Major contemporary music festival, the Trans Musicales in Rennes is december’s must-attend. Every winter, for 30 years the festival has focused on upcoming music trends. For this 32nd edition, which will take place from December 9 to 11, Toorismag gives you an overview of the festival’s line-up.

In a time when everyone is searching for the Next Big Thing and its inevitable buzz, the Rencontres Trans Musicales are back, true to their eclectic explorations, and bend their gaze in 2010 to the soul tinged post rock offered by AVA LUNA, or the digital Cumbia of the Colombian collective SYSTEMA SOLAR with their Afro-Caribbean vibes that remind us that truly “music is the healing force of the universe” (Albert Ayler, NYC 1969).

During the ear warming winter marathon of the Trans, we will discover among other beautiful surprises, the psychedelic and mystical hip hop of GONJASUFI, the seducing darkness of MATTHEW DEAR, the electronic and poetic mixtures of MUJUICE (revelation of Moscow’s Trans), the shamanic charisma of Aussie’s PNAU, the social activism of M.I.A, the jazzy hip hop of BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR or STROMAE, who will revisit his origins as a song writer-performer during his residency at the Aire Libre.

But the Trans Musicales are also a paper chase running through today’s music: let’s not forget the Jeu de l’Ouie and his Zydeco Band MAMA ROSIN, a Swiss national with a Cajun heart, the meetings and debates which will focus on the role of culture in today’s world while the Memoires of Trans, the Village at the Liberté, Focus at the 4Bis or the Trans on Tour will put their own rhythm into our border transcending programme.

Useful information

The festival’s line-up

Prices: between €15 and €25

3-day pass prices: between €45 and €60

More information: Trans Musicales de Rennes Music Festival – http://www.lestrans.fr

Source : Press release Trans2010

Informing ? Denouncing ? Questioning ? Communicating ? “Dessins de presse à la Une” is an exhibition which presents press cartoons and pays tribute to drawers of daily newspapers. With almost 150 cartoons of press drawers, this exhibition is currently held in the Champs Libres of Rennes until January 9, 2011.

Press cartoons do belong to our everyday life, they illustrate newspapers with humour and insolence. Despite this, do we know exactly the true meaning of these cartoons when they deal with our society and our behaviours ? Beyond the recognition of the artistic work, this exhibition is also about questioning the different targets of cartoon : informing, denouncing, communicating, bringing both mind and habits to light and disclosing trends of our society…

In the name of freedom of expression

Press cartoon is not only an artist’s work of art but it is also a journalist’s work. It shows the world the way it is, by showing objectivity. Press cartoons thoughtfully reflect our society and also enhance our critical sense. Pencil stroke is often a stroke of genious, soaked in humour, poetry and rebellion. Wise or cynical, they always struggle for freedom of expression. Regardless of their style or country, “Dessins de presse à la Une” exhibition looks into press cartoon’s international world, throughout the different missions it has been given.

Cartoons and text

In order to deal with the subject, “Dessins de presse à la Une” exhibition shows both cartoons and their explanations so that it makes more sense for visitors. The exhibition presents cartoons published in France and abroad, drawn by renowned or less famous authors (Plantu, Chappatte, Donnelly, Graabaek, Kichka, Willem, Zlatkovsky…). Others, such Chaunu and Schvartas, are more famous in Brittany.

Useful Information

Location: Les Champs Libres – 10 cours des Alliés – 35000 Rennes

Dates : from June 29, 2010 to January 9, 2011

Opening hours:

• Tuesday: from midday to 9 pm
• Wednesday to Friday: from midday to 7 pm
• Saturday and Sunday: from 2 pm to 7 pm
• Closed on Monday and bank holidays

Summer opening hours (july and august):

• From Tuesday to Friday: from midday to 7 pm
• Saturday and Sunday: from 2 pm to 7 pm

Prices:

• Full price: €4
• Reduced price: €3
• Special “discovery” price for 5 persons: €14
• Free under 8 years old

Contact: Phone +33 2 23 40 66 00 / Email: contact@leschampslibres.fr

More information: “Dessins de Presse à la Une” Exhibition – http://agenda.leschampslibres.fr/index.php?rub=88&textes=25384

Source : press release Dessins de Presse à la Une

The Interceltic Festival of Lorient will be held from August 6 to 15 to celebrate its 40th anniversary ! And in order to make it an even more special event, 2010 will be the year of Brittany.

For 10 days and 10 nights of celebration, every year more than 650,000 visitors are expected in Lorient, Brittany, for “The Leading Worldwide Celtic Cultures Event”. This year, Brittany and the know-how of Breton people will be in the spotlight as they first initiated this renowned event. Indeed, Bretons do have their own culture and they also first came up with the willingness of sharing with the rest of the world !

Every summer more than 4,500 musicians, singers, dancers and visual artists from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Galicia, Asturias, Brittany, the USA, Canada and Australia come together on the harbour of Lorient !

This year, famous Irish band THE CRANBERRIES will perform for the opening show of this major celtic cultures event. The festival’s line-up will be dedicated to Britanny -2010 guest of honour – with some French must see-artists: Gilles Servat, Alan Stivell, Nolwenn Korbell, Dan Ar Braz and Soldat Louis.

From Brittany to the rest of the world, from the whole world to Brittany, the Interceltic Festival of Lorient will be once again, and more than ever, a must attend-event !

Useful Information:

Dates: from August 6 to 15, 2010

Location: Lorient, Brittany

Prices:

• Discovery Pass: €39 for 3 shows of your choice
• Sacred Musics Pass: €25 for 3 shows in Saint-Louis Church
• Free ticket for children under 5
• Reduced price for: children between 5 and 18 years old, students, job seekers, disabled people, people living in Cap L’Orient (until July 30 only), bus drivers, travel agents,  associations or  leisure clubs with more than 20 people, groups with more than 20 people, Cezam – Mozaïc card holders.

Click for the festival’s complete line-up: http://www.festival-interceltique.com/programmation

More information: Interceltic Festival of Lorient – www.festival-interceltique.com

Source : presse release Festival Interceltique 2010

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″

The second edition of the contemporary circus festival Cirque ou Presque (Circus or Almost) will be held from June 4 to 6, 2010 in the town of Noyal-sur-Vilaine, Brittany. Major and unique event, this festival will take place in a fairground area in order to enjoy time with family or friends.

For three days trapeze artists, acrobats, musicians, clowns, jugglers, mime artists, or even dancers will be there under the circus big tops or outside in order to perform modern circus shows in a friendly atmosphere !

This is contemporary circus …

The new circus trend, nowadays called contemporary circus or “creative circus” combines both usual circus performances and several other artistic genres such as theatre, dance or even music…

… Or almost

It can go with… the flow of imagination, encounters, desires or somebody’s current state of mind… It is beeing free of offering any artistic genre and any friendly atmosphere, for instance dance, a picnic, mime art, festive music, grilled food, gipsy music, a huge madison …

It is an opportunity to try new ways of working as a group, between towns, actors, in order to get locals involved so that they can establish a creative link with professional artists and express and share their passion for singing, theatre.

Spotlights on the programme

• Risque Zéro – Galapiat Company : risky circus performance !
• Switch – BAM Company
• Ali – MTPA Company : an amazing performance by 2 “unusual” acrobats
• Moi … et elle – le théâtre des silences : clowns, mime artists and poetry
• Trio Laid – songs and gipsy music – with Boris Charmatz
• Fatra – songs
• Terrasse – with David Rolland – dance

Useful information

Dates: from June 4 to 6, 2010

Location: Parc du Chêne Joli in Noyal-sur-Vilaine (Brittany)

Ticket prices: between 5 and 10 euros / free

Pass prices:

• Pass’moi le cirque: 18/12 euros (Risque Zéro + Switch)
• Pass’moi tout le cirque: 21/15 euros (Risque Zéro + Switch + Ali)

More information: Cirque ou Presque Contemporary Circus Festival - www.cirqueoupresque.fr

Source: presse release “Cirque ou Presque“

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

A brand new festival will be hold in Lorient-Lanester Parc des Exposition on March 20 and 21, 2010 : the motorbike festival !

After several years being a motorbike fair, the event has now become a festival. This is a must-see event for two-wheeler lovers and professionals but also for any visitor keen on the American Werstern country.

The programme:

• The « Kurun StreetBike Contest »:

The week-end’s best stunder  will be chosen via a major indoor stunt competition! Stunt consists in performing acrobatic figures on a motorbike. Almost 50 French and worldwide stunters will compete against each other under the spotlights. Moreover, sitted on the benches of the stadium, spectators will be able to enjoy a stunning view over the racetrack and the contestants. Indeed, at the motorbike festival the jury (made up with stunt professionnals and experts) but, first and foremost, spectators can vote for their winner by using their electronic keypads. All in all, this will be a real American style show with a nice reward thrown in for the winner.

• The Custom Contest:

The best customized two-wheelers including 50cc engines will be exposed. At the end of the festival, a prize will be awarded to the most impressive bike.

• An exhibition of old bikes

• Motorbike dealership Stands

• A quad racetrack

• A bicycle motorcross show

• Shows and introduction to country dancing with the best Breton people

• A free mechanical rodeo

• Stands with 100% made in US items as well as American Indian items

• A rock / country music concert

• An introduction to poker

• Also to be mentioned the real tepees that will be set up in the park so that visitors can really feel like being within an American Indian atmosphere. The festival will also make you travel through the legendary ” Road 66″.

More information:

Lorient Motorbike Festival: www.festivalmoto-groom.com – Phone: +33 2.97.53.30.00

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

In June 2009, the Breizh Décalage exhibition gathered, at the « House of Brittany » in Paris, more than 20 participant design agencies and as many Bretton companies. BREIZH DESIGN, as a continuation of Breizh Décalage, is an exhibition that goes further. Including the pieces of the latter and presents, it will also present an overview of Brittany’s design activity.

For this premiere, some companies members of the label « Produit en Bretagne », such as Armor Lux, Atelier du Vieux Bourg, Le Minor, Editions Ouest-France and many others, have given to talented artists and designers objects they usually make and sell. As a result, these artists and designers, i.e. Matejewski Hervé, Nicolas Prioux, Antoinette Parrau, Erwan Mevel, Jacques Bosser or eveb the M Design, have created impressive stagings and have imagined a brand new way of using these objects !

The aim of the exhibition is to highlight the energy and originality of design in Brittany and promote this activity to economic actors, institutions and the general public.

A Free exhibition !

At the DMA GALERIE, 23 rue de Chateaudun, until 24/12/2009.

More information:

Rennes Tourist Office: www.tourisme-rennes.com

Phone: +33 2.99.87.20.10

]]> http://www.toorismag.com/en/breizh-design-an-exhibition-that-aims-at-promoting-design-in-brittany/feed/ 0 http://www.toorismag.com/en/rennes-%e2%80%93-france%e2%80%99s-last-%c2%ab-non-sense-%c2%bb-championship-%e2%80%93-from-december-27th-to-31st-2009/ http://www.toorismag.com/en/rennes-%e2%80%93-france%e2%80%99s-last-%c2%ab-non-sense-%c2%bb-championship-%e2%80%93-from-december-27th-to-31st-2009/#comments Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:32:25 +0000 Toorismag team http://www.toorismag.com/en/?p=519

Within the framework of the « Let’s wake-up » Festival (« festival Réveillons-nous »), the last tour of France’s « Non-sense » championship will be hold from December 27^th to 31^st, 2009. Contestants will do their best… Without any performance enhancing drugs, without the support of the Olympic Commitee, which will have always ignored them, but with the support of their fans ever more present, they will have hold out for 7 years !

It is the end of an unusual show, performed everywhere throughout France and Europe, which will leave a print on the artistic landscape for a long time both for street art performances and popular theatre.

In front of an audience sitted on the benches of a gymnasium, bad loosers, stubborn players, laddish sportsmen and other jealous referees will go from one crazy performance to another to the sound of strident whistles. There will be many different games umpired by an unusual jury and an unclear point system: from the « roulidindin » to Christmas trees throwing, through down-river kayaking furniture, off-water synchronised swimming or in-door cross-country skiing.

More information:

Les Tombées de la Nuit : www.lestombeesdelanuit.com

Ville de Rennes : www.rennes.fr

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