By Lookout Staff

June 20, 2014 – There will be harmony in parks across Santa Monica to celebrate the official first day of summer this Saturday with International Make Music Day.

This is the third year Santa Monica takes part in the musical celebration, which is organized by Mid City Neighbors, North of Montana Association, Northeast Neighbors, Ocean Park Association, Recreation & Parks Commissioner Phil Brock and Santa Monica City staff.

During the celebration, which coincides with the summer solstice, people of all ages will perform in thousands of free concerts all over the world showcasing all musical. Styles.

“Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic, and make music,” organizers said.
The City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division will produce and present a free event in Tongva Park, where residents and visitors are invited to make their own music between 12 and 4 p.m.

The event kicks off with the “100 Hohner Harmonica Project with Tom Nolan.” Hohner, a 156 year old musical instrument company, will be distributing one hundred harmonicas to participants who can join a lesson and play along with a live music performance. 

“The Freedom Drum Circle” will have a hundred drums of all sizes so that participants can jump into a communal drum playing experience led by Chris Ramirez.

Jazz ensemble “Jazzy Ash” will perform early New Orleans jazz, zydeco, be-bop and swing music, with kids and families invited to play along on percussive instruments and join in Mardi Gras activities.

In addition, Santa Monica Recreation & Parks Commission Chair Phil Brock and Santa Monica’s Neighborhood Associations have organized music performances throughout Santa Monica’s parks.

Friends of Sunset Park will host music in Clover Park’s picnic area between 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  The event will include “Moo Moo Musica,” “Jennifer Lockhart” and “Masters of Now.”

“The Ozone Cats” will be performing in Ozone Park between 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Mid-City Neighbors will be sponsoring a concert at Colorado Center Park from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring music from “Paul Chesne,” “Rising Phoenix Morris Dance Group,” “Vida Simon,” “Root Chakar” and others.

The North of Montana Association will presents “Under The Sky,” “Joshua Bernardo” and “Jaq McKenzie” at the Rose Garden in Palisades Park from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Douglas Park will host music from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m with “Amy Clarke,” “CUICANI,” “Joshua Bernardo” and “TEE-M.”

Hotchiss Park will have music from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with TEE-M, Under the Sky and CUICANI.

Founded in France in 1982 as the Fete de la Musique, International Make Music Day is the world’s largest annual music event, celebrated in over 800 cities across 110 countries, according to officials.