Make Music New York Returns

February 4th, 2010

french-hornsMark your calendars!

Make Music New York returns for a fourth year of free, outdoor music on Monday, June 21, 2010.

(June 21st is the summer solstice, and the same day over 300 cities around the world celebrate their own “Make Music” / Fete de la Musique days.)

Just like our first year, when June 21st fell on a weekday, we expect many concerts to take place during the lunch hour or after work. But it’s up to you — potentially, any time of the day, from 10am to 10pm, is open for a performance. Sign up today!

Sign up today for MMNY 2010

February 4th, 2010

saxophonesSIGN UP TODAY to take part in MMNY 2010!

timeoutnewyork.com/makemusic

If you’re a musician looking for a place to play — or if you have a garden, block party, sidewalk, or other outdoor space and want musicians — you can sign up, get in touch with possible matches, and find what you’re looking for. (Think of it as an internet dating site to create concerts.)

If you have your concert plans figured out already, with a musician and location already matched up, that’s great, too! Sign up on the same site to take part in MMNY 2010 — the website will explain how.

Once you’re matched up, our team of Make Music New York organizers will get in touch to confirm the arrangements and get you the permits you’ll need.

All sign-ups for MMNY 2010 will go through this website, though neighborhood organizers will be available to help you, and other information will still be available at www.makemusicny.org.

Help organize MMNY!

February 4th, 2010

minettaOver sixty volunteers have begun organizing their neighborhoods for MMNY. But for an event this enormous, we need many more! (Especially in Astoria, Bushwick, Harlem, the Upper West Side….)

As a neighborhood organizer, you would work with an experienced MMNY manager to inspire and coordinate dozens of MMNY concerts in your area, meeting hundreds of local musicians and locations. We ask that you commit about 4 hours a week, on your own schedule.

Our next meeting for new volunteers will take place on February 13th, near Times Square. For details, please email Chris Henderson at chris@makemusicny.org.

Block Parties in 2010

February 4th, 2010

block-party-drums1Each year for Make Music New York, dozens of community groups have put together musical block parties, bringing their neighbors together for Cuban jazz, electronic Gameboy music, indie rock, steel pans, hip hop, and string orchestras in streets across the five boroughs.

This year, why not your block?

To help you throw a party on your street, we’ve put together a helpful handbook, with all of the forms and instructions in one place. Download it here:

MMNY Block Party Handbook (pdf)

Each community board has a different procedure for their block party applications, with some requiring that you contact them as early as March 1st to be considered for an event in June. If you’re interested in having a block party, please read the handbook, and contact your community board this month!

(Are you on a busy street? Consider closing the block after 5pm, or closing just the parking lane. Email makemusicny@gmail.com with questions.)

Opportunity for Composers

February 4th, 2010

harmonicasOur friends at NYC Performing Arts Spaces are now accepting applications for their Con Edison Musicians’ Residency: Composition Program. (The deadline is February 26th.)

New York City-based composers in all genres are eligible for one of six residencies at three cultural facilities. Composers will receive suitable composition and rehearsal space for a three-month period, a free public program featuring the composer’s work, and a stipend.

Click Here to Apply!

Creativity March this Saturday: Musicians Wanted!

September 22nd, 2009

creativity-marchDynamic and mobile musicians are invited to join the first annual Creativity March, on Saturday, September 26, sponsored by LittleMissMatched, to benefit Free Arts NYC.

Start at 5th Ave & 58th St at 1:00pm, and sing, dance, and perform down Fifth Avenue, ending at the LittleMissMatched store on 46th St, with cupcakes, prizes, and free socks for everyone.

Young musicians and families are especially encouraged to come!

RSVP and Reserve Your Free Socks: rsvp@littlemissmatched.com

Free Time Out NY Subscription for MMNY Musicians

September 22nd, 2009

tonyAs a thank you for participating in this year’s Make Music New York, our partners at Time Out New York are giving a full-year subscription to all registered participants for free!

Subscriptions should begin shortly. We look forward to having you back in 2010!

For Your Free Subscription: Do nothing, it will just start arriving.

Join the Halloween Parade

September 22nd, 2009

ghost-samba-bandThe 36th annual NYC Village Halloween Parade is coming up next month, and organizers are looking for exciting unamplified bands to take part.

This parade is a great NYC tradition, in the do-it-yourself Make Music spirit. Just about any acoustic and portable musicians can join. If your band wants to march on Saturday, October 31st beginning at 7pm, please sign up!

How To Register: Go to halloween-nyc-music.com.

Governors Island Fall Party

September 22nd, 2009

gia-inviteThe Governors Island Alliance, MMNY’s partner each year for Punk Island, is throwing a final end-of-season party on Thursday, October 8 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at Water Taxi Beach, honoring all of the summer’s arts, cultural and educational programmers.

Tickets ($25) include transit to and from the Island, a free drink, a band and dancing.

To RSVP: Email elizabeth@rpa.org or call 917-546-4304.

Thank you!

June 29th, 2009

opus-9Congratulations to everyone who took part in last week’s Make Music New York, the largest musical event in NYC history!

Thousands of musicians braved the rain, and came out onto streets and parks for a full day of music-making across the City on the first day of summer. Since no one could see it all, check out the articles and videos below to catch up on what you missed.

And if you have MMNY photos or videos you’d like to share, please email them to makemusicny at gmail.com (with attribution!).