Embrace Massó ‘¡Con Salsa!' International Music Festival

To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, Embrace Boston hosted the inaugural Embrace Massó "¡Con Salsa!" International Music Festival on Saturday.

The festival on the Boston Common was free, and partially streamed here.

Described by organizers as "an electrifying celebration of music, culture, and social justice," the first of its kind festival was headlined by salsa and Latin jazz legend Eddie Palmieri and his Salsa Orchestra, with additional musical performances by renowned artists like Patricia Zarate and Manolo y La Pura Vida. The event also included interactive salsa and bomba dance lessons curated by Salsa y Control and Eli Pabon, providing a fun way for the community to participate.

Organizers said the festival was designed to be more than just a celebration, but "an invitation for community members to immerse themselves in a deeper understanding and appreciation of our multifaceted identities."

Attendees were encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and dancing shoes to fully enjoy the day. There were also vendors, curated experiences and interactive exhibits.

"Play dominos with friends old and new, savor delicious food, and join the community in a space where culture, activism, and joy intersect," organizers said in a news release announcing the event.

Named for community activist and WBUR “¡Con Salsa!” host José C. Massó III, the festival pays tribute to his dedication to cultural exchange and social justice through music. Its goal was to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, particularly Black/Afro-Latin artists, with a curated lineup spanning genres of Latin music birthed through afro descendant expression from salsa, merengue, and bachata to bomba, jazz and reggae.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was a part of the celebration at the Embrace Memorial Saturday to honor local legend Massó.

"Someone we all cherish as a trailblazer in Boston, a mentor to so many of us — thank you so much for all that you do,” the mayor said at the event. "We together and I as the mayor of the City of Boston do hereby proclaim September 14 to be Jose C. Massó III Day in the City of Boston.”

“It’s quite an honor as you can imagine," Massó told NBC10 Boston. "The work that we do has never been with the idea of let's receive some kind of recognition, let’s receive some kind of accolades. We do it because it comes from the heart.”

The prideful presentation served as a kickoff to Hispanic Heritage Month, and heritage was on full display with interactive salsa and bomba dance lessons.

“It’s an important way to bring people together, to use the music and the arts to help share our culture, our history, our roots, our heritage,” said Vanessa Calderon-Rosado.

Community participation welcoming even those lacking a little rhythm: “You do not need know how to move it. You can have two left feet and you can still learn bomba,” Eli Pabon said.

A chance to amplify marginalized communities, the event was held next to Martin and Coretta Scott King's Embrace Memorial.

“A lot of people don’t know that Mrs. King came here to go to the New England Conservatory. She was a singer. So in many of the civil rights marches and rallies, Mrs. King set and started the tone of the rally by singing,” said Imari Paris Jeffries, executive director of Embrace Boston.

The festival celebrates music, culture, and social justice -- a blend of Massó's lifelong passions.

“We’ve been doing this since I was a young person knowing that we could make a difference in other peoples lives, so I've led a purpose living moment that everyday is one in which I try to contribute so that this world is a better place when I leave this world,” Massó said, adding that he hopes people come back next year to celebrate 50 years of “¡Con Salsa!” on the radio.

Massó '¡Con Salsa!' lineup

• 12:30-12:45 p.m.: DJ Armando spins
• 12:45-12:50 p.m.: Hamilton-Garrett Center For Music & Arts Procession
• 12:50-1 p.m.: Introduction to EMCS
• 1-1:30 p.m.: Bomba Interactive Dance Workshop hosted by Eli Pabon
• 1:30-2:15 p.m.: Manolo y La Pura Vida performance
• 2:15-2:45 p.m.: Jean Appolon Expressions performance & workshop
• 2:45-3:30 p.m.: Patricia Zarate performance
• 3:30- 4 p.m.: Importance of the Festival & Faith in Blackness screening & Latino is Not A Race campaign
• 4-4:15 p.m.: DJ Armando spins
• 4:15-5 p.m.: Salsa y Control Dance Workshop hosted by Johnny Giraldo
• 5-5:30 p.m.: Speaking program & presentation of Final Major For Justice Award
• 5:40-7 p.m.: Eddie Palmieri & Salsa Orchestra performance

Massó '¡Con Salsa!' do's and don'ts

Do:

• Bring a blanket, chairs, water, a light sweater, soccer balls & kites!
• Visit unCommon Stage & Harpoon Brewery at the corner of Boylston and Tremont for adult beverages and more performances
• Make friends and new dance partners on the dance floor
• Bring the family
• Visit the dominos pavilion to get schooled
• Join us at The Embrace at 12:30 p.m. to kick off the festival with a procession led by the Hamilton-Garrett Drum Line!

Don't:

• Bring any alcoholic beverages
• Be disrespectful -- join us for love, community and dancing together with consent
• No firearms
• Let pets roam without a leash
• Gatekeep -- engage in cultural exchange
• Forget to have a great time!