I was recently approached by fellow Music Under New York artist Luellen Abdoo who asked me to film a short music video of her. Still dizzy with excitement from my recent Chain Film Festival Best Documentary Web Series win, I was happy to put my energy into a fun video like this.
Thanks Luellen!
Today's blog is what I'll call the unofficial Music Under New York - Make Music New York listing, because at Music Under New York, we celebrate live and free music (price of a subway fare) 365 days out of the year. I love the idea of one crazy day with so much free live music, that I also wanted to share where to find the Music Under New York musicians on this special day
On June 21, 1989 I flew from NYC to Paris, France. When I landed, I found myself in the midst of an uproarious yet melodic commotion that I'd never known. It was the "Fete de la musique," an outdoor festival of music held on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. I am happy to be a part of the festivities this year on this side of the world.
New York City is always full of music, life and song, to imagine it more magical is nearly impossible. However, for the past eight years, Make Music New York has taken our magical chaos to whole new level.
This Saturday, June 21, Make Music New York returns to celebrate the beginning of summer with over 1000 concerts and music performances throughout the five boroughs. Public parks, sidewalks, venues, block parties and music schools, are just some examples of where you will stumble into a magical musical experience. And as always, the underground will be bustling with music.
For the above-ground schedule check out Make Music New York's website.
For underground schedule, Here's the list of Music Under New York performances this Saturday! Please pass along to your friends.
click on above image for a larger format
I'll be using #MMNYBuskers to share spontaneous performances from the underground throughout the day.
SisterMonk performs @ 6:15 PM at the East River Park Bandshell-Music all day, (SisterMonk a Music Under NY member, will perform at three different venues during the festival in Brooklyn and Manhattan) Here's a clip I recorded of them in the underground at Grand Central Station Mezzanine.
Mariachi Flor de Toloache, the all female mariachi band, will perform at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza- 346 E. 47th St at 1pm. Below is a clip I made of their Music Under New York audition.
• Free Guitar Lessons at some NYPL branches. Guitars for lessons provided. Sponsored by GAMA and Little Kids Rock (sponsored by Yamaha and Godin)
Times Square/42 Street/Upper Mezzanine
Times Square/41 Street/ Mosaics
42 Street/ 8 Avenue
34 Street/6 Avenue
14 Street/ Union Square
Columbus Circle/60 Street
Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street (Barclays Ctr)
LIRR # 2 (next to McDonalds)
LIRR # 3 (8th Avenue)
Whitehall Ferry Terminal
Grand Central Terminal/Lower Level
Grand Central Terminal/Graybar
Music is such an important part of all of our lives whether we realize it or not. I hope you get out and enjoy all that Make Music - Fete De La Musique has to offer where ever you live.
Today Tuesday May 13h is the big day of the annual Music Under New York auditions held in Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. It's a wonderful event. Musicians will audition to be accepted into the program, 9am-3pm
I'll be there as a judge and having a good time. Come on by.
check out the City Room article by Annie Correal in the New York Times today. I had my moment in the Times being quoted, but alas they spelled my name as Cathy Grimes, not Grier,and they're correcting it.
Here's a clip I made from 2013 auditions:
