Colette Ikemi

Looking for the best free show of the summer? Check out the music this weekend at the 35th annual Nihonmachi Street Fair in San Francisco's Japantown (Post Street between Laguna and Webster).

Every summer the non-profit community festival convenes in Nihonmachi for the benefit of Asian American and Pacific Islander community groups, service agencies, and artisans from around the Bay Area.

"The Street Fair is a celebration of community service, heritage, and culture," says Grace Horikiri, president. "That commitment extends to the two days of free entertainment as well."

All About the Crowd

Joey Convento, entertainment co-chairman, points out that the fairﾕs goal is to create a supportive and appreciative atmosphere for local musicians while being entertaining for the crowd.

"The Nihonmachi Street Fair has a long tradition of setting the stage for Asian American and Pacific Islander performers to showcase their talents in front of an appreciative crowd," says Convento. "The audience knows the music is from the soul, too, and we're all friends and family here."

This year the Street Fair's theme is "Bringing Communities Together," so the mix promises to be even a little more diverse. "Some groups have performed with the fair since almost the beginning," says Reuben Houston, the other entertainment chair this year. "But at the same time we want to introduce new sounds, too."

The Weekend Line-up

Saturday's festivities will start at 11 a.m. with a performance by the West Coast Lion Dance Troupe - "a Street Fair tradition," Convento explains.

A Japantown favorite, Pulse, is up next at 11:45 a.m. with Top 40 hits.

Seven groups will follow: Safari (Latin/rock) at 12:30 p.m., Native Elements (reggae dub) at 1:15 p.m, Ryze (R&B/Motown/Latin) at 2 p.m., The Park (hip-hop/soul) at 2:45 p.m., Soulati (hip-hop) at 3:15 p.m., Mara Reggae (Brazilian dance) at 3:45 p.m., and Colette Ikemi & Friends (jazz/R&B) at 4:15 p.m.

The world-famous San Francisco Taiko Dojo, led by Seiichi Tanaka, will close the day's entertainment with a bang from 5 to 6 p.m.

On Sunday, hip-hop/funk by Bassment and Philtered Soul kicks off the show at 11:30 a.m.

Also appearing will be Tracy Cruz (neo-soul) at 12:20 p.m., Manuia Polynesia (Polynesian dance) at 12:45 p.m., Majestic Chris (DJ from WILD 94.9 FM) at 1:30 p.m., Rendezvous (R&B) at 1:45 p.m., The Island Groove (R&B/rock/Motown) at 2:30 p.m., Majestic Chris again at 3:15 p.m., Carlos Reyes (jazz harp and violin) at 3:30 p.m., and Julie Plug (alt rock) at 4:15 p.m.

Calisus, a local rock band, will close out the festival from 5 to 6 p.m.

"We hope folks will come to the fair to support the community groups," Convento says. "And when they do, they're going to hear some great music, too."

The festival will also feature a food bazaar, works by local artisans, and a children's area. For more information, visit www.nihonmachistreetfair.org or call (415) 771-9861.