Mount Airy will be celebrating Make Music Mayberry on Friday, joining hundreds of othercities across the U.S. — and thousands around the globe — in a tradition that has been spreading for more than 40 years.
Make Music Mayberry in Mount Airy is part of Make Music Day, a global music celebration that takes place on the summer solstice each year and brings people of all ages and skill levels together to make music. This year, more than 150 U.S. cities will host thousands of music performances and interactive experiences across the country as part of the world’s largest annual music event. Thirteen cities and counties in North Carolina have been selected to participate. The Surry Arts Council is overseeing the planning of the local celebration with a wonderful mix of free public musical events in multiple venues with numerous local partnerships and musicians.
Make Music Day began in France in 1982 as the Fěte de la Musique, and has spread to more than 2,000 cities across the globe. Different from a typical music festival, these events are performed by anyone who wants to take part and enjoyed by everyone who wants to attend. From classical to folk, hip hop to opera, Latin jazz to punk rock, old-time to bluegrass, live music of all kinds resounds on streets, sidewalks, plazas, venues, and other public spaces on the longest day of the year.
Make Music Mayberry is an example of why Mount Airy was recently chosen as a Music City and why it is known as one of North Carolina’s music cultural centers. Residents and visitors of all ages will have a chance to experience the city’s diverse music heritage and talent — and it’s all free. Venues include Mayor Loftis Plaza, the Historic Earle Theatre, the Blackmon Amphitheatre, the Arts Center, the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre — lower level of the Andy Griffith Museum — Mount Airy Public Library, Market Street, downtown businesses, and more. Make Music Mayberry t-shirts will be given away on the terrace of the Arts Center beginning at 10:30 a.m. — as long as they last.
Ben Currin, a local favorite at senior centers and around town, will be at the Mount Airy Public Library from 10 a.m. until noon. He will be on keyboard and will have rhythm instruments for all ages to join in. He will play popular Mayberry favorites from gospel to beach music. Currin encourages singing along and even a little dancing if the mood strikes.
Making his local debut at the Blackmon Amphitheatre is D.J. Blake Smith. He will be at the Amphitheatre entertaining families from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. He will host an open mic from 1 to 2 p.m. He will have rhythm instruments on hand for all ages to join in.
Local ukulele performer, teacher, and leader of the ukulele group, MAUI, George Smith will play with attendees in the Arts Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Folks are encouraged to take their ukuleles and join Smith and ukulele enthusiasts of all ages and levels for everything from rock to bluegrass. There will be a few loaners for those who want to try it out.
Multitalented musicians Django and Bruce Burgess will facilitate a Rhythm Garden from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. pm in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre. Django and Bruce will incorporate Boomwackers, Makey Makey, rhythm sticks, shaker eggs, flower pot xylophone, drumsticks and buckets, harmonicas, and more as they lead “bands” with selections every 30 minutes. There will also be a “make it and take it” shaker station.
Local traditional musician Darrell Atkins will lead a jam at Mayor Loftis Plaza in Downtown Mount Airy from noon until 4 p.m. Those attended are asked to take a stringed instrument or spoons and join the group.
Walker York and Tyler Matanick will have an instrument petting zoo in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Karaoke for Kids with Walker leading accompanists with egg shakers and other rhythm instruments.
Darrius Flowers will offer a stringed instrument traditional music jam along with instruction for youth of all levels from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Historic Earle Theatre. Fiddles and guitars will be available.
Wrapping up the day will be an evening of Latino music and dancing on Market Street with DJ Naro from 6 until 10:30 p.m.
Make Music Day is an initiative of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Foundation. Make Music Day programs are presented in part by the foundation and coordinated by the nonprofit Make Music Alliance.
The local program is supported in part by a one-time only grant from the North Carolina Arts Council in conjunction with the North Carolina Arts Foundation to celebrate the state’s musical heritage and the musicians who keep culture and legacy alive. Many of the instruments used in the local celebration were provided by grants with support from Vic Firth Drumsticks, Vic Firth Mallets, Hohner Harmonicas, RBI percussion kits and more. Anyone wishing more information, or wanting to participate, can contact Salem Poindexter, salem@surryarts.org. Visit www.makemusicday.org/surrycounty/ for updates on the schedule.
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