Sounds that soothe: The streets of
Sendai become makeshift stages during the Jozenji Streetjazz Festival. (C) JOZENJI STREETJAZZ FESTIVAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
Staff writer
In times of trouble music can soothe the soul. And
if anyone's souls needed soothing, it would be the people of Sendai.
The capital of Miyagi Prefecture is located 130 km
east of the epicenter of the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, and has been
hit by more than 1,500 aftershocks.
The situation caused the organizers of the city's
Jozenji Streetjazz Festival to consider whether or not they wanted to continue
with this year's celebrations, but in the end they decided it might be exactly
what people are in need of.
Last year's festival attracted around 740,000
people, according to organizers who hope this year will attract even more.
Jozenji Streetjazz Festival has become one of Sendai's main festivals, with
local business coming together to help fund the citywide party. On top of the
45 official stages, expect gigs to pop up in unusual places such as shop
arcades, parks and in the entrances to department stores.
This year's party gets going with a prefestival
performance on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. when France's Remi Panossian Trio performs at
Sendai Mediatheque's open square.
Sept. 10-11 will then see a multitude of gigs with
acts such as Kazunori Kumagai and duo Fried Pride representing some of the best
grooves Japan has to offer, alongside overseas performers such as Sweden's
Margareta Bengtson and The United States Army Band.
Jozenji Streetjazz Fesitval takes place at various
locations in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Sept. 9-11. Street performances take
place from 11 a.m. till 6 p.m. Night shows take place from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m.
For more information, call (022) 722-7382 or visit www.j-streetjazz.com.
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