A city-wide celebration of community and music

Make Music New York is NYC’s edition of the international Fête de la Musique, which takes place on the same day in over 300 cities around the world. Originated in 1982, this festival was the brainchild of Christian Dupavillon, a French architect and civil servant in the Ministry of Culture.

One morning in January 1982, Dupavillon received a letter form Maurice Fleuret, the Director of Music at the Ministry of Culture. Fleuret was concerned about a fact he had learned. At the time, French citizens owned over four million musical instruments but less than one quarter of them ever actually play.

From this simple note, Dupavillon had a brilliant idea. Why not have one day out of the year when every one of those instruments are taken out, dusted off and played for all to hear? And so, it was decided that on June 21 (Summer Solstice) 1982, the world would have it’s very first Fête de la Musique.

Brilliantly avoiding the possibility of annoying local residents, a choice was made to hold the event during daylight hours. Oddly, however, nowhere in the festival’s online historical records does it mention where that first festival took place. I’m assuming it was Paris.

New York joined the fray just last year. This year, I discovered the event for the first time thanks to friends holding court at Sixth Street & Avenue B Community Garden in the East Village. Leaves falling to the notes floating on the gentle breeze. This was the perfect way to spend the first day of summer. And while I could have spent it at any number of locations in NYC, I came here for a reason.

Photo Gallery

My friends Sacha and Francis run one of the coolest musical communities in the area, entered around a weekly open mic–originally at Lilly Coogans, now at Lucky Jacks (129 Orchard St, NYC). But it has grown to much more than that. Regulars are like family and the talent they share is stellar.

Musicians, artists, dancers, magicians poets and other assorted misfits will lift the soul l when it’s down, and lift it even higher when it is up. I don’t spend enough time in this circle, but whenever I do my world feels brighter. Yes there are those who still don’t get it.

Such as a young woman who will go unnamed who stormed off after yelling that her mic wasn’t loud enough. Or a gentleman who angrily asked me to move because he could not see. This while one of the performers was tuning up.

But a few bad apples will never spoil this bunch. God … did I just use that cliché? Calling itself Mic Club, the weekly open mic event that binds these people has survived much to remain one of the most vibrant nights in NYC. And that is not an exaggeration.

And what about this garden, this haven in Alphabet City? I’ve probably walked past this very oasis hundreds of times and never realized the treasures it held within. Bright flowers, lush greens, stone and wood and random other items to sit on, gaze at or meditate over. All that and a stage. Not just some hodge-podge of planks occasionally used to entertain, but an honest stage.

Established in 1982 by a committee of local residents, this charming park was once the dilapidated ruins of vacant buildings. Former homes to immigrant workers, the buildings were abandoned during a time of economic hardship. At one point they used as shooting galleries by drug addicts.

After successfully petitioning the city to convert the corner of 6th Street and Avenue B into green space, the committee began hauling rubble out, and bringing life in. By 1984, they had secured a one lease. Over the next several years, the garden faced opposition from developers and the city alike who felt residencies where the best use of the land.

Thankfully, the community of caregivers that fought so hard for this garden won. And today we all get to enjoy this one of many events. Their season of events is quite full and includes art, music, film and more. Not to mention the benefit of just sitting under the rustling leaves as the city pulses by.

See Also:
Photo Gallery
The Sixth Street and Avenue B Community Garden
MicClub