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Houston officials, partners kick off 4th annual Make Music Day at Market Square Park
Summary
Councilmember Joaquin Martinez and city and community partners opened the 4th annual Make Music Day at Market Square Park, highlighting Houston's music infrastructure and partnerships; singer Leslie Lugo performed the kickoff set as free performances continued across the city.
Houston city and cultural officials gathered Friday at Market Square Park to launch the fourth annual Make Music Day, a citywide celebration of live, free music. Councilmember Joaquin Martinez (District 1) opened the event, thanking organizers and partners and calling music "a lifeline" for the community.
"We all can agree that music is a lifeline to who we are," Martinez said as he welcomed attendees and noted partnerships with venues, arts organizations and local consulates. He said Houston was joining cities worldwide in marking the first day of summer with free performances intended to "connect, comfort, and unite."
Bethany Gardez Gardelis, introduced by Martinez as the cultural attache9 at the Consulate of France in Houston, traced Make Music Day to its Paris origins and encouraged public participation. She said the event was designed to "make all genres of music accessible" and noted it now occurs in hundreds of cities across the globe.
Anne Taylor, director of engagement for Downtown Houston Plus, gave local context for the celebration and highlighted Houston's music ecology, asking the crowd, "Did you know that the Houston Ballet employs more than 60 professional musicians?" She also pointed to local training programs, referencing Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and downtown venues that host working musicians.
Gracie Chavez, the city's music officer, said the fourth annual event was intended to uplift local artists and support the networks that sustain them. "The reason we're really here is to hear music and to kick things off," Chavez said before introducing Leslie Lugo and her band.
Leslie Lugo, a Houston-based singer-songwriter, led the audience through a set that included Latin-tinged numbers and several eighties-inspired selections. Lugo greeted the crowd repeatedly between songs and closed the set by thanking attendees and inviting them to stay for additional performances across the city.
Organizers said Make Music Day features free performances at locations across Houston throughout the day, with venues ranging from parks and streets to bars and restaurants. The kickoff at Market Square Park concluded with plans for more live music later in the afternoon.
The event continues with scheduled free performances at multiple Houston locations.
