Madison, Wis. – Overture Center will host three local groups on Fairchild Street stage on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 for Make Music Madison, the city’s annual one-day free, outdoor music festival.

About groups performing on the Fairchild Street stage:

• 10 AM – 11 AM:  No Name String Band

o   The No Name String Band is a collective of Madison-area musicians lead by claw-hammer banjo player Brian Zimmerman & guitarist Matt Manske. They combine a broad understanding of traditional Appalachian old-time music with a slew of original acoustic compositions. The music ranges from fiddle-led, foot-stomping barn dances to slower, introspective classical-bluegrass numbers.

• 11 AM – Noon:  John Stano

o   John Stano’s sound is a distinctive blend of acoustic and slide guitar, harmonica, and expressive vocals, developed over many years. His style could be described as acoustic folk-blues or Americana. Initially self-taught, John went on to study American fingerstyle guitar at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and harmonica with national blues legend, Jim Liban. John studied English and creative writing at UW-Madison; his skillful use of language adds an original spark to his lyrics. In addition to his own songs, John also performs his own arrangements of urban and country blues classics, instrumentals and contemporary songs. He also teaches guitar, harmonica, banjo and other acoustic instruments privately and in schools.

• Noon – 1 PM:  Madison Classical Guitar Society

o   The Madison Classical Guitar Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading music awareness and education by sharing the rich musical history of the guitar. MCGSwas founded in 2014 and offers educational and performance opportunities for their members and the community.  They have hosted a number of concerts with international artists and competition winners, as well as public masterclasses with world-renowned performing artists Ana Vidovic, Edel Munoz, and Max Herzog.

About Make Music Madison:
Annual citywide, free, outdoor day of music held on the summer solstice, June 21. Initiated in 2013 as Madison’s entry into the international summer solstice music celebration, we join over 700 communities around the world in kicking off summer by filling the city with music. Make Music Madison turns the city into a stage, and offers a full spectrum of performers the opportunity to display their musical skills.

2016 will be the first mid-week event, opening new possibilities for venues and musicians. Coffee shops, restaurants and businesses all over Madison will be looking for musicians to fill their locations with song. Performers along the bike paths could bring music to the morning commute. Lunch patrons may find themselves serenaded by a middle school strings quartet. And after 5, the city will explode with music.

• Make Music Madison is: Performed by Anyone, Enjoyed by Everyone.
• A way for all Madisonians to celebrate the summer solstice, enjoying the longest day of the year, while sampling a buffet of musical merriment.
• A DIY city-wide celebration when almost any way to make music can and will happen.
• Make Music Madison is open to music makers of all ages, skill levels, and musical persuasions.

Full list of 2016 Participating Venues | 2016 Participating Musicians

Make Music Madison may be Performed by Anyone, Enjoyed by Everyone, but it still takes a dedicated team of volunteers to bring it all together. We have a small board comprised primarily of group leads for larger teams of volunteers who focus on venues, musicians, matchmaking, mass appeal events, technology, publicity, and fundraising. In addition we have a single part-time paid position for our executive director.

Current board members include Elizabeth Simcock (president), Mark Fairchild (mass appeals), Jamie Kember (musicians), Beth Mastin (matchmaking), Sue Peck (fundraising), Jon Standridge (venues), and Mike Rothschild (president emeritus). Our executive director is Katherine Davey. Beyond this we have a great team of volunteers, and you can still be part of making 2016 amazing. To get involved, email us at [email protected].