What is Make Music Ridgefield?

Make Music Day Ridgefield is an outgrowth of the Fete de la Musique, which originated in France in 1982. Make Music Day is an event for people who love music and the joyous sense of community that music can foster. The event began as a call to musicians in Paris to get out in the streets on June 21 and play their music. It has since spread and has a large footprint, particularly in Europe and parts of Africa, and in the US, Make Music Day began in 2014.

Last year, 104 U.S. cities organized 3,819 free concerts. Ridgefield featured 13 venues, 49 performances with 130+ musicians. We believe this is a great way to showcase our town and the many talented and amazing people that make Ridgefield special.

Make Music Ridgefield is brought to you by the Ridgefield Arts Council as part of our mission to generate attention for Ridgefield’s vibrant arts community. We hope to inform, entertain and inspire those who appreciate and create art in all its genres.

Please click here to register or contact us at ridgefield@makemusicday.org

MUSICIANS:

Interested in performing during Make Music Ridgefield? Musicians of all abilities and genres are invited to showcase their talent and share their love of music!

The event is an all-ages, all-inclusive celebration of music. Register to be a performer by creating a profile, browse available venues and make an offer to perform in a Ridgefield location. The Ridgefield Arts Council will manage the event and confirm with all venues/performers what will work best for the overall event. You will receive a confirmation email with the details of your performance. There is no fee to participate.

VENUES:

Make Music Ridgefield wouldn’t be possible without venues to host musicians. Venues can be in front of stores and restaurants, front porches, parks, schools, and more.

Venues must be located outside and accessible to the general public without an entry fee. Register to be a venue, browse musician profiles and request a performer you’d like at your location. Musicians may reach out to you directly once you have created a profile. The Ridgefield Arts Council will manage the pairing of venues and performers and will confirm all performances with you once finalized.

How to Make Music on June 21^st

Using our matchmaking software, venues and musicians can register, create profiles and find a match for their Make Music Ridgefield performance.

Create your profile and register here!

Both venues and musicians will be included in marketing and promotional materials.

Current List of Participating Artists/Venues

ARTISTS: ACT of CT “Pop Up” Youth Choir, aka Nora, Angry O’Hara’s, Annie Calder, Ashley Jo, Austin Bradford, Bang-A-Can Poetry Slam – Barb Jennes, Bourbon & Britches, Daniel Madeson, Dave Goldenberg and George Mallas, Elza Libhart, Georgie Brennan, Jaime Babbitt, Jessi Rose, Joe O’Connor, John Fumasoli and Jones Factor Lite, Jonah Weinstock, Kate Nail, Kathleen Theisen & Greg Zaic – Musicians from First Congregational Church, Lucas Neil, Mad Hatter Chorus, Maggie Seligman, Mark Cupkovic, Michael Shofi, Noreen Mola Quartet, Novadust, Octane, Paulina Romano, Piano Students of Galina Zisk, Ridgefield Suzuki School, Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Room de Dark, The Goobers, The Dylan Spielvogel Jazz Group, The Peterman Project, The Ramapo Blues Band, Tobey Lieberman, Tyler Silva, Waiting on Mom, Western CT Youth Orchestra, Willow Bradford, Wooster Faculty Band & 3 Coconuts and a Lime

VENUES: The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ballard Green, Blue Bus, Cellar XV Wine Market, D. Colabella Fine Art Gallery, First Congregational Church, Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center, Lounsbury House, RPAC Gallery, Ridgefield Library, Ridgefield Running Company, Ridgefield Supply Company, Steve’s Bagels and Cafe, The West Lane Inn, & Town Hall.

Make Music Day is led by members of the Ridgefield Arts Council.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Dineen at:

• 484-639-7141
• ridgefield@makemusicday.org

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FAQ’s

General

What is Make Music Ridgefield?
Completely different from a typical music event, Make Music Ridgefield is open to anyone who wants to take part. On June 21, every kind of musician — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical genre —  shares their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers. Thousands of amateur musicians take the opportunity to play in public spaces. Professional musicians perform for new audiences, who come out from under their headphones to hear unfamiliar groups. Everyone is invited to sing along and enjoy the first day of summer. 

Who can participate?
Anyone and everyone! Amateurs, part-time professionals, and established artists are all welcome. 

Is this an annual event?
Yes, Make Music Ridgefield will take place every Summer Solstice, June 21st. 

Who puts this all together?
Since 2019, the Ridgefield Arts Council (RAC) has been coordinating the Ridgefield’s Make Music Day celebration.  We invite you to help recruit musicians and venues and welcome anyone who would like to volunteer to help out with the event! 

How can I get involved?
Everyone is welcome to promote the day and all the events from now to June 21.  On Make Music Day, we invite you to join an event, host an event and definitely post pictures and videos from events.  Don’t forget to tag @artscouncilridgefieldct. If you would like some more information, feel free to email us at ridgefield@makemusicday.org.

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Musicians & Venues

I’m a MUSICIAN and want to play in Make Music Ridgefield. What do I do?
Wonderful! If you are a musician and would like to perform on June 21 as part of Make Music Ridgefield, please click here to sign up and get started. You can create an artist profile and use the matchmaking tool to make arrangements with locations. If you already have an event planned, please list your event! 

As a MUSICIAN, what am I expected to bring on Make Music Day?
When you are making plans, remember that Make Music Ridgefield is not a typical event, and most locations are not traditional music venues. Not every location will be able to provide power, and in most situations you — the artist — will be responsible for bringing your own equipment (such as amps, mics, and whatever else you need in addition to your instrument). We also encourage artists to coordinate and speak to venues they are interested in ahead of time!

I want to be a VENUE and HOST a Make Music Day Ridgefield event. Where do I start? 
Awesome! If you have an outdoor location where you’d like to host a concert (such as the patio at your building, office garden/plaza, etc.), you can create a venue profile for your location, and use the matchmaking tool to make arrangements with artists! Click here to sign up and get started!

As a VENUE, what do I need to supply as a host for an MMD Event?
If you are not in the habit of hosting live music, take a moment to think through the logistics — what kind of music makes sense for the space? Where will artists set up? What kind of sound equipment can you offer? How many hours of music makes sense for your location? What you decide to provide to artists is up to you; at a minimum, most locations provide access to electricity and a glass of water 🙂 We also encourage locations to register their own artists — see below! 

Can I register more than once? (ie you play in multiple bands or you have a few locations you’d like to host events at)
Absolutely! You are welcome to create multiple venue profiles if you would like to host concerts in more than one location. And, if you play in more than one ensemble, or are curating a show with multiple bands, you can create profiles for each one. Please create a separate profile for each location and each artist, so that each one can be officially matched in the system and included in our promotions. 

What happens if I want to play at a location that is not listed?
That’s great! We encourage musicians to create their own performance locations, especially when they have an existing relationship with the space. Perhaps you’d like to perform on your stoop, in front of your office building, or outside the bar where you have a regular gig. In any case, make sure it’s OK with the location first, then log in, and list your event! 

What happens if I want to host my friend’s band, but they aren’t listed on the site?
That’s great too! First, register the details of your location. Then either ask your friend to sign up their band, or do it for them — log in, click on the “My Artists” tab and fill in their information. Finally, match the artist and venue profiles together at the time of your choosing. 

How do I organize a show with multiple artists? Or, what if I want to play on the same show as my friends?
Each artist should sign up separately — we need to have a unique musical description and web address for everyone. Then have each one match themselves to the same location, at different time slots. If the entire program has a particular theme or title, put that in the location’s description box. 

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Compensation, Cancellation, Merchandise, and Marketing

What happens if it rains?
If it does rain, concerts planned for sidewalks may take place inside a building lobby or storefront provided that it is okay with the space’s owner. During the matchmaking process, registered locations will indicate what they will do in case of rain. 

Can I have my event indoors?
Yes, if the location allows. 

Will musicians be paid to perform?
We are not able to pay musicians — nor do musicians pay us. Most musicians perform for free. But artists and venues are welcome to make any financial arrangements they wish, as long as the concerts are free and open to the public. 

If Make Music Ridgefield doesn’t pay musicians, what does it do?
Make Music Ridgefield sets up the framework for your performance with the matchmaking tool on the website and promotes the day as well as all the events. 

What will MMD Ridgefield do to help promote my concert? 
We list all events that have been created on the Make Music Ridgefield website (with descriptions and artist websites) and we will promote it on the Ridgefield Arts Council’s social media. We will also promote to local press. At the same time, we are counting on musicians and locations to promote their own shows, in all the ways that they normally would — sending out emails, posting notices on websites, calling up all of their friends, etc.

What if my ensemble signs up now, and has to back out later?
If you do need to cancel, it is your responsibility to contact the location of your performance. Please let the location know about all program changes ASAP. 

Can MMDH performers sell merchandise or ask for donations?
Musicians are not allowed to solicit donations, nor can we provide the permits to allow vending at your event. We encourage musicians to pass out fliers to promote their upcoming shows and recordings, as well as ask listeners to sign up for their mailing list and generally promote themselves. 

Can I charge admission for a Make Music Ridgefield concert?
No. 

Can my concert be “invitation only”?
No. 

Support

With the support of: