Yes, the spirit (cautiously) emerging from the downslope of the pandemic is guardedly optimistic: smiles, loud communal laughter, and maybe even hugs if we really trust the hugee.

And if there isn't that wild, assured abandon of the St. Patty's Days or Mardi Gras of yore, we're getting there — and as such we thirst for live music.

Behold! Monday is the 10th annual local observance of Make Music Day — a worldwide celebration of song and those who create, play, listen, sing and dance. The event started three decades ago in France and has spread, well ... like a really good pandemic.

Hosting the regional Make Music Day activities is the Cultural Coalition, which has worked diligently with area venues, businesses and musicians to get it all coordinated.

"Music soothes us, inspires us, lifts our spirits, tells us stories, connects friends and strangers, and moves us emotionally," says Wendy Bury, executive director of the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition. "Make Music Day is a celebration of music, and this year, we need it now more than ever —  to heal, reconnect and celebrate. We are so grateful to the musicians, venues and supporters for, once again, helping us to offer Make Music Day to our communities."

Rich Martin, owner of New London's Telegraph Records Shop, a musician, business leader and promoter who has worked diligently on Make Music Day, feels a similar excitement. "Obviously, there's a real yearning across the board to get back to the things that bring communities together," Martin says. "There's nothing more universal than music when it come to doing just that, so the timing of Make Music Day — as we emerge from our collective COVID isolation — couldn't be more ideal."

Locally — 2020 aside, of course — our observance of Make Music Day in southeastern Connecticut continues to grow. The schedules for this year indicate a huge jump in participation across a variety of styles and in a variety of venues.

"There's a palpable excitement from my musician friends to get back onstage, and the same can be said for those ready to receive the good vibes from performances," Martin says. "We'll have stages scattered all across the downtown, and a new stage hosted by our friends at Q105 and 102.3 The Wolf."

Bury suggests Make Music Day essentially serves as a soundtrack to society's re-emergence, saying the event offers performances "reflecting the 'new normal' in a soon-to-be-post-COVID world."

SCHEDULE — MAKE MUSIC DAY 2021 (all events are free; for more information of scheduling updates go to www.culturesect.org)

Cultured Studios

237 State St., New London

5:30 p.m. — An UrbanNerd (hip hop)

6:30 p.m. — Sammy Chiba (blues)

7:30 p.m. — Ariana Stanberry (jazz)

Cumulus Media

7 Governor Winthrop Blvd., New London

Noon — Cellophane Kiss (punk/indie)

12:45 p.m. — Nickelodeon barbershop quartet (a capella)

3 p.m. — Double the Dial (rock/indie)

5 p.m. — The Michel Family Band

6 p.m. — Trevor Giles (rock/jazz)

6:45 p.m. — Danny Fleet (indie)

7:30 p.m. — Shed Life (punk)

8:30 p.m. — Byrd StayLow (rap/R&B/reggae)

East Lyme Community Center

41 East Lyme Community Center, East Lyme

2 p.m. — East Lyme Senior Guitar Group (folk/pop)

Garde Arts Center Marquee

325 State St., New London

11 a.m. — Leigh and Hunter Duo (jazz)

Noon — Nickelodeon barbershop quartet (a capella)

1 p.m. — Geoff Kaufman (folk/world)

2:30 p.m. — Byrd StayLow (rap/R&B/reggae)

3 p.m. — Lynefire Productions (rap/R&B/reggae)

4 p.m. — Double the Dial (indie/folk-rock)

4:30 p.m. — Ryan Townsend (alt rock/folk)

5 p.m. — Kala Farnham (pop)

5:30 p.m. — Bruce A. McDermott (folk/blues)

Groton Public Library

52 Newtown Road, Groton

5 p.m. — Nosomo (bluegrass/Celtic)

Hygienic Art Park

79 Bank St., New London

4 p.m. — Bruce A. McDermott (folk/blues)

4:30 p.m. — And Am (indie folk)

5 p.m. — Double the Dial (indie rock/folk)

5:30 p.m. — Lynefire Productions (rap/R&B/soul)

6:30 p.m. — Kala Farham (pop)

7:30 p.m. — Brian S Gore (country rock)

8:30 p.m. — Gadjzo (jazz/world)

Make Music Artreach, Inc.

401 W. Thames St. Unit 702, Norwich

10:30 a.m. — Artreach Jazz Band

Noon — Finding Your Groove with Artreach

Make Music Old Lyme52 Lyme St., Old Lyme

All performances 5-7 p.m. 

Midnight Anthem (country/folk)

Not My Wife (indie)

Marcy Conway (indie)

Welcome to Space (indie)

Nightingale's Fiddlers (Americana)

Hot Strings Cafe (Americana)

Braiden Sunshine (pop)

Plywood Cowboy (Americana)

Moving Target Band (jazz/pop)

Old Lyme Town Band (standards)

Whiskey & Aspirin and Friends (Americana)

Woodsmoke (Americana)

New London Homeless Hospitality Center

730 State Pier Road, New London

1:45 PM — Nosamé (rap/soul/R&B)

New London's Whale Tail Stage

50 State St., New London

1:30 p.m. — Jampson Jubilee (eclectic)

2:15 p.m. — Brian S Gore (songwriter)

3 p.m. — Ada Mae Florek (indie/pop)

3:45 p.m. — Hugh Birdsall (Americana/folk/standards)

4:30 p.m. — Sandy Allen (Americana)

5:15 p.m. Christopher Listorti & Friends

6 p.m. — Slyne & The Family Stoned (experimental)

6:45 p.m. — New London Drone Orchestra (experimental/ambient)

Norwich Arts Center

62 Broadway, Norwich

2 p.m. — Nickelodeon barbershop quartet (a capella)

5:30 p.m. — Byrd StayLow (rap/reggae)

Public Library of New London

(Online only)

Noon — Alec Leshy (jazz/blues)

Right Path Organic Cafe

147 Bank St., New London

Noon — Leigh and Hunter Duo (jazz)

The Bill Memorial Library

240 Monument St., Groton

10 a.m. — Miss Mary-Jane and friends (kids)

Waterford Public Library

49 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford

2 p.m. — Jiayi He (via Zoom, classical harmonica)

4 p.m. — Byrd StayLow (rap/R&B/reggae)

4:30 p.m. — Hinz Piano Studio (classical)

5 p.m. — Cellophane Kiss (punk/indie)

6:30 p.m. — Nickelodeon Barbershop Quartet (a capella)