Arts Services Initiative of Western New York (ASI) has announced the regional music line-up, thus far, for Greater Buffalo’s 2nd annual Make Music Day. Make Music Day is a worldwide effort to bring music into the lives of everyone. It’s a day when people of all musical abilities are invited to pick up an instrument and play, no matter the result. It’s also a day where cities host free concerts and play-alongs, so that everyone has a chance to join in on the fun. Buffalo has now joined 750 cities around the world in an effort to promote all types of music and musicians.
“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.
Starting on Wednesday, June 21, at 10am, sounds of music will fill the streets of Buffalo. In 2016 (the inaugural year), Make Music Day featured 30 performances at 16 venues, with audiences that reached 5000 people. And that was just the music that was documented. On Make Music Day, everyone is invited to join in, whether that means someone plays a harmonic a porch, or a guitarist strums on a street corner. From high school bands to hiphop artists to picking up a kazoo and forming a tune, the daylong event (10 am to 10 pm) has no musical boundaries.
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 10pm 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 (10am-12pm) and Canalside in Buffalo (3-5pm) taught by Rick Nicotra from the Western New York Blues Society.
- “Come 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 4-8:30pm. Performers will include Brett Shurtliffe from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the PA Line, Meria Cairns and more! 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 5:30-9:30pm.
- Two Cello “Movement and Music” classes for children hosted by Bethany Erhardt at the Buffalo Cello School 10am and 6pm. Pre-registration online preferred.
- A play-along with boomwhackers presented by Improv Everywhere. 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 5-8:30pm.
- The Joe Baudo Quintet at Sportsmens Tavern from 12-2pm.
More information and a full list of events can be found on the Make Music Day website*: makemusicday.org/western-ny/.
This website is also where performers can sign up if they would to play, and where venues to 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.
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