'Make Music Day' - Save Date & See Ginormous Harp In North County

CARLSBAD, CA – Join the global "Make Music Day" on Thursday, June 21 at Carlsbad's National Association of Music Merchants' Museum of Making Music with a full day of music-making fun, while also enjoying the Earth Harp, the world’s longest, playable-stringed instrument, that will reach from a museum balcony to the parking lot, according to organizers.

The harp -- with 1,000-foot-long strings -- will be played live by an ensemble of musicians led by William Close, a Los Angeles-based inventor, who tours the globe with the instrument and has performed in Singapore, at Burning Man and even strung the harp across a canyon near Chicago.

“As a musician and an inventor of close to 100 musical instruments, I’m thrilled to be showcasing my best known invention, the Earth Harp, on Make Music Day,” Close said. "I’ve always believed that the origin of music involves not only songwriting but the creation and mastery of an instrument.

Officially listed in the Guinness Book of World Records™ for being the world’s “longest stringed instrument,” the Earth Harp is one of the most unique elements featured on Make Music Day, organizers said.

In partnership with Make Music Day and Make Music Day, San Diego, the Museum of Making Music is also offering a pay-as-you-wish day for visitors of every age, who want to join in the fun and pick up an instrument and play.

Kids can enjoy Make & Play stations and craft their own instruments for strumming. Open Mic sessions give budding musicians their 15 minutes of fame and the chance to test their skills on stage before live audiences. Interactive Drum Circles welcome experienced and first-time musicians who want to learn to play on the spot.

Visitors can experience the museum’s galleries for musical inspiration, and the Interactive Innovation Studio for jamming on keyboards, guitars, drums and more.

(*Open Mic: Must bring your own instrument. Registration for stage sessions opens Friday, June 1 here.)

Make Music Day, launched in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique, is presented in the U.S. by The NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the nonprofit Make Music Alliance.

Upcoming Museum of Making Music events include performances by Cindy Lee Berryhill, Birds of Chicago and more. Tickets for an Aug. 25 bluegrass fundraising benefit featuring The Grascals and Flatt Lonesome can be purchased here. For details on the museum’s concerts, exhibits, workshops, and outreach programs, please visit https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/.

The Museum of Making Music is at 5790 Armada Drive in Carlsbad.

ALSO COMING UP NEARBY:

• Opening Day! 2018 San Diego County Fair: Del Mar

• Fido Fest 2018 - Fun Day For Dogs & Owners: Santee

• 10th Annual Taste of Little Italy 2018: San Diego

• 2018 Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival: Ocean Beach

• 24th Annual 'Taste of Gaslamp' Culinary Tour: San Diego

----Images courtesy of Mike Mena