Everyone is invited to participate in annual free Make Music New York festival
Multiple venues
Monday, June 21
Admission: free
www.makemusicny.org
It’s no coincidence that Aaron Friedman, president and founder of Make Music New York, holds his annual event on June 21, the longest day of the year; he is determined to squeeze in as much free music as possible all over the city, taking advantage of every second. This year’s whirlwind festival features more than one thousand bands playing indoors and outdoors, at major venues and in parks, at small art spaces and marching through the streets. It’s an awesome opportunity to sample a new group or location, catching up on the ever-widening music scene across the five boroughs. Among the special programs is a celebration of Greek composer Iannis Xenakis in Central Park; Mass Appeal, in which anyone can join in on the fun, bringing their accordion to Washington Park, bagpipes to Herald Square, cello to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, flute to the Bethesda Fountain Tunnel, gong to Merchants’ Gate in Columbus Circle, and other instruments to specific locations; and Second Line New Orleans-style parades in Hudson Square, Lincoln Square, and Harlem. In addition, British artist Luke Jerram has placed sixty pianos across the city for his installation “Play Me, I’m Yours,” which continues through July 5.