Yoko Ono's "Imagine Peace" sing-a-long in Times Square part of Make Music Winter in NYC

artist rendering of Yoko Ono Imagine Peace

On December 21st, come together and sing John Lennon’s “Imagine” at the very moment Yoko Ono’s new video IMAGINE PEACE lights up sixteen Times Square billboards at 11:57pm.

IMAGINE PEACE is Yoko Ono’s worldwide initiative of anti-violence. In the film, the words “Imagine Peace” are written in 24 languages set over the tranquil imagery of a blue-sky background. The piece has been transformed into a multi-channel work specifically for Times Square, and spreads the message of peace across Times Square’s monumental screens simultaneously.

Says Yoko Ono: “It’s Time for Action, Action is Peace. Think Peace, Act Peace, Spread Peace, IMAGINE PEACE! Together we have the power to change the world. I LOVE YOU!!”

Yoko Ono‘s “Imagine Peace” is part of the second annual Make Music Winter which, like its summer version, has free, live, outdoor music happening all over NYC on Friday (12/21). Almost all of them are participitory and you can be a part of it (some require musical skills, some do not).

Other notable Make Music Winter events include “James Holt: Thru-Line” (2 – 3 PM), where “amateur and professional string players disperse to each of the Brooklyn-bound G train subway platforms. Over the course of an hour, every time a train arrives, musicians will step in and out of the front car to give subway riders a continuous, tag-team performance of the famous Prelude from J.S. Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G major.”

There’s also Phil Kline‘s ambient boombox work “Peregrine” starting at 7 PM in front of BAM and migrating through Fort Greene, Brooklyn till 7:45. Boomboxes will be provided to the first 50 participants, and if you bring your own they’ll provide you with a cassette.

There’s lots more happening with Make Music Winter, you can check out the schedule here.