MAKE MUSIC NEW YORK
Make Music New York is a new live, free musical celebration across the city that took place for the first time on June 21, 2007.
On that day, public space throughout the five boroughs – sidewalks, parks, community gardens, and more – became impromptu musical stages and dance floors, and social meeting points. Thousands of amateur musicians, in every genre, played on the sidewalks for the biggest crowds of their lives. Professional musicians performed for new audiences, who came out from under their headphones to hear unfamiliar groups risk-free. And everyone was invited to sing along and enjoy the first day of summer.
The first MMNY included 560 free concerts with 1,927 musicians. We are planning an even bigger festival for Make Music New York next year, on Saturday June 21, 2008.
WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?
Make Music New York is based on France's Fete de la Musique, which has been a great success for 25 years. Since it was inaugurated, the festival has become an international phenomenon, celebrated on the same day in more than 300 cities in 108 countries, including Germany, Italy, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Australia, Vietnam, Congo, Cameroon, Togo, Columbia, Chile, Mongolia, and Japan.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Anyone and everyone, in every borough of the city. Amateurs, part-time professionals, and established artists are all welcome.
WHO WILL ORGANIZE SUCH A GIGANTIC EVENT?
Starting in February 2008, musicians will be able to sign up directly through a new Time Out New York website, and match themselves up with performance locations. If you're a musician who needs a space, or a space that needs a musician, this is where to go.
Other concerts will be organized around the city by block associations, community gardens, churches, neighborhood cultural centers, museums, concert halls, jazz clubs, and more.
All concerts will ultimately be coordinated and permitted (if necessary) by the Make Music New York organizers.
WHERE WILL THE MUSICIANS PLAY?
Most musicians will perform on New York's 12,000 miles of sidewalks. MMNY organizers secure these permits from the City, so that musicians don't have to deal with all the paperwork.
If you have a rock band, and you want to set up outside your building and play for your neighbors, we can help make that happen. If you want to perform Bach's cello suites outside your friend's convenience store, you can do that, too. Almost anything is possible.
MMNY will also secure dozens of park locations for June 21st concerts, to be made available on the same Time Out New York website, beginning in February. Community gardens and plazas will also be listed there.
Finally, dozens of community organizations are closing off streets around the city for block party concerts. If your group wishes to produce a concert in the street, please click here for instructions on what to do.
HOW WILL YOU FIND ENOUGH MUSICIANS TO FILL THE WHOLE CITY?
In addition to the concerts organized by local community groups, our fourteen interns are busy signing up hundreds of musicians in music schools, choir rehearsals, jazz clubs, concert lobbies, and musical instrument stores. (The Brooklyn Arts Council and the Juilliard School are also helping with outreach to their communities.) Once found, we will coordinate spaces for these artists through the Time Out New York site.
WILL MUSICIANS BE PAID TO PERFORM?
Our organization does not pay musicians -- nor do musicians pay us. We are simply setting up the framework by securing the permits, coordinating the concerts, and publicizing the event city-wide with tens of thousands of posters, earned media stories, concert listings with our media partners, an interactive website, and a volunteer street-team.
Most musicians will be performing for free. But artists and venues are welcome to make any financial arrangements they wish, as long as the concerts are outdoors, free, and open to the public.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?
In eight of the past ten years, it has not rained in New York City on June 21st. If it does rain, concerts planned for sidewalks may take place inside a building lobby or store front. In this case, we simply ask that a door or window be opened so that the music is audible from the street.
WILL THIS BE A YEARLY EVENT?
Yes, Make Music New York will take place every June 21st. (In 2008, it will fall on a Saturday; in 2009, on Sunday.) It is our hope that Make Music New York will start big and expand from year to year, eventually to the point where, as with the Village Halloween Parade, New Yorkers will organize themselves largely without prompting.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
to learn more, or call Aaron Friedman at 917-779-9709.
WHERE CAN I DONATE TO MAKE MUSIC NEW YORK?
Right here!
All contributions to Make Music New York are 100% tax deductible. And if you donate $100 or more, you'll receive a Make Music New York DVD/booklet with our compliments.