Make Music Day, an international celebration of the summer solstice, will take place on Saturday, June 21, from 5 to 8 PM, at Plaza on Princess and the Harrelson Center on Fourth and Princess streets in downtown Wilmington. Make Music Day, which is produced by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County and the Harrelson Center, is unlike a typical music festival; it’s open to anyone who wants to take part — amateur and professional, young or old, regardless of musical persuasion. All Make Music Day programming is free and open to the public. For more information visit: makemusicday.org/wilmington
Make Music Day was founded in France in 1982 and is now celebrated in more than 1,000 cities in 120 different countries. Last year was Wilmington’s inaugural celebration with four stages featuring 15 musical performances, including ukulele strummers, a percussion ensemble, drum circle, rock bands, the Wilmington Symphony and more.
“The response to Make Music Day in 2024 was incredible, and we’re excited to bring this celebration back for a second year—offering a day of music made by anyone, and enjoyed by everyone, completely free, said Rhonda Bellamy, CEO of the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County.
The goal of Make Music Day is to allow music to pour onto streets, parks, plazas, and porches and provide music that is shared with friends, neighbors, and strangers. The Harrelson Center and its event venue, Plaza on Princess, provide an indoor/outdoor and central downtown location to accommodate numerous musical performances, jam sessions, choral groups and those who gather to enjoy.
The Arts Council invites musicians and vocalists of all kinds to collaborate on making June 21 a musical masterpiece. Singers, church choirs, jazz combos, rock bands, glee clubs, DJs, marching bands, mariachi bands, and every kind of musician, of any age group or skill level, are welcome. Musicians can register their interest in performing at makemusicday.org/wilmington
Among the special projects organizers are hoping to host is Sousapalooza, an invitation for amateur musicians with brass, wind or percussion instruments to come together and sightread the music of John Philip Sousa. Established in 2011 by Make Music Chicago, “Sousapalooza looks to gather people who once played in a marching band, to get their instrument out of the basement, give it a good tune-up and then show up to play together at Make Music Wilmington,” said Ms. Bellamy. Musicians should visit the website and follow the prompt to register their interest.
Other Wilmington venues that will host free music performances on Saturday, June 21st, are also welcome to register their program at makemusicday.org/wilmington
About Arts Council of Wilmington
Celebrating its 13th year as the nucleus of Wilmington’s dynamic arts sector, the Arts Council of Wilmington & NHC supports artists, arts organizations, and audiences through innovative public/private partnerships that develop jobs, stimulate commerce, and showcase the region as an arts destination.
Its portfolio of services encourages cultural excellence, diversity, access, and participation through core programs and initiatives, including a robust grantmaking program, aggressive arts marketing, and oversight of popular programs like Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, Pedestrian Art public art, the Wilmington Theater Awards, ACES Gallery, and the Wilmington Rail Trail.
About the Harrelson Center
The Harrelson Center is Wilmington, North Carolina’s campus for non-profit organizations. Founded in 2008, its mission is to advance, connect, and empower an integrated humanitarian nonprofit community. The Harrelson Center provides administrative resources and below-market rates for office suites fostering greater operational stability for its partner non-profit organizations. By sharing common ground and common purpose, the organizations at The Harrelson Center enjoy certain synergy in service, networking, volunteer recruitment, marketing and educational opportunities. The Harrelson Center has 21 on-campus partners and 20 off-campus associate partners with which it closely collaborates. For more information visit http://harrelsoncenter.org/
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FOR MEDIA INFORMATION:
Margee Herring
margeeherring@gmail.com
910-233-2466
