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Backyard Sessions

Wed, Sep 22  |  3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

15 days. 15 performances. Groove your way through September at AY.

Bring the whole fam to AY for a variety of outdoor live music performances all month long! Grab a seat or bring a blanket; pickup your favorite takeout or reserve a spot at one of our restaurant patios – there’s a little something for everyone.

All performances are complimentary and open to the community. We are encouraging donations to the Watertown Public Schools to support our local students and teachers this school season.
To make a donation, please click here to our Eventbrite page
OR scan the QR code at any of the events.
 Arsenal Yards is committed to supporting the local school system and will match all donations up to $1,500 from this event series.

Performances will take place in either the River Green (near Shake Shack) or on the sidewalk plaza near City Works.
Please see schedule below for details.

Seating in our common areas is first come, first serve. Takeout or patio dining is highly encouraged. For a list of our restaurants or to make a patio reservation, please see below.

Performances are rain or shine. In the case of severe inclement weather Arsenal Yards reserves the right to cancel at any time. In the case of any event changes, our webpage will be updated accordingly.

Performance Schedule:

Wednesday, September 22nd, 3:00 - 5:00PM
In the River Green featuring Alex Minasian Trio
With two degrees from NYU, Alex Minasian has, at a remarkably young age, established himself as a versatile pianist, educator, and impresario in many different musical genres. As a pianist, Alex has has studied with some of the greatest pianists in jazz history, including Hank Jones, Don Friedman, Jean-Michel Pilc, and James Williams, and has performed in most of the country's most famous jazz rooms, such as Birdland, the Blue Note, Cafe Carlyle, Yoshi's, Bohemian Caverns Iridium, Jazz @ Lincoln Center, the Village Vanguard, and the Apollo Theater. He has shared the stage with such legends as James Ingram, Arturo Sandoval, ?UESTLOVE, Sam Moore, Marylin McCoo, Curtis Fuller, Hank Jones, and Clark Terry, and with such jazz greats as Brian Lynch, Billy Pierce, Sheila Jordan, Gary Bartz and Hugh Masekela. Alex was the last pianist for the late iconic singer and NEA Jazz Master Little Jimmy Scott, and is the pianist and musical director for the renowned jazz singer Mark Murphy, and performs as pianist and musical director for singer, actor, songwriter, and musical historian Billy Vera and his 18-piece big band. Alex has also headlined such important jazz celebrations as the Rochester Jazz Festival appearing as co-leader of a trio with Canadian bassist Brandi Disterheft. In 2013, Minasian, Disterheft, a veteran drummer Steve Williams (Shirley Horn), formed the Hanky Panky Trio to honor Hank Jones..The Hanky Panky trio is featured in Season 2 of the hit Netflix show, 'Orange Is The New Black'. They have performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival with Sheila Jordan, and as a trio at the Istanbul Jazz Festival..He has also been collaborating with Broadway Star Christina Sajous (Spider Man--Turn off the Dark, and American Idiot) on an eclectic nightclub act featured at such New York City hotspots as Duane Park. He is currently on tour with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Little Anthony & The Imperials. Alex has been featured in Yerevan Magazine, a Los Angeles–based Armenian publication promoting Armenian news and culture. Learn more about Alex Minasian here.

Thursday, September 23rd, 5:00 - 7:00PM
In the River Green featuring Colt and the Coyotes
Worcester roots, rock, and soul.
Learn more about Colt and the Coyotes, here.

Friday, September 24th , 12:00 – 2:00PM
In the River Green featuring Joe Carson
Joe Carson has as been performing as a singer and guitarist in Boston for over 10 years.  He's played all over the city finding a way to draw people in and get them singing and dancing.
Learn more about Joe Carson, here.

Tuesday, September 28th, 4:00 - 6:00PM
on the sidewalk plaza near City Works featuring John Copeland
John is a solo guitar player and singer that has performed in the Metro Boston area for over 15 years. He performs rock covers from the 1960s to the present with an emphasis on 80s and 90s rock. At his live shows, he uses a loop pedal and vocal harmonizer to expand his sound. He has also released 2 albums of original music, including "Disguises and Compromises," which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The NECN Morning Show selected him as a "Featured Artist" twice and has played several of his songs during its program hours.
Learn more about John Copeland, here.

Wednesday, September 29th, 3:00 - 5:00PM
On the sidewalk plaza near City Works featuring Orchid Reed

Orchid Reed is a professional, Boston-based band comprised of Berklee alum that specializes in keeping the party going playing top rock, pop, alternative and funk.
Learn more about Orchid Reed, here.

Thursday, September 30th, 5:00 - 7:00PM
In the River Green featuring Perfect Crime
Killer Classic Rock. A 5-piece band with rich, layered vocals, authentic, vintage organ and guitar chops and a selection of the very best music of the 60's, 70's and 80's. With 3 lead vocalists, this band keeps the crowd's interest! Perfectcrimeband.com Follow The Perfect Crime on Facebook @KillerClassicRock

Friday, October 1st, 12:00 - 2:00PM
In the River Green featuring Freddy Epstein presents "Sax on the Beach"
Freddy Epstein is a bassist, music director and theater maker who specializes in curated experiences. With "Sax on the Beach" Freddy and his band of cohorts explore saxophone featured pop and rock music from the 70's to 00's in the spirit of fun! He has toured both nationally and internationally with a wide range of artists including Heather Christian, The Defibulators, IONIA and the Marble Collegiate Gospel Choir. Freddy will be releasing the first album for his electronic music project – Saint Friday – in early 2022. Recent theater projects include Oratorio for Living Things by Heather Christian (Ars Nova); The Infinite Hotel by Michael McQuilken (Prototype Festival)); Animal Wisdom by Heather Christian (Bushwick Starr); NOISE by César Alvarez (Public Theater) and The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder (TFANA).

Arsenal Yards Restaurants:

Ben & Jerry’s
Fact: there’s never a bad time for ice cream.

Buttermilk & Bourbon
Book a front-row patio spot for the River Green performances!
(open for dinner only, reservations highly recommended)

Chipotle
What’s up guac? Order online for pickup or order in-restaurant.

City Works
Your front-row seat awaits for the sidewalk performances!

CuppaCoffee
open ‘till 1pm daily for your coffee cravings.

Frank Pepe
Pizza today (salad tomorrow). Get yours to go!

Garbanzo
Mediterranean fresh. Oh, yes!

Roche Bros.
So. Many. Freshly Prepared Options. What will you take to go?

Shake Shack
Shake your way to front row patio seating -- first come, first serve!

sweetgreen
The hands down, best salads around.

Plus, Tori Jiro and Condesa Restaurante & Tequila Bar – Coming Soon!

Event Safety:
The safety of our guests, performers and staff remains our top priority. We are closely monitoring all COVID-19 rules and regulations to ensure a safe experience for all. Following CDC guidelines and our local regulations, face masks are required for all individuals while in indoor public spaces. Face masks are no longer required outdoors for individuals who are fully vaccinated, though non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue to wear face masks at Arsenal Yards.

Please note: no alcohol is allowed in our community public spaces.

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Restaurants and retailers are now open! Check on the map below for details.

Parking & directions

Arsenal Yards is approximately a 10-minute drive from Harvard Square and approximately a 15-minute drive from Copley Square. Other areas will find it easily accessible from the Mass Pike or Fresh Pond Parkway, among many routes available to Watertown’s East End. Once on site, ample free parking is available. Traveling via public transportation? MBTA bus route 70 stops right on site and can be picked up at the Central Square Red Line T stop.