Make Music Hartford is a live, free musical celebration on June 21 across the city, coordinated by the Greater Hartford Arts Council. Please check the Make Music Hartford map for rain venues!
What is Make Music Hartford?
Make Music Hartford is a part of the international Make Music Day movement which brings free, community-wide, outdoor musical celebrations to hundreds of cities worldwide! Every year, the celebration is held on June 21, the summer solstice, in more than 800 communities around the world.
Make Music Hartford will feature musicians of all abilities and music from any genre. Sidewalks, parks, front porches, and public spaces throughout the city will become stages for local musicians to perform and for all to enjoy. Everyone is invited to participate in this international day of music by performing, providing an outdoor space, appreciating, or volunteering. It’s all for the love of music!
Make Music Hartford is brought to you by the Greater Hartford Arts Council as part of our mission to inspire all people to participate and invest in the arts.
Registration is now open for musicians and venues to make music with us on June 21st!
Whether you’re in a band, a solo artist, a child, a senior, a student, a drummer or an accordion player, there’s room for you in Make Music Hartford.
Make Music Hartford isn’t limited to professional musicians, anyone can participate.
All events must be free and open to the public.
Family Activities:
Free Lessons:
Musician Events, Open Mics and Jam Sessions:
Express Strategies
Spectra Wired Café
Your support makes programs like Make Music Hartford possible. Discover branding opportunities for your company and help us provide free music to the Greater Hartford region.
Sponsorship Opportunities!
Make Music Hartford is a program of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire all people to participate and invest in the arts. Help us make events like Make Music Hartford possible through a tax deductible donation!
Donate Today
This program is made possible with the help of the Make Music Hartford Committee, an all volunteer committee supporting the Greater Hartford Arts Council staff in program planning. 2019 Committee members include:
Nelson Bello – Percussionist
Steve Cusano – Parkville Sounds
Jeff Devereux – Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Megan Fitzgerald – YUPntwk
Charmagne Glass-Tripp – Grammy Award-Winning Vocalist and Lyricist
Dylan Healy – Funnybone Records
James Johnson – DJ Soul Selektah, Anti-Division League
Jackie Mandyck – The iQuilt Plan
Noa Michaud – Hartt School Community Division
Thien Nguyen – Hartford business professional
Kirk Woodard – Drummer
Charter Oak Cultural Center
City of Hartford Division of Recreation
Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Mike Marques Photography
Volunteers are a critical part of Make Music Hartford. Here’s how you can be a part of the action:
If you’ve been even remotely aware of the Hartford music scene for the past couple of decades, you’ve heard of Charmagne Glass-Tripp. In addition to being an in-demand, Grammy-winning vocalist, Charmagne is passionate about social justice and animal rights. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with her on one of our Neighborhood MusicContinue Reading »
Imagine the millions of ball bearings that allow countless machinery to run smoothly, or Stanley Black & Decker, the multi-billion dollar corporation with humble beginnings as Stanley Works…where did it all start? New Britain, Connecticut! New Britain Industrial Museum Executive Director Sophie Huget can tell you about the ins and outs of New Britain’s five major industriesContinue Reading »
James Johnson (aka DJ Soul Selektah): Builder, Living Space Renovator, Community Organizer, House Music DJ. James’ passion for building that which is both concrete and abstract made him a great fit for our first Make Music Hartford Planning Committee! In addition, he’ll be leading a DJ Showcase on Make Music Day. What is your instrument(s)?Continue Reading »
Hartford Courant: “Make Music Hartford Celebrating the winter solstice with parade, concerts, drink specials at area bars” (December 17, 2018)
National Make Music Winter Press Release: “Make Music Winter to Expand Nationwide This December 21” (October 17, 2018)
Hartford Courant: “Hartford Joins Global Make Music Day with Concerts Around the City” (June 21, 2018)
Hartford Courant: “Music to Fill the Streets as Connecticut Joins Global Make Music Day” (June 18, 2018)
USA Today: “Where to Celebrate Make Music Day Across the Country” (June 15, 2018)
Patch: “Free Concerts Set for Make Music Day in West Hartford” (June 15, 2018)
Billboard Magazine: “Make Music Day To Return This Summer With More Than 4,500 Concerts” (April 4, 2018)
Rolling Stone:“‘Make Music Day’ Plots 4,500 Free Events, Concerts Nationwide” (April 3, 2018)
National Make Music Day Press Release: “Make Music Day 2018 Returns On Thursday, June 21” (March 28, 2018)
Hartford Courant: “Connecticut to Join Global Make Music Day” (March 14, 2018)
WILI 95.3 FM, Windham Arts Radio Review: Interview with Aaron Friedman of the Make Music Alliance (February 28, 2018)
Make Music Alliance: “Media Resources”
Get in touch with us…
Amanda Roy
Community Programs Manager
Greater Hartford Arts Council
aroy[at]letsgoarts.org