WELCOME!
PERFORM | BECOME A VENUE | SPONSOR | ATTEND | GET OUR EMAILS
You are invited to the party! June 21st, Santa Fe joins more than 1,000 cities in 120 countries, for the GLOBAL celebration of Make Music Day!
Make Music Santa Fe is an event fully driven by public participation. Everyone can host music, and anyone can perform, making it the most inclusive free music event of the summer! Together, we’re creating community events that are open and free to anyone; players, singers, listeners, beginners looking to be inspired, and people who are willing to share their inspiration with the world. Did we mention it’s FREE TO EVERYONE?! Because of this inclusivity Mayor Alan Webber has officially proclaimed June 21st: Make Music Santa Fe Day! On this day people from all ages, all walks of life, and all levels of musical experience will pour into Santa Fe’s Railyard Plaza from 1pm – 8pm to share and engage in musical celebration with the wonderfully diverse and vibrant community of Santa Fe!
“How do I participate?” You ask!
If you want to make music, ANY kind of music, click on PERFORM, then pick an open venue and time slot from those listed! We care about inclusivity and cultural diversity! It doesn’t matter what genre of music you play, we want you to play it loud and proud!
If you want to host music, click on BECOME A VENUE, and let us know when between 1pm-8pm on Wednesday June 21st, your space is available. AS a venue, you can offer ANY kind of space; book stores, bike shops, sidewalks, parking lots, ANYWHERE can be a venue! Even if you’re not in the Santa Fe Railyard, we will promote your performances that day! If you are a venue in the Railyard we would love to hear from you so please email us at santafe@makemusicday.org
If you just want to come listen, learn or dance along, click on ATTEND to see our ever-updating calendar of events! Hint hint the Railyard Plaza will be hosting a vibrant variety of interactive musical activities for folks of all skill sets to partake in! Just keep scrolling to see all the fun stuff we’ve got planned!
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Make Music Santa Fe sponsors two events each year!
Make Music Santa Fe Summer takes place on the summer solstice, June 21st, and Make Music Santa Fe Winter takes place on the winter solstice, December 21st. We hope to see you and hear you at both!
Make Music Day is open to anyone who wants to perform, host, learn, teach, or enjoy music!
Please Note:
Deadline for submissions for all Venues, Performers, and Events is June 14th, 2023
Performances associated with Make Music Santa Fe must be free to attend and participate!
Venues and specifics on Make Music Santa Fe 2023 events will also be contingent upon COVID-19 restrictions.
MEDIA
ATTEND
Make Music Santa Fe Returns on June 21st, and AND THIS YEAR WE’RE TAKING OVER THE SANTA FE RAILYARD!
Make Music Santa Fe is returning on June 21st, joining the world in celebrating Make Music Day. Come join us by dancing, jamming, drumming, or just appreciating live music.
How Can You Watch and Participate?
Check out the full listings of performances, interactive lessons, and musical activities happening all across the city and at the Santa Fe Railyard from 1pm- 8pm. Any time someone signs up as a venue, or a books a show, it will be automatically added to the calendar.
View All Performance Listings
Free Activities at the Railyard Plaza:
Learn to play Harmonica!
Pick up your FREE Hohner harmonica, on June 21st, and join in a free lesson!
100 Free Harmonicas while supplies last!
Offered by Phil Arnold, Yamaha Artist and Clinician, music teacher at UNM Continuing Education. Phil will lead a free public group lesson in the basics of harmonica and learning tablature. By the end of the class you will know how to play a whole song on harmonica! We will have free harmonicas to learn with and take home, courtesy of Hohner Harmonicas and Make Music Day!
Check out Phil playing on the song “It’s Time”, recorded for Susan Clark’s new award-winning CD “Reflection”.
Ukulele Strum-Along!
Queen Bee Music Association is here to teach you how to play in just one day! Brian Nelson is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he studied a variety of instruments and musical styles. He has played music for more than 25 years and taught music for 15 years. From West African drum and dance to ukulele sing alongs to guitar lessons for all ages, Teacher B brings his passion for music and life into the classroom.
Learn to play West African Drum Music!
Akeem Ayanniyi will be teaching basic techniques of drumming, hands patterns, drum language and rhythms. Everyone is welcome to join in. Akeem is a master drummer from Nigeria and He has been teaching and performing in the U.S. for more than a decade!
Songwriting Workshop!
Given her first guitar at the age of 17, Teacher Lucy Barna has been singing her story through song ever since. An artist by nature, music was self-taught and her songs quickly became stories of her cross-country journeys and the deeper experiences of the human heart. Lucy’s passion lies in songwriting and in sharing herself through her lyrical storytelling. She enjoys inspiring and guiding others through the process of song-crafting, including lyric composition, arrangement and various instrumentation.
Circle Singing!
Circle Singing, originally inspired by Bobby McFerrin with roots in African traditional folk music, is an improvisational event led by one vocalist in the center. Everyone in the circle is encouraged to listen to one another and create music in an inclusive way that’s fun for all and helps with learning how to sing in a group of open minded individuals. With Circle Singing, everyone in the group becomes active and engaged in the new ideas that can lead to becoming a full song created by the group.
Joseph Ewatuya (also known as TEGA) is a musician, singer-songwriter, artist, & teacher at The Candyman Strings & Things locally in Santa Fe. Hailing from Dallas, TX, they started writing and performing their original music in 2017, sharing stories about life here & beyond. Joseph also uses their platform to raise awareness for Sickle Cell Anemia, which is a chronic condition that they live with. Singing has been their passion ever since the beginning, and they use their voice as a tool and a weapon to process any and everything through music.
Crash Romeo Karaoke!
Karaoke is a beloved past time here in the City Different, so of course we have to have everybody’s favorite DJ! Crash Romeo will be bumpin’ up the jams. All you have to do is get up and sing along to your favorite songs!
Amado Abeyta with Busy McCarroll’s Thunderstorm Club-Jam and Sing-Along
Busy McCarroll has developed a unique program that includes fun vocal exercises, voice strengthening tools, harmony techniques and songwriting. The songs are written as a group collaboration, based on ideas and stories led by Busy with her experience as a long time songwriter. – Busy has written over 300 songs, starting when she was 10 years old. Her first song was about the death of her dog, Blackie.
The Thunderstorm Club songwriting process goes like this….first a song subject is voted on, then a music genre, then the ideas start to flow. Busy writes down the ideas, she and her students structure those ideas into a song with a beginning, middle and end. The students support and encourage one another while sharing and trading verses, bridges and choruses. The Thunderstorm Club has had over 120 students and have written over 70 songs. Students have ranged in ages from 6-16. They’re recorded 8 songs and have been nominated for a New Mexico Music Award. Some of the wide open topics covered in songs they’ve written so far are; The Earth, Friends, Family, a Jazzy potato (yes, Potato), Holidays, losing a Loved one, the Sun, a Goathead, a Time-Machine, the Pandemic, Christmas etc.. They also wrote a song about making Music, titled ‘Make Music’, which they’ll be performing today!
Amado Abeyta is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is one of the lead singers, and songwriter (with his brother Buddy) and for Sol Fire and Lumbre Del Sol. Amado is the son of Santa Fe music legend Chris Abeyta and considers his father to be one of his greatest musical influences. Amado started his musical journey as a drummer at the age of 5 and moved to congas and timbales when he joined his fathers band (Lumbre Del Sol) in 1994. At the age of 18, he learned guitar and began writing music at 22. In 2002, Amado and his brother Buddy formed the popular band Sol Fire. Amado has performed original music locally and nationally and has shared the stage with many touring acts, performing for international dignitaries and celebrities, and has been honored to play for three U.S. Presidents. Along with performing live, Amado has composed jingles for commercials, hosts a daily popular radio show on KSWV, and is a co-owner of sports broadcasting company, Sports Primo. And most recently he and his (soon-to-be) wife, Alana Banner, welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Everly Rose, into the world. Get ready for another Abeyta musician Santa Fe!
We invite you to celebrate Music with Busy and The Thunderstorm Singing/Songwriting Club and sing along!
Please Note:
Performances associated with Make Music Santa Fe must be free to attend and participate.
Venues and specifics on Make Music Santa Fe 2023 events will also be contingent upon COVID-19 restrictions.
PERFORM
Perform at one of the Railyard Businesses
How to Create a Performer Profile Video
- Register with our matchmaking program by June 14th, and create a performer profile. Works best with the Google Chrome browser.
- Say a little about yourself, what genre do you play, do you have your own amplification, set your availability, and select venues based on time, or available amenities (like electricity, mics, etc).
- You will receive an automated message with confirmation and further instructions.
Please Note:
Performances associated with Make Music Santa Fe must be free to attend and participate.
Venues and specifics on Make Music Santa Fe 2023 events will also be contingent upon COVID-19 restrictions.
VENUES
Want to host a performance?
Attn: Railyard District!
Do you manage a bar, community space, restaurant, storefront or business with space to showcase a performance? Perhaps you have a fabulous gallery, a poppin’ portal, or a gorgeous rooftop. If this is you, you’re invited to host, on June 21st, in celebration of Make Music Santa Fe!
All you need to do is create a profile HERE then tell us what kind of space you can share, and from what times, on Wednesday, June 21st. Then artists can find your venue’s available time slots, and choose when they want to perform.
If you think you have a good spot for some free, live, music sign up your space, by June 14th, to allow artists to choose to play at your venue. With our matchmaking software, performers can request to play in your space, or you can search the artist listings to make your own match. Don’t forget to invite your friends, family, and patrons!
To create your venue profile:
- Go to our matchmaking program (works best with Google Chrome browser) and follow the instructions. Tell us all the great things about your space, and what you have to offer (Electricity, mics, etc). You don’t NEED to offer anything other than a location and available time.
- You may then search for open performances and the perfect artists to make music at your venue.
- If you have questions about the event, or would like to be connected with artists looking for places to play, please email us.
How to Create a Venue Profile Video
Please Note:
Performances associated with Make Music Santa Fe must be free to attend and participate.
Venues and specifics on Make Music Santa Fe 2023 events will also be contingent upon COVID-19 restrictions.
VOLUNTEER
We Need Your Help!
Make Music Santa Fe has fun opportunities for all levels of involvement. We rely heavily on volunteers to keep things running smoothly which means we need your help on June 21st!
Here are just some of the things that you might be doing throughout the day:
- Answer any questions audience, participators, and passersby may have.
- Take photos of your stationed event.
- Help keep our performers happy:
- Provide water and snacks
- Help with instrument care
- Provide a chair in the shade
- Brief them on specifics
- Help them manage their time
- Help with setup and breakdown between activities
- Help the kids and parents during workshops
Have fun, enjoy the music, and help us out by emailing Francesca at: santafe@makemusicday.org
Please Note:
Performances associated with Make Music Santa Fe must be free to attend and participate.
Venues and specifics on Make Music Santa Fe 2023 events will also be contingent upon COVID-19 restrictions.
EVENT LISTINGS
Railyard Plaza Activities:
WATER TOWER
1:00 PM ~ AMADO ABEYTA AND BUSY MCCARROLL’S THUNDERSTORM CLUB JAM AND SING-ALONG
2:00 PM ~ UKULELE STRUM-ALONG QUEEN BEE MUSIC ASSOCIATION
4:00 PM ~ GROUP HARMONICA WITH PHIL ARNOLD
6:00 PM ~ CRASH ROMEO KARAOKE
SHADE STRUCTURE
2:00 PM ~ FLOWERPOT MUSIC WITH MEGAN
2:00 PM ~ CIRCLE SINGING WITH JOSEPH EWATUYA
4:00 PM ~ WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING WITH AKEEM AYANNIYI
6:00 PM ~ SONGWRITING WORKSHOP WITH LUCY BARNA
Railyard Performances:
Maria Shiel @ Violet Crown <1pm-2pm
Maria Shiel is a singer songwriter and musician from the west of Ireland and has just recently relocated to Santa Fe. She has performed acoustic shows across Ireland, Europe and the USA including CBGB’s in New York and The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. In 2011 she set up collaborative record label KYO Records to promote electronic musical collaboration internationally, and went on to work with musicians globally. Through KYO Records she released music under her electronic moniker MS44 and collaborated with acclaimed Irish producer Eomac. Her latest ‘transatlantic americana’ album, ‘Fire in the Sea!’ is an homage to the landscapes of Ireland and America and the musical connection between both landscapes. It’s lead single, Calling Me Back features the legendary Steve Wickham from The Waterboys on fiddle and received record of the week on the RTE Radio Recommends Playlist in Ireland in late 2020. She is delighted at the option to finally play for Santa Fe
Doug Potter @ R.E.I. <1pm-2pm
Solo street piano in a busking setting: jazz tunes and ballads drawn from the traditional “American Songbook”…(Berlin, Gershwin, Carmichael, etc)
Repurposed Vibe @ Violet Crown <2:15pm-3:15pm
An acoustic/electric duo playing unique versions of classic tunes ranging from Johnny Cash to Billie Ellish!
Sara Kelly @ R.E.I. <2:15pm-3:15pm
A lover of wild things— plants, animals, people, and music— Nashville native Sara Jean Kelley crafts songs that combine upbeat, pop-inspired country hooks with thoughtful, often philosophical lyrical themes that explore our human connection to the natural world. Due to her dark sensibility and slightly melancholic sense of humor, Kelley’s particular brand of alternative country is multidimensional, with one foot firmly rooted in her Nashville Country/Americana background, another foot exploring the realms of alternative rock, rock and roll, pop, and even hip hop influences. Her voice, at times husky, dark and sultry, at times floating light-as-a-feather, has been compared to celebrated female country stars Brandi Carlisle, Patti Griffin, and Lucinda Williams. She’s opened for country music icons Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, and her songwriting reveals a clear, intuitive understanding of what makes a song work. Her latest EP Black Snake, is about life and death, transformation and
Michael Canzona @ As Above So Below Distillery <3pm-4pm
Michael Canzona, singer/songwriter Long tome resident of the southwest, living in Santa Fe. Music is a blend of improvisational classical fusion guitar, Americana and soulful ballads written and performed as a musical portrait of this region and the people met along the way.
Dr Hall @ R.E.I. <3:30pm-4:30pm
Dr Hall is a journeyman musician, songwriter, bandleader, and producer. Dr Hall has released six full length albums and four singles and is currently in the process of producing his seventh album scheduled for release in 2024. Dr Hall was nominated by the New Mexico Music Awards in 2020 for Best Singer Songwriter of Year for his song “The Power of Us.” Dr Hall is often asked if he is a real doctor and the answer is yes. He has a Ph.D. in Education with a passion for teaching and helping others to learn. He has worked as a professor, dean, and a university provost. Dr Hall is a Roots Music artist. Roots music is a style of music that draws material from various American musical traditions including country, blues, rock and folk. Dr Hall is a troubadour in his approach to his music writing about the truth in real life struggles, joys, and living.
Alien Scat @ As Above So Below Distillery <4:15pm-5:15pm
“Alien Scat” is a brand new duo made up by Wendy Ludlow (clarinet, piano, guitar/song writer) and Jim Goulden (Drums/guitar/bass/keys/songwriter). They play upbeat jazzy/bluesy/poppy/alternative and original sounds and songs with a psychedelic flair- dancey and fun for the whole family!
Bill O’Hanlon @ R.E.I. <5pm-6pm
Bill O’Hanlon has written and published 39 books, mostly in the areas of psychotherapy and self-help, including one that was featured on Oprah (Do One Thing Different). He has written over 60 book chapters and articles and coached over 500 books into publication. These days Bill is an aspiring professional songwriter who spends half his time in Nashville and writes over 300 songs a year for a total of 1400+ songs completed in the past sever years. He has had 80 songs recorded and released by 30+ artists and have been featured in several TV shows and movies.
G Precious @ As Above So Below Distillery <5:30pm-6pm
G Precious – is a multi-Award winning Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B Artist from Ohkay Owingeh – Village of the Strong People. She began creative writing at the young age of 6, writing as a means to deal with the dynamics of life – alcoholism, drugs, depression, suicide, loss and reservation life. G Precious is a Native American Music Award Winner, Multi – New Mexico Music Award Winner, and has garnered various Nominations throughout the World for her music. She has been called “the Storyteller” of her time, sharing her life through music.
Marc and Paula’s Roadside Distraction @ Violet Crown <6pm-7pm
Marc Malin and Paula Rhae McDonald started during the days of social isolation . During 2020 they collaborated on writing songs together and went into The Kitchen Sink Studio to record their soon to be released CD with Jono Manson contributing and engineering. The couple released an EP on Reverbnation and they have already garnered 2 New Mexico Music Awards. Paula Rhae for Best Vocal of the Year on “I Got A Notion” and “Love Can Shine Through” nominated in the Singer-Songwriter category. Both veterans of the Santa Fe Music scene, their previous bands “The Blues Divas” and “Country Blues Revue” have each played The Bandstand, and various music festivals and clubs throughout NM. Between them the have 8 NMMA nominations. Marc and Paula are available as a duo, trio or full band.
Bill O’Hanlon @ Violet Crown <7pm-8pm
Bill O’Hanlon has written and published 39 books, mostly in the areas of psychotherapy and self-help, including one that was featured on Oprah (Do One Thing Different). He has written over 60 book chapters and articles and coached over 500 books into publication. These days Bill is an aspiring professional songwriter who spends half his time in Nashville and writes over 300 songs a year for a total of 1400+ songs completed in the past sever years. He has had 80 songs recorded and released by 30+ artists and have been featured in several TV shows and movies.
Other Performances around town:
Bill Hern @ Artisan Art Supply store 3PM
Alex Maryol @ Bourbon Grill 5pm
My Big Suitcase @ Pizza Esquina patio! Next to Paloma, 7-9 pm
Sandbox Music Festival -Expanding Textures of Percussion @ the Jean Cocteau Cinema 7pm
DJ Kaleido @ As Above So Below (Make Music Day After Party) 9 pm-11pm
Keep an eye out for our ever-updating list of events!
Please Note:
- Performances associated with Make Music Santa Fe must be free to attend and participate.
- Venues and specifics on Make Music Santa Fe 2023 events will also be contingent upon COVID-19 restrictions.
Partners
Become a Partner of
Make Music Santa Fe!
Make Music Santa Fe is seeking in-kind partnerships with local businesses. Do you want to contribute to the celebration of music by sponsoring our event , and use it as a business expense? As a sponsor of our annual festival, your company or brand will be front-and-center, seen by festival attendees, participants, and the large audience that will see our promotional material.
Are you a community member or organization that would like to be involved? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email and we can brainstorm ways we can work together to promote your business and bring you in on the fun. santafe@makemusicday.org
This event would not be possible without the generosity and support of our financial and in-kind sponsors and partners. Thank you!
Please Note:
- Performances associated with Make Music Santa Fe must be free to attend and participate.
- Venues and specifics on Make Music Santa Fe 2022 events will also be contingent upon COVID-19 restrictions.
DONATE
Make Music Santa Fe needs your help to make this celebration a success! We are seeking fiscal and in-kind donations/sponsorships. If both mentioned options are not doable for you at this time, but you would still like to contribute, we are also looking for volunteers on the day of the event! To donate please contact Francesca J. Tharpe at santafe@makemusicday.org or you can go to our paypal and select the friends and family option before sending your donation!
Make Music Day is a non-profit organization, If you’d like to offer a tax-deductible donation, please email santafe@makemusicday.org. Thank you for your support!
Please Note:
Performances associated with Make Music Santa Fe must be free to attend and participate.
Venues and specifics on Make Music Santa Fe 2023 events will also be contingent upon COVID-19 restrictions.
Contact
General Inquiries
Do you have a question? Got a great idea? Wanna Volunteer? Interested in being a sponsor? Get in touch with Francesca J. Tharpe at: santafe@makemusicday.org
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ORGANIZERS
