The 17th Annual Gospelfest will take place on Sunday, August 6, from 5 - 8 p.m. on City Hall Plaza. Gospelfest is New England’s largest Gospel music celebration.

The 17th Annual Gospelfest will feature:

• an opening performance by Donovan McLean, Jr. and The Kingdom Builders
• an opening performance by Margaret Holmes & the Gospel T’s
• an opening performance by the Mayor Walsh’s Community Gospel Choir, and
• a headlining performance by Anthony Brown & group therAPy.

Anthony Brown, a prodigy who began playing piano at age 3, reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts for his song, “It Ain’t Over.” His music career took off in 2012 with the release of his debut studio album, "Anthony Brown & group therAPy." He released his sophomore album, "Everyday Jesus," three years later in 2015. Brown, who is also the Assistant Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in his home state of Maryland, has had an undeniable and profound impact on the genre of gospel music.

Under the direction of Donovan McLean Jr., The Kingdom Builders released their debut project, "For Your Glory," in August 2015. Since then, they have performed at various venues, preaching about the transformative power of God through their music.

Margaret Holmes & The Gospel T’s, a family-based group from Boston, will also be performing. Siblings Treva, Timmealya, and Tyricky, along with grandmother Margaret Holmes have been singing together for sixteen years. The group recently released their EP, "Saved." Margaret Holmes has also been given an Award of Achievement on behalf of the City due to her “gracious heart and commitment to the City of Boston.”

Plus, for the second year in a row, the Mayor’s Community Gospel Choir will wow with their vocals. This sixteen-person group is organized by the Mayor’s Office’s own Edna Wilkie.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh presents Caliente! This free event will take place on Saturday, July 22, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bachata Heightz headline the tenth annual Latin music festival.

“An urban-influenced bachata group from New York,” Bachata Heightz gained prominence in 2009 with their hit single “Me Puedo Matar.” All five members, Jerry García, Jeffrey Cruz, Aneudy Hernandez, Jonathan García, and Diego Capellán, are of Dominican descent. The group signed a recording contract with Sony Music and released their debut album, "The First," in 2009.

Caliente! is promoted by Noticiero Telemundo Boston. Weather Anchor Cecy Gutierrez will be emceeing the event.

There is anxiety related to issues of race both locally and nationally. Help to ease some of that anxiety by building relationships with your fellow Bostonians. Join us on the Rose Kennedy Greenway to celebrate family, fun and culture in Boston. This is a family friendly event, packed with music, activities, games and much more!

All residents of Boston are invited, along with those from surrounding communities. This event is put together by:

• the Mayor's of Resilience and Racial Equity
• the National Center for Race Amity at Wheelock College, and
• the Hyams Foundation.

If you are interested in volunteering at the event please contact Dennisse Rorie at Dennisse.Rorie@boston.gov.