Coming up next July 2,3 and 4 the 4th Country Bike festival in Tours, a cow-boys and bikers meeting !

The programme of this one-of-a-kind event :

Country danses: Angel’s Country, Country Attitude, Country Dance Animation associations and professionals David Linger, Nathalie and Alain Menu will perform and give lessons on dedicated dance floors.

Team penning, cattle penning and barrel contests: cattle sorting out contest (cows). Dexterity and speed contests.

Concerts: Country and rock artists will perform on stage in Grand Hall and Hall B. A big coutry ball will close the festival.

Bikers, US cars and lorries meetings : custom bikes, bike shows, american cars exhibitions, car show, Kenworth lorries, bike games, Tours-Avoine run, parade, western strip-tease, rock and gospel concerts.

Shows and western atmosphere: western parade, horse shows, indian shows, cow-boys camps reconstruction, trapper, amerindian and US Cavalry.

Exhibitors area: gastronomy stands, music, accessories, clothes…

Saloon : pool, poker, flipper, baby foot, coin machine and bar.

Kid’s land : a children dedicated area with 1000 square metres of games for children aged 3 to 10.

Useful information:

Dates: from July 2 to 4, 2010

Location: Parc des Expositions in Tours

Phone: +33 2 47 32 37 10 – Contact : info@parc-expositions.com

Find the complete programme on: http://www.country-bike-tours.com/programme.php

Prices:

• Friday: opened from 5 pm to 1 am.

Free entry (except for concerts)
Concerts: €18 / Groups (>10) : €16

• Saturday: opened from 10 am to 1 am

Entry : €10 / free for children under 3 (tickets for sale on site)
Free entry for US vehicles (< 1982) – up to 2 people per vehicle
Entry + concerts : €20 / Groups (> 10): €18
Danse lessons: 6 and €8 / pers / lesson (booking on site)

• Sunday: opened from 10 am to 1 am

Entry: €10 / free for children under 3 (tickets for sale on site)

Free entry for US vehicles (< 1982) – up to 2 people per vehicle

Free access for bikers + passenger between 12 am and 2 pm

Danse lessons: 6 and €8 / pers / lesson (booking on site)

More information:Country Bike Festival  – www.country-bike-tours.com

If blues was born in the cotton fields, it is now played and enjoyed worldwide, including in Avoine ! From 1st to 4th July, this small town in the Indre-et-Loire area will host the 11th Avoine Zone Blues festival. This is a major event the region which offers a special international line-up with a focus on blues  and similar genres.

By combining blues and similar music genres, Avoine Zone Blues festival is based on a challenging and top quality artistic line-up. This festival aims at promoting new and young talented artists. Internationally renowned bands or artists will perform alongside local ones. Here, people have the opportunity to enjoy the most well-known modern artists and discover those who will be famous tomorrow !

Avoine Zone Blues festival: 2010 line-up

Thursday July 1st:

• 7 pm: Bo Weavil / Rest’O Blues
• 9 pm: Jacques Higelin / Chapiteau
• 11 pm: Joe Louis Walker / Chapiteau

Friday July 2nd:

• 10 am-1 pm: La Planche à Laver / Place de l’Eglise
• 6 pm: Nina Attal / Rest’O Blues
• 7.30 pm: Mountain Men / Rest’O Blues
• 9 pm: The Mannish Boys / Chapiteau
• 10.30 pm: Mick Taylor / Chapiteau
• Midnight: After Boeuf / Rest’O Blues

Saturday July 3rd:

• 10 am-12 am: La Planche à Laver / Place de l’Eglise
• 2 am – 7 pm: Scène Ouverte / Podium NR
• 7 pm: The Paper Plane / Rest’O Blues
• 9 pm: Michael Jones / Chapiteau
• 10.30 pm: Earth, Wind & Fire Experience featuring Al McKay / Chapiteau
• Midnight: After Boeuf / Rest’O Blues

Sunday July 4:

• 11 am: La Planche à Laver / Rest’O Blues
• 12.30 am: Boolumbal Blues / Rest’O Blues
• 2 pm: Air Guitar / Podium NR
• 3 pm: 1000 guitares / Podium NR
• 4 pm: Marc André Léger / Rest’O Blues
• 6 pm: Jacques Dutronc / Chapiteau
• 8 pm: After Boeuf / Rest’O Blues

Useful information

Prices per day

• Full price: €35 (”Chapiteau” concerts, per day)
• Bookings: €30 (usual outlets or Avoine Town Hall +33 2 47 98 11 15)
• Works Councils: €28 (contact +33 2 47 98 11 15)
• Reduced price (students, job seekers and showbusiness workers): €20
• Free entry for children under 12

Pass « Festival »: €75 (sold only in Avoine Town Hall – free access to all concerts – provide an ID photo – personal pass)

More information: www.avoine-zone-blues.com

Source : press release “Avoine Zone Blues 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″

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

The Printemps de Bourges, a must-attend music festival in the Centre region of  France, opens the season of festivals. In the city of  Bourges, music is shared and can be listened to under news ways and genres.

From April 13 to 18, 2010, come and discover both internationally renowned and French bands… For this 34th edition of the Printemps de Bourges festival you will have the opportunity to see on stage: M, Iggy and the Stooges, Archive, Emilie Simon, Olivia Ruiz, Hocus Pocus, Nada Surf, Coeur de Pirate et many others !

Historical and one-of-a-kind show, discover « Les Françoises », created by Olivia Ruiz, Camille, Emily Loizeau, Jeanne Cherhal et La Grande Sophie. These 5 women always eager to do things are the 5 most audacious voices of French female music

Les Découvertes du Printemps de Bourges et de la Fnac : Every year, the Printemps de Bourges festival in partnership with Fnac music stores continually reveal the great stars of tomorrow using the Reseau Printemps. Between rock, French music, hip hop and electro, altogether 31 emerging artists have been selected.

ROCK’N'BEAT PARTY II : For the second time, enjoy an explosive night and 9 hours of  non-stop music.

In St-Pierre Church, immerse yourself into a programme at the crossroads of classical and traditional music.

Also, South-African artists will make travel to unknown lands and will give you an overview of eclectic and dynamic stage.

More information: www.printemps-bourges.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

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

]]> http://www.toorismag.com/en/20-french-cities-will-host-the-%c2%ab-culture-bar-bars-%c2%bb-festival-on-november-26-27-and-28-2009/feed/ 0 http://www.toorismag.com/en/november-a-month-dedicated-to-documentary-films-2/ http://www.toorismag.com/en/november-a-month-dedicated-to-documentary-films-2/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:52:07 +0000 Toorismag team http://www.toorismag.com/en/?p=448

To celebrate the Month of Documentary Film 10th edition, november is a must-attend event in France, French West Indies and abroad for documentary films.

The aim of this event is to show to an audience, that is getting larger, and make them appreciate the diversity and strength of creative documentary films by uniting many events organised by enthusiastic programmers in different locations.

Venues: libraries and media centres, cinemas, cultural and educational institutions, French cultural centres abroad…

Programme: viewings of heritage, rare or unreleased films, film previews, tributes, topics, debates and meetings with directors…

In France, 16 regions will also host this event (participating regions: Alsace, Aquitaine, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne and Franche-Comté, Brittany, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Guadeloupe, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Midi-Pyrenées, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Rhône-Alpes)

More information:

www.moisdudoc.com

www.culture.fr

]]> http://www.toorismag.com/en/november-a-month-dedicated-to-documentary-films-2/feed/ 0 http://www.toorismag.com/en/lights-on-images-of-the-body-exhibition-at-the-royal-castle-of-blois-from-october-8-2009-to-january-3-2010/ http://www.toorismag.com/en/lights-on-images-of-the-body-exhibition-at-the-royal-castle-of-blois-from-october-8-2009-to-january-3-2010/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:39:54 +0000 Toorismag team http://www.toorismag.com/en/?p=420

As part of the cultural event Les Rendez-Vous de l’Histoire, from October 8 to 11 in Blois, with a focus this year on « The Body » (« le corps dans tous ses états »), the Royal Casle of Blois will host an exhibition called Images du Corps (Images of the Body) from October 8, 2009 to January 3, 2010.

The exhibition is divided into two sections:

• Histoires de Pied (Foot Stories), photographs by Amélie DEBRAY

For five years, this sensitive photographer has taken a very special approach. She asks famous people coming from different backgrounds to take their shoes off and takes a picture of their bare feet. Explorer, filmmaker, designer, rugby player, actor, singer, cook, researcher, dancer, international historians, each person accepted to play the game and  appeared in a new light.

In addition to Amélie DEBRAY’s photographs, the Fine Arts Museum has also dedicated a room to an exhibition on the theme of shoe called « Autour de la Chaussure », which presents, among others, very ancient pieces.

• Corps sublimé, corps martyrisé (magnified body, martyred body), exploring the museum’s collections

In addition to paintings and sculptures, a visit with a focus on how is the body pictured in art from Antiquity to the twentieth century. On this occasion, several unseen artworks will be presented: paintings, sculptures, anatomical studies and characters from holy history or mythologie will be taken out of the museum’s storerooms.

More information:

Address: Château Royal de Blois – Place du Château – 41 000 BLOIS – FRANCE

Phone: +33 2 54 90 33 33

Web: www.chateaudeblois.fr

Email: chateau@ville-blois.fr

]]> http://www.toorismag.com/en/lights-on-images-of-the-body-exhibition-at-the-royal-castle-of-blois-from-october-8-2009-to-january-3-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.toorismag.com/en/the-royal-castle-of-blois-and-the-fine-arts-museum/ http://www.toorismag.com/en/the-royal-castle-of-blois-and-the-fine-arts-museum/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:43:06 +0000 Toorismag team http://www.toorismag.com/en/?p=410

The Royal Castle of Blois offers a large overview of both art and history of the Loire Castles, which makes it the best way to start visiting them. For over four centuries, kings and queens have followed one after the other in the Royal Castle of Blois and have made this place a treasure of French architecture.

The Royal Castle of Blois is the only Loire castle that has a Fine Arts Museum. With more than 35,000 artworks, some of the Royal Castle pieces are shown in the royal apartments of the François Ist area, as well as in the Fine Arts Museum located in the Louis XII area, but also during many temporary exhibitions.

Every summer, a special lights and sound effects festival called “ainsi blois vous est conté” is organised in the Royal Castle of Blois. This is the opportunity to enjoy the amazing architecture of the courtyard and also a show presenting famous events and characters in the history of the castle in a magical world of color and light.

Important events:

• Until October 20, 2009: Painting Exhibition

• Until October 12, 2009: Exhibition “by the water’s edge, 108 robbers” by Yan Pei-Ming

• From October 8, 2009 to January 3, 2010: Exhibition “Images of the Body”

Useful information:

Opening hours: open all year round, daily (except 25/12 and 01/01)

• From October 1 to November 4: 9am-6pm

• From November 5 to March 31: 9am to 12.30 and 1.30pm to 5.30pm

Phone: +33 2 54 90 33 33

2009 Prices: Including a tour of the Castle (guided or not), a tour of the Fine Arts Museum and free access to all temporary exhibitions

Adult: €8 – Reduced price: €6 – Children (6 to 17 years old): €4 – Children under 6 years old: free

More information:

www.chateaudeblois.fr

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