PORT TOWNSEND — On the longest day of the year, Port Townsend will meet in downtown buildings, outdoor locales and other public spaces for one simple purpose: making music.
For international Make Music Day on Wednesday, Port Townsend will join 750 cities across 120 countries in performing, teaching, learning and enjoying music.
It’s the only Make Music Day on the North Olympic Peninsula to date — and it marks a new tradition for the community, said Chicago Bob Longmire of the Midnight Train Blues Band, which will lead a jam at Crossroads Music at 1 p.m., in an email.
“Music really does make the world a better place,” Longmire said. “Every lifted spirit, every smile adds to happiness for the whole community.”
Musicians of all calibers — even those who might hesitate to assume the title — are welcome to join in the free celebration.
The Cotton Building will serve as the official Make Music Port Townsend headquarters, and events will kick off at 11:30 a.m.
Performances, lessons and jam sessions are scheduled at seven locations: the Cotton Building at 609 Washington St., Crossroads Music at the intersection of Lawrence and Kearney streets, the Port Townsend Visitors Information Center at 2409 E. Jefferson St., the Boiler Room at 711 Water St., the Key City Playhouse at 419 Washington St., Bear Root Apothecary and Wellness Center at Lawrence and Taylor streets, and the Northwind Arts Center at 701 Water St.
A detailed schedule of events will be updated on makemusicday.org/port townsend.
Songwriting Works is producing this year’s event in collaboration with project partners Crossroads Music, Port Townsend Visitors Center at the Chamber of Commerce, Centrum, Key City Public Theatre, the Boiler Room, the Andy Mackie Music Foundation and musicians, local business hosts and volunteers.
The day borrows inspiration from France, where “Fête de la Musique” became a tradition. Make Music Day is presented by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation and coordinated by the Make Music Alliance.
To perform, teach or host a music meetup, visit matchpt.makemusicday.org, log in and follow links to register as a performer or venue.
For more information, contact the Make Music Day PT organizers, Judith-Kate Friedman and Micaela Kingslight, at songwriting works@gmail.com or 360-385-1160.
