WNY joins cities across the country & around the world in a celebration of music
Arts Services Initiative of Western New York announced Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Jamestown will join cities across the country and around the world for this year's Make Music Day on June 21.
Now entering its second year locally, Make Music Western New York is a unique festival consisting of dozens of free concerts and play-alongs in public spaces throughout Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Jamestown, all on June 21, the first day of summer. MMWNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivities in more than 750 cities around the world.
"Arts Services Initiative is all about increasing access to the arts, so we're proud to bring this one-day, all-day musical holiday to our region," ASI Executive Director Tod A. Kniazuk said. "Make Music Day is a perfect addition to summer in Western New York."
Make Music Day is a free celebration of music that started in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique. ASI launched Make Music Day with 30 performances at 16 venues and an audience of approximately 5,000 people in attendance in Erie and Niagara counties last year.
Make Music Day follows the belief the arts are for everyone. Participants host a free, daylong series of events where everyone can participate, no matter their skill level, age or location.
All musicians are empowered to perform in public spaces throughout Western New York.
From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., musicians of all ages, backgrounds and musical persuasions - from world music to classical, rock to hip hop - are invited to perform on streets, sidewalks, stoops, plazas, parks and gardens. From high school bands to local pro bands, MMWNY is open to anyone who wants to take part, and provide enjoyment to everyone who wants to attend.
Highlights of 2017 Make Music Day WNY include (all free):
•Lighting the Peace Bridge in Buffalo orange for the evening to celebrate Make Music Day, with live performance on site
•Lighting the Niagara Falls orange for 15 minutes at 10 p.m. to celebrate Make Music Day, with live performance on site
•Introductory harmonica lessons, including a free harmonica for the first 50 in attendance per site, occurring at Green Island in Niagara Falls State Park (10 a.m.to noon), and Canalside in Buffalo (3-5 p.m.) taught by Rick Nicotra from the Western New York Blues Society
•Play in Marine A, a chance for any person or band to sign up for a session to perform in the Marine A grain elevator at Silo City in Buffalo from 4-8:30 p.m.; performers will include Brett Shurtliffe from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the PA Line and Meria Cairns (Time slots are still available for musicians who would like to sign up.)
•A local "Fête de la Musique" with the Alliance Française de Buffalo at the Colored Musicians Club in Buffalo 5:30-9:30 p.m.
•Two Cello "Movement and Music" classes for children hosted by Bethany Erhardt at the Buffalo Cello School 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Pre-registration online preferred.)
•A play-along with boomwhackers presented by Improv Everywhere, in which attendees will pick up a free pair of boomwhackers and play to the beat of a pre-recorded MP3 (Venue and time TBA.)
•Guitar play-along including free songbooks taught by Vaughn Faison (Location and time TBA.)
•Introduction of Make Music Day in Jamestown presented by Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Inc., with roaming musicians throughout downtown Jamestown
•Live music and a free craft for kids at Old Falls Street in Niagara Falls (Time TBA.)
•John & Mary & the Valkyries with Ten Cent Howl at Larkin Square from 5-8:30 p.m.
•The Joe Baudo Quintet at Sportsmen's Tavern from noon until 2 p.m.
This website is also where performers can sign up if they would to play, and where venue operators can sign up if they would like to host a performance. Performers of all skill levels and in all genres of music are encouraged, as are venues of all types - from businesses to public buildings (especially outdoors). Registration is open until June 14.
Make Music Day WNY is sponsored by M&T Bank, Fund for the Arts, Erie County, the New York State Council on the Arts, Buffalo Spree, The Public, Hohner and Alfred Music.
