Make Music NWCT 2023
Great tunes and good vibes made on the 6th Annual, Make Music Day on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Litchfield County was rocking out for Make Music Day on Wednesday, June 21. A total of 24 performances were hosted at 11 different venues across the region.
Images: Carol Parent, Michelle Begley, & Crowd at AMP (Left), Jeremy Driscoll at Community Health & Wellness (Right); by Steph Burr & DaSilva Wata
Starting the day off at the American Mural Project (AMP) with a well balanced musical story-time was Beardsley Librarian, Carol Parent, and AMP teaching artist/musician, Michelle Begley, who engaged and excited their young audience with a fun and educational story, and lots to sing and dance about. Meanwhile, Jeremy Driscoll played soothing music on his handpan for the patients and professionals in the lobby of the Community Health and Wellness Center in Torrington.
Images: The T.J. Thompson Trio (Left), Mad River Music (Right) at AMP; by DaSilva Wata & Shane Scully
Following the Beardsly Librarians, the T.J. Thompson Trio set a different tempo, bringing their upbeat, jazzy jams to attract a more mature crowd to the home of the three story, three dimensional, mural. After an intermission, the talented students and bands from the Mad River Music Store in Winsted, helped close out the night with a bang.
Images: Station House Band at Litchfield Land Trust (Left), Our Culture is Beautiful at Workman Memorial Church (Center), Bob Becker at Silo @ Hunt Hill Farm (Right); by Shane Scully & Steph Burr
At noon, the Station House Band played a special lunch performance at the Litchfield Land Trusts’, the Station. Then, over at the Workman Memorial AME Zion Church, Our Culture is Beautiful’s Angaza Mwando led an African drumming circle, whose beats reach inward to ease the anxious soul. Meanwhile, the Silo @ Hunt Hill Farm welcomes the multifaceted pianist and composer, Bob Becker, to enrich audience members with his passionate and soothing harmonies.
Out at the JCC in Sherman, the T.J. Thompson Trio stopped by to spread more of their funky jazzy vibes, before singer/songwriter and cover musician, Bill Murphy, AKA the Vintage Human Jukebox, stopped by for his only performance of the day.
Images: Jeremy Driscoll (Left), Ben Charles Gladstone (Right), at Rock Yer Block; by Jamie J. Tilley
Down at Rock Yer Block, Jeremy Driscoll and his melodic handpan make their second appearance of the day. Following Jeremy is Ben Charles Gladstone, an experimental musician playing on his funky fresh melodica, a handheld instrument featuring a keyboard that is similar to an organ or harmonica.
Images: Broderick "Hogboy" Jones (Left), Joe O'Connor, & Alex Datzuk (Center), Adelaide Punkin & Alex Datzuk (Right) at Rock Yer Block; by DaSilva Wata & Jamie J. Tilley
Making his first appearance of the day, Broderick “Hogboy” Jones plays some bluesy, folksy vibes for Main Street on his acoustic guitar. Joe O’Connor, lead singer of Go 2 11, stopped by Rock Yer Block for what started as a solo set before teaming up with Rock Yer Blocks’ Alex Datzuk, for an exciting and unexpected jam sesh. The duo would also be joined by Joe’s brother/bandmate, giving members of the audience a taste of the talent that is Go 2 11. Closing the performances at Rock Yer Block was their very own Adelaide Punkin, with her radiant voice that soared up and down Main Street.
Images: Broderick "Hogboy" Jones & Ben Charles Gladstone (Left), Joe O'Connor (Right) at Howard's Bookstore; by Jamie J. Tilley
A hop, a skip, and a jump across Main Street, Howard’s Bookstore welcomed Broderick Jones, who decided to share his time with Ben Charles Gladstone, connecting and creating new sweet sounds together until it was time for the next performance. Waiting patiently for his turn and enjoying the general vibes and connections being made was Joe O’Connor, playing some classic covers for patrons.
Images: David Taylor Coffey & Crowd (Left), Gloom Cake (Center) at Howards Bookstore, & Jane & Friends at the Cornwall Pavilion (Right); by DaSilva Wata, Jamie J. Tilley, & Steph Burr
Changing the tempo with his hard hitting alternative punk vibes, David Taylor Coffee lays some heavy truths while encouraging other musicians and audience members to engage and perform with him. To end Make Music Day at Howard’s, the return of the ever loved Gloom Cake with their alternative sounds and captivating performance.
Out at the Cornwall Pavilion, Jane hosted a sing in, where participants brang lyrics and sang songs of their choice together at the park. Meanwhile in Litchfield, Potters Field had been set to open Litchfield’s summer concert series with their soulful and acoustic originals and unique covers.
Image: Go 2 11 at Trinity Episcopal Church; by DaSilva Wata
Back in Torrington at Trinity Episcopal Church, Jeremy Driscoll would take advantage of the amazing acoustics to wow members of the church and audience with the beautiful harmonies made by his handpan. Finishing his performances for the day, Ben Charles Gladstone shared the talent he has with his melodica. Closing out the performances at Trinity was the ever talented Go 2 11, playing their own unique covers of some popular songs from over the years, exciting and engaging the crowd.
The NWCT Arts Council would like to thank everyone who participated and collaborated to make this Make Music Day a great success!
Make Music NWCT is sponsored with the support of the Make Music Alliance and the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
