In what is shaping up to be a soul-stirring tribute, the City of Boston, led by Mayor Michelle Wu, has announced a two-day extravaganza to honor the iconic R&B group New Edition. The Grammy-nominated band, which got its start in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston back in 1978, is receiving a much-deserved spotlight for their contributions to music and local culture on September 6 and 7, as reported by the city's official news portal.
The festivities are set to kick off on Friday, with the unveiling of a mural by Roxbury native and esteemed artist Lee "Square" Beard. In conjunction with this display of public art, Wu will also provisionally rename Ambrose Street as New Edition Way and establish September 6 as New Edition Day, a nod too sweet for any Bostonian's ears to fully forget. This artistic homage is complemented by a series of community engagements led by the band members, involving both elder and younger constituents on Saturday.
Nama Jill McCracken, another local talent, is taking the stage at the HOMEMADE concert alongside the likes of Leo the Kind and Uche Malik. This event, part of the New Edition festivities and set to take place at City Hall Plaza on the afternoon of Saturday, September 7, is a banner example of the city's initiative to uplift and showcase the spectrum of artists that call Boston home. According to the City of Boston's website, over 20 acts will be there to entertain, with a guest performance from New Edition capping off the celebration.
Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition expressed his gratitude for the planned events, telling the City of Boston, "We cannot express what it means to travel the world, doing what we love to do at the highest of levels and accomplishing so many great things while never forgetting where we came from." The mural artist Beard echoed this sentiment, stating, "It is truly an honor to be the artist to point out some of the many impactful moments, emotions, and classic vibes that New Edition accomplished." The weekend serves not just to honor a group that has withstood the test of time, but equally to engage and inspire communities by turning musical success into philanthropic action.
The tribute weekend has added significance considering the historical locale of the planned gatherings. The Orchard Garden Boys & Girls Club, which is hosting the senior breakfast and backpack giveaway on September 7, is particularly poignant as it occupies the site of one of New Edition's initial rehearsal spaces. As described on the City of Boston's website, John Borders IV, Director of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment for the City of Boston, highlighted the importance of such commemorative events, proclaiming, "It is such an honor to be able to celebrate one of the most iconic groups to ever come out of the city of Boston."
The entire event, especially the HOMEMADE concert, is a testament to Boston's commitment to not only recognizing its musical heroes but also fostering a close-knit community vibe through arts and engagement. Complete with food trucks and free admission, organizers encourage online registration for the event, while also reminding attendees that backpacks are off the table. For the full lineup and additional details about the celebrations, interested parties should turn to the City of Boston's dedicated event page.
