The InstigatorMake Music Day — the local music event of the year — takes place Monday, June 21!
Make Music Day (June 21) is an international celebration of sound that takes place every year on the Summer Solstice. The event grew from Fete de la Musique, which originated in France in 1982 as a call to musicians in Paris to take to the streets and play. Since then, it has become a worldwide celebration of music, community and connection. With events happening around the globe, Salem is just one of 700 plus cities that will be taking to the streets to sing, play and celebrate.
“It’s a great way to showcase our city and the many talented and amazing people that make Salem special,” said Mark Green, one of the event organizers. “It’s such a unique day for us. We are still the only city in the state that does it.”
New this year, Willamette Heritage Center will host four stages: the main stage, which will be broadcast by CC: Media, plus a RiverCity RockStar Academy stage and two acoustic stages.
But that’s not the only location, music is returning to the streets and alleys of downtown Salem, too.
“We have about 125 bands and 30 venues signed up. We have bands coming from all over,” said Mark. “This is an amazing thing, especially coming out of Covid. This is our chance to celebrate and go out.”
The entire event culminates with a Silent Disco in the alley near Venti’s Cafe between Court and Chemeketa streets. What’s a silent disco? It’s an event where people dance to music listened to through headphones rather than a speaker system. And it’s easy enough to join — Just tune in to KMUZ 100.7 or 88.5 FM during the event.
Want to be more involved in Make Music Day? It’s not too late to sign up as a performer or venue, but don’t wait too long. Registration will close this weekend. You can also sign up to volunteer. Or show your support by making a donation. It is an all-volunteer-organized and run event and can use our financial support, too.
A preliminary schedule is already available, but keep an eye on www.makemusicsalem.org to learn more about the participating performers and venues. It really is an amazing opportunity to hear some live, local music. Truly.
PS: Salem’s first official T-Rex Stampede will make its debut during Make Music Salem. Come as you are or dress up in your best Dino attire. The T-Rex Stampede is a family-friendly event (like Make Music Day), that will get you laughing while stomping your feet to the music. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/salemtrexstampede.
Follow-Up
If the heat is a bit too intimidating (read: there is no way I am going out in the hot sun when it’s over 90), you can still experience Make Music Salem thanks to Capital Community Media, who will be bringing you live performances, interviews with artists and organizers, and more from its main stage at the Willamette Heritage Center. So if you can’t join in person, you can listen in on Radio Poder and 98.3 KMWV, or watch the broadcast on Comcast Xfinity channels 22 and 322HD, at KMWV’s Facebook Page, and the CC:Media streaming website from 12 to 10 p.m.
