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An ERS+ dive into Boston Dance Beyond The Surface
Emerson Urban Dance Theatre has a unique ability to turn a show theme into something deeper. I had the opportunity to attend their Thursday’s tech rehearsal, and once again, I was amazed. The theme, Time and Time Again, is a broad theme, yet extremely powerful. What stood out most was how differently each person interpreted…
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Black History on the PLUS Side: Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack’s background as a singer songwriter is unmatched. She inherited a rich musical heritage from her parents; her mother was a church organist and her father was a jazz pianist. Roberta gained early musical experience accompanying her family’s church congregation in North Carolina. At the young age of 15, she attended Howard University on…
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SWEAT! Hard work rooted in Hip Hop principles!
photo credit to Hannah Miller by Alexandra PaulI attended Emerson Urban Dance Theater’s dress rehearsal for their SWEAT performance. The biggest thing I learned about EUDT is its deep emphasis on community and connection. Emerson Urban Dance Theater was founded in 2010 by Michael Love, an Emerson graduate. The company was created to give students of…
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ERS+ rewinds plus recaps Berklee’s Hip Hop Hall of Fame celebration
Editing courtesy of James ‘JB’ BarnesMo Wilks rewinds plus recaps his experience at Berklee College of Music’s annual Celebration and Hip Hop Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include the McClain brothers, who’s on stage name is The Wonder Twins. Berklee’s ceremony also brought to the Boston stage Golden era microphone fiend, the ‘God MC’…
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Rakim shares his technique inside Studio 8-8-9!
Mo Wilks welcomes The God MC Rakim, for a phone interview inside Studio 8-8-9. His conversation takes place prior to Rakim’s being inducted into Berklee College of Music’s Hip Hop Hall Of Fame ceremonies Thursday, November 13, 2025, 8pm. You can hear WERS‘ sister station ERS+ – Boston Black Experience online at wersplus.org and 88.9FM…
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Boston Showed Up at the 2025 Summer of X Block Party
writing, photos and video by JBThe 5th annual Summer of X Block Party was nothing short of amazing this time around. Hosted by Black Market’s very own Kia & Chris Grant, the party collectively brought hundreds of Bostonians, and some out of town folks as well, to Nubian Square on Washington St, in Roxbury, MA….
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Nas Plus The Boston Pops Perform at Tanglewood
Hip hop legend – and arguably the best storyteller in the game – Nasir Jones aka Nas, and the Boston Pops brought an unforgettable performance this past Friday June 27, 2025, at Tanglewood, located in Western Massachusetts (That two-hour drive from Boston was well worth it). Boston Pop Orchestra’s pristine and elegant sound mixed with…
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Boston’s Kae Alayah stopped by prior to her Momentum performance
DJ Mo Wilks interview Boston singer/songwriter Kae Alayah Singer songwriter Kae Alayah stopped by Studio 8-8-9 to talk with The Secret Spots’ Mo Wilks about her musical background, inspirations and glimpse into her performance at the Momentun BAMSFest Boston opening night. She’ll be onstage at the Sinclair in Harvard Square with other local Boston area…
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BAMSFest celebrates seven years of bringing joy to Boston communities June 2025
Article written by James Barnes, Urban Coordinator Videography & Photos by Bryan Edourd, Class of 2025 BAMS (Boston Arts & Music Soul) Festival, or BAMSFest, is a culturally-led movement, pioneered and orchestrated by Boston native Catherine T. Morris. Established in June of 2018, the goal was to recognize and magnify the creative contributions of Black & Brown…