Milwaukee is very much a music city, with artists popping up more frequently than ever. With that in mind, there aren’t many events that celebrate the actual process of making music. On June 21st, however, Brass Bell Music will be taking part in Make Music Day, a day when people are encouraged to, well, go make music however they see fit. For more information about the event, we caught up with Katelyn Reithel from Brass Bell Music to provide us with some insight:

B&E: What is Make Music Day?

KR: Make Music Day is held annually June 21st. It began in Paris, France in 1982.
Completely different from a typical music festival, Make Music Day is open to anyone who wants to take part regardless of skill level, cultural background, and more. Every kind of musician — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — pours onto streets, parks, plazas, and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers. All of it is free and open to the public. June 21st, 2017 will be the first year Make Music Day comes to Milwaukee.

B&E: Where is Make Music Day celebrated?

KR: Make Music Day is celebrated across the world! This year more than 50 cities in the US will be taking part as well as cities in the UK, Canada, Africa, and more. Truly proving this is an event for anyone.

B&E: What events will be going on in Milwaukee to celebrate?

KR: Times and Places of events are up to the people who choose to take part. For example, if a coffee shop wants to get involved, they’d register on the Make Music Milwaukee website that they’re having a performance at their shop. It’s an example of one performance and we hope to have hundreds like it across the city. The Domes will be lit in Orange on Make Music Day; Orange is Make Music’s Awareness color. Music Stores like Brass Bell Music plan to have events the entire day, but details will be shared on Make Music Milwaukee’s Facebook page and website as they are confirmed. We won’t know times and places until people choose to take part.

B&E: Are these events free and open to the public?

KR: Yes. All events are to be free and open to the public. A complete listing of events will be updated on the Make Music Milwaukee website as they are confirmed.

B&E: Where can people sign up for to take part in the events?

KR: You’re encouraged to host a performance or event in a space you have, be a performer, or just come and listen – support local musicians! To be a venue or performer go to makemusicday.org/milwaukee. Click on Particpate and follow the process to Register. If you don’t have a venue to perform, or you are a venue without musicians, don’t worry! Registration allows you to “match-make” with those in the community seeking what you may have and help you create your own Make Music celebration! If anyone has questions or wants more information on how to get involved in Make Music Day in Milwaukee, they’re encouraged to email milwaukee@makemusicday.com