By Meri Rose Ekberg  
Make Music Madison

Make Music Madison is returning for its 11th annual citywide free musical celebration held on the summer solstice, Wednesday, June 21.

Make Music Madison is part of Make Music Day, an international event launched in 1982 in France as Fête de la Musique. Make Music Day is celebrated on the same day in more than 1,000 cities in 120 countries around the world. Across the globe people of all ages and skill levels come together to make music.

Completely different from a typical music festival, Make Music Day is open to anyone who wants to take part. All types of musicians — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — pour onto streets, parks, plazas and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors and strangers. All of it is free and open to the public.

“Make Music Day is about bringing our community together to celebrate the joy of live music and the value of music to our creative economy. All live-sound creation is welcome, as Make Music Madison’s motto is ‘performed by anyone, enjoyed by everyone,’” explained Managing Director Meri Rose Ekberg. “This year we expect more than 500 musical events to take place across the city.”

Madison will be filled with music at over 100 venues from 8 am–9 pm. An interactive map of the full schedule of events is available at makemusicmadison.org.

Northside highlights

The Rainbow Pavilion at Warner Park will be filled with music from 10 am–9 pm thanks to hosts, Witkins Realty.

Lakeview Library will feature music from 10 am–8 pm.

Bierock will host performers from 3–8:30 pm.

The Subvocal Stage at 4222 Esch Lane in the Lake View Hill Neighborhood will host music from 8 am–9 pm.

Make Music Madison is sponsored by the Madison Arts Commission with additional funding provided by the Wisconsin Arts Board, Madison Community Foundation, Dane Arts, Cinnaire, Capital Music Gear, Metcalfe’s Market and generous individuals. Local media partners include Fox 47, WORT and Wisconsin Public Radio.