Consider the Jazz

For 47 years, the Detroit International Jazz Festival has been drawing crowds with the promise of sun, fun, and fine music. Visitors would argue that it does just that.

The DIJF is held every Labor Day weekend in the heart of Detroit. People from all around the state come with the expectation of hearing some of the best jazz artists perform right in front of them- and they get to do just that for free. DIJF is the world's largest free jazz festival.

As expected, a world class festival that can be attended with no cost attracts countless jazz-- well, all music-- lovers. Seats are packed. Lines for food are long. If you don't show up to a stage 20 minutes early to see a world renowned artist play for an hour, you end up standing on the railing inside crowds of other people who also didn't manage to grab a free seat in time.
But it's actually worth it. Sure, standing isn't the most relaxing position, but the experience of listening to a live Great go crazy on a tune you've listened to on repeat on Spotify surrounded by people who stand in the same silent awe as you...

Of course, it's not for everyone. Attendees are mostly musicians or just music enthusiasts in general. But music doesn't cause question of morality, nor is it required to pay to turn on your ears. And it certainly doesn't involve boiling living things alive.

Comments

  1. Marina MalyarenkoFebruary 25, 2018 at 1:26 PM

    This is a great contrast! It also sounds like something I'd want to go to. Maybe the selfless nature of music lends itself to a free festival; the two ideas seem to go together well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 25, 2018 at 2:39 PM

    I love how you adapted parts of Wallace's piece in your writing. Yet, you also build a comparison and contrast between the Maine Lobster Festival (MLF) and the Detroit International Jazz Festival (DIJF).

    ReplyDelete

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