It’s time to start waving those jazz hands!

For 11 days, the corner of Ste. Catherine and Jeanne-Mance becomes Party Central as music fans from around the world gather downtown to take in the sights and sounds of --arguably-- one of the best music festivals in the world.

For some, preparations for the jazz fest begin months in advance. Tickets are pre-purchased and time off work is taken. There are music lovers out there who take this very seriously. They walk around sporting their souvenir T-shirts, with their dog-eared festival schedules in hand, intent on not missing a thing.

For others, the festival is simply an excuse to make their way downtown and enjoy the hustle and bustle. Summer just isn’t complete without taking in at least one outdoor show.

And, once again, the range of names on the marquee is simply staggering! From music royalty, like Aretha Franklin, James Taylor and Al Green, to young hipsters like Yael Naim and Sara Slean, to hip hop legends De La Soul, there's something here to appeal to everyone. For my money, some of the best shows in town are the free ones and we have 350 to choose from!

The opening night tribute to Leonard Cohen on June 26 promises to be a phenomenal affair and one I won't be missing. I'm a die-hard Cohen fan and have my edition of "Stranger Music" sitting next to my computer, always ready to open and read at a moment's notice. I consider him one of the most gifted wordsmiths in the world; a true national treasure and I have a silly habit of scanning the crowds for him when walking near Marie-Anne Street. There's no denying it; I have a serious crush on Cohen.

That being said, I refuse to spend over $200 of my hard-earned money to see him in concert, because it's his poetry and not his singing that mostly appeals to me. And besides… $200? Lenny, I understand that your manager fleeced you of every cent you owned while you were off at a monastery searching for all things Zen, but why must you now turn around and do the same to your loyal fans? Free tribute show is where you'll find me!

Sure the crowds are treacherous, finding parking is a true test of one’s patience (take the metro), security is sometimes overbearing, someone smoking pot will always end up standing right next to you, rain will somehow always fall just as the show you’ve been waiting for begins and you’ll be damned if you’re giving up your hard-earned spot, but so what? In hindsight, it somehow always manages to become one glorious blur, and all you end up remembering is that one perfect moment, during that one perfect free show that makes you feel that you live in that one perfect city.