Got summer plans? Participate in Where in the World are LU? ! Wear your Lawrence swag or show off your Lawrence gear wherever you’re at—whether it’s your hometown, across the country, or around the globe.
To participate:
Anyone to shares or submits a photo will be entered to win a fun prize!
Make Music Day Appleton is an annual event celebrated worldwide as part of the Fête de la Musique. The Fête de la Musique is a festival that takes place in over 1,000 cities in more than 120 countries on the summer solstice, which falls on June 21 each year. This day is set aside to celebrate music in all its diverse forms and encourages people to come together and play free public concerts.
This year, on Friday, June 21, 2024, Appleton will host a variety of events at various locations in the heart of our beloved city, along College Avenue.
Make Music Day Appleton is open to anyone and everyone! All ages, skill levels, and musical categories are welcome to participate in this exciting event.
Learn more on the Make Music Day Website!
In the case of inclement weather, events will be moved indoors.
11:00 – 11:30 | Family Music with Ms. Karli @ Heid Music Back Lot
Interactive music making for families & focused for kids ages 1-5
11:00 – 12:00 | Indigenous Rattle Making @ Building for Kids
In collaboration with First Nations Outreach, Inc. you’ll be making a Turtle Rattle out of household items that our young ones can take home with their family. We will also be sharing the significance of the Turtle in the Indigenous Culture. A singing performance will follow with additional engagement from the audience. Free with admission to the Building for Kids is an Indigenous rattle making workshop.
11:05 – 11:50 | Introduction to Mariachi @ Lawrence University
Learn about and experience mariachi singing and guitar.
11:30 – 12:15 | Roomful of Pianos @ Heid Music Piano Gallery
Repertoire will range from classical to rock, with a special tribute to George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” for its 100th anniversary, featuring a unique multi-piano arrangement for an unforgettable experience.
11:30 – 12:30 | Dance Workshop with Moulin Rouge Cast @Appleton YMCA (Don’t need to be a member to participate)
A cast member from Broadway touring production of Moulin Rouge will be leading a group through a dance workshop with moves from the show.
12:00 – 1:00 | Bluegrass Jam with Debbie Wagner @ Heid Music Back Lot
Join us for a Bluegrass Jam session with Debbie Wagner, where you’ll learn to play without sheet music (Chords: G, C, D, A), embrace jam etiquette, and connect with fellow musicians, whether you play guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bass, ukulele, or sing—come jam, sing along, or enjoy the live music! Bring a capo, chair and get ready to jam!
1:00 – 5:00 | Instrument Petting Zoo @ Heid Music
Explore and play a wide variety of musical instruments at the Heid Music Instrument Petting Zoo, open to all skill levels. With guidance from Heid Music Sales Specialists, enjoy a fun and educational experience with brass, string, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
1:00 – 5:00 | Open Mic @ Heid Music Guitar Gallery
Join us for Make Music Day at our Open Mic Extravaganza from 1pm to 5pm, where musicians of all styles and skill levels can showcase their talents in a supportive environment. All instruments and genres are welcome—enjoy diverse performances, connect with local musicians, and celebrate the spirit of music and community in 10-minute time slots.
1:00 – 4:00 | Guitar Restring & Care Overview @ Heid Music Guitar Gallery
Join us anytime from 1-4pm to learn more about care for your guitar and there is a limited supply of strings from Elixir Strings with a complimentary guitar restring from Heid Music.
1:00 – 1:45 | In Harmony Workshop @ Fox Cities PAC – KC Theater
Step into a world of inclusive music-making with us! Music therapists from Expressive Therapies and a quartet from the talented Fox Valley Symphony are partnering to offer an interactive experience for all ages and abilities. Discover the therapeutic joys of music while unleashing your creativity, whether you’re a seasoned musician or a newcomer. Together, we’ll explore endless musical possibilities and create harmonies that resonate with your soul.
1:00 – 1:30| Bucket Drumming @Houdini Plaza
Join us for an exhilarating bucket drumming event during the Appleton Make Music Day celebrations, featuring the energetic and talented Jack Mutschler. This fun-filled session invites participants of all ages and skill levels to explore the rhythmic world of drumming using everyday buckets.
1:30 – 2:00 | Exploring the music of Trinidad – Steel Drum/Jumbie Jam Fun @ Heid Music Back Lot
Join us to celebrate and discover the music from the Caribbean Island of Trinidad! Together we will take a journey to learn how the amazing Steel Drums or Steel Pans came about. Starting with bamboo sticks, called Tamboo Bamboo to what is known today as Steel Pans! You will get to learn and play along with us on Tamboo Bamboo and a smaller Steel Pan called Jumbie Jams! Use of Jumbie Jams courtesy of Panyard & The Building for Kids.
2:00 – 2:45 | Harmonica Workshop 101 @ Heid Music Back Piano Gallery
Harmonica Workshop 101 with Lee Nimmer and Michael Twombly, and Rob Burkham. Experience multiple styles of harmonica, straight harp and cross harp. Lee and Michael will cover the basics of chords, scales, rhythm, and leads. See a disassembled harmonica and learn the history behind the one instrument that you can not see while playing!
2:00 – 2:45 | Dragon Legacy Workshop @ Fox Valley PAC – KC Theater
Traditional Chinese Dance with long sleeves- Lu Zhang
Chinese Folk Dance with fans- Fox Valley Ladies’ Dance team
Chinese Flute- Roger
Waist Drum – Jianhua Cheng
Authentic Chinese dance – Min Huang
2:00 – 3:00 | Uke Jam @ Houdini Plaza
Join us for a delightful uke jam session during the Appleton Make Music Day celebrations, led by the talented Katie DeNure. This joyous event invites ukulele enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to come together and strum along to their favorite tunes. Katie, renowned for her warm teaching style and musical expertise, will guide participants through a variety of songs, providing tips and techniques to enhance your playing.
3:00 – 3:45 | Flowerpot Music @ Heid Music Education Annex
Flowerpot Music, an innovative composition by acclaimed composer Elliot Cole and under the direction of percussionist Peter Ferry, showcases the unlikely yet enchanting sounds of flowerpots.
3:00 – 3:45 | IndUS Workshop @ Fox Valley PAC
Join us at the IndUS Workshop for an immersive experience in traditional Indian dancing, where participants of all ages can learn and enjoy vibrant dance forms. This enriching workshop celebrates the rich cultural heritage of India, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the rhythm and grace of Indian dance
3:00 – 3:45 | Drum Making Workshop @ Building for Kids
Join us for an exciting drum-making workshop during the Appleton Make Music Day celebrations, led by the creative and skilled Beth Vanderloop. This hands-on event invites participants of all ages to craft their own unique drums using a variety of materials.
5:00 – 5:45 | Sing (or Play!)-A-Long Showcase @ Houdini Plaza
This singalong (or play-along!) showcase will be hosted by Jennifer Harlee, and will feature many well-known hits. Bring your instrument or your voice and join in the fun!
Over Spring Term, Professor Brigid Vance’s History 203 class, Joshua Altshuler (Visiting Reference Instruction Librarian) and Claire Cannell (University Archivist and Assistant Professor) researched and put together an exhibit on “What is First-Year Studies” in Seeley G. Mudd Library! You can still see the exhibit for yourself through Friday, June 14.
Professor Vance shared: “This term, students researched different aspects of the First-Year Studies program at Lawrence. They chose the focal points of their essays and the exhibition based on archival research and also through conversation with former directors, professors, and students.”
To apply, email a resume and short statement of interest to Kim Eckstein (kim.a.eckstein@lawrence.edu).
Each summer, Lawrence offers a program of seminars at Björklunden that brings alumni and the general public to the lodge for lifelong learning opportunities, and students are employed to assist with this program.
Student summer workers at Björklunden have the opportunity to work in an intellectually and naturally stimulating environment. Students learn and apply new skills and develop more fully skills that they bring to the position while enjoying summer at the beautiful Björklunden lodge with room and board included.
Saturday, June 8 | 12-1:30 p.m.
Main Hall Green
Senior, families, faculty, and staff are invited to a cookout Saturday afternoon! You will also be able to enjoy a concert by the Graduation Band 12-1 p.m., also on Main Hall Green.
Saturday, June 8 & Saturday, June 15 | 12-3 p.m.
2nd Floor Warch Campus Center
Get your LU swag, and get it on sale! Stop by Warch to get C-Store closeout items at major discounts.
Questions? Contact katescornerstore@lawrence.edu.
Saturday, June 8 | 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Memorial Chapel
All members of the Lawrence Community are invited to Memorial Chapel at 2:30 p.m. for a multi-spirited reflection of a shared spiritual journey. James Gandre ’81 has been chosen as the speaker this year.
Friday, June 7 | 7:30-9 p.m.
Memorial Chapel
Celebrate the class of 2024 musicians in this annual concert! Please also join us for a reception in Shattuck 163 following the concert.
Wednesday, June 5 & Thursday, June 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Warch 324 – Somerset Room
Seniors: Your caps and gowns will be waiting for you to pick up!
As you make your plans for Commencement celebrations, keep in mind that Saturday, June 8 will be a busy day in downtown Appleton!
The Downtown Appleton Farm Market will run 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. from Drew Street to Appleton Street, including Houdini Plaza.
The Appleton Flag Day Parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. The route begins at Oneida St/Wisconsin Ave and heads west to State St, then south to College Ave. It continues east and turns north on Drew St to City Park.
There will also be a Pre-Parade Patriotic Concert at Noon in Houdini Plaza.
