Here's the complete list of events, divided by areas of the city, Central, East, North, South and West
Welcome in summer by enjoying the diverse range of musical talent in our community. A full day of local music features 440 free performances at over 100 outdoor locations across Madison. Catch music in parks, restaurants, community centers, people’s front yards, and more. Sample a little of everything, as all ages, all skill levels, and all music genres take the stage.
Plan your day by reviewing this guide, by visiting the website, and there’s an app! Search “One Solstice” at the Apple App Store or Google Play. Sort through the 440 concerts by time of day, genre of music, region of Madison or any combination of these.
Our motto is Performed by Anyone, Enjoyed by Everyone — so come out and play! Join in one of our mass appeal concerts and play along with dozens (hundreds?) of other musicians. Visit the mass appeal page of our website to learn how to participate and to download music. And then, just show up to perform!
Vilas Park Shelter, 1602 Vilas Park Dr., 10 AM–2 PM
Musicians of all skill levels can come perform the rock classics: Woolly Bully, Louie Louie, Johhny B Goode, Good Lovin’, Wipe Out, and Twist and Shout.
Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N Hamilton St., 12:30-1:30 PM
Harmonica Man DeWayne Keyes returns to lead a lesson and group performance. Free Hohner harmonicas for the first 100 participants!
James Madison Park, 614 E. Gorham St., 1–2 PM
Jump in with ukulele players of all abilities for this second annual performance.
Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., 1–2 PM
All ages and abilities are invited for an hour of hand drumming and rhythms.
Edgewater Hotel Plaza, 1001 Wisconsin Pl., 2–2:30 PM
Add your voice to this special concert showcasing popular selections of choral music, and one newly commissioned piece, performed by a massed choir combining singers from a cross-section of local choirs and the community.
C16 — IT’S IN US
James Madison Park, 614 E. Gorham St., 3:30–4 PM
Join hundreds of musicians by the lake for a mass performance of the Make Music Madison-inspired song, “It’s In Us,” to be filmed for use in promotion for the city.
…the show must go on... Venues flagged as rain-friendly can either withstand inclement weather or have a backup plan to move to a nearby indoor location. It takes more than a little bad weather to keep Madisonians from having a good time!
C1 — Rain-friendly — 2nd Annual Madison Womyn’s Music & Arts Fest — 202 S. Dickinson St.
C2 — Rain-friendly — Bayview — 601 Bayview Triangle
12 PM – Madison West HS Taiko Drummers
2 PM – Rex Loker & Kevin Royalty
C3 — Rain-friendly — Buckingham’s Bar and Grille — 802 Regent St.
C4 — Rain-friendly — Capitol Kids — 8 S. Carroll St.
C5 — Colectivo Coffee on the Square — 25 S. Pinckney St.
4:30 PM – The No Name Stringband
C6 — Crowley Station Community Garden — 201 S. Hancock St.
Guitar, double bass, and cajon
C7 — Rain-friendly — Edgewater Hotel Boat Dock — 1001 Wisconsin Pl.
C8 — Rain-friendly — Edgewater Hotel Grand Plaza — 1001 Wisconsin Pl.
1 PM – Choral Arts Society Chorale and Madison Area Community Chorus
Classical and contemporary choral music
2 PM – MASS APPEAL! Make Music Madison Massed Choir Concert
Add your voice to this special concert showcasing popular selections of choral music, and one newly commissioned piece, performed by a massed choir combining singers from a cross-section of local choirs and the community.
C9 — Rain-friendly — Fair Trade Coffee House — 418 State St.
Acoustic 60s-70s rock, folk
C10 — Federal Courthouse — 120 N. Henry St.
C11 — Rain-friendly — Few Street Block Party! — 611 S. Few St.
Art rock horn and guitar
C12 — Rain-friendly — Fromagination — 12 S. Carroll St.
Originals rooted in folk, blues
2 PM – Shabazz HS Fiddle Class
C13 — Rain-friendly — GAP — 341 State St.
Guitar, double bass and cajon
2 PM – Nicole Cook, Joe Harris and Gwen Pyeatt
Hints of turtlenecks, and kneesocks
C14 — Rain-friendly — Grace Episcopal Church — 116 W. Washington Ave.
11:30 AM – The No Name Stringband
C15 — Hatch Art House — 1248 Williamson St.
C16 — Rain-friendly — James Madison Park — 614 E. Gorham St.
11 AM – The Rascal Theory (trt)
Fresh funky rock and soul
1 PM – MASS APPEAL! Ukuleles Unite
Jump in with ukulele players of all abilities for this second annual performance.
3:30 PM – MASS APPEAL! It’s In Us
Join hundreds of musicians by the lake for a mass performance of the Make Music Madison-inspired song, “It’s In Us,” to be filmed for use in promotion for the city..
Funk and soul grabs audience
C17 — Kroger Warehouse — 634 W. Main St.
3 PM – Hoot ‘n Annie String Band
Folk, string and vocal party
C18 — Rain-friendly — Layla’s Persian Food & Madison Hostel — 141 S. Butler St.
Middle Eastern and world music
C19 — Rain-friendly — Madison Children’s Museum — 100 N. Hamilton St.
12:30 PM – MASS APPEAL! One Hundred Harmonicas
Harmonica Man DeWayne Keyes returns to lead a lesson and group performance. Free Hohner harmonicas for the first 100 participants!
1:30 PM – Wongai Africa Community Dancers & Drummers
C20 — Madison College - Downtown, Patio — 211 N. Carroll St.
Sonic landscapes, tranquil to cacophony
Acoustic rock ’n’ roll oldies
Eclectic takes on familiar tunes
C21 — Rain-friendly — Madison Fire Station #3 — 1217 Williamson St.
3 PM – Joe Loehnis and Steve Girard
C22 — Rain-friendly — Madison Museum of Contemporary Art — 227 State St.
12:30 PM – Madison Classical Guitar Society
Rich musical history of guitar
Groove to make you move
C23 — Rain-friendly — Madison Senior Center — 330 W. Mifflin St.
1 PM – Prairie Bayou Cajun Band
Half century of rock, country, pop
C24 — Memorial Union Terrace — 800 Langdon St.
Tunes from 50s to today
Epic employees do a cappella pop
3:15 PM – The No Name Stringband
Girl’s Rock teacher inspires
Groove to make you move
C25 — Rain-friendly — MINI of Madison recording sessions — 302 E. Gorham St.
Hip-hop beats, stories and wordplay.
1:30 PM – Helen Avakian and Dave Irwin
Folk from Foster to Cohan
2:15 PM – The No Name Stringband
C26 — Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse — 1101 Williamson St.
C27 — Rain-friendly — Nattspil — 211 King St.
11 AM – Vilas Park Sniper and Nathan Zukas
C28 — Rain-friendly — Overture Center (Loading Dock) — 121 N. Henry St.
C29 — Rain-friendly — Overture Center (Sidewalk on Fairchild) — 201 State St.
C30 — Rain-friendly — Peace Park — 452 State St.
10 AM – Joe Loesch and Terri Schmit
Alternative folk, New Orleans twist
Two women vocalists and a drummer
C31 — Septi Fitness — 10 S. Carroll St.
Vocal Outreach Ensemble of Perfect Harmony Men’s Chorus
C32 — Short Stack Eatery — 301 W. Johnson St.
9 AM – The No Name Stringband
Cello duet plays it all
C33 — Rain-friendly — Sofia Co-op House — 1239 Spaight St.
Duo’s music feels melty inside
C34 — The Kitchen Gallery — 107 King St.
10:30 AM – Madison Classical Guitar Society
Rich musical history of guitar
C35 — Rain-friendly — The Rigby Pub and Grill — 119 E. Main St.
2 PM – The Mike Maher Band
C36 — Willy Street Park — 1002 Williamson St.
9 AM – Helen Avakian and Dave Irwin
10 AM – Prairie Bayou Cajun Band
Folk from Foster to Cohan
1 PM – The No Name Stringband
3:30 PM – Music Theatre of Madison
Original songs rooted in folk & blues
5:30 PM – Shabazz HS Fiddle Class
C37 — Rain-friendly — Wisconsin Historical Museum — 30 N. Carroll St.
Vocal outreach ensemble of Perfect Harmony Men’s Chorus
C38 — WSUM Radio Stage — 333 E. Campus Mall
Text, take photos, share the day: #makemusicmadison.
Visit some new neighborhoods and out-of-the-way locations.
Bring along some dollar bills to tip the musicians.
Ride a bike rather than hassling with parking.
Wear comfortable shoes, bring along a folding chair.
Concerts are outdoors! Stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
E1 — 2209 Center Ave. — 2209 Center Ave.
E2 — Rain-friendly — bad dog frida — 2094 Atwood Ave.
E3 — Chocolate Shoppe — 2302 Atwood Ave.
2 PM – Brian Grimm - Stray Passengers
E4 — Rain-friendly — Chris’s Front Yard — 1824 Yahara Pl.
Bare-bone Appalachia meets Joni Mitchell
7 PM – Hoot ‘n Annie String Band
E5 — Cosmic Delights Stage — 2334 Atwood Ave.
Psychedelic funky rock, folk originals.
4:30 PM – K.I.N.G Kronos
2014 hip-hop artist of the year
E6 — Dawes Sidewalk Stage — 102 Farrell St.
10:30 AM – The Seasoned Veterans of Reality
Sonic landscapes, tranquil to cacophony
Riot duo invades minor keys
2 PM – Gary David and the Enthusiasts
4-piece band, upbeat blues, soul
E7 — Rain-friendly — Deerwood Studios — 4510 Deerwood Dr.
2 PM – Life In A Tree
R&B, rock singer-songwriter
Fresh Funky Rock and Soul
E8 — East Mifflin St. Block Party — 2400 E. Mifflin St.
Fresh funky rock and soul
E9 — Rain-friendly — Emerson Elementary playground stage — 2421 E Dayton St.
Original Americana, ragtag good time
E10 — 4th Street Driveway — 10 N. 4th St.
E11 — Rain-friendly — Fresco Opera Theatre — 1951 Winnebago St.
E12 — Rain-friendly — Goodman Community Center — 149 Waubesa St.
Vocal outreach ensemble of Perfect Harmony Men’s Chorus
A big ball o’ pop punk fun
1 PM – MASS APPEAL! Community Drum Circle with Elmore Lawson
All ages and abilities are invited for an hour of hand drumming and rhythms.
2 PM – Still Jaded After All These Years
4 PM – Live Soundz GCC Teen Jazz Band
E13 — Rain-friendly — Java Cat — 3918 Monona Dr.
E14 — Jess & Kate’s Porch — 18 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
10 AM – Veronica Rueckert & Elizabeth Simcock
Two voices, all songs fair game
12:30 PM – Bobbie and Bill Malone
Old-time mandolin and guitar duets
Strings, drums! For kids, by kids!
E15 — Rain-friendly — Let’s Eat Out! Summer Concert Series — 1820 E. Washington Ave.
Funky psych, rock pop fusion
4:30 PM – We Are The Willows
E16 — Michael’s Frozen Custard — 3826 Atwood Ave.
Groove to make you move
7 PM – Becky Schindler and Tim Muenzenberger
E17 — Rain-friendly — Oak Park Place — 718 Jupiter Dr.
E18 — Rain-friendly — Oak Park Place- Assisted Living — 702 Jupiter Dr.
1 PM – Marilyn Carien and Jim Knutson
Cello duet plays it all
E19 — Rain-friendly — Plymouth Congregational Church — 2401 Atwood Ave.
11 AM – Make a Joyful Noise
Original Americana, ragtag good time
E20 — Reger Park — 201 Oak St.
The grass is always blue
Original Americana, ragtag good time
Duet harmonies of originals and covers
E21 — Sherman Terrace — 25 Sherman Terr.
Renaissance, baroque viola da gamba
E22 — Starkweather Solstice and Bonfire — Olbrich Park
5:30 PM – Procession of the Species Parade
Madison’s activist street band
7:15 PM – Children’s Solstice Sing Along
8:15 PM – Community Drum Circle with Elmore Lawson
Participatory hand drumming and rhythms for kids or adults
E23 — Rain-friendly — Wirth Court Park — 61 Waubesa St.
Teen sings jazz to Beatles
Female punk rock a cappella
Singer/songwriter covers and originals
E24 — Worthington Park — 3102 Worthington Ave.
5 PM – Afro Intellect & OffBrand
7:30 PM – Jon B the Madman
In north Madison, visit the Warner Park Shelter for 12 hours of mostly jazz and R&B performances. N5
East Madison’s Worthington Park hosts its first Make Music Madison stage with an evening of performances from 4-9 PM. E24
The Bayview neighborhood in central Madison has a terrific variety of music from 11:30-4 PM. C2
In south Madison, visit Penn Park for an afternoon of blues and R&B acts. SW20
West Madison’s Meadowood neighborhood, with the help of Madison Media Institute, has scheduled an afternoon with an array of local bands. SW14
Further west, the Rhyme & Reason stage at Elver Park offers up 13 hip hop performances SW23
N1 — Rain-friendly — Dane County Regional Airport — 4000 International Ln.
8:45 AM – The Sultan of Squeeze
3:30 PM – Madison Classical Guitar Society
Rich musical history of guitar
7 PM – Helen Avakian and Dave Irwin
Singer/songwriter covers and originals
N2 — Eken Park — 2405 Dahle St.
Alt rock w/ Madison super-musos
Silly songs, electric violin loops
Guitar slinger loved by many
N3 — Rain-friendly — Manna Cafe & Bakery — 611 N. Sherman Ave.
11:30 AM – Still Jaded After All These Years
N4 — Rain-friendly — Northside Farmers Market — Corner of Sherman Ave. and Northport Dr.
N5 — Rain-friendly — Warner Park Shelter — 2930 N. Sherman Ave.
11:30 AM – Old Black Joe and Grave Digger Jones and Friends
Four piece band, upbeat blues and soul music
2 PM – Mare Edstrom and Kenn Fox
4 PM – The Mighty Groove Masheen
5 PM – The Rascal Theory (trt)
Blues artist from Jefferson, WI
Take a picnic to one of the many park venues, head to the Madison Children’s Museum stage for a family-friendly lineup, or perform with dad in one of our mass appeal events!
SW1 — Rain-friendly — Bear Mound Park — 1524 Vilas Ave.
7 PM – Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans
SW2 — Rain-friendly — Bethany United Methodist Church
Trio plays eclectic mix of folk, pop, jazz
1 PM – Root Beer Brothers Band
RB3 = toe tapping 6th graders
2 PM – Madison West HS Taiko Drummers
Vocal outreach ensemble of Perfect Harmony Men’s Chorus
SW3 — Boys and Girls Club — 2101 Taft St.
1 PM – Boys and Girls Club Musical Showcase
Native American hip hop/rap artist
SW4 — Rain-friendly — Casa De Stetzer — 2710 Homestead Rd.
5:30 PM – Queen Anne’s Revenge
The new wave of folk-rock
SW5 — Colectivo Coffee on Monroe Street — 2530 Monroe St.
2 PM – Root Beer Brothers Band
RB3 = toe tapping 6th graders
2:30 PM – Madison Classical Guitar Society
Rich musical history of guitar
SW6 — Rain-friendly — Fountain of Life — 633 W. Badger Rd.
1-4 PM – Fountain of Life Stage
SW7 — Rain-friendly — Garage across from Madison Pool — 225 Van Deusen St.
SW8 — Rain-friendly — Guitar Center-Madison — 676 S. Whitney Way
12 PM – Life In A Tree
1 PM – The Mighty Groove Masheen
Alt rock from Puerto Rico
4 PM – Helen Avakian and Dave Irwin
SW9 — Rain-friendly — Heid Music — 7948 Tree Ln.
SW10 — Rain-friendly — Hilldale Shopping Center — 702 N. Midvale Blvd.
9 AM – Madison Classical Guitar Society
Rich musical history of guitar
Cello duet plays it all
2:30 PM – Bobbie and Bill Malone
Old-time mandolin and guitar duets
SW11 — Rain-friendly — Hoyt Park — 3902 Regent St.
7 PM – Madison College Big Band
SW12 — Lucia Crest Park — 514 N. Owen Dr.
6:30 PM – Root Beer Brothers Band
RB3 = toe tapping 6th graders
Trio plays eclectic mix of folk, pop, jazz
SW13 — Luigi’s Pizzeria — 515 S. Midvale Blvd.
African jazz, R&B, percussion
8 PM – Madison Classical Guitar Society
Rich musical history of guitar
SW14 — Meadowood Park — 5810 Thrush Ln.
3 PM – Fear not the Fire
SW15 — Rain-friendly — Metcalfe’s Market Hilldale — 726 N. Midvale Blvd.
Traditional American jazz and pop
Ragtime, jazz, rock, classical pianist
1 PM – Farley’s All Stars and More
2 PM – Stephen Rodrigues-Pavao & Margaret Runaas
Art song, aria, musical theater
6 PM – Evan Engelstad and Rosemary
SW16 — Michael’s Frozen Custard — 2531 Monroe St.
2 PM – A Plague of Locusts
Indies jamming out, having fun
7:45 PM – Nicole Cook, Joe Harris and Gwen Pyeatt
SW17 — Michael’s Frozen Custard — 5602 Schroeder Rd.
Duo plays traditional folk songs
Pop, rock, Memorial HS roots
Crowd pleasing rock from yesterday and today
SW18 — Monroe Commons — 1805 Monroe St.
2 PM – Music Theatre of Madison
2:30 PM – Dark of the Moon Contra-Band
Epic employees do a cappella pop
SW19 — Monroe Street Farmers’ Market — 2219 Monroe St.
SW20 — Penn Park — 2101 Fisher St.
12 PM – Wongai Africa Community Dancers & Drummers
1 PM – The Rascal Theory (trt)
Blues and R&B
SW21 — Rain-friendly — Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society — 2010 Whenona Dr.
Young men original spoken word poetry
11:30 AM – Helen Avakian and Dave Irwin
12:15 PM – Guitarists Few and Proud
Guitars for Vets lead sing-along
1 PM – Dark of the Moon Contra-Band
1:45 PM – Cindy Harrington & Friends
3:15 PM – Rex Loker & Kevin Royalty
4:30 PM – Raging Grannies of Madison
Pop, rock, jazz vocals, keyboard
SW22 — Rain-friendly — Rennebohm Park Shelter — 4800 Regent St.
5 PM – Hill Farms Brass Quintet
SW23 — Rain-friendly — Rhyme & Reason at Elver Park (Shelter #2) — 1250 McKenna Blvd.
12:30 PM – Afro Intellect & OffBrand
Fun sexy self loathing songs
6:30 PM – K.I.N.G Kronos
2014 Hip-hop artist of the year
Conscious prophets from another world
SW24 — Ringo’s Hangout — 6 Colony Cir.
Pop, rock, Memorial HS roots
SW25 — Segoe Park — 502 S. Segoe Rd.
1 PM – Joe Loesch and Terri Schmit
Old-time guitar, banjo and mandolin
Singer/songwriter covers and originals
3 PM – The Sultan of Squeeze
A big ball o’ pop punk fun
6 PM – The No Name Stringband
7 PM – Still Jaded After All These Years
SW26 — Spring Harbor Park — 5218 Lake Mendota Dr.
SW27 — Rain-friendly — The Wise at HotelRED — 1501 Monroe St.
Eclectic takes on familiar tunes
12:30 PM – Nicole Cook , Joe Harris and Gwen Pyeatt
7 PM – Madison Classical Guitar Society
Rich musical history of guitar
SW28 — Rain-friendly — Vilas Park Rock ‘n’ Roll Stage — 1602 Vilas Park Dr.
10 AM-2 PM – MASS APPEAL! 60s Rock Stage
Musicians of all skill levels can come perform the rock classics: Woolly Bully, Louie Louie, Johhny B Goode, Good Lovin’, Wipe Out, and Twist and Shout..
SW29 — Rain-friendly — Wingra Boats — 824 Knickerbocker St.
4 PM – Monroe Street Fine Arts Center
SW30 — Rain-friendly — Zion City — 1317 Applegate Rd.
12:15 PM – Zion City Praise Vessels
3:30 PM – Madison West HS Taiko Drummers
SW31 — Rain-friendly — ZuZu Cafe — 1336 Drake St.
11 AM – Rex Loker & Kevin Royalty
Native American hip-hop, rap artist
Thank you to all the more than 1,700 people involved in Make Music Madison 2015! Congratulations on a great third year.
HELP BRING MAKE MUSIC MADISON BACK NEXT YEAR
We are performed by anyone, yet we have no registration fees. We are enjoyed by anyone, yet we have no admission fees. Your donations help make this happen at makemusicmadison.org.
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