Make Music Day

Since its inception in France in 1982, Make Music Day has been celebrated in 700-plus cities in 120 countries. This year, Chattanooga adds its name to the list.

On Tuesday, June 21, area musicians will present more than 70 outdoor performances at venues including Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Cine-Rama, Coolidge Park and Miller Plaza. The idea is to hold the concerts outdoors to take advantage of the extra sunlight of summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

Chattanooga is one of 37 U.S. cities planning celebrations of music and music makers. Cities may be represented by individual performers or as a citywide effort. “I had found out about Make Music Day when I was researching stuff to do in Asheville [N.C],” says Taryn Balwinski, director of Make Music Chattanooga.

Balwinski says she began connecting with performers and planning the event in late February.

Although official spaces for the events are now closed, people can participate by bringing their instruments and finding unclaimed spaces around the city.

“You can do it kind of busker- style, like where you go out on this day and play on the Walnut Street Bridge or just any open public area,” says Balwinski.

There’s no fee to participate. Musicians may be of any age and level of skill. They simply need a public space and the ability to make music.

Chattanooga’s official Make Music Day performances will take place from noon to 10 p.m.

Events include a live duet between the Chattanooga Public Library and the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, Vt., via gigabit internet and Lola, a low-la- tency software that virtually eliminates lag.

In addition, a live harmonica workshop will be taught at the Chattanooga library by a teacher in Burlington at 4 p.m., in which participants will be able to learn a song and play it.

At the end of the day, The Communicators will perform a two-hour grand finale starting at 8 p.m. at Miller Plaza that covers Prince’s apocalyptic party anthem, “1999.”

For a schedule of performers, visit makemusic day.org/chattanooga.

FACEBOOK PHOTO Pretty Pollution, a post-rock, alt-rock, grunge and art-rock solo project of Levi Folck, will play Cine-Rama, 100 W. Main St., from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, as part of Make Music Chattanooga, part of the worldwide Make Music Day.