Santa Monica's parks will be alive with the sound of music on the Summer Solstice, Sunday, June 21, as the city takes part in a worldwide music event. Make Music Day is coming!
"For the fourth year in a row, seven of our Santa Monica parks will stage free performances. Come, bring your family and friends and enjoy this fantastic afternoon of music!" said Phil Brock, Chair of the Santa Monica Recreation & Parks Commission.
Organizers have created an exceptional roster of entertainment for the celebration, at these locations:
Palisades Park at Inspiration Point, 201 Ocean Ave.,from 3 to 7:30 p.m., presented by the Historic San Vicente Coalition, will feature the world rock/pop group Band Meets World among other great musicians.
Palisades Park at the Rose Garden, Ocean Avenue at Alta from 2 to 8 p.m., presented by North of Montana Association, has the soul R&B sounds of The Arielle Deem Band, ukulele artist/ singer Brit Rodriguez (bring your ukulele to this one!), popular reggae group Breaking Up a Monologue, and more.
Hotchkiss Park, 2302 4th St.,from 1 to 7 p.m., presented by Ocean Park Association, features great rock performances including the St. Clairs and Maggies Toybox.
Reed Park, 1133 7th St.(Lincoln at Wilshire) from 1:30 to 6 p.m., presented by Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition, features rock band Plastic Chateau and more.
Douglas Park, 2439 Wilshire Blvd., from 2 to 8 p.m., presented by the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club, showcases the sounds of Santa Monica's own singer/songwriters Jaq Mackenzie and fan favorite Tee-M, among others.
Colorado Center Park, 2400-2500 Broadway from 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., presented by Mid City Neighbors, has the colorful Santa Monica Sam and Rising Phoenix Morris Dancers to grace their stage, along with others.
Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave. (near Pico and Cloverfield) from 2 to 8 p.m., presented by Pico Youth & Family Center, has their very own PYFC All-Stars opening the show, and will feature Tom Nolan and the Hohner 100 Harmonicas Project later in the day, and more.
Make Music Los Angeles is based on France's Fête de la Musique, an international musical holiday inaugurated in 1982 as a cross-cultural celebration of music through free performances by amateurs, students and professionals. The festival has now become a mass international phenomenon celebrated on the same day in more than 800 cities in 110 countries.
To find out where you can enjoy the festivities, go to www.makemusicla.org and click "Venues" for the schedule of musicians and bands at the park of your choice, or contact Phil Brock at (310) 393-8004 or commissionerbrock@gmail.com.
