Penza, 15 May 2015. PenzaNews. An open-air preface concert to Jazz May festival was held at the fountain square of Sputnik City apartment complex of Penza in the evening of Thursday, May 14.

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The audience saw three well-known bands: “Ra-JHA” and “Optimystica Orchestra” from St. Petersburg, the former composed of renown rock group musicians, and “Kvartal” from Moscow.

Each band presented an almost hour-long performance of their best music, and after the sunset the bands were joined by a fire show from “Agni Kai” fire theater.

The concert was accompanied by several recreation zones around the Sputnik City apartment complex riverbank that sold very much demanded hot tea and coffee; a children’s playground; and a Serebryany Dozhd radio station photo booth where the visitors could take a picture with a musical instrument.

The Sura river embankment that evening was unusually popular among cyclists and roller skaters.

The embankment also hosted an information booth where people could learn about the upcoming festival and buy merchandise.

The special guest of the event was Alexander Bunin, Serebyany Dozhd host and popular traveler.

From the concert scene, he said that Sputnik City complex surprised him with its cleanliness and beauty.

“I’ve seen many cities in many states. And when we were first going from the airport along a wee small road, I thought we actually were in a regular Russian city, one of the many in our country. But when we rode here, my eyes got wider over time even under the sunglasses. ‘By God, where am I? Is this really Penza?’ I thought. Guys, I really envy you. There are only a handful of cities of this kind,” Alexander Bunin said.