PREVIEW: Make Music Day: A Day When Music Fills the Air
6/21 in Albany and Troy
June 21st is commonly known in the Northern Hemisphere as the Summer Solstice, when vitamin D deficiencies meet their match with 17 hours of daylight. A lesser-known phenomenon that occurs is Make Music Day, an international celebration of music performance that began in France as “Fête De La Musique” in 1982 by then Minister of Culture, Jack Lang. It has now expanded into all sorts of variations in over 1,000 cities throughout 120 countries across the globe.
The event is backed by NAMM (North American Music Merchants), a global trade organization focused on music products. The idea behind the event is to put free music events in public spaces throughout the entire day. From venues, to parks, to porches, and even community gardens, the idea is for live music to fill the air. Troy and Albany are among this years’ local participants.
These cities just recently became chapters of Make Music Day, starting a few years ago during the pandemic. The participation has largely been city-sponsored events, with some local venues and businesses joining in, as well as some DIY shows being put on. For example, The City of Albany, Park Albany, and WEXT are sponsoring a free show at Quackenbush Square featuring local standouts, The Sugar Hold, The E-Block, and Lucid Street from 12pm-6pm. There will also be vendors, face painting, an outdoor beer garden, group instrument activities, and giveaways.
In Troy, the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is sponsoring several stages hosting performances around downtown Troy, including the “Second Street Stage” outside of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall from 10am to 2pm. There are additional performances and events happening around the city as well. If you want to be involved with making music that day, the Suzuki Community Strings will be hosting a jam session at the Hart Cluett Museum from 1pm to 2pm. There is also a Honky Tonk show happening at No Fun featuring Honky Tonk Record Club, Texas Headphones, DJ Tex, and Steve Hammond. That kicks off at 2pm and goes until 7pm with a five dollar cover at the door.
While it is too late to formally participate in this year’s festivities, musicians, venues, and others are encouraged to sign up for next year as performers and/or performance locations. For now, see the full schedule for Albany and Troy’s events below.
ALBANY - Music
Quackenbush Square (presented by City of Albany, Park Albany & WEXT Radio)
12:30pm: The Sugar Hold
2:00pm: Lucid Street
4:30pm: The E-Block
Clinton Market Collective (presented by City of Albany)
12pm & 3pm: Ruth Pelham
1pm & 4pm: Mark Rust
2pm & 5pm: Albany Rock Pit
The Eleven at Lark Hall (presented by Mirth Films)
12:30pm: Caity Gallagher
1:15pm: Lovella
2:00pm: Sabrina Trueheart
2:45pm: Kristian Montgomery
3:30pm: Josh Casano
4:15pm: Frankie Cavone
5:00pm: Shannon Tehya
5:45pm: Laura Leigh
6:30pm: Ky Mcclinton
Everyday’s Restaurant
2:00pm – 6:00pm: Lucia & Levi
New Scotland Spirits Tasting Room
12:00pm – 2:00pm: Melanie Chirignan
Our Place (6 S Marshall St.)
1:00pm – 6:00pm: The Roadside Assistants
TROY - Music
Troy Waterfront Farmers Market Presents*
*Second Street Stage - In front of Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
10am – 10:40am: Diver Library Presents: Youth Performances
11am – 12pm: Deb Cavanaugh & Shows Leary: A family-friendly folk performance with mountain dulcimer, guitar, limberjack, and crankie. Play and Sing-Along!
12:30pm – 1:30pm: Jordan Taylor Hill Drum Circle: Interactive drumming session with djembe and percussion instruments provided, open to all ages.
*First Street Stage
10am – 2pm: TINY VAN CONCERTS featuring LSDaniel, Nate Goyette, and Andy Shapiro
*Third Street & Broadway
10am – 11:30am: Live art and engagement by TAP Inc. featuring Bullfrog Symphony
12pm – 1pm: Diver Library Presents Hannah Coffin
*Monument Square Performers
10am – 11:30am: Chris Sanders
12:30pm – 2pm: Tanager
*River Street Stage Performers
10am – 11:30am: Pine Hills Band
12:30pm – 2:00pm: Lucio Barbarino
Sound House Records
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Soundhouse Sessions: djdrummernk creating Immersive Rhythms and Textures performed live in store
Hart Cluett Museum
1pm – 2pm: Suzuki Community Strings Jam Session
Troy Music Academy Youth Stage
1:30pm – 4pm: Youth Music Showcase
3pm – 4pm: The Joys of Homemade Music & Amateur Community Music Making featuring members of the Hudson Mohawk Chapter of the American Recorder Society
Segel Violins
12pm – 5pm: Shop Open
No Fun
2pm – 6pm: Honky Tonk Record Club w/ Texas Headphones / DJ Tex & Steve Hammond ($5 Cover)
Outside Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
4pm – 5pm: Sousapalooza: A Community Reading of the Music of John Philip Sousa with Guest Conductor: Dr. Peter Bellino
For more information about Make Music Day, how to participate next year, and this year’s full lineup descriptions, visit Make Music Day Albany and Make Music Day Troy | Troy Savings Bank Music Hall