The official poster for the 2008 Modern Sky Festival [ent.sina.com.cn]

Modern Sky Festival, an annual concert series for music fans, will open in the capital city's Haidian Park on September 30, the Beijing Times reports.

Preparations for the festival are in full swing, Shen Lihui, director of the event, told the newspaper.

The festival features not only music, but any art forms that commonly appeal to young people, Shen said.

Shen Lihui, director of the 2008 Modern Sky Festival, gives an interview to the Beijing Times. [jinghua.cn]

Vendors at an art fair will sell homemade crafts, and exhibitions will showcase works by young artists during the three-day event, Shen added.

Another highlight of the festival is its promotion of greener lifestyles. The festival, in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund, will utilize energy-saving bulbs for lighting and has printed the festival pamphlets on recycled paper. The organizers will also pay for carbon offets to counteract the emissions produced by the performers' travel. The money will be put toward future environmental protection campaigns.

This year's music festival will primarily feature domestic singers and bands, including mainland rock icons Zhang Chu and He Yong and the Carsick Cars.

The festival starts at 1:00 p.m. each day from September 30 to October 2 with tickets selling for 60 yuan.

(CRI September 28, 2008)