 24, 2023

KIDS ZONE

Saturday (June 24) Hours: 12noon - 5:30PM

All AGES, children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian

Bring your kids to this dedicated, low-tech, drop-in, kid-friendly area. From art-making to table top sports, and face painting to hula hooping, we've got something for every child to play with.

VENDOR MARKET

Curated by Black Owned Bos.

Saturday (June 24) Hours: 12noon - 9:00PM

In partnership with Black Owned Bos., we invite you to explore, shop and support sixty (60) local Black-owned businesses whose products and services range from home goods, beauty and health, to art, clothing and spices. Make sure to follow, like and share their social media!

SOUL FOOD ROW

Curated by Everybody Gotta Eat

Saturday (June 24) Hours: 12noon - 9:00PM

In partnership with Everybody Gotta Eat, we encourage you to put all of your senses to work and try out a variety of hot & fresh cuisine from some of Boston’s Black and Brown chefs, cooks and food truck owners. You may want to double your order so that you have some to take home!

BEAT FEET DANCE ZONE

Co-Sponsored by Stop & Shop Supermarkets

Saturday (June 24) Hours: 12noon - 5:30PM

All AGES

A high-energy, outdoor interactive experience, where attendees learn a wide range of dance styles from New England-based choreographers of color. There is also a freestyle battle, where the music inspires all dancers to present their creative dance skills.  

Rep Your City Live Art & Graffiti Exhibition

Saturday (June 24) Hours: 12noon - 6:00PM

All AGES

Stop by and check out some of the best in class and emerging graffiti and visual artists to create real-time, live murals that push imaginative boundaries and spark public curiosity!

Grapes and Hops Garden

Saturday (June 24) Hours: 12:30 - 7:30PM

Must be 21+ with a valid ID, wristband and drink tickets

?Grapes & Hops Gardens are new, premiere beer and wine activations at BAMS Festival that feature and amplify Black and Latino/a brewers and winemakers whose products spark curiosity, challenge your palette, and inspire you to connect with others!

Buy Tickets

Date & Time:

June 22, 2023 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

June 23, 2023 - 5:00pm - 9:00pm

June 24, 2023 - 12:00pm - 9:00pm

Location:

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