If you dislike war, then HONK!

Weekend-long festival of activist street musicians begins on Friday

If you hear a chorus of horns any time this weekend, it may or may not be because of traffic, but it certainly is because of a jam.

As part of the fourth annual HONK! Festival, all weekend, 30 bands from around the world will be marching through Boston neighborhoods, making a joyful racket, to raise awareness to defeat world violence and oppression.

Ken Field is a founding member of a 15-piece street band called the Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band. He says the best part about playing with such a big group of big groups is that they just absorb the listeners.

“Audience members are just blown away,” he says. “It’s the best event they’ve experienced in the Boston area.”

Field recognizes the profound generosity from volunteers who opened their homes to house the 300 artists. Support from local businesses also provides food and travel expenses as the artists do not perform for monetary gain.

“It’s a long flight from Rome to Boston, but it’s worth it,” says sax player Erika Raffaeli from Italy’s funky punk jazz band, the Pink Puffers.

HONK! Festival
All weekend
Various locations
www.honkfest.org