In just two weeks, UniteBoston is hosting its 4th annual summer worship event, the “Love Boston” virtual concert! As the culminating event to our “Love Thy Neighbor” summer campaign, Love Boston features local Christian artists of diverse backgrounds performing original songs of justice, faith, and resilience that inspire audiences to “Love Thy Neighbor” during times of great adversity. Also, in recognition of the effects of systemic racism, this concert intentionally centers the voices of artists of color. Viewers can tune in to the live-streamed concert on September 12 at 7:00pm by registering here. Meet each of the singers below to see what the concert’s theme of “Love Thy Neighbor” means to them, and why audiences should tune in to the concert! Click each artist’s name to visit their websites, and learn more about their music and creative missions!
Name: Shanell Alyssa
Performance: Singer
Home Church: The First Cathedral
Original Song: “Freedom – We’ll All Be Free”
What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?
“It’s been beautiful to see people expressing neighborly love in the Boston area, reaching out and going out of their comfort zones to help others during this time. It’s almost like we are entering a new era of unity… This whole thing is causing us to put aside all of the little things that divide the body of Christ that are not as significant as we make them out to be.
Why should people tune in to this concert?
“I’m really excited for the Love Boston concert. I hope that people can gather and experience this concert and create their own experiences around it in the viewing parties, in whatever way that people want to get together…I am excited to hear how people will be blessed by this [event].”
Name: Ada Betsabe
Performance: Singer/Rapper
Home Church: Impact Church
Original Song: “Sparrow”
What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?
“We have so many different groups and organizations pulling for their beliefs, and we’re all so focused on finding someone to have our back and to say “I support this movement.” I think Love Boston lets us draw into the fact that God has our back, and he’s watching after us.”
Why should people tune in to this concert?
“Love Boston is a great initiative. UniteBoston has always been an organization to foster that sense of unity. In this particular concert, I’ve been very involved in the logistics, and have seen the selflessness of everyone involved. As artists, we could be saying “we’re already struggling, why would we do this?”, but that’s not the case. There’s this unity in spirit that we have, and I pray that everyone who gets to watch the concert and be a part of it can be united with the vision, which is to lift up the name of Jesus. That’s what it comes down to, and we’re all just here for that.”
Name: Jen Aldana
Performance: Singer
Home Church: Impact Church
Original Song: “Your Peace”
What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?
“It’s such an important time to be unified as one church, as one people. What a better time than this to serve one another while so many people are in need, and so many people are starving for truth and starving for something that will bring them peace.”
Why should people tune in to this concert?
“Tuning in to Love Boston is a great opportunity for people of the Boston area to get in touch with what our local artists are doing. I think we don’t always get as much recognition, and we don’t always have these opportunities to collaborate and work with one another like we do at this event. So it’s going to be a great way for others to see what talent there is in the city.”
Name: Caleb McCoy
Performance: Singer/Rapper
Home Church: Neighborhood Church in Dorchester
Original Song: “Free (My Soul)”
What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?
“ Loving our neighbor is trying to love yes, the people that are close and the people that we love, but also love those that may be different from us, those that we can’t understand. And I think that’s the beauty of music. With music, we can all spread a message and share a message that may be difficult in conversation. So, I hope to love my neighbor through music and through my life.”
Why should people tune in to this concert?
We want to share this music with you, even though we can’t be there with you, we want to come together to share the encouragement, to share the lament, the trials, and also to share the celebration of what God is doing in Boston.”
Name: Fugi
Performance: Spoken Word Poet and Visual Creator
Home Church: Restoration City Church
Original Spoken Word Piece: “Still Bless You”
What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?
“Love Boston, for me, is really just capitalizing on community. Knowing that no one should be left out. To look to our right, left, front, and behind us, and knowing that no one is left behind, no one is out. And to make everybody included, even with our own differences.”
Why should people tune in to this concert?
“Love Boston has many cool forms of creativity and art. Everything from singing to rap to spoken word, to music ensembles and creation put together, from all different kinds of artists. And the content is filled with community, love, creativity, peace, and joy. I think if people tune in and really listen to the words that the artists are speaking, they can catch a lot of gems from it.”
Name: Jeany Alcántara
Performance: Singer
Home Church: Oasis of Life in Dorchester
Song: “On the Throne” by Desperation Band
What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?
“Love thy neighbor is not only speaking but also acting according to what the Bible says: That you help when people are walking through their “valley of darkness.” There are people of different backgrounds, and yet we are one, and we should treat each other the same way you treat yourself.”
Why should people tune in to this concert?
“This concert is a way to bring hope, to unite families and communities. We know that what most of us are going through is not easy, but I think that through the music and creativity, the talent that we are bringing in to this concert will be able to show people that there is still hope and love that can transform any situation they are facing. I think you should tune in to this concert and invite other people to it to come together and worship with us. It’s gonna be cool, I know you’re gonna love it. So come be part of it, and let’s sing together.”
Name: Jalen Williams
Performance: Singer
Home Church: Impact Church
Original Song: “Never Leave”
What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?
“When it comes to my neighbor, and the season that we’re in right now, I feel like it really means me accepting them for who they are. Wherever you’re at, whatever it is that you are doing or dealing with, I’m still going to be there for you. I’m still going to care for you. Whether you share the same values, or whether you share the same views, it doesn’t matter. You’re human. You’re a person. You have things that you love, people that you care about, and I should care about those things too because you care about that.”
Why should people tune in to this concert?
“We’ve got your favorite Boston Christian artists here, trying to show love with one another, to the community.”
Resources
Register for the concert and gain access to the city-wide viewing parties
Make a donation to contribute to this worship and racial justice movement. Once we cover the cost of hosting the event, all proceeds will go back to the artists to support their ministries.
Click here for our media kit, which includes information about how you can have your church or organization listed in our promotional materials.
PDF with more information about hosting a viewing party
Application to host a viewing party – Due Saturday September 5
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