The seventh music festival Sorru in Musica will be held from July 17 to 26, 2010 in the area of the Deux-Sorru (Vicu, Rennu, U Pighjolu, Arburi, etc.), West Corsica and promises to be, once again this year, an enriching and diverse event.

The festival combines an academy of music for young students (private and group classes, traditional music and polyphony) and free concerts taking place in several villages of the Deux-Sorru breathtaking area (West Corsica), to the north of Ajaccio. Local artists and students can confront their performances to music professionnals, which will be the opportunity to mix beginners and confirmed musicians, classical and traditional music as well as the artists and the public. This is a daunting challenge indeed, but what a challenge full of giving, receiving, life and hope.

The festival’s highlights:

• The opening show of the festival will include: a silent film, “L’île enchantée” by Henry Roussel (1927) and then a concert
• French actor Robin RENUCCI will be a reader during the special evening dedicated to Marcel Proust
• The festival will offer an opera show with the famous “Barber of Seville” by Gioacchino Rossini, directed by Alain Garichot
• Lyrical songs as well as a wide range of chamber music
• Festive gatherings in the villages: local traditional activities, cocktails, etc. starting from 6.30 pm. and also the opportunity to meet the musicians of the academy

Useful information:

Dates: from Saturday 17 to Monday 26 July 2010

Location: Deux-Sorru area, West Corsica

Complementary information please contact : +33 6 75 43 82 35 – +33 4 95 26 60 08 – marcelle.paoli@wanadoo.fr

More information: “Sorru in Musica” muscic festival - www.sorru-in-musica.com

The village of Cervione, Corsica, has celebrated jazz for three years running. Nearly 40 musicians, from distinct countries, will be presented to the public for four days, from July 28 to 31, 2010.

Cervione, Costa Verde’s main town the nickname of which is “the balcony overlooking the sea“, takes up the challenge to attract every year an increasing number of jazz lovers in order to offer them a true discovery of contemporary jazz in a magnificent Fransiscan monastery, which dates back to the 16th century.

Among the invited artists, you will have the opportunity to enjoy: Baptiste TROTIGNON trio (on July 29), China MOSES and Raphaël LEMONNIER 5tet (on July 30, Jacques SCHWARZ-BART 5tet (on July 31) and many more !

In keeping with its willingness to discover talented artists, the festival promotes the meeting of the public with young international artists and is the opportunity to meet professionnals.

As in past years, after the Off concerts at 6pm, the public will be invited to keep celebrating in the Convent. Each concert will be held there and divided into two sessions, the first one will start at 9 pm and the second one from 10 pm. Afterwards, as usual, musicians will go wild for the Bœuf de Minuit…

We should also mention the opening show on Wednesday July 28, with two stages and two bands in the village of Cervione.

As usual, local wine growers will welcom the public from 8 pm with a tasting. What is new this year is the very first Cervione book fair held by Plume en Costa Verde association in partnership with this jazz festival.

Useful information:

Dates: from July 28 to 31, 2010

Location: Cervione, Corsica

Prices:

• PASS FESTIVAL (3 nights): €45
• FULL PRICE : €19
• Under 25 years old: €15
• Group price (10 people) : €15
• CHILDREN under 12 years old: free

Get the festival’s complete programme: http://www.jazzaucouvent.com/prog-in.htm

More information: 6th Cervione JazzFestival – www.jazzaucouvent.com

Source : presse release Jazz Au Couvent 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″

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

The Balagne area is located northwest of Corsica (also called “Island of Beauty” in French). Its main towns are Calvi, Galeria, Ostriconi and Ile Rousse. Its name “garden of Corsica” comes from its fertile hills. Balagne is also called “holy” because it has so many religious buildings.

In Calvi, we cannot imagine more beautiful scene: the huge bay, its five-kilometre beach, the marina, the snow-capped mountains until May and the walls of the citadel, which stand in the middle of the sea.

Île Rousse (Ginger Island) is the other seaside resort on the coast. Its name comes from the red porphyry rocks of the Isle of Pietra, just north of the town. Its climate is so mild that it could be called Gentle Island. And nothing is more pleasant than a stroll in the shade of plane-trees of Paoli square or playing petanque on the market square lined with date palms.

The Balagne area has so many treasures to unveil that it is impossible to list them all, but among other things the three villages of Montegrosso, Lunghignano and its oil mill, Montemaggiore and its exceptional view over the Gulf of Calvi are worth the trip. From Mausoleo and Pioggiola, you will enjoy a nice walk surrounded by landscapes of Genoese bridges and chapels. Further north, you will see the valley of Ostriconi, the beautiful village of Lama, dominated by Mount Astu, as well as Pietralba and its mountains.

More information:

Corsica Tourist Office: www.visit-corsica.com
Balagne Tourist Office: www.balagne-corsica.com

Everywhere in Corsica, the sea lies nearby mountains, but in southern Corsica, this closeness is almost blatant. Porto-Vecchio, the main town, is renowned for its intense cultural activity, its citadel and its marina. Around the gulf, long pine tree-lined fine sand beaches extend further north to the charming towns of Lecci and Sainte Lucie de Porto-Vecchio. Not far from there, the Alta Rocca mounts stand above rivers and villages within a magnificent landscape.

From the bay of Rondinara to the cove of Fautea, the east coast shows a setting of beautiful beaches: Santa Giulia, Cala Rossa, Palombaggia and many other wonders. Away from the coastline, the Cerbicales islands and the Lavezzi archipelago, which are listed “Bonifacio’s Natural Reserve”, have amazing sea depths. Eventually, deeper inland, breathtaking panoramic views can be enjoyed from the Ospédale and Bavella belvédères (viewpoints).

More information:

Southern Corsica Tourist Office: www.destination-sudcorse.com