Be a part of the FIRST Make Music Hartford and contribute to making our city a more vibrant community that is united by art! Hartford will join hundreds of cities worldwide on June 21, the longest day of the year, to celebrate Make Music Day and we invite you to participate in the excitement. Whether you’re a musician, a local business owner, someone who lives, works or just visits Hartford, we invite you to be part of Make Music Hartford! Learn more and register as a musician or venue at makemusicday.org/hartford.
Featured Events
Kickoff Concert – 8AM – 10AM
We’re kicking off Make Music Hartford with a morning concert featuring emerging musicians from the Hartford Area. Bands include a hip hop duo from Windsor High School, the Brayden Beason Jazz Band, and local Americana band the KC Sisters. Sound support provided by TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik. A Bucket Drumming activity will follow the concert.
Brazilian Drumming Workshop – 11AM – 11:45AM | Austin Arts Center, Trinity College, Hartford
This drumming workshop is open to all ages. Eric Galm, Associate Professor of Music and Ethnomusicology at Trinity College, will give a brief introduction to the rhythms and instruments of the Brazilian samba, followed by call-and-response rhythmic exchange, leading to an interactive samba drumming experience.
Bucket Drumming 1 – 10AM – 10:30AM
Learn some basic beats from professional drummer and drum teacher Kirk Woodard using 5 gallon buckets. All are welcome. Family-friendly event! Thanks to Vic Firth, the world’s largest manufacturer of drumsticks and mallets, we’ll have drumsticks on hand for you to use. We’ll also have buckets, but you’re welcome bring your own and make the circle even larger!
Bucket Drumming 2 – 10AM – 10:30AM
Come make music with us! Learn some basic beats from professional drummer and drum teacher Kirk Woodard using 5 gallon buckets. All are welcome. Family-friendly event! Thanks to Vic Firth, the world’s largest manufacturer of drumsticks and mallets, we’ll have drumsticks on hand for you to use. We’ll also have buckets, but you’re welcome bring your own and make the circle even larger!
Community Jam Session with the Art on the Streets House Band – 11:30AM – 1:30PM | State House Sq.
The Greater Hartford Arts Council‘s Art on the Streets House Band invites you to sit in with them during a Community Jam Session. Bring your instrument downtown on June 21st and meet us in State House Square to jam. Musicians of all abilities and genres are welcome.
Dance Workshop featuring drummers from Hartford’s Proud Drill, Drum & Dance – 3PM – 4PM
Hartford’s Proud Drill, Drum and Dance is a showstopper! The teachers and students of this local group will lead a dance workshop outside the Ropkins/SAND branch of the Hartford Public Library, accompanied by drummers from Hartford’s Proud. Stop by and stick around to see a performance you won’t want to miss!
Dueling Drums – 12PM – 2PM
Parkille Sounds will host Dueling Drums on Bartholomew Avenue in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood. Two drum kits will be set up along the sidewalk. Parkville Sounds owner Steve Cusano will be seated at one kit, fellow drummers are encouraged to stop by and play on the other.
Guitar Mass Appeal – 4PM – 5:30PM
Guitar players of all ages and abilities are invited to bring their guitar and gather together to play the guitar out of the same songbook. Guitarist Jeremy Galloway will provide a 45 minute group lesson for beginners, followed by a 45 minute jam session for guitarists of all abilities. Song books provided by Martin Guitars and Alfred Music. Let’s see how many guitars we can pack into one place!
Kazoo Mass Appeal – 1PM – 2PM
When will you ever get a chance to gather with dozens of strangers to play the kazoo? Stop by Pratt Street for a gathering of kazoos led by WNPR and Hartford Hot Several’s Chion Wolf.
Lyric Writing Workshop and Cypher – 1PM – 2PM
Write your own rhymes with us! Poet and lyricist LAUGH will lead a hip hop lyric writing workshop. No songwriting experience is needed. All writing levels are welcome. Write your own lyrics using beats and inspiration from things that surround you. Afterwards participate in a hip hop cypher circle.
Yoga and Kirtan Concert – 5:30PM – 6:30PM | Elizabeth Park
Join Vasu Studio for a beautiful celebration barefoot in the park celebrating the Summer Solstice, International Day of Yoga and Make Music Hartford. Vasu Studio co-founder, Natalie Wheeler, will lead an All Levels Yoga class focused on the “Inner Sun” – our Solar Plexus Chakra. Hearts Wide Open Kirtan will perform a Kirtan concert immediately after the class. Bring along a yoga mat, sunscreen, and a comfy pillow or blanket for the Kirtan concert. Family-friendly event!