Music Day, also known in other countries as World Music Day, is held every year in France. This year, for its 29th anniversary, the event will put the spotlight on women… So let’s meet on Monday 21st June !

Be they music composers , opera singers, conductors, street singers, songwriters or DJs, the focus will be put on their creativity, their struggles and the deep and true nature of their music.

Since ancient times, women have always been an endless source of inspiration that has inspired the greatest melodies. Muses, singers or musicians, they take a leading part in the practice of this art. In order to pay a tribute to them, the 29th edition of Music Day in France will be focused on “music and women”.

This unifying theme will provide an opportunity for all artists, whether they are amateurs or professionals, to celebrate Music Day and women by interpreting compositions made by or for women … A large selection in prospect !

For one day and one night, French cities and towns will be swept away by all kinds of music, with concerts, free events and also the possibility of discovering amateur music players or singers in pubs and cafés.

More information: 2010 Music Day – www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr

Source: presse release “Fête de la Musique 2010″

Open to the general public and held once every two years, the Bordeaux Wine Festival “Bordeaux Fête le Vin“ is an international event dedicated to the wines of Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region. This festival will take place from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th June 2010.

The largest wine tourism event in France which promotes Bordeaux wines

On the banks of the river Garonne and at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lovers of wine, fine food, celebration and culture are invited to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the Bordeaux Wine Festival. Both amateurs and people with less knowledge about wines will enjoy an outstanding programme and discover the architectural beauty of Bordeaux, its cultural heritage, its surrounding vineyards as well as the many attractions of the Aquitaine region.

The 2010 Bordeaux Wine Festival better than ever!

The major innovation in 2010 is the emphasis on cuisine and local gastronomy. For the first time there will be food workshops (called Ateliers du Goût) with cooking classes taught by chefs in order to learn how to match wine and food.

The presence of three food pavilions is also new this year. These will highlight famous delicacies from Southwest France such as foie gras from the Landes area, ham from the Basque country, oysters from the Arcachon Bay, etc.

Successful ingredients

• A Tasting Pass and a “wine road” in the heart of Bordeaux: the 80 Protected Designation of Origin wines of Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region as well as the major brands of Bordeaux wine will form a “wine road” stretching over 2 km along the banks of the Garonne and 18th century buildings listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• The Vineyard Pass, example of an expanding wine tourism: themed trips such as “Saint Emilion: wine and architectural heritage”, “Art and wine in the Médoc”, “The great growths of Sauternes”, etc. will leave from the festival every day.

Guest of honour: the city of Quebec

The seventh Bordeaux Wine Festival will be paying tribute to the city of Quebec. There will be a special pavilion devoted to Bordeaux’s francophone twin city. Thanks to a series of special events and exhibitions, visitors will have the opportunity to discover this lovely and unique fortified citadel in  North America where Bordeaux wine is very popular.

4 evenings of celebration

The Bordeaux Wine Festival also provides an opportunity to appreciate special events on the quays every evening. There will be series of major artistic and musical performances on the Place des Quinconces and Place de la Bourse including firework displays, son et lumière shows and concerts.

The Festival highlights:

• On June 24: all Quebeckers in France and worldwide are invited to come and celebrate Saint John the Baptist Day, Quebec’s own special holiday. The programme: more than 3 hours of concerts.
• On June 25: the 75 musicians of the Bordeaux Aquitaine National Orchestra,accompanied by the Chorus of the Bordeaux Opera, as well as solist Béatrice Uria-Monzon and tenor Michael Fabiano will perform at an outstanding charity concert.

More information: Bordeaux Wine Festival “Bordeaux Fête le Vin” – www.bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com

Source : Press release “Bordeaux Fête le Vin”

From May 8 to 17, at Bordeaux exhibition hall, the 89th edition of the International Trade Fair of Bordeaux will be the opportunity to meet 2.300 exhibitors who have not hesitated to come despite the recession in order to attend this leading trade event in Southwestern France.

Visitors will find over 80.000 m2 all the ideas and advice they need to handle their personal projects successfully, wether it has something to do with housing, spare time or leisure. For 10 days, more than 2.300 companies will be hosted around the 4 areas of the Fair – House and Home; Spare Time and Emotions; Local Products Farming and Animal; International – and with a focus on the same commitment “Everyone meets everyone”.

2010 Highlights:

“The Conquest of the Sky”: this year the International Trade Fair of Bordeaux joins a remarkable event – the Centenary of Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Force – in order to celebrate in their own way the one hundred years of aeronautics history in the Aquitaine region ! A unique exhibition showcasing planes from the past as well as some of the most recent ones yesterday and today: legendary planes, fighter aircrafts, transport aircrafts, helicopters, amazing scale models, simulator …

“Travel to Russia”: the International area of the International Trade Fair of Bordeaux heads for Russia and pays tribute to this country with a special guest : the National Opera of Bordeaux. Visitors will discover the history, diversity of Russian culture and will transport them to the world of ballet and behind the scenes of opera. This is an amazing travel ahead and an event listed in the official programme of  France-Russia cross year 2010.

10th Anniversary of the Environment and Sustainable Development Trade Fair

Aquitaine’s Agricultural Trade Fair : special meeting time with all the region’s specialties and the know-how of animal farm breeding.

6th Anniversary of the Arts and Crafts Trade Fair : so many talents ! : unique pieces, one-of-a-kind work of art, prestigious creations… the 2010 arts and crafts collection promises once again to dazzle us, with more than 90 different artists, locations and influences.

Useful Information:

Location: Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux-Lac.

Dates : From Saturday 8 May to Monday 17 May 2010.

Hours: From 9.30 am to 7 pm non-stop and on Monday 17 May from 9.30 am to 6 pm – Late-night opening on Wednesday 12 May until 10.30 pm.

Prices:

• Full price : €7,70
• E-Ticket : €5,70
• Reduced price for children aged 7 to 11
• Discount cards: €5,70
• Family Pass: €20 valid for 2 adults with up to 5 children from the same family.
• Free entry for: 60 years old and + on Monday 11 May – Children under 6.

More information: Foire Internationale de Bordeaux – www.foiredebordeaux.com

Spring will soon be here and so does the festival season ! Without necessarily giving you an comprehensive list, here is an overview to our selection of France’s coming festivals…

• In April:

Printemps de Bourges, from April 13 to 18, will start proudly the festival season by celebrating its 34th anniversary. More info: http://www.printemps-bourges.com/en/home/welcome.php

• In June:

Hellfest open air, from June 18 to 20 for its 5th edition in Clisson, Western France. This 2010 edition already promises to be THE  major metal event ever organised in France! More info: www.hellfest.fr

Solidays, from June 25  to 27, at the Longchamps-Paris racecourse, this festival will bring together many artists all commited to the fight against AIDS. More info: www.solidays.org

• In July:

Eurockéennes of Belfort, from July 2 to 4 : this rock festival will bring together 80 artists on 5 different stages. The must-see artists: Jay-Z, Mika, The Hives, Charlotte Gainsbourg. More info: www.festival.eurockeennes.fr

The Avignon Theatre Festival from July 7 to 27, is a major and must-attend event of the european art life. For 3 weeks, this the festival will please theatre lovers with its 64th edition.  More info: www.festival-avignon.com

Francofolies, from July 13 to 17 , in La Rochelle, western France. New places, new names, new artists on stage to give you more fun and emotions!  The must-see artists: Phœnix, Diam’s, Émilie Simon, Cœur de Pirate. More info: www.francofolies.fr

Vieilles Charues, from July 15 to 18, in Carhaix, Brittany. The must-see artists: Muse, Mika, Indochine, Alain Souchon. More info: www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr

Musilac, from July 16 to 18, in Aix-Les-Bains, Esplanade du Lac, southern France, will celebrate its 9th anniversary. The must-see artists: Pony Pony Run Run, M, ZZ Top, Peter Doherty, Luke, Indochine, Cœur de Pirate. More info: www.musilac.com

• In August:

Route du Rock, will take place from August 13 to 15, in Saint Malo – Le Fort Saint Père, Brittany, for its 20th edition. The must-see artists: Massive Attack, The Flamming Lips, Yann Tiersen. More info: www.laroutedurock.com

Rock en Seine, will be held in the Saint Cloud gardens from August 27 to 29 for its 8th edition. The must-see artists: Blink 182, Arcade Fire, Cypress Hill, Queens of the Stone Age, The Kooks, Foals and  Massive Attack. More info: www.rockenseine.com

Coming up next April 2, 3 and 4 is Southwestern France major music festival, which will start the festival season and will take place as usual in the Parc Exposition of Marmande.

With over 14 years experience, meetings and with an increased number of festival-goers, this year the Garorock Festival keeps on attracting nationally and internationally renowned artists, who will set the tone for amazing and vibrant nights.

The programme is expected to be oriented towards electro, rock, reggae and hip-hop, actually there will be a mix of today’s best musics. The Garorock festival stages will include many artists such as British band Archive, French bands Mickey 3D, Le Peuple de l’Herbe, or even this year’s new group Pony Pony Run Run, but also Alpha Blondy, De La Soul and many others !

Altogether more than 60 bands will share the 3 stages of the festival, which has a capacity of 20.000 people per day. And, the cherry on the cake, once more the Garorock festival takes place on Easter Monday, which will leave some extra time for music and party… Are there any takers ?

More information: www.garorock.com

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day (March 8th) and the World Poetry Day (March 21st), this 12^th edition of the Poetry Festival « Le Printemps des Poètes » in France will focus on the theme of women.

The inauguration evening will take place on Monday, March 8 at the Opéra Comique, with Dominique Blanc, Brigitte Fontaine and Carolyn Carlson.

Celebrated throughout France, the event will especially highlight the work of Andrée Chedid with the 2^nd Andree Chedid’s sung poem contest with Matthieu Chedid as the  president of the jury. The actress Dominique Blanc will be the sponsor of the event.

An original exhibition, entitled “au fil des mots”, will present a selection of poems having a focus on the theme of hope, body and love. These poems have been reinterpreted by designers and artists who bring their own graphic layout of a short text. The set will be embroidered by women of Swaziland, sick of HIV. This work will give them an income. About thirty works will be exhibited throughout the year 2010.

More information:

2010 Poetry Festival: www.printempsdespoetes.com

About thirty artists from the region of Sarlat, in southwestern France,  will take part in the ninth « Les Hivernales de Sarlat » art fair. These artists, sculptors, photographers and engravers, all coming from very different worlds, have been chosen for the visitors’ greater delight.

No particular theme has been defined for this art fair, but rather a complete freedom of expression has been given to the exhibitors. All the works of art presented are for sale, a catalogue is available on site. So whether you are a curious person or you just feel like buying (or offering) a new work of art, it will be such a pleasure to meet the artists of the « Les Hivernales » art fair, so you would better not miss it !

Until January 3^rd, 2009, at the Ancien Evéché, rue Tourny

Free entry !

Opening time: from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm, except December 25^th and January 1^st in the morning.

Address: Sarlat Cultural Centre, rue Gaubert, 24200 SARLAT-LA CANÉDA

More information:

Sarlat Tourist Office: www.sarlat-tourisme.com

Phone: +33 5.53.31.45.45

In 2010, the Christmas Circus will celebrate its 35th birthday ! Since 1975, the Christmas Circus has become over the years a truly regional institution.

This wonderful event is now opened to people who wish to celebrate Christmas with  a focus on circus performances. This is a show for everyone thanks to which young ones and grown ups will let themselves be carried away on the wings of dream, magic and joy…

Three big tops, three atmospheres:

• In the first, music will be played and pancakes, candy floss as well as hot drinks will be served.
• The second one is a huge 2000 seats heated space within which you will attend the show!
• The last one (optional) will be dedicated to the after-show and Santa will presents to children some toys will be given to children by the works councils’ Santa.

More information:

Le Cirque de Noël : www.placeaucirque.fr

For the ninth anniversary of this nationaly renowned digital arts festival, the “accès(s)” electronic cultures” festival is betting on time, diversity and geographical dispersion in the town of Pau as well as in the area of Bordeaux (Gironde region), until December 25, 2009.

With multimedia exhibitions, an in-town screening, audio installations with robots, electro-rock concerts, the publishing a book of artists, the setting in motion of Pau’s cable-car and of three major places in Aquitaine region, screenings in Le Méliès cinema, awareness sessions, a workshop and meetings, the Accès(s) festival therefore opens to everyone, youngsters and adults, aficionados or simply curious people.

More information:

Accès(s).09 Festival: www.acces-s.org

For its eighth anniversary, once again the « Culture Bar-Bars » festival will raise top line the artistic excitement offered by cafes and bars throughout the year. For 3 days, from November 26 to 28, 2009, more than 300 live shows with over one thousand artists will be offered in 105 participating bars and in 20 cities!

A state of mind.

The festival’s concept is simple: each bar owner has a set of favourite artists  who are in line with his place. The « Cafés Cultures » (Culture Bars) will offer many entertaining live shows: concerts, DJ nights, exhibitions, theater, games, impros, poetry. Therefore, each year there are as many different shows as there are participating bars.

Prevention is a priority at the heart of the festival.

The « Culture Bar-Bars » festival is also an opportunity to take preventive actions towards people. In partnership with associations specialised in prevention, the actions taken will deal with high-risk behaviours as well as taking people to the festival and driving them back home. Several actions will be taken: alcohol test kits, condoms, information materials as well as ear plugs will be given out to people and there will be a stand dedicated to  prevention (especially in Nantes).

More information:

« Culture Bar-Bars » festival: www.bar-bars.com

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