Make Music Winter

Downtown Issaquah Association has Rovin’ Fiddlers Solstice Gathering.

By Natalie DeFord • December 20, 2019 1:30 am
The Historic Shell Station - one of two locations where Downtown Issaquah Association is having a Make Music Winter event Dec. 21. The other is The Depot. Courtesy photo
The Historic Shell Station - one of two locations where Downtown Issaquah Association is having a Make Music Winter event Dec. 21. The other is The Depot. Courtesy photo

Dec. 21 will feature a free musical event for all ages, the inaugural Make Music Winter 2019: The Rovin’ Fiddlers Winter Solstice Gathering.

Hosted by the Downtown Issaquah Association (DIA), the celebration will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Historic Shell Station (232 Front St. N.) and simultaneously from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Depot (78 First Ave. NE).

Related to the international summertime event, “Make Music,” the event aims to bring that same musical energy to the holiday season. Make Music is a nonprofit that promotes music across the world and encourages local communities to put together their own musical events in their hometown on the same day.

In Issaquah, each location has a different line-up.

The Rovin’ Fiddlers will be at The Depot and the festivities there kick off with a children’s hour of interactive story and music, followed by a Christmas carol singalong. Then there will be a ‘Sing Along Hootennany’ followed by a fiddle music open session and then a blues hour.

At the Shell Station, students from Puget Sounds Piano School will play holiday music. Then the owner of the school, Shannon Keeler, will play piano with Troy Kline, owner of Troy Salon. After that there will be a musical sing along. Guests can join in with the vocals or play an instrument.

“This is a time for students to be able to grab an instrument and be introduced to it and include themselves in the songs that are being played,” said Renee Barnes, DIA community programs manager.

Barnes said it is an opportunity for kids to come experience music and try it out. She said it’s also a fun event for the whole family to celebrate the season.

“It’s just special to be a part of the community,” she said. “If they’re looking for a festive event, it would be great for them to come down.”

Make Music granted the DIA some instruments for the event, she said. The hope is to get more community partners to participate in that way in the future.

The DIA’s Historic Shell Holiday Shop also will be taking place inside the Shell Station that day. The shop runs from noon to 6 p.m. on weekends until New Year’s Eve and offers a variety of homemade crafts and goods.

Steaming Unicorn Coffee will serve cider, hot chocolate and coffee at the Shell Station.