Music travels the world

On the evening of June 21 every year the streets of Paris are filled with music. Jazz and Rock.  Classical concerts. Bands on the corners, in the parks and on stages around the city. It is the Fete de la Musique.  Metros are full as people go from place to place enjoying the music.  Walking to dinner one June 21st we came upon a New York Gospel choir performing on a small stage on a main street.  Surprises are everywhere.

This year the surprise came when watching TV with a friend in a small village, St. Benoit, not far from Paris.  Along with the news from the World Cup were the photos of the Fete de la Musique --- in Shanghai.    French expats imported something from home.  A night to celebrate music.  On June 21 in Shanghai, the evening before June 21 would arrive in Paris, there was music in the streets.

One festival in two places.  Yet again, music links us across the globe.  In this instance it is reminder that as we move, live in new places, learn new languages, new customs we also import touches of home, sharing our lives with our new friends.