MassQ Ball 2025: Color is an intergenerational, cross-cultural celebration of the arts and culture of Boston’s many communities of color. A co-production between multidisciplinary artist Daniel Callahan and Black arts organization Castle of our Skins, The MassQ Ball will feature a star-studded lineup of artists, performers, activists and culture bearers from a wide range of artistic traditions and backgrounds. Through sound, sculpture, movement and spoken word, MassQ Ball 2025: Color will showcase the beauty, diversity, and color of our commonwealth and wider world amidst the breath-taking backdrop of the Arboretum’s conifers.

This large-scale event in the Conifer Collection offers music and dance performance, sculpture, spoken word, and the opportunity to receive or self-administer a MassQ face paint: an art-form that uses the human face as a canvas to reveal one’s inner state.

Registration is not required for this event but helps us to plan, and ensures you get updates about weather, parking, and other details.

Visit https://www.massqball.com/ for a lineup of artists and other information about the event.

Accessibility: The event takes place on Hemlock Hill Road, which is paved and level, and in the Conifer Collection which includes dirt paths and one moderate hill. There will be shuttles available for attendees with accessibility needs, making loops down Hemlock Hill Road and up Conifer Path, providing access to much (but not all) of the event. Shuttles will be making continuous loops from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Audience: This event is appropriate for all ages.

Inclement Weather Policy: The rain date for this event is October 18. All registrants will receive an email at least one day in advance if the event is rescheduled to the rain date.