Through this weekend’s winds and rain, ZUMIX took over the DCR Hatch Shell to kick off the Esplanade Association’s GroundBeat concert series and celebrate 35 years of empowering the youngest of Boston’s local musicians. 

“To take over such an iconic stage and space in the heart of Boston is an honor for all of us,” said ZUMIX Events & Facilities Coordinator Brian Burke. “We are very proud of our East Boston community and our beautiful Firehouse hub, and this is a really sweet way to cross the harbor and flex what and how we do our work.”

The show featured performances by several of ZUMIX’s youth programs and teen ensembles, with special appearances by alumni performers and the local dance studio Salsa y Control. The student groups meet regularly to rehearse and learn more about music throughout the semester and had been preparing for this show since early April.

“When it came down to it, we were there to simply show people what we already do every day and hopefully spread love and encourage them to engage and support our work going forward,” he said.

Burke called the community turnout heartwarming and said that the crowd’s energy was everything needed to keep the show rolling through the cold, wet afternoon. 

“People were dancing and embracing what the performers were giving from the stage.  The crowd, partner organizations, and vendors rolled with it and didn’t complain because we all know why we’re there – to celebrate, support, and help empower all these young people.”

Between sets, ZUMIX’s former Director of Creative Media & Technology, Daniel Fox, was honored for his 17 years of pioneering Z-Tech, the organization’s filmmaking, studio recording, podcasting, and live sound programming.

Fox said his work on Z-Tech was meant to provide a space for students who were not interested in being on stage but still looking to engage with music. He likened it to the J-ROTC programs that he noticed in local high schools around the time he started at ZUMIX.

“The kids who were drawn to those programs were interested in the sort of regimentation and the specific skills that they were learning,” he said. “I was like, ‘Well, is there a way that we can provide something interesting to kids, but have it not be militaristic?’”

A former student of Fox, Mario Jarjour, called him responsible for all things audio-visual during the build-out of the ZUMIX Firehouse. Jarjour said he spent much of his time at ZUMIX working with Fox because, “I just thought he was super cool.”

He added that ZUMIX was not just where he learned to write music but also where he was excited to hang out, and that being there helped him step out of his comfort zone and build the skills he has carried into a career as a stage manager for Big Night Live.

“They teach you how to run live sound and run the recording studio. You will build independence doing those things, which is really cool, and if that’s what you’re interested in doing as a career or job, then I think it’s a great way to start,” Jarjour said.

On July 12, ZUMIX will host its annual Walk for Music fundraiser. ZUMIX staff, students, and community members will form a small parade to march from the Firehouse to Piers Park, kicking off ZUMIX’s summer concert series at 6 p.m. The funds raised will support providing more than 1,000 young people with high-quality private lessons and group programming.

Enrollment into ZUMIX’s summer programs is currently open. Participants will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Main Image and Photos by Agnieszka Rytych-Foste