Celebrate Make Music Day on June 21

Welcome summer with a day (and night) of live, outdoor music

Nine years running, Make Music Day returns to bring a day of free, live music to the sidewalks, alleys and parking lots of Salem on June 21. And once again, the event will set a new record as Oregon and the West Coast’s largest free music festival. 

“There’s something magical about Make Music Salem. It brings people together in a way that only music can. We’re excited to welcome everyone to celebrate the first full day of summer with us,” said volunteer and performer Alex Hussey in a press release.

More than 190 area musicians at 50 host venues. The 240+ performances cover at least 21 genres including Americana, Latin, pop, jazz, funk, rock, blues, country, hip-hop, gospel, indie-rock, experimental, electronic, bluegrass, soul, classical, world, choral, musical theater, singer-songwriter, Celtic, and more. And locations range from the heart of the city in downtown Salem, to alleys, parks and neighborhoods in North, South, East and West Salem. 

Highlights include performances by Salem Orchestra alongside Salem rock band Sunset Bends combining class rock songs with classical instruments, the Rose City Brass Quintet presented by the Oregon Symphony, the Portland Samba Band and an appearance by The Unipiper. 

Additionally, mass appeal events encourage all to participate in the music-making merriment. This year includes mass-appeal music education events organized by RiverCity Rock Star Academy, an interactive Found Sound experience featuring unique percussion instruments for all to try, bucket drumming, a group ukulele lesson, free harmonicas followed by a group jam session with harmonica master teacher Chris Estes, plus kazoo giveaways throughout the day, and a roving pop-up street shower karaoke moving around downtown.

The evening will wrap with a silent disco at 7 p.m. to midnight near the Gerry Frank Amphitheater at Riverfront Park.

Plan your day! Search the schedule by artist, genre, venue and location at the Make Music website here.

Make Music Salem is a nonprofit, volunteer-run effort. Become part of the worldwide music celebration as a volunteer, sponsor or donor (sponsorship and donations are tax-deductible). Click here for more information.

Make Music Day Salem

When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 21
Where: Throughout Salem
Cost: Free
Info: www.makemusicsalem.org

Author: The Instigator