Make Music New York exists to organize an annual festival of over 500 free, participatory concerts in every genre, in outdoor spaces throughout New York City, taking place on a single day. Originating in 1982 as France's "Fête de la Musique," Make Music New York had its first festival on Thursday, June 21, 2007, with 560 free performances by 1,927 musicians.

Description:
Make Music New York is a new live, free annual musical celebration across the city that takes place each June 21—the longest day of the year.

On that day, public space throughout the five boroughs—sidewalks, parks, community gardens, and more—become impromptu musical stages, dance floors, and social meeting points. Thousands of amateur musicians, in every genre, perform on sidewalks for the biggest crowds of their lives. Professional musicians perform for new audiences, who come out from under their headphones to hear unfamiliar groups risk-free. And everyone is invited to sing along and enjoy the first day of summer.

The first annual MMNY last year featured 560 performances by 1,927 musicians. Thanks to a new matchmaking website produced with Time Out New York, and because June 21 will fall on a Saturday, we expect many more musicians to take part this year. Other participants in 2008 will include Jazz at Lincoln Center, American Opera Projects, American Composers Orchestra, and Works & Process, as well as cultural organizations that took part last year (Carnegie Hall, NY Philharmonic, and more).

Contact person: Aaron Friedman, President, (917) 779-9709, (email)

Address:

279 Church Street New York, NY 10013 (See a map)

Directions:

The office is in the basement of The Tank Performing Arts Space, four blocks south of Canal Street in Tribeca.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: A, C, E, 1, N, R, Q, 6,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5