GRATITUDE: #MakeAJoyfulNoise launching citywide at 8 tonight

This has apparently already started in some neighborhoods – Jeremy emailed us this morning saying he happened onto it last night on a street in North Admiral – but now there’s a citywide call to #MakeAJoyfulNoise starting at 8 pm tonight to show gratitude. The announcement:

Let’s make some noise, Seattle! Seattle’s cultural community in association with the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture encourages residents to participate in a civic-wide celebration of people on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Starting 8 p.m. sharp Thursday evening, we’re asking Seattleites to join a movement that began in European countries, opening our windows, standing on our balconies, from our front yards, backyards and or anywhere you can to make a joyful noise letting the healthcare and front line workers know how much we appreciate them. People can clap their hands, raise their voices, bang some pots and pans to show solidarity, and let the front line know how much they are appreciated.

The message is simple #MakeAJoyfulNoise asks us to:

Applaud our healthcare workers
Celebrate those on the front lines
Make a joyful noise at 8 p.m. starting Thursday (26th of March)

We are doing this to celebrate the front lines, which include grocery store workers, supply chain specialists, janitors, Fire, Police, nurses and doctors and health care workers, sanitary workers, and so many more. We’d also like to bring some cheer to these dreary days in Seattle.

31 Replies to "GRATITUDE: #MakeAJoyfulNoise launching citywide at 8 tonight"

  • Scubafrog March 26, 2020 (11:21 am)

    This is great, I can’t even begin to show how grateful I am for our first responders  and those on the front lines.  I can’t volunteer for medical reasons until this pandemic is over, but I’ve been donating, and have big plans to volunteer and show my gratitude via my actions.  Thank you SO MUCH for being their for our community, and for America  <3 <3 <3

  • Guy Olson March 26, 2020 (11:23 am)

    I’ll play some Christeene on my outdoor speakers at my place on Alki for them. 

  • rb March 26, 2020 (12:18 pm)

    i thought  that in Europe they sung and played national anthems, and upbeat songs. Some even with violins or other instruments they can transport to their balconies. Call me old school, but I hope it’s not going to be pots and pants and bangs, etc. I can see how some kids, pets, or elderly may be frightened rather than uplifted.   

  • Eric March 26, 2020 (12:19 pm)

    Please move the time up to 6:00. People are supposed to be home all day anyway so it shouldn’t be that big of a deal. There’s no reason to make that much noise at 8:00.  Maybe you’d all like me to bring my screaming baby into your homes at night so you can hear her contribute to your “joyful” noise. My wife is on the frontlines of this virus at the VA hospital, and the last thing she needs is her baby waking up screaming because you all are banging pots and pans around.

    • KM March 26, 2020 (12:44 pm)

      Okay Eric, we’ll adjust a city-wide effort for your baby.

      • eric March 26, 2020 (4:46 pm)

        It’s not about the baby, it’s about my first responder wife who’s had to adjust to an earlier shift in order to deal with the increased patient load at her hospital.

        • Luke March 26, 2020 (6:03 pm)

          I’m with you Eric. My wife works at Harborview. Starts early. I’m sure she’d much rather be sleeping than listening to the neighbors bang pots and pans as suggested. 

    • William March 26, 2020 (2:05 pm)

      I agree. I have elderly neighbors, who are mostly terrified these days, and the sick husband goes to bed at 7:30pm. 8pm is a ludicrous time for this. 

  • arborheights27 March 26, 2020 (12:49 pm)

    Please people, no fireworks. I know this is a well-meaning idea, but this isn’t the same as the Seahawks winning! 

  • HS March 26, 2020 (12:52 pm)

    I’m clapping. People are working so hard, really in the trenches… I’m standing ovation clapping at 8pm. Then I’m drinking a glass of wine and being thankful for many things.

  • H March 26, 2020 (1:07 pm)

    Great idea, but agree on moving the time up. Most kids (hopefully) are in bed by that time.

  • Brad March 26, 2020 (1:28 pm)

    We’ve been blowing our conch shells every night at sunset for the past week!

  • Just wondering March 26, 2020 (1:36 pm)

    I’m just going to clap hands!

  • WS REZ March 26, 2020 (1:43 pm)

    Im on charlestown. I’M IN! Hear ya guys at 8pm  ;-)

  • Tiffany March 26, 2020 (2:18 pm)

    It’s dark at 8 and my little kids are in bed. Why not earlier so they can participate? I think we’ll go out at 6. And yes, let’s sing and play music if we can!

    • MacGrey March 26, 2020 (3:34 pm)

      Yes – echo this. Kiddos are in bed by 8pm, or at least getting there. 

  • anonyme March 26, 2020 (2:24 pm)

    Agree with Eric and others.  Make it earlier, and make it respectful.  A beautiful Italian soprano serenading from a balcony at midday (which I found incredibly moving) is a far cry from idiots banging pots and pans at bedtime.  Making a stupid amount of pure noise has nothing to do with showing respect to our medical responders – whose shifts start at dawn.   It just sounds like an excuse to be obnoxious.

  • kumalavula March 26, 2020 (2:57 pm)

    if people are interested in showing additional gratitude to first responders specifically at this time, i got an email from the medic one foundation which is also highlighting options. i especially like the “feed the crew” option but there are various donation amounts.  personally i don’t think we can show them enough gratitude!link is: https://www.mediconefoundation.org/gratitude-meal/

  • first responder March 26, 2020 (3:52 pm)

    First responder here, I appreciate the sentiment but I go to bed at 8 to wake up for my pre dawn shift. 

  • Suzanne March 26, 2020 (6:10 pm)

    KUMALAVULA: Thank you for this suggestion. I just donated.  If anyone knows of other local organizations like this one we can support, let us know!  

  • Christine Cranston March 26, 2020 (8:04 pm)

    Could we please do this without fireworks? I love the idea of music or community solidarity but my dogs and cats are afraid. They are already dealing with the mood changes in the house. Just claps or music please! 

  • elizabeth and Chris March 26, 2020 (8:06 pm)

    We rang our bell for a minute at Fauntleroy! We’re grateful for everyone caring for our community— during this difficult time. thank you! (Didn’t hear a peep from neighbors…)

  • Tom March 26, 2020 (8:10 pm)

    I’ve been a “front line” volunteer for five weeks and begin my “work” at 3-5AM daily, crashing by 8-9pm.  I’m with others:  fabulous sentiment and expression; just move it up a notch to 6pm. Cheers!

  • SorryNotSorry March 26, 2020 (8:11 pm)

    Just heard fireworks (or some other loud explosion?) in High Point. This health care provider would prefer a quiet evening. It’s time to get some sleep…

    • BAS March 26, 2020 (8:18 pm)

      Sorry about that. We love you. We appreciate you. In lieu of a hug, we made some loud noise so you know we’re with you. 

      • SorryNotSorry March 26, 2020 (8:39 pm)

        You are very kind. Thank you. I do appreciate the good intentions, despite my Scrooge-like tendencies. 

    • Scubafrog March 27, 2020 (10:56 am)

      Thank you so much for what you do, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you!

  • Rh March 26, 2020 (8:49 pm)

    There seems to be a lot of complaining here. This is a beautiful sentiment however you choose to share and express. Historically and currently all over the world “cacerolazos” or banging of pots and pans have been used for a call to attention. We are protesting the dang virus and bringing attention and thanks to the beautiful people who serve. Many close friends are nurses and also have to work night shifts. Apologies for the late noise, hopefully you know we are with you and have your back. Cheers 

  • KayK March 26, 2020 (8:51 pm)

    We rang our bells and played the ukulele at 8- just as a late delivery arrived via UPS- driver delivered with a smile hearing the fanfare. We hear you and your work here in Highland Park those still working for us all. 

  • TWST March 26, 2020 (9:18 pm)

    For those concerned about the noise of this happening at 8pm…

    I know, everyone is on edge right now, we’re all tired, especially those working on the front line. And it’s easy to expect the worst.

    However, please try to also see the good in this. It’s intended to be a positive thing, to show appreciation. It’s one way we can show support to all those working right now, to band together as a community for a few minutes, to take positive action at a time when people are feeling helpless.

    I also don’t think it’s intended to go on at length, just a couple minutes of clapping and cheering…?

    Having said that, I really hope people are respectful and don’t turn this isn’t a noise nuisance, get carried away, or abuse this opportunity to make a ruckus!

    Thank you to all the essentials out there and to all who are just doing what they can to weather this and to support one another. Hang in there everyone, stay well!

  • WSB March 26, 2020 (9:38 pm)

    Thanks to everyone who sent video …working on a separate followup!

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