Kick off summer with hundreds of free concerts across NYC
Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Make Music Day
In celebration of the summer solstice, the streets of New York City will be filled with the sounds of live music on June 21. Make Music Day returns to the five boroughs for its 17th year on Wednesday, bringing with it hundreds of free outdoor concerts taking place on corners, stoops, sidewalks, and in public spaces all across NYC on the longest day of the year.
Founded in 1982 in France, Make Music Day was conceptualized as a new kind of musical holiday. On this day, anyone and everyone would be invited to listen and participate in the creation of music. Now more than four decades later, the festival has expanded across the globe and is now celebrated in over 1,000 cities in 120 countries every year on June 21.
Now in its 17th year, Make Music New York invites New Yorkers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to share their creative skills and passions. Thousands of amateur musicians are given the opportunity to perform in front of large crowds, while professional musicians are able to perform for new audiences. The event is held on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.
The event also includes a few signature projects, known as “Mass Appeal Concerts.” In these concerts, dozens of musicians perform massive pieces written for a specific instrument as one large group. Here are a few highlighted events that will be happening on Wednesday:
In recognition of Make Music Day, The Seaport will be hosting a jam-packed day of live performances from 3 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. on its rooftop. Outer Shapes will take the stage at 3 p.m., followed by Changing Modes at 4 p.m., deerfrance at 5 p.m., Lynda Starr at 6 p.m., Solo Jones at 7 p.m., and Kosha Dillz at 7:45 p.m. to end the night.
Pueblo Harlem, an annual celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture, is hosting free live music for New Yorkers on Tuesday. Hosted at Johnny Hartman Plaza at Amsterdam Avenue and West 143th Street in Manhattan, the festival includes live performances by multi-Grammy award-winning artist Arturo O’Farrill, the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, the pre-professional youth ensemble the Fat Cats, and more special guests.
Hosted in Madison Square Park from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., join the NY State Music Teacher’s Association as they kick off Paul’s Pianopalooza, a piano-based marathon that also celebrates the 90th birthday of NYC composer and educator Paul Sheftel. Pianists of all ages will perform pieces from Paul’s work, and the event will include a visit from Sheftel himself.
Events will also be taking place at public library branches throughout the city, plazas, parks, and other public spaces.
These are only a few highlights of the free performances happening on Wednesday. A complete list of music events around NYC can be found here.
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