Schedule

Friday, June 21

Make Music Ellensburg! June 21st is recognized worldwide as Make Music Day! It is the one day a year when people around the world celebrate the importance of music through free, open, and inclusive events. 

Come support more than 40 young musicians and singers from 4:00 – 8:00 at INK (405 N Main St, Ellensburg) as they perform. 

June 21st also marks Make Music Ellensburg’s Grand Opening in their new location on 2nd Avenue in Downtown. 

Learn more about Make Music Ellensburg and their valuable contribution to our community and to youth. MakeMusicEllensburg.com

Saturday, June 22

Music at the Market. Local musicians will share their talents during Ellensburg’s Saturday Farmers Market. The stage will be at the corner of 4th and Pine in front of our new Ellensburg Postcard Mural.

Make Music Ellensburg Strum-Along. Join the fun at 2 pm at the new Make Music Ellensburg building on 2nd Street, across from the skate park & behind the FISH food bank. This is part of our grand re-opening weekend, Make Music Day, & Gustfest festivals!

 

Peter Blecha, author and music historian. Long before grunge, the Pacific Northwest had a unique music culture. In the late 1950s, locals created a distinct rockin’ R&B offshoot, leading to the success of bands like Little Bill & the Bluenotes, the Wailers, Ron Holden, Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Kingsmen, the City Zu, Merrilee Rush, and the Sonics.

Peter Blecha provides engaging firsthand accounts from hundreds of interviews. He will provide an engaging multimedia presentation at Hal Holms at 4:30.

Learn more about Peter Blecha at the Peter Blecha Blog. 

 

Sunday, June 23

GustFest 2024 is a family-friendly, free event that celebrates the musical sounds of Kittitas County with live bands, historical presentations, and interactive exhibits. Enjoy delicious food from Los Chalitos Food Truck and Good Mood Food, and relax in the beer garden by Iron Horse Brewery.

Don’t miss the chance to contribute your music treasures and memorabilia to the Kittitas County Historical Museum on Sunday, June 23, from 1:00 to 7:00. Help us preserve our musical heritage for future generations.

Celebrate, capture memories, and make history with us!

The Headliners. The grand finale at the Kittitas County Event Center includes the Ellensburg Music Preservation Project, a community effort to collect and preserve local music memorabilia. The day will be packed with live bands, food trucks, a beer garden, merchandise stands, and a place for attendees to donate or share their music memories with the Museum.

The highlight is the performance by the Bonafide Band, featuring Krist Novoselić, the renowned bassist of Nirvana and current member of 3rd Secret. Novoselić’s electrifying project also includes his longtime friend and collaborator Mark Pickerel (Screaming Trees, Truly, Brandi Carlile, and Ellensburg local), versatile musician Kathy Moore (Brad, Star Anna), and the talented vocalists Jillian Weiss and Jennifer Johnson from 3rd Secret. This stellar lineup promises a performance that you won’t want to miss.

The lineup for GustFest also features a diverse array of local musical talent, showcasing the incredible skills of bands and musicians. Get ready to be entertained by the amazing performances of these accomplished musicians at the celebration.

  • Hard as Folk
  • Star Anna
  • Sam Albright and Friends
  • Dan James
  • Billy Mac – Late for Supper
  • Birdie Fenn Cent
  • The Roberts
  • BoneFide Band