Welcome first day of summer with strumming, song, learning

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The second annual Make Music Day is shaping up to be a county-wide harmonious affair with more than 20 venues and 70 musicians hosting concerts, classes, jam sessions and more in and around Port Townsend, Port Hadlock and Chimacum.

Expanding on last year’s inaugural event in Jefferson County, the celebration, which marks the first day of summer June 21, features events for all ages and aims to celebrate the power of music.

“Make Music Day is a day for everyone to celebrate summer and the power of music in our lives,” said festival producer Judith-Kate Friedman of Songwriting Works Educational Foundation.

Make Music Day on the Olympic Peninsula is one of 800 celebrations taking place around the country, making it part of a global celebration of music on the summer solstice.

“By making our own music together – singing, improvising, dancing, songwriting, learning a new instrument – we build community,” Friedman said. “Music is known to light up the brain more than any other human activity. It boosts health, relieves depression, lifts the spirit, opens the mind, and connects us all through vibration, pulse, and harmony.”

The Cotton Building, 609 Water St., once again serves as festival headquarters, with an opening ceremony set for 11:30 a.m. and a drumming circle outdoors (weather permitting). Throughout the day, the venue will host musical events. Highlights include a tribute to Port Townsend music teacher and musician Andy Mackie at 4:15 p.m. followed by a harmonica blow out. Free harmonicas will be given out to the first 100 people who show up.

The grand finale set for 8:30 p.m. is dedicated to arts advocate Marcia Perlstein. The concert will be broadcast live on ConcertWindow.com.

Multiple other venues are hosting music events throughout the day. There are free music lessons and jams at Crossroads Music, electronic music making at The Boiler Room, performances at Key City Public Theatre, recording demonstrations at Rainshadow Recording, and more (see schedule).

Each venue will feature a wide range of genres, from world music to classical, country and western, jazz, blues, pop and more.

“Our master teaching artists and jam session leaders know how to give absolute beginners instant success and also unlock secrets of satisfaction for even the most seasoned players and singers,” Friedman said. “Plus there’ll be lots to experience for folks who just prefer to listen.”

Volunteers and behind-the-scenes support is still needed for the free festival. To help out, contact songwritingworks@gmail.com or 360-385-1160. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Updated schedules are available day-of at the Cotton Building or at makemusicday.org.

The Cotton Building

(609 Water St.)

11:30 a.m. Opening ceremony

12:15 p.m. Songwriters meetup

1:15 p.m. Workshops

2 p.m. Student recitals

3:45 p.m. Wild Rose Chorale

4:15 p.m. Tribute to Andy Mackie; harmonica blow out (100 free harmonicas)

5:30 p.m. Improv event

6:15 p.m. A cappella singing

6:15 p.m. Vocal lessons

6:30 p.m. Sea shanty sing

7 p.m. A cappella song circle

7:30 p.m. Performance by Micaela Kingslight

8 p.m. Daniel Deardorff, Judith-Kate Friedman perform

8:30 p.m. Grand finale

The Boiler Room (711 Water St.)

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Electronic music-making

Crossroads Music (2100 Lawrence St.)

11 a.m. Harmonica lesson (free songbooks)

11:30 a.m. Ukulele lesson (free songbooks)

12:30 p.m. Blues jam (free songbooks and drumsticks)

1:30 p.m. Drumming

Port Townsend Visitor Information Center  (2409 E. Jefferson St.)

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. World music jam with Judith-Kate Friedman.

Key City Public Theatre (419 Washington St.)

1 to 5 p.m. Performances by Jason Victor Serinus, Lisa Lanza, Lowell Hendrickson, Jet Sparks, Mike James, Jack Reid and Joe Breskin, and more.

Bear Root Apothecary (1002 Lawrence St.)

2 to 4 p.m. Music created by Camelia Jade of Strong Sun Moon, featuring Simon DeVoil and more.

Gatehouse Studio (1417 Washington St.)

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. “Songbath Experience;” bathe in gentle song.

2 to 4 p.m. Music by Bob Francis, Michael Townsend and Bertram Levy.

Huber’s Inn (1421 Landes St.)

2:30 p.m. Song circle with Laura Martin.

All day open for music making

Rainshadow Recording (Fort Worden, Building 315)

1 a.m. to 7 p.m. Recording demonstrations and workshops with Everett Moran and Sonny Flores.

KPTZ FM

Pete Lack and others talk about music making. 

Haller Fountain

(Washington and Taylor streets)

3 p.m. Ukuleles Unite.

Spice and Tea Exchange (929 Water St.)

Music jam by Suzanne Jones and community collage-making. 

The Bishop Victorian Hotel (714 Washington St.)

Noon to 6 p.m. Sea shanty sing-along and more. 

Bars/restaurants

Music offered at Port Townsend Vineyards,  2640 W Sims Way; Finnriver Farm, 124 Center Road, Chimacum; The Keg and I, 1291 Chimacum Road; and the Old Alcohol Plant, 310 Hadlock Bay Road. Broadway sing-along karaoke event at Sirens, 823 Water St.