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July 4 Weekend: Don’t Miss Cultural Fireworks at Emerson UnCommon Stage

Woman sings on outdoor stage as audience watches
The Emerson UnCommon Stage will offer music and entertainment for all tastes this July 4 weekend. Photo/Chris McIntosh

There are always plenty of ways to celebrate July 4 in Boston, whether it’s fireworks and the Pops on the Esplanade, ships and history at Harborfest, or backyard beers and barbecue.

But you don’t need to leave Emerson’s backyard to have a great time (and great beer) this 4th of July weekend at the Emerson UnCommon Stage on Boston Common.

“We are thrilled to provide Bostonians and tourists alike a full slate of family-friendly cultural programs that showcase the best of Boston over the holiday weekend,” said Gina Marie Jamieson, Special Projects Producer for Emerson’s Office of the Arts, programmer of the UnCommon Stage in partnership with community curators.

From Thursday, July 4 to Sunday, July 7, UnCommon Stage will present local bands, solo artists, MCs and DJs from across genres, as well as a puppet show for kids of all ages. Cool off with a cold one from Harpoon Brewery, who has produced a special brew just for the venue, an UnCommon hoppy lager. Or grab some delicious Mexican street grub from Rosa Mexicano.

“I can’t think of anything more ‘Boston’ than the 4th of July, Harpoon, and great music!” Jamieson said.

Here’s the schedule (weather dependent):

Four women and/or nonbinary musicians in sparkly tops sing into mics on a dark stage
The Femmes

Thursday, July 4

12:00 pm — Dan DeCristofaro (soulful singer-songwriter)

3:00 pm — Toki Wright (two-time Emmy Award-winning MC, poet, and cultural diplomat)

6:00 pm — The Femmes (all-women and non-binary wedding band specializing in songs by female and non-binary artists)

bearded white man in straw hat, patterned shirt, jeans, plays guitar in a field surrounded by rocking horses
Dwayne Haggins

Friday, July 5

2:00 pm — Lee Fish and Friends (jazz, soul/R&B, folk, and film music)

4:00 pm — Timba Messengers (Latin jazz/salsa)

6:00 pm — Dwayne Haggins (“the John Legend of rockabilly”)

Black man wearing blue and white tie-dyed collared shirt and flat brimmed cap
Toki Wright

Saturday, July 6

12:00 pm — Puppet Showplace Theater (children’s story hour)

1:00 pm — Mariano Escalona (percussionist/singer/arranger from Venezuela)

3:00 pm — Georgie Rodríguez

6:00 pm — Toki Wright

Black and white image of white woman with long dark hair, wearing button-down short sleeved shirt
Brooke Annibale

Sunday, July 7

2:00 pm — Beat Tape Matinee: DJ Manipulator X GIB DJ (hip-hop)

4:00 pm — Brooke Annibale (indie pop-folk)

If you can’t make it this 4th of July weekend, not to worry. The UnCommon Stage is open seven days a week, 12:00-9:00 pm (weather dependent).

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