The Make Music Alliance coordinates with organizers around the world to celebrate music on June 21.

HOW DID IT ALL START?

It all started 40 years ago in France.

In 1982, Jack Lang and his staff at the Ministry of Culture dreamed up an idea for a new kind of musical holiday. They imagined a day where free music would be everywhere, all around each city: street corners, parks, rooftops, gardens, and store fronts.

And, unlike a typical music festival, anyone and everyone would be invited to join and play music, or host performances. The event would take place on the summer solstice, June 21, and would be called Fête De La Musique. (In French, the name means both “festival of music” and “make music”.)

Amazingly enough, this dream has come true. The Fête has turned into a true national holiday: the country shuts down on the summer solstice and musicians take over. Almost 11% of French people (7 million people) have played an instrument or sung in public for the Fête de la Musique, and 64% of the country (43 million people) comes out each year to listen.

Four decades later, the holiday has spread throughout the world and is now celebrated in more than 1,000 cities in 120 different countries.

Downtown Helena, Inc. is pleased to announce that Helena has become the first Montana Chapter of The Make Music Alliance.

Participate On Make Music Day!

You can participate by signing up as either a venue or a performer! Just click to Login/Sign Up and complete your profile. You can then use the matchmaking feature to make a match worthy of celebration! Still need help? email us at helena@makemusicday.org.

What is considered a venue? Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to host musicians from their outdoor space, sidewalks, backyards, storefronts, small shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, cultural institutions; community gardens; even your own porch, stoop, driveway, or lawn. The only rule: ALL Make Music Day events must be free!

Who is considered a performer? Are you making music of some kind? You’re a performer.

Anyone and everyone are welcomed and encouraged to create a Performer profile. Creating your profile is short & sweet! Within minutes, you should have access to the Make Music Helena match-making database. While creating your Performer profile remember to give us the full scoop. By including a bio, music samples, social media tags, power and space needs, etc., you make it easier for interested host venues to learn all about your specific talents. This may encourage them to send you an invitation to play a concert from their venue or approve of your request to perform at their venue! After your profile has been set up, you can search for participating venues and send them requests to play. All additional needs and details can be worked out via direct message on the registration platform.

The registration is open until June 19th. Happy Pairing! 

Get in touch with us at downtownhelena@helenabid.com or info@lassothemoon.com