Performers

Benkadi (which means “Coming Together Sweetly” in the Bamanankan language of Mali) is an eclectic group of artists and educators dedicated to performing, teaching and researching African dance and musical forms. The company is based in the Boston area and has performed at schools, camps, colleges, festivals, hospitals parks, churches, and community centers. It was founded in 2008 by Sory Diabate a professional drummer from Bamako, Mali and the late great Marianne Harkless, a gifted educator, dancer, and a visionary community builder.

Natalie Knourenko began playing the harp at the age of six. She honed her skills at the renowned Gnesin's School in Moscow, Russia, where she also studied piano. Continuing her education in music performance, Natalie attended both Gnesin's Music Academy in Moscow and the Rubin Music Academy at Tel Aviv University.

During her time in Israel, she played in several orchestras in Tel Aviv and Raanana. With over 20 years of experience teaching harp and piano, Natalie is currently dedicated to nurturing aspiring musicians. She now resides in Lexington, MA.

A Trike Called Funk is a Boston-based creative venture co-founded in July 2021 by MC & Dance Lead Aaron Myers and DJ Edward Galan, whose community-based activations feature music genres & dance forms spanning the African Diaspora in the Americas–from Funk to Hip Hop and Salsa to Samba.

Acid Basket is a collective of DJs and Live musicians whose love of acid house, house music, and classic IDM is infectious. Their blend of live jazz and electronic beats makes for a unique experience that can't be missed. You can find them at Portico Brewing in Somerville each month filling the air with tasty ambient breakbeats.

Bad Idea USA is a three piece melodic punk band based in Salem, MA. Formed in Somerville, MA in 2017, they have released two EP's, the self-titled debut “Bad Idea USA” in 2018 and “Stay Nervous” in 2022. They have made a name for themselves in Boston for their original songwriting and energetic live shows, and continue to expand their presence throughout New England. They play catchy songs with smart lyrics that invite the listener to be radically present and maintain hope in a sick sad world. The skillful melodic bass playing and warm-toned overdriven guitar pair seamlessly with loud, fast drums and sweet but pointed vocals that pose questions and give commentary about the bittersweet nature of modern life. This fall they are releasing “Home,” a five song EP recorded and produced by Kyle Paradis at New Alliance Studios in Somerville, MA. Bad Idea USA is Courtney Denison (guitar & vocals), Dylan Eberle (bass & vocals), and Sean Farrell (drums). 

 The Bedford Family Connection (BFC) is a volunteer-run organization that supports, provides resources, and plans activities for local families with children ages five and under. Founded in 1988, the mission of the BFC has been to strengthen the community by nurturing families, fostering friendships, and supporting learning.

The BFC offers a wide range of free or low-cost family activities throughout the year, providing opportunities for you and your children to socialize with new and old friends. Whether you are interested in playgroups, book clubs, family outings, holiday celebrations or a parent night out, the BFC has something for every family.

Experience a Bollywood-inspired dance fitness program that combines exhilarating choreography and calorie-burning workouts with upbeat music from around the world. All levels welcome.

Boston Modular and Synth is a 700+ person group that organizes Meetup events and performances on a monthly basis. Operating since 2015, we bring together new and experienced electronic music performers in a welcoming, accessible and supportive atmosphere appropriate for all ages. We are proudly DIY and dedicated to bringing together everyone in the New England area who is interested in performing electronic music, without discrimination. 

Metal Tiger - Boston area electronic musician and organizer of Boston Modular and Synth, as well as New England Synthfest. He plays danceable, bass-heavy beats influenced by 90s and 2000s hip hop and electronic music, as well as the global dance sounds of today. https://metaltiger.net

TotoRobyn - Robyn Alman a.k.a TotoRobyn loves all things synths and swords. Based out of Boston, MA, she loves the exploration of ambient and downtempo electronic music using a mix of hardware and modular synths. Her recent album, journeys versus destinations, dives into darker ambient and experimental electronic music territory. https://linktr.ee/TotoRobyn

Noizcode - NoizCode is a Rhode Island-based live techno performer and producer. His high-energy percussion-heavy sound is accentuated with driven melodies and textural soundscapes. https://www.instagram.com/noizcode/

The Entire Robot - TER brings jazz chops and technical sophistication to his completely improvised sets of fusion funk. https://www.theentirerobot.com/

Switch Angel - Jade Rose mixes livecoding techniques with guitar and vocals to create an engaging mix of high energy electronic dance music. @_switch_angel

 :mousekid: - :mousekid: is a solo electronic music project, structured around a mix of samples, drum machines and noise elements. https://mousekidmousekid.bandcamp.com/

The community will be creating an interactive sculpture from old bike wheels. Stop by to help build a public sculpture to celebrate creativity & cycling. Join creatives as we do some weaving along Mill Pond Park & the bike path.

Cousin Louis mixes jazz, folk, blues & pop into our own rootsy stew.

Ken Karnofsky: guitar

Gene Albert: bass

Trish Reid: vocals

Teaching Social Dance is our passion and we make it our top priority to encourage and put at ease each and every student we teach.

Recognizing that learning styles can be very different, we consistently strive to find ways to teach to those needs. When you study with us you will experience both traditional and creative teaching techniques, such as "Oonka Ah!", a vocal alternative to counting. Our students, of varying ages and experience, have reached levels of success far beyond their expectations. More importantly, their expressions of joy and delight during the process of learning, confirm, we are going about it the right way.

We specialize in both Ballroom and Latin Dance. Dance Caliente offers group classes and private lessons in Salsa, Swing, Argentine Tango, Foxtrot, Waltz, Bachata, Merengue and Cha Cha. Practice and showoff time are provided via our Social Dance Parties, "A Night Out With Dance Caliente!" and excursions to other venues. The dances we teach as well as other Period Dance Styles are presented in our Interactive Performances which include "Dancing through the Decades with Dance Caliente" and "Dance Caliente's Children's Latin Dance Workshop". And as Party Facilitators, many a special event has become more memorable.

Drums Alive is a unique sensory-motor drumming program involving drumsticks, exercise balls and music. Join Yachun for a happiness-fueled Drums Alive class, where you can unleash your inner drummer and get your heart and mind pumping! The drumming routines are not only a lot of fun, but also provide a fantastic whole body experience!

Yachun Lin is a certified Drums Alive instructor with more than 5 years of fitness teaching experience. She is passionate about bringing positive energy to her class and helping people achieve their fitness goals.

Fly By Brass Band is a 10-15 piece brass ensemble hailing from the greater Boston Area who enjoys playing interesting and approachable music. Born of the local community HONK! Festival scene we focus on bringing live horn harmonies to the people.

Our tastes are eclectic, performing everything from second-line inspired jazz to upbeat rock. The main theme is: "Does this make us feel good and would it delight others?"

RAILROAD DAY AT DEPOT PARKSunday, Sept. 15th, 1-4 pm., the Friends of Bedford Depot Park hosts the second annual “Railroad Day”.  Activities for adults and families are planned in and around the vintage Boston & Maine Railcar and adjacent Freight House welcome center at Bedford Depot Park (the Bedford terminus of the Minuteman Bikeway) on the corner of South Rd. and Loomis St.Activities include a guided tour with historian Bill Deen, up-close magic, train stories, a scavenger hunt, crafts, bike decorating, games and more!  Learn about the FBDP and ways to get involved.  All “Railroad Day” activities are open to the public and free of charge.The Freight House welcome center and Railcar, with their model railroad and museum displays, will be open as usual from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.For more information and updates, visit Friends of Bedford Depot Park on Facebook, or the FBDP website at BedfordDepot.org.

The Grüvmeiners are a local brass band that brings exuberant arrangements of rock and pop tunes we all know and love. We resemble a German Oompah Band but know how to rock out on tünes you might have put on your 80’s mix tapes (remember those?!)

Süsan Dorson (alto sax)

Matt “Tüba” Dorson (tuba)

Goody (drums)

Shady (accordion)

(Brian) Tracey (trombone)

Doüg Yoüng (alto sax)

Kent Würst (trumpet)

Sarah Hüber (trumpet)

Henna for Humanity is a non-profit certified organization comprised of students of South Asian descent. We aim to spread our culture and the message of giving through our henna art, as we raise funds for the education of underprivileged communities in India. For the last 4 years we’ve been growing and participating in more events, as well as adding new members. Two of our artists will be at the Block Party to do henna.

Musicians and music-lovers come together to enjoy traditional Irish music in a social session, an informal gathering where everyone plays tunes from the Irish repertoire of jigs, reels, hornpipes, and more. You'll hear a variety of instruments like fiddle, flute, concertina, and guitar as hosts lead today's session with our favorite tunes. We'll have open chairs and invite you to join in, dance, or just listen.

The Dance Inn, celebrating its 43rd season of dance education in Lexington, is proud to bring their Legacy Dance Company and Youth Intensive dancers to the Bikeway Block Party! The Legacy Dance Company is a nationally recognized, pre-professional company that strives to bring the joy of dance to their community through an emphasis on inclusion and a non-competitive environment. Under the direction of Thelma Goldberg and Nicole Holloway, dancers attend classes four days per week in multiple disciplines including tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, modern, and hip hop. Joining the Legacy dancers is their junior company, the Dance Inn Youth Intensive. Both groups, together with their faculty, hope to inspire a lasting love and appreciation for dance through artistic excellence, innovative choreography, and exhilarating performances. Audience members will get to see excerpts from the Dance Inn's annual spring recital, re-imagined for the block party!

The Lexington High School Jazz Combo is one of two honors ensembles at the apex of Lexington High’s extensive jazz program. Founded in 1984, the group has performed extensively all over the country and in Europe, including the Monterrey Jazz Festival, the Montreax Jazz Festival, and the Charles Mingus Jazz Festival in New York. Honors include top prizes at the Mingus Festival, the UMass Jazz Festival and the UNH Jazz Festival.

The combo seeks to perform a wide range of music from all over the world of jazz past and present, as well as writing their own music. The group has performed with such luminaries as Luis Bonilla, Nadje Noordhuis, Jason Palmer, Makoto Ozone, and many others. Graduates of the combo have continued to colleges including New England Conservatory, Northwestern, Yale, Harvard, and many other prestigious schools, and to successful careers in and out of music

The Lexington High School Origami Club will demonstrating their skills and showing their works.

Outdoor vinyasa yoga with LPY is a dynamic and invigorating practice that harmonizes breath with movement all outside at our towns Emory Park (right outside 13 Depot St). Practiced in the open air, it offers a unique blend of physical exercise and connection with nature, enhancing the overall experience of yoga.

Led by an experienced instructor, outdoor vinyasa yoga often begins with grounding exercises. The sequence then flows through a series of fluid postures (asanas) that are synchronized with deep inhales and exhales. This rhythmic flow not only builds strength, flexibility, and balance but also cultivates a meditative state, encouraging practitioners to be fully present in each movement and breath. This class will be accessible for all levels; from beginner to seasoned studio yogi!

Los Encendidos is an 8-piece band from all over the Boston area, celebrating the exciting, colorful music of Cuba and Latin America. Inspired by a love of layered rhythm, romantic vocals and rich jazzy musicianship, Los Encendidos invites listeners to share in this love by dancing, singing and otherwise feeling the spicy latin vibes. Including music from the Buena Vista Social club, several hit movies and true Cuban classics, Los Encendidos' set will have something for every lover of latin music.

Friends Cow and Mouse love to play, but sharing is tough — especially when it comes to cookies. Margaret Moody presents this gentle farm fable with hand puppets and a lot of gentle humor. Come for the show; stay to make a simple craft stick puppet.

Best for ages 3 to 8.

Real Gone is a fun frenetic rock & roll band that’ll make you dance as they perform

hits and hidden gems from the dawn of rock. Featuring three vocalists, two guitarists,

and one upright bass, Real Gone brings the rockin’ sounds of Sun Studios and

the 1950s to life. JUKEBOX ROCK & ROLL !!!

Join us for an engaging and dynamic hour hosted by LexRide and the New Legacy Cultural Center (NLCC)! This unique event blends culture, tradition, and interactive fun, featuring "The Story of the Chinese Zodiac," a bilingual skit that brings ancient tales to life. Feel the powerful rhythms of Chinese drums, participate in a lively stationary bike competition, and experience the grace and strength of Taichi. Whether you're participating or just watching, this hour promises to be a vibrant celebration of heritage and togetherness, where every moment is filled with energy and excitement.

Lynn Noel is based in Waltham and has performed at maritime festivals in New England, the Great Lakes, the Pacific Northwest, California, the UK, and the Baltic. Her clear, powerful voice is well suited to "real head-back-and-let-fly sea chanteys" (Mystic Seaport) and she offers a suite of special programs on women and the sea. Building on the 2024 centennial tour for Roll and Go, she is currently planning for Australia in 2025. Lynn is also a regional arts organizer as Program Chair of the New England Folk Festival and the founder of the Boston Area Chantey and Maritime Sing.

Fitness that’s FUN! SHiNE Dance Fitness™ brings original routines to life using hit music and choreography for all-abilities. Rooted in jazz, ballet, and hip-hop, this workout gives you a creative outlet to escape from daily stress. Each class includes the perfect balance of high cardio and toning to ensure you receive a full-body workout with real results. SHiNE is a mood-lifting experience that leaves you feeling capable, confident, and connected to a supportive community. SHiNE is offered for drop in classes 6x a week at LPY Lexington and Woburn studios.

We will have 4 SHiNE instructors present - Ally Cohen, Julie Fuhrer, Kristin Dean and Crystal Mendoza-Lopez. All are certified SHiNE instructors and teach at LPY (and other places).

Originally created by Andrew Gravel (vocals, guitar), The Gravel Project is an all star band of Boston music veterans including brother, Jordan Gravel (organ, keys), Dave Fox (drums), and Eguie Castrillo (percussion). The Gravel Project’s live show blends rock, world music and jazz with power and soul. Carrying the tradition of 70’s blues and psychedelic rock music, The Gravel Project embodies the spirit of Santana combined with the classic raw energy and moving songwriting of The Allman Brothers and Tedeschi Trucks Band. With three studio albums, a live album and countless past performances, the future is bright for Boston’s The Gravel Project, and as the title of their 2022 studio album suggests, there are “Many Miles Ahead.”

IBMA and SPBGMA award-winning flatpicking guitarist and mandolinist Tony Watt has performed throughout the United States and Europe, on the Grand Ole Opry, and beyond. His performance and jamming videos on YouTube have over one million views, including his version of Cherokee Shuffle with Noam Pikelny and Andy Falco which has been viewed over 200,000 times. He has been featured in Bluegrass Unlimited, Bluegrass Today, and four separate times in Flatpicking Guitar Magazine. Tony has toured with Nashville-based Cages Bend, east Tennessee-based Meridian, with Rounder Recording artist Alecia Nugent, with Leigh Gibson, guitarist for The Gibson Brothers, with Jenni Lyn Gardner, original mandolinist for Della Mae, and most recently with Alan Bibey & Grasstowne. Tony currently performs locally with his band, Southeast Expressway, as well as his Dad’s band, True Life Bluegrass. He is a graduate of Leadership Bluegrass, has served on the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Education Committee and the IBMA Board Selection Committee, and is currently the Vice President and Education Co-Director of the Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU).

Come walk along the bikeway and discover the visible clues that show us where the railway was, who used the railways, and how Lexington changed when Boston suddenly became an easy ride away. Co-sponsored by the Lexington Lyceum Advocates.