Celebrate Make Music New York Day in Public Spaces Across the Five Boroughs on June 21st

Photo by Tallie Robinson on Unsplash

NYC DOT partners with Make Music New York to bring music programing to over 15 plazas across the city on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the return of the popular Make Music New York Day bringing live music performances to more than 15 different public spaces in all five boroughs on June 21st. Concerts will be held in outdoor spaces free of charge. Made possible through the Public Space Programming initiative, performances will be held in partnership with Make Music New York, at 10 different plaza locations. The agency will also partner with Concerts in Motion to hold performances from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. at an additional five public spaces citywide. Additional programing partners include Tilted Axes, Queens Theatre, and Honk NYC. For more information about Make Music New York, visit the organization’s website.

“We’re partnering with Make Music New York to celebrate New Yorkers’ creativity and our beautiful public plazas,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Many of these events will reach a diverse range of communities and showcase a wide variety of New York-based artists. I thank NYC DOT staff and our incredible partners for delivering these free public events, and I urge you to join us on Wednesday the 21st!” 

NYC DOT’s Public Space Programming initiative brings free activities to public spaces, such as plazas and Open Streets. This program connects public spaces citywide with local organizations that host activities. All activities are free and open to New Yorkers of all ages and abilities. 

Programming brings arts, culture, fitness, and educational experiences to public spaces citywide. 

Location	Borough	Partner	Date	Time	Description
Jitu Weiusi Plaza	BK	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	12 pm – 8pm	Artists: Tropical Rhythms, DJ Desone, Sukyung Kim Quartet
Kensington Plaza	BK	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	5:30pm – 7:30pm	Artist: Diedre Struck
New Lots Plaza	BK	Concerts in Motion	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	2pm – 8pm	Artists: Chris Bacas, Josh Levine Performances at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm.
Osborn Plaza	BK	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	1pm – 6pm	Artists: Melissa Jones, J La Sol, Isadora Benitez & Gabriel Hermida, Mike Traxxx and Friends Tribute Band
Parkside Plaza	BK	Honk NYC	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	5pm – 8pm	Artists:  5pm: HONK Family Band, led by musical director Elijah J. Thomas  6pm: Off the Bar Brass, led by Tom McHugh  7pm: ZapOte Brass, led by Dawn Drake
Lou Gehrig Plaza	BX	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	11am – 6pm	Artists: Tony Smith, BindleStiff Family Cirkus, Underground Horns, Miss Yaya, Morrisania Band Project
Morrison Plaza	BX	Concerts in Motion	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	2pm – 8pm	Artist: Kevin Nathaniel  Performances at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm.
125 Street Plaza	MN	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	4pm – 6pm	Artists: Winard Harper, Jeli Posse
Astor Plaza	MN	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	4pm – 7pm	Artists: Cassandra Kubinski Trio, Julia Keefe Quartet
Cooper Square Plaza	MN	Tilted Axes	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	7pm – 9pm	Artist: Music for Mobile Guitars Presents “SUNBURN”
Forsyth Plaza	MN	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	2:30pm – 7:30pm	Artists: Glicky’s Connection, Kevin Orton, Rev Rev, World Record Players, JMB, Not All Heroes
Johnny Hartman Plaza	MN	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	12pm – 8pm	Artists: Pueblo Harlem, Featuring:  Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra  The Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats  Immigrantet  Peace Poets  Kikiriki Biquey (Rumba)  Afro Cuban Percussion workshop (with Kikiriki)  Salsa Dance Workshop
Montefiore Square	MN	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	4pm – 6pm	Artist: Mass Appeal: Guitars (Uptown)
Plaza de Las Americas	MN	Concerts in Motion	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	2pm – 8pm	Artists: Nelly Rocha, Chris Scanlon Performances at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm.
Union Square	MN	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	4:30pm – 8:30pm	Mass Appeal: Guitars
Beach 20	QN	Concerts in Motion	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	2pm – 8pm	Artists: Andrea Veneziani, Nick Demopoulos Performances at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm.
Corona Plaza	QN	Queens Theater	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	11am – 12pm	Artist: Inti Paucar Duo
Diversity Plaza	QN	Make Music New York	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	2pm – 6:30pm	Artists: Selima Ashraf & BIPA (traditional Bangladeshi). Percussia (experimental), Jake Hoffman (Alternative), Rinse and Repeat (Live Drum and Bass), Brown Sugar (Nepli Singer-Songwriter)
Minthorne Open Street	SI	Concerts in Motion	Wednesday, June 21, 2023	2pm – 8pm	Artists: Amanda Scalici, Rob Scalici Performances at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm.

“Make Music New York is an amazing tradition that honors our city’s vibrant music scene and brings communities together outside,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “I encourage every New Yorker to stop by the plazas for a musical performance you’ll never forget.”

“Concerts in Motion has been committed to serving New Yorkers across the city with the many different genres of music they love most played by top musicians who enjoy meeting them and connecting with them since our founding — and we are so thrilled to bring music to all five boroughs in the same day! We can’t wait to see our friends out in the community, and welcome new ones to the CiM family. We’re so grateful to DOT for partnering with us to make Make Music NY Day even more beautiful,” said Jennifer Carnahan, Concerts in Motion Founder and Executive Director. 

“HONK NYC is delighted to bring our immersive block party to Parkside Plaza in Brooklyn for MMNY. Musicians, dancers, and craft makers will take over the plaza from 5pm to 8pm, celebrating contemporary street band music and spectacle culture in NYC,” said Sara Valentine, HONK NYC.

“We are proud to partner with the Department of Transportation and return to Corona Plaza this summer with a lineup of performances that we know will delight community members,” said Taryn Sacramone, Queens Theatre.

“Open Plans loves Make Music New York! What better way to celebrate the longest day of the year than with an exuberant, musical celebration in the streets? This program is a shining example of the community and connection we can create when we prioritize our public spaces as sites for shared joy,” said Jackson Chabot, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Open Plans.