Bearfest brings Japanese folk drumming group to town as fundraiser

Wrangell's Bearfest doesn't start until the end of July but organizers have come up with a unique musical event to help drum up support for the annual all-things-bears weeklong celebration.

Unit Souzou, a Japanese folk drumming group, is coming to town as the first stop on their Alaska tour next month.

The group also is scheduled to perform in Petersburg, Anchorage and Bethel, said Sylvia Ettefagh, a volunteer organizer for Bearfest. The statewide tour is funded by grants.

"I look for opportunities that allow a cost-effective variety of music to come to town," said Ettefagh.

"The essence of Un...