West Side Comes Alive with Music

Milwaukee, WI – May 27, 2025 — Washington Park Neighbors (WPN), in partnership with the Harley-Davidson Foundation, is proud to announce a new community celebration for Make Music Day on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 4–8 PM at Davidson Park (37th & Highland).

Make Music Day is a global celebration of music, held annually on the summer solstice in over 1,000 cities worldwide. Wisconsin is the 2nd largest participant state in the U.S. and this year, the West Side joins the festivities with a curated lineup of local performers, interactive music stations for youth, and family-friendly activities.

“Davidson Park is a premier community hub in the West Side, and we’re thrilled to co-activate this space with live music, creativity, and community,” said Melissa Muller, Board President of Washington Park Neighbors. “Partnering with the Harley-Davidson Foundation helps us amplify our mission and welcome even more neighbors into the joy of music.”

As part of the celebration, attendees can expect a genre-blending lineup featuring orchestral fusion, hip hop, surf rock, and a live DJ set—plus food trucks, community vendors, and a beer garden. The event is free and open to the public.

This inaugural Make Music Day event at Davidson Park will open with a one-of-a-kind collaboration between cellist Peter Thomas (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra) and hip hop artist Malik Johnson (99 The Producer). Live beat-makers Slick Productions will merge with an improvised soundscape, culminating in a special collaborative set with emerging hip hop talent Protege‘. The evening shifts into high-energy surf rock with Milwaukee’s own Mambo Surfers, before closing with a vibrant global music DJ set from Jai Rock of WMSE. The first half of the program moves organically from orchestral fusion to hip hop and electronic, while the second half delivers upbeat live rock and finishes with a community dance vibe.

This initiative continues WPN’s mission to provide culturally diverse and inclusive arts programming across Washington Park and surrounding neighborhoods, with a special focus on accessibility and youth engagement.

For more information or to sign up to perform, visit: https://makemusicday.org/milwaukee

Follow www.washingtonparkneighbors.com for updates and full lineup announcements.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.