Wanna bang on your drum all day? Make Music Pittsburgh gives kids permission to rock out!

Pittsburgh, take note: Make Music Day is June 21!

Performers of all ages, skill levels and styles are invited to bang a gong or sing a song during Make Music Pittsburgh’s day-long celebration of sound.

“Many members of the community are involved,” says co-coordinator Michaela Kizershot White. “Venues such as coffee shops, music stores and locations such as the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and Media get involved. All sorts of artists play music on this day, ranging from professional musicians to teen garage bands.”

Organizers want all Pittsburghers – including kids – to participate.

Many of the city’s cultural institutions are jumping on the bandwagon, including Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and PearlArts Studios.

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will feature the Sound Exploration Tent, hosted by the Music Department of Slippery Rock University, and bucket drumming with percussionist Gordon Nunn (buckets and drumsticks provided!).

At Schenley Plaza, catch hip-hop and soul by Treble NLS and a session with Steel City Ukuleles. Classical flute and piano set the mood at Homewood Cemetery with music played by Re-Ignite. Piano and yoga combine in a gathering at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

All city neighborhoods will reverberate with auditory delights as people take to the streets with instruments in tow. Don’t have a melody maker? Clap your hands, whistle a little ditty or do whatever it takes to make a joyful noise.

Artists and venues can sign up on the festival website to get the word out about their acts, but it’s not a requirement to participate in Make Music Day. An official schedule will go live on Monday, June 17, including a map of all performances searchable by artist, venue and genre.

This is Pittsburgh’s fifth year celebrating the international event, which coincides with the Summer Solstice. Established in France in 1982, Fete de la Musique now takes place in more than 700 cities across the globe on the longest day of the year.

Local founder Jasmine Kurjakovic brought the party to town five years ago after attending Fete de la Musique in Europe. She wanted to make sure Pittsburgh locals had the opportunity to make and enjoy music, too.

Even if you and your kids can’t carry a tune in a bucket, you’ll find an appreciative audience at Make Music Pittsburgh.