Participate in the Hartford Arts Scene with These Unique Hands-On Events

As a part of their mission to inspire all people to participate and invest in the arts, Greater Hartford Arts Council is excited to announce both ‘Arts on the Streets’ and ‘Make Music Hartford’ taking place throughout Hartford.

Arts on the Streets

Art on the Streets will showcase hands-on activities by visual artists; dance with local performers; and for the first time ever, a house band that will invite the public to participate with their own instruments.

Arts on the Streets will take place every Tuesday on Pratt Street and Thursday’s at State House Sq. from 11:30AM – 1:30PM, starting May 29th through June 21st.

Featured Art on the Streets activities include:

‘Hello from Hartford’ Postcard Design with Anita Balkun

Design your own postcard! Add your artistic touch to a “Hello from Hartford” postcard using art supplies and Hartford landmark rubber stamps created by Anita Balkun, and send it from Hartford.

Dance Jamboree with Caribbean American Dance Co. 

Move with dancers from the Caribbean American Dance Co. Dancers will lead you through movement in reggae, Caribbean folk, Afro-Caribbean folk, as well as dance performances demonstrating a collage of styles inspired by African heritage and traditions. This event is free and open to the public.

Collaborative Tapestry Making with Hartford Artisans Weaving Center

Make your mark on a collaborative tapestry! Stop by to learn how to weave a tapestry, and hear stories about the blind and senior weavers creating beautiful textiles here in Hartford.

Make Music Hartford

On June 21st, Hartford will be facilitating 100 FREE concerts throughout the city.

Make Music Hartford is a part of the international Make Music Day movement which brings free, community-wide, outdoor musical celebrations to hundreds of cities worldwide. Every year, the celebration is held on June 21, the summer solstice, in more than 800 communities around the world.

Make Music Hartford will feature musicians of all abilities and music from any genre. Sidewalks, parks, front porches, and public spaces throughout the city will become stages for local musicians to perform. Everyone is invited to participate in this international day of music by performing, providing an outdoor space, volunteering, or just appreciating.

See a sneak peek of Hartford’s first ever ‘Make Music Hartford’ event below:

Participatory Events:

• 11:00am – 11:45am: Brazilian Drumming Workshop at Trinity College with Eric Galm. Open to all ages and abilities.
• 11:30am – 1:30pm: Community Jam Session in State House Square. Bring your instrument downtown and jam with the Art on the Streets House Band.
• 12:00pm – 2:00pm: Dueling Drums on Bartholomew Ave. Parkville Sounds will host Dueling Drums outside their studio. Drummers, bring your sticks. Full back line available!
• 1:00pm: Kazoo Mass Appeal on Pratt Street. Join Chion Wolf in a gathering of kazoo players. Free kazoos for the first 100 people to participate! No musical experience required!
• 5:30pm – 7:30pm: Community Yoga and Kirtan Concert at Elizabeth Park. VASU Tribe Yoga Studio will lead a free yoga class from 5:30 – 6:30pm, followed by a Kirtan concert from 6:30 – 7:30pm. Both activities will take place between the Rose Garden and the stage.

Concerts:

• 10:00am – 10:30am: Bucket Drumming at Bushnell Plaza Sculpture Garden. Drummer Kirk Woodard will give free bucket drumming lessons and lead the group in bucket drumming grooves. All are welcome! Presented with Vic Firth.
• 11am – 12pm: Singer/songwriter Angelica Marie will perform outside of the Greater Hartford Arts Council offices
• 12pm – 2pm: Reggae band Souls of’Zion will perform on the 20 Church Street Plaza (the venue partner is Upward Hartford)
• 12pm – 1:30pm: Folk band The Guinea Pigs will perform at the Butler McCook House gardens
• 3:00pm – 4:00pm: Dance Workshop and Drumming at Ropkins library. Learn to move to the beats of Hartford’s Proud Drill, Drum & Dance. Catch a performance by the whole group!
• 4:00pm – 4:45pm: Bucket Drumming at Barbour Street library. Your second chance to catch Kirk Woodard leading free bucket drumming lessons! Presented with Vic Firth
• 4:30pm – 5:15pm: The Funky Dawgz Brass Band and members of the Charter Oak Community Brass Band will perform outside the Charter Oak Cultural Center
• 6pm – 7pm: Funk/Hip hop band Keepers of the Vibe will perform at Keney Park’s Sustainability Project space