A worldwide celebration of music on the summer solstice By Jillian Chandler
“Making music together enriches the whole community.”
A free celebration of music held around the world on June 21, Gig Harbor will once again be a local destination for Make Music Day. Not your typical music festival, Make Music is open to anyone who wants to take part.
“Every kind of musician—young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion—pours onto streets, parks, plazas and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors and strangers,” shares Barbara Hammerman, president/co-founder of Make Music Day Gig Harbor. And it’s all free and open to the public!
Barbara and Amanda Gresham, with United by Music North America band, had performed for five years in other Make Music Day cities, and wanted to create this festive day in the Gig Harbor area. And they knew that Uptown Gig Harbor would be the perfect place to showcase the first Fest4All Make Music Gig Harbor in 2021. “It allowed us to demonstrate the vision that the community can build together, making music by many people in many places all around the area,” affirms Barbara, adding, “Amanda and I are thrilled to have Uptown Gig Harbor Center as our home base again for this very special community project. Paula Zenobia, Uptown manager, is the perfect partner with our team.”
Four stages will be filled with music from noon to 9pm. There will be opening ceremonies including traditional dance by the Puyallup Tribe, Kathyanne Vocal Students, Promenade Parade from stage to stage led by the Gig Harbor Ukulele Allstars, United by Music USA rhythm section, Pizza Box Drummers, and anyone who wants to participate and join in along the way (singers, bands, solo artists to full bands, acoustic to electric). Spoken Word and Poetry have been added for the 2022 event.
The entire community is encouraged to attend, as the event is fully participatory and accessible for all! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this day celebrating music. For those interested in participating both on and off stage, email gigharbor@makemusicday.org.
“We aim to have everyone feel uplifted and feeling great from celebrating the longest day of the year through music and with each other,” smiles Rebecca. “This celebration of music is built on collaborative efforts and participation from the full spectrum of the community.”
This year they would like to thank Uptown Gig Harbor, Wurlitzer Manor, Make Music Alliance & NAMM Foundation for sponsoring this wonderful community event, though more local sponsors and collaborating organizations and businesses would be greatly appreciated!
Visit MakeMusicday.org/gigharbor for additional details.