World’s Largest Annual Music Event To Be Celebrated Across Texas On Friday, June 21
Fifteen cities in Texas will join forces to present hundreds of free outdoor musical events on Friday, June 21st for Make Music Day, a global music celebration on the summer solstice each year that brings people of all ages and skill levels together to make music. This year, College Station, Dallas, Denton, Frisco, Houston, Hutto, Laredo, McKinney, Odessa, Salado, San Antonio, San Marcos, Sugar Land, Tyler, and Waxahachie are some of the 150+ U.S. cities hosting thousands of Make Music Day performances nationwide, as part of the world’s largest annual music event.
Make Music Day began in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique, and today it is celebrated in thousands of cities across 120 countries.
Distinct from a traditional music festival, Make Music Day celebrates and encourages the natural music maker in all of us, regardless of age, ethnicity, background, or skill level. Make Music Day is a free and open invitation for everyone to perform, teach, learn, and experience the joy of making music on the longest day of the year. Reimagining their cities and towns as stages, every kind of musician – young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion – pours onto streets, parks, plazas, porches, rooftops, gardens and other public spaces to celebrate, create and share their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers.
“We're proud that a dozen of our Music Friendly Texas Certified Communities are hosting Make Music Day events this year," said Texas Music Office Director Chip Adams. "And we are especially proud that the list of participating cities spans not only major metros, but also communities in all four corners of our state. Each year, as more Texas cities join in the Make Music Day celebration, more and more Texans are exposed to the joy of music — the universal language that brings people together in all of our communities.”
Highlights of Make Music Texas include:
College Station: College Station is thrilled to participate in Make Music Day for the first time! We are anticipating a vibrant celebration of musical talent as local artists showcase their skills across venues throughout the city. Activities include an interactive Boomwhacker percussion lesson and a ukulele lesson at Thorn Music Center aimed at igniting musical interest in our younger generation.
Dallas: Make Music Dallas is partnering with Downtown Dallas, Inc. to showcase music around the downtown area. Scheduling is ongoing; so far we are excited to announce an event co-sponsored with the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, and music activations during the Dallas Arts District Pride Block Party.
Frisco: Make Music Day Frisco will have pop-up performances and activities for the second year in a row! Highlights include the unveiling of the first mural-painted piano by Dallas-based artist Lauren Lewchuk as part of the “Community Keys” program; a large Makey Makey playable floor piano at the Frisco Discovery Center; musical activations in the acoustically exquisite Council Chambers at the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center from 5-8 p.m., and Music in the Square featuring “80’s Mixtape” live from 8-9:45 p.m. in Simpson Plaza.
Houston: The City of Houston celebrates its fourth Make Music Day with participation from cultural districts and foreign consulates including the Arts and East End districts. In partnership with Downtown Houston+, the kickoff ceremony this year is hosted at Market Square, the site of the first City Hall in Houston and in Texas. It will be followed by a series of musical performances ahead of the Astros baseball game at Minute Maid Park.
Laredo: Make Music Laredo kicks off with a mayoral proclamation at an opening ceremony at Laredo Center for the Arts at 11 a.m. At that location until 4 p.m. there will be performers and workshops in music and crafts for children. Performances will be held for most of the day at the Outlet Shoppes of Laredo and Chick-fil-A. Casa Ortiz, home of Laredo Cultural District, the MMD Sponsor, will hold a Solstice Celebration Happy Hour with performers from 5-6 p.m. The Star Music Shop will host a drum circle at 6:30 p.m., and Gallery 201 will host a DJ and meditation hour with singing bowls from 7-9 p.m. The grand finale with larger ensembles will close out the day at the Pan American Arts Complex Frontera Stage.
Salado: The Salado Music Friendly Community Advisory Board, which supports local musicians and the economic development of Salado, will be hosting a community drum circle located at a historic site downtown and will be led by our new mayor, a former professional musician. Nine venues around the city will host live music.
San Antonio: Make Music San Antonio is ready to celebrate with a slate of music performances throughout the city including several youth-focused events by OPERA San Antonio, the Classical Music Institute and The AM Project. The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture and Texas Public Radio will co-host a full day of activations from noon to 10:00 p.m. on the banks of San Pedro Creek at TPR’s headquarters. Enjoy interactive opportunities to make music with drum circles, a sing along, and karaoke. Don’t miss the Local Music Spotlight stage, highlighting San Antonio musicians of diverse genres.
San Marcos: San Marcos is planning unique events like group music lessons taking place on the iconic Hays County Historic Courthouse lawn, where students can then perform what they’ve learned; a jam session at the Mobility Hub; and more being organized now.
Sugar Land: Make Music Sugar Land presents live performances throughout the day, including karaoke and lessons in flute, guitar, piano and more. A finale performance at vegan restaurant Pythagoras Space will round out the day.
Waxahachie: Make Music Waxahachie will feature a free children's music program at the Sims Library, offering engaging activities for young participants. A dozen restaurants and bars will host free live and local music, creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the city. The festivities will culminate with Waxahachie Unplugged, an acoustic night at the Railyard Park amphitheater showcasing local musicians.
Any musician, amateur or professional, young or old, is invited to visit MakeMusicDay.org to find the nearest Make Music Day celebration and sign up to participate. Likewise, businesses, buildings, schools, churches, and other institutions can visit the website to offer their outdoor spaces as concert locations.
Make Music Texas is presented statewide by the Texas Music Office. For links to participating communities throughout the state, visit makemusicday.org/texas.
For more information, contact Karen Loew of the Make Music Alliance: karen@makemusicday.org, 917-621-5174.
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About Make Music Day
Held annually on June 21 to coincide with the summer solstice, Make Music Day is part of the international Fête de la Musique taking place in thousands of cities across 120 countries. The daylong musical free-for-all celebrates music in all its forms, encouraging people to band together and play in free public concerts. This year, over 150 U.S. cities are organizing Make Music celebrations, encompassing thousands of music making opportunities nationwide. Make Music Day is presented by The NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the nonprofit Make Music Alliance. For more information, please visit makemusicday.org.