No Make Music In Sheepshead Bay

Today is June 21, 2010. The long-awaited start of summer. It’s also the longest day in the year. To celebrate this day, Aaron Friedman, the founder of Make Music NY and his team, have coordinated a city-wide block party. This party consists of music in all types and forms happening in every borough and in almost every neighborhood. Based on the variety of musical acts and interactive participation planned, this event sounds like a lot fun.  It’s just that absolutely none of this fun is happening in Sheepshead Bay.

Now, this is not in anyway a criticism of the Make Music NY 2010 organizers, just a point of inquiry: Just how was this block party organized with not even one single performer or instrumentalist in Sheepshead Bay? Many Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Coney Island, have acts planned — but nothing in our neck of the woods.

On its ‘about’ page, Make Music NY mentions some of the unique acts that will perform, “Tamil Church choirs in Middle Village, high school Christian rock bands in Sunset Park, and a kazoo jam session outside a Morningside Heights church.” Are we saying that in our neighborhood we don’t even have some junior high school chorus group or worshippers to represent? Whatever happened to the Sheepshead Bay High School Sing performers?

Oh, well. It’s too late for this year, but maybe next year, we can drum up some musicians who would love to bang in the summer with a performance on Emmons Avenue. As I’m thinking about it, there are a few composers and artists already popping into my head. I’m sure there are many you can think about. Write in and let’s make Make Music NY know that we’re here and ready to play! Or better yet, tell your favorite musician that Sheepshead Bay’s sidewalks are awaiting and direct them to the website where they can find out how to participate in next year’s event.