News

Arts, performances, events to spring up on Lawn on D

A colorful Cinco de Mayo cele­bration will kick off a spring and summer of events at Boston’s Lawn on D this weekend. The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has confirmed a full slate of arts, performance and family events that will keep the space hopping through the season.

Already boasting a sea breeze and a panoramic view of the city, the Lawn on D has been newly refurbished this year, with help from a new partnership with Citizens Bank. This year will bring formally organized and scheduled kids games including cornhole, bocce ball and pingpong. And the ever-­popular “Swing Time” — the playground attraction that doubles as an art installation — has also been upgraded. This year the 20 swings have been redesigned so they’re all the same size, and they now light up in ever-­changing colors. For those who may have outgrown kids games, the lawn also unveils a full-­service bar this year in partnership with Rebel Restaurants, which will also offer an expanded menu of international goodies.

Cinco de Mayo begins one night early with a performance this afternoon by Tropicante, which will be the host band for the weekend. Formed by Ricardo Monzon, who teaches percussion at Berklee and has guested with the Boston Pops, the group brings together the trademark rumba flamenca sounds with a range of Latin American rhythms. You may have also seen Monzon play locally with the Brian Wakely Band and Myanna. Guitarist D’Rafael, the band’s guest soloist, has released albums and scored independent films in New York and Boston. His sound draws from classical, gypsy and flamenco music, along with his own South American roots.

Tropicante will inaugurate the season’s opening at 3 p.m. today and will play into the evening tonight and tomorrow. On Saturday afternoon, DJ So&So will spin through the day, and Sunday afternoon will feature a set from the long-running Boston party band Unity, whose three male and female singers can handle everything from Sinatra to Journey to Lady Gaga. DJ Mario Leon, a regular at the Liquor Store in Boylston Place, will close out the festivities Sunday evening.

To enhance the experience, the seaport restaurant Temazcal will have its signature margaritas available all weekend, and will also be sampling their cuisine.

Stay tuned for further Lawn on D events throughout the summer, including the full-weekend Spring Spectacular, which will bring a wide variety of food, family games and live music to the Lawn next weekend. Much more is on the way, including the beginning of the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Patriot Festival on May 20, and a Berklee-sponsored series of casual lunch-break concerts that begins May 19.