Cash App | Visa Presents the ESSENCE® HBCU Classic Creating History Labor Day Weekend

Boston, MA — Cash App | Visa presents the ESSENCE® HBCU Classic, an event that is set to make history during Labor Day Weekend, as the City of Boston hosts the HBCU football game at Harvard Stadium. The marquee matchup between Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) and Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, NC) will anchor a multi-day celebration August 28 - August 31, 2025, of HBCUpride, culture, and community introducing a bold new tradition of Black excellence in the Northeast. 

Harvard Stadium

Abilities Dance Boston presents the fourth iteration of our Intersections series: highlighting BIPOC and disabled honorees past and present April 25th & 26, 2025

Abilities Dance Boston Honors Advocacy Intersections Series Highlights Identities of Black, Disabled, Queer, and Transgender Artists Abilities Dance Boston (ADB) proudly presents the fourth iteration of its Intersections series, an innovative production that celebrates Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), deaf, disabled, queer, and transgender artists—past and present. Choreographed by Ellice Patterson, ADB’s Founder and Executive/Artistic Director, the ballet and modern dance showcase will take place on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second Street, East Cambridge, MA 02141. A livestream will be available on April 26 only. Featured dancers include Cassandre Charles, Linda Lin, Claire Lane, Dara Capley, and Aiden Marshall. This year’s honorees—Finn Gardiner, Aubrey Smalls, Harmony Matthews, T.S. Banks, and Tom Wiggins—have made significant contributions across activism, the arts, and policy. The production transforms their life stories into movement and music, while also drawing connections to current legislative efforts in Massachusetts. Andrew Choe, Abilities Dance Boston’s Director of Music &amp; Operations, has composed an original score inspired by their journeys. “Getting to know the honorees’ stories, work, and art—and translating them into music—means a great deal to me,” says Choe. “Projects like this are critical because they highlight narratives that are often overlooked while also raising awareness of the legislative policies that impact these communities.” Ellice Patterson adds, “We are thrilled to honor incredible figures, both ancestral and living, and to highlight that our identities as Black, disabled, queer, and transgender people have always existed and contributed to American history. No matter the federal landscape, we will continue to stand with our community, using artistry and advocacy to push for liberation for all.” Abilities Dance Boston proudly partners with the Disability Policy Consortium and the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition to ensure the production remains informed by the legislative needs of marginalized communities. The organization transforms art into advocacy, using performance as a platform to amplify voices and drive social change. The Barr Foundation states, “In Massachusetts, ADB is simultaneously one of the most visible presenters of work from artists with disabilities, one of the leading employers supporting paid artists with disabilities, and one of the most vocal advocates for the rights and well-being of artists with disabilities.” General admission tickets are available for $35 by visiting <a href="https://ticketstripe.com/adbintersections25">https://ticketstripe.com/adbintersections25</a>. To ensure accessibility, unlimited free and sliding-scale tickets are available so that financial barriers do not prevent attendance. Donations help subsidize costs and support equitable pay for artists and administrators. For partnership, tabling, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lizbeth Romero at <a href="mailto:lizbeth@abilitiesdanceboston.org">lizbeth@abilitiesdanceboston.org</a>. About Abilities Dance Boston Founded in 2017, Abilities Dance Boston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to dismantling ableist barriers and advancing disability justice throughout Greater Boston and beyond. ADB provides intersectional disability rights lectures and movement workshops for all ages. The organization partners with community groups to consult on inclusive practices, ensuring its mission extends beyond performances and into everyday spaces. To learn more and read success stories visit abilitiesdanceboston.org. Media Contact: Nicole Maxey Email: <a href="mailto:nicole@maxeymizepr.com">nicole@maxeymizepr.com</a> Phone: 617.680.8163

Multicultural Arts Center

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

Nicole MaxeymizePR

Where

joyraft.host15617

Experiences

Cash App | Visa Presents the ESSENCE® HBCU Classic Creating History Labor Day Weekend

Abilities Dance Boston presents the fourth iteration of our Intersections series: highlighting BIPOC and disabled honorees past and present April 25th & 26, 2025