Summer may not officially begin until the summer solstice arrives on June 21st, but the festivities to kickoff the season will nevertheless begin four days earlier with the Smirnoff Street Party, the opening bacchanal that will initiate ICRT's 100 Days of Summer.
The party, sponsored by Smirnoff and hosted by ICRT, Taiwan's main English-language radio station, will be broadcast live over the air. ICRT DJ's will be on hand to provide a running commentary of the street party.
The hub of the party will happen at the Combat Zone, centered on Shuangcheng (
Festivities officially begin at 6pm with performances from David Foster Band, Public Radio, Big Brass Balls, Coach, and China Blue.
While you are enjoying the rock, punk, pop and blues, there will also be clowns on hand to entertain, face and body painting to jazz up your natural palette, and other lively street activities to contribute to an all-round festive atmosphere. And after the music has ended, at 11pm, the Mr. and Mrs. Goodbody Contest will begin its task of crowning the best bodies in Taiwan.
The Combat Zone's summer kick-off street party has been around for two years, and despite only limited promotion, last year's event enjoyed an attendance of 3,500 people.
This year, weather-permitting, party planners expect a turnout of 10,000 people over the course of the party's six hours.
Andrew Sheppard, bassist of Public Radio, says, "This is the kind of event that Taipei needs. It has the potential to open the doors to music festivals and more live music in general. We are happy to be playing with all of the other bands. They are all going to bring their best set and make the Combat Zone shake." The event is free of charge and open to everyone; party coordinators only ask that those under 18 refrain from drinking alcohol. So shape up, look good, and take a load off. Summer's creeping close.
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