MixFest 2013

Gavin Degraw sings at MixFest, an annual free concert hosted by radio station Mix 104.1, on September 14, in the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, Boston, Mass. This was his second consecutive year performing at MixFest. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.

Sofie Guariglia, a Boston University junior, dances while the Backstreet Boys perform at MixFest, an annual free concert hosted by radio station Mix 104.1, on September 14, in the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, Boston, Mass. "I came to see the Backstreet Boys, but Gavin DeGraw definitely stole the show," she said. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.

Concert goers sit by the Charles River, outside the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston, Mass., to hear the Backstreet Boys, Gavin DeGraw, and Of Monsters and Men perform at MixFest, an annual free concert hosted by radio station Mix 104.1, on September 14. The venue reached full capacity and fans flooded down the Esplanade and into the streets before the concert even began at 4:00 pm. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.

The Backstreet Boys perform at MixFest, an annual free concert hosted by radio station Mix 104.1, on September 14, in the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, Boston, Mass. They sang "Everybody" and "As Long as You Love Me" as well as some of their newer music. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.

Gavin Degraw goes into the crowd and gives a "fist-bump" to a boy in the crowd at MixFest, an annual free concert hosted by radio station Mix 104.1, on September 14, in the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, Boston, Mass. This was his second consecutive year performing at MixFest. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.

The Great Da'oud

On warm days, The Great Da'oud, as he refers to himself, sells henna tattoos outside of Tadpole Playground at the Boston Common. He works alongside 4 different balloon artists, who work on different days of the week. The balloon artists are more competitive amongst one another but "I'm exclusive in what I do," said the Great Da'oud. He helps the different artists by bringing them sandwiches and selling their balloons after the sun sets. "You can't do henna unless the sun is out because you need skin to be showing," he said.

Sept. 20, 2013 – An artist who goes by the stage name The Great Da'oud and declined to provide his real name takes a sip of water while selling henna tattoos outside of Tadpole Playground at the Boston Common in Boston, Mass. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.

Sept. 20, 2013 – An artist who goes by the stage name The Great Da'oud and declined to provide his real name sets up to sell henna tattoos outside of Tadpole Playground at the Boston Common in Boston, Mass. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.

Sept. 20, 2013 – Marty B. twists balloon into different shapes across from an artist who calls himself The Great Da'oud selling henna tattoos outside of Tadpole Playground at the Boston Common in Boston, Mass. “It’s been a slow day,” he said. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.

Sept. 18, 2013 – A young girl (name withheld) looks out, over her stroller at the flower shaped balloons being sold outside Tadpole Playground by an artist who calls himself The Great Da’oud at the Boston Common in Boston, Mass. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.

Sept. 18, 2013 – An artist who goes by the stage name The Great Da'oud and declined to provide his real name sells flower balloons for Larry (last name withheld), a balloon artist, outside of Tadpole Playground at the Boston Common in Boston, Mass. He usually sells henna tattoos and then sells balloons for whichever balloon artist working that day leaves, he said. Photo by Rebecca Shinners.