Make Music
Madison

About Make Music Madison

Angela Puerta and Carlos Ramos at Lakeview Library Photo – by Ben Zastrow of Laura Zastrow Photography

Make Music Madison is a free, citywide day of music held annually on June 21st. Initiated in Madison in 2013, our festival is part of Make Music Day, an international summer solstice music celebration occurring in 1,000+ cities across the globe. Each year, coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops, centers of worship, front porches, parks, and other locations across Madison fill with music for everyone to enjoy!

What?

  • Music “Performed by Anyone, Enjoyed by Everyone.”
  • A celebration of the summer solstice.
  • A buffet of musical merriment.
  • A DIY city-wide fest.
  • Open to music makers of all ages, skill levels, and musical persuasions.

When?
Annually on June 21st

Where?
Over 100 locations throughout the City of Madison!

Who?
Meri Rose Ekberg, Managing Director
Jamie Kember, Board President
Ashley Massart, Board Treasurer
Kristian Petrov Iliev, Board Secretary
Alex Squitieri, Board Member
Emily Goretski, Board Member
Fran Genter, Board Member
Jess Johnson, Board Member
Nikeya Bramlett, Board Member

+ Volunteers in outreach, matchmaking, publicity, and fundraising. Learn how to join our merry crew!

Learn more about Make Music Madison and listen to our anthem written and produced by 2023 Musician-in-Residence Corey Whitmore, with vocals by Alise Mosley.

A map of the city of Madison showing the locations of nearly 200 venues in 2023 for Make Music Madison
2023 Make Music Madison Venue Map

Participate

All participants must be registered in our matchmaking system:

Registration Dates

  • Registration Opens: April 1 at  8:00 AM
  • Registration Closes: June 1 at 11:59 PM
  • Venue Material Pick Up: June 8 11 AM – 2 PM

How To Videos

Who Can Participate?

Musicians
Make Music Madison is open to musicians of all ages, skill levels, and styles. You can play one show or schedule as many as you like.

Venues
Hosting can be as simple as providing space on your porch or as complex as renting a stage and sound equipment. The host controls the location, length of performance, and what they are able to provide. Sites must:

  1. Be within the City of Madison
  2. Be free and accessible to the public
  3. Maintain clearance on the sidewalk for pedestrian passage

What is the Matchmaking System?

Our Matchmaking System connects musicians with venues. After creating an account, venues can browse musician profiles and vice versa to request a booking. If you already have your event planned and do not need to matchmaking tool, simply list your event following the guide linked above.

Participant Resources

Once you are registered and matched, checkout handy tools on oue Participant Resources page.

Questions

See our Frequently Asked Questions Page which covers matchmaking, registration, marketing, and more!

2023 Listings: Wednesday, June 21st

 

Support

Willie Wright at Blaze the Stage Hip Hop Experience at Warner Park. Photo by Ben Zastrow of Laura Zastrow Photography

Make Music Madison thrives on community support

Donate via PayPal Giving Fund

Or  send a check to:
Make Music Madison
PO Box 5186
Madison, WI 53705

Make Music Madison is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; all contributions are 100% tax-deductible.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Our partners benefit from extensive exposure through print, radio and digital advertising. When the Solstice rolls around, we are everywhere. To learn more about sponsoring this event, please view current sponsorship opportunities or contact us at info@makemusicmadison.org.


2023 Stadium Level Sponsors

Madison Arts Commission Logo

2023 Theater Level Sponsors

2023 Club Level Sponsors

2023 Café Level Sponsors

Cinnaire Logo
Capital Music Gear
Metcalfe's Market
Make Music Madison is supported in part by grants from the Madison Arts Commission & Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

2023 Media Partners

WORT - 89.9 FM

Contact

Get in touch with us

Email: info@makemusicmadison.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makemusicmadison/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/makemusicmadison

Mail: PO Box 5186, Madison, WI 53705

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Gallery

🎤🎤ARTIST SPOTLIGHT🎤🎤
Mary Frantz played the keyboard at the WIDE-LP Radio Transmitter Garage in 2017. She turned 100 years old in May and plans to return to the venue this year for a special performance!
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Want to learn to play the harmonica?
There are two opportunities on Make Music Day with The Cash Box Kings and The Harmonica Man!
Visit our website to find out more information about the events!
#makemusicday #makemusicmadison
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Juicee Monroe for the 608 Culture Movement! ...

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Registration and matchmaking for Make Music Madison is officially closed.
Visit the link below to find promotion and marketing materials as well as tips for preparing for Make Music Day!!

makemusicmadison.org/participant-resources/
...

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Today is the last day to register to perform or host an event for Make Music Madison! Click the link in our bio to register now!
Anyone still finalizing shows who cannot meet this deadline should email info@makemusicmadison.com with their plans and any questions
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Tomorrow is the last day to finalize your shows in our registration system!
Click the link in our bio to find out more information.
...

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🗣️🗣️REMINDER🗣️🗣️- June 1st is the last day to confirm your shows for Make Music Madison 2023.
Click the link in our bio to learn more and find your perfect match now!
...

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#makemusicday 2023 is shaping up to be our biggest year yet! We are so excited to jam with the over 450 talented artists and musicians next month.

Want in on the fun? Help us reach our goal of 500 shows by registering by TOMORROW, May 25th. We can’t wait to rock out with you! 🤘🎸🎶
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Barbara Vedder talks about the inspiration behind Make Music Madison and how she helped bring Fête de la musique to Madison!

Vedder is a former member of the Madison Common Council and Dane County Board of Supervisors.

#madisonwi #MakeMusicDay #fetedelamusique #music #livemusic
...

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We’re always looking for new venues to host our performers! Looking to get involved and need help getting started? Check out this video to learn everything you need to know about how to register for Make Music Day 2023.

Registration closes May 25th, so don’t delay!
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Registration for Make Music Day 2023 closes May 25th! Need help registering as a performer? Check out this video!! #makemusicmadison ...

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Preparations for #MakeMusicDay 2023 are well underway! We are so proud to share that we already have OVER 100 shows confirmed for this year!

Want to join the fun? Venue registration is open until May 25th! Click the link in our bio to get started.
...

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#makemusicday is just around the corner and you're not gonna want to miss it! Make Music Madison has something for everyone, and we can't wait until the city comes together again to celebrate music.

See you June 21st!
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Calling all performers! Artist Registration for #makemusicday 2023 is now open. Anyone and everyone are invited to share their musical talents with the city of Madison on June 21st regardless of age, genre or experience level. If you love to make music, this is the event for you! Click the link in our bio to get started. Registration closes May 25th.

Photo credit: Ben Zastrow
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For Make Music Madison, 82 is a special number.

In 1982, Jack Lang and his staff at the Ministry of Culture in France introduced a new kind of music festival, one where everyone would be able to share their musical talents with their community.

Today, Make Music Day is celebrated in over 1,000 cities around the world. Make Music Day 2023 marks 10 years since the first celebration in Madison!

Make Music Day 2023 is approaching in just a few short weeks! We hope you're as excited as we are. To get involved, visit our website at makemusicmadison.org
...

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The time has come! Venue registration for #MakeMusicDay 2023 is now open.

Any place where people can gather to listen to music counts as a venue. If you have a space, you can host live music. Sidewalk? Garden? Coffee shop? Anything goes!

Click the link in our bio to get started! Registration closes May 25th.
Photo Credit: Pete Olsen
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