Make Music LA: Free Tunes Around Town

Pop-up concerts of the free and fabulous sort will fill out the region on June 21.

Coming across a sudden string quartet, a couple of guitarists, someone playing a pan flute, or another pop-up presentation of melodies, harmonies, and lovely string-sweet grooves?

It's not all that unusual around Southern California, a spot that's long been synonymous with the sound scene, from the recording industry to our many performance-oriented outfits, from choruses to choirs to bands to solo artists.

But June 21, each and every year, is pretty special when it comes to notes, voices, and higher vibes. True, it is associated with the summer solstice, and the lovely World Giraffe Day, too, but it is, for many a music maven, all about Make Music LA Day.

That's when bevies of groups and crooners take to various corners of our region for brief concerts, a few songs, and the chance to introduce some art, magic, and ear-pleasing amazingness to a stranger's afternoon.

Yep, it's all free, should you find yourself in front of such a singer or band. And it is indeed a tuneful tribute to summer solstice, which kicked off in our time zone at 9:54 p.m. on June 20.

If you don't find yourself in front of singers or bands, you can make your way to a Make Music LA happening. There'll be a quartet of acts in The Egyptian Theatre Forecourt, and an afternoon of flows at The Skirball Cultural Center, and some evening jazz at the Beverly Canon Gardens.

The map is brimming, so check to see what is going on near where you are. Or search by artist, or genre, if you're hankering for some soul, rock, or oldies.

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We're fortunate to live in a place that embraces the tune-terrific way of life 365 days a year. But one of those days, June 21, is a joyful stand-out, a wonderful and spirited way to greet summer through the act of enjoying music.

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