The 23rd edition of the Inrocks Black XS music festival will take place in Paris, Lille, Nantes and Toulouse from November 3 to 9, 2010.

As usual, the festival’s line-up has focused on young talented artists and famous bands. The festival 2010 edition will present: Scissor Sisters, The Drums – who got famous this year with their single ‘Let’ s go surfin’-, LCD Sound System – this is the band’s last gig in France before they stop ! -, The Coral, Local Natives from California – stars of many festivals in England last summer -, La Patère Rose, previous member of Libertines Carl Barât, Anna Calvi, Monarchy and many others. This 23rd edition will also welcome special guest French artist Katerine, the man that nobody will prevent from eating bananas !

Useful Information:

Paris, Lille, Nantes and Toulouse line-up

Prices and concert halls

More information: Inrocks Black XS Music Festival – http://blogs.lesinrocks.com/festival-les-inrocks/

Source : Press release Les Inrocks Black XS

The Braderie de Lille is Europe’s largest flea market and certainly one of the most well-known events in France and abroad.

Every year, the first week-end of September, between one and two million visitors stroll up and down the streets of the city, entertained by music and the numerous performances . With a half-marathon on in the morning, Lille flea market officially starts on Saturday 4th September at 2 p.m. and ends the day after on Sunday 5th September at 11 p.m.

The city becomes a huge pedestrian area where thousands of retailers and secondhand goods dealers perpetuate both the sales tradition and celebration !

Enjoying a dish of “moules-frites” (mussels served with chips) has become a deeply-rooted tradition and is the subject of a contest between the city’s restaurants to see who can build the highest mountain of empty mussel shells. A must-see attraction !

More information: Lille Tourist Office - http://lilletourism.com

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 European Film Festival of Lille, a major cultural in northern France, is back for its 26th edition. It will be held from February 26 to March 5, 2010 in Lille, Roubaix and Tourcoing.

It has been 26 years since the Festival keeps on highlighting cinema, especially short films, through a large programme, prestigious jurys and a priviledged access to this kind of film, which still lacks in popularity.

This year, Aissa Maiga is to be the guest of honour of the festival. She started in French filmaker Cédric Klapish’s famous film Les Poupées Russes. Then, thanks to her role in Bamako, a film of Abderrahmane Sissako, she was one of the Most Promising Young Actress nominees for the César French Film Awards, in the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

The Festival Highlights:

• The opening night will take place in UGC Ciné-Cité cinema, on Friday 26th February at 8 pm with special guest  Aissa Maiga. To honour the Spanish presidency of the EU Council, the theme of the evening will be focused on new Spanish talents. Four short films will be presented, including «Miente» by Isabel de Ocampo, who won the Goya Spanish Film Award in 2009 for the best short film. Afterwards, there will be a cocktail with tapas and other Spanish appetizers.
• The Short Film Night will take place in the Univers cinema, on Saturday 27th February. The programme : 5 screenings of 1h30, including this year’s European seclection short films.
• The closing night will also take place in UGC Ciné-Cité cinema, on Friday 5th March, at 8 pm. The winning short films will be shown and there will be a cocktail afterwards.

The Theme Nights:

Throughout the festival, themed screenings focused on “l’Europe dans tous ses Etats” will be offered. During a screening, a short film is followed by a feature film.

The theme nights programme :

• The History Boys by Nicholas Hytner -  Sunday 28th  February – Fresnoy cinema
• Sweet Sixteen by Ken Loach – Monday 1 st March – UGC cinema
• No man’s land by Danis Tanovic – Tuesday 2nd March – UGC cinema
• A casa nostra by Francesca Comenini – Wednesday 3rd March – UGC cinema
• De l’autre côté by Fatih Akin – Thursday 4th March – UGC cinema

Useful Information:

• The European Film Festival: From February 26 to March 5, 2010
• The 1st Short Film Night: on February 27 in Univers cinema, Lille’s art house
• On February 27 and 28 in Fresnoy cinema, Tourcoing’s art house
• From Marh 1 to 5 in Lille’s UGC cinema
• On March 3 in Roubaix’s  Duplex cinema

Prices:

For all screenings:

• Full price: €5
• Student and elderly peolple price: €4
• UGC cinema unlimited card holders: €2

Weekly Pass : all films, except for the closing night and the Short Film Night

• Full price: €20
• Student and elderly peolple price: €15

Opening and Closing Nights :

• Full price: €8
• Student and elderly peolple price: €7

More information: Européen Film Festival – www.filmcourt-lille.com

The Dunkerque carnival season has begun! Until March 6, the 2010 edition of the Dunkerque Carnival offers a whole lot of outstanding events. With a wild atmosphere, sometimes excessive, a genuine scenery and unique « masquelours », i.e. those who take part in the carnival floats, do not be afraid neither of the general hustle and bustle, nor of singing, laughing and having fun.

Famous accross France and in other countries, the sound of the 2010 Dunkerque Carnival’s bands and balls has already rung out throughout the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. For two and a half months, carnival people get together. Age, work and social class do not matter in what is called the « bande », i.e. the carnival float. The carnival is a big family and people cannot possibly miss such an event. Nevertheless, it is important to know what you are letting yourself in for:respect for tradition, knowing the songs and the  “rules” are crucial to gradually find your costume and take part in the parade.

Balls and Carnival Floats : a colourful programme !

Saturday 6^th February:

• Nuit de l’Escadre : organised by Les Corsaires, people like it for its « wild » atmosphere and its unique decor.

• Bande de Mardyck : « back from the beach » gathering, leaving at 4.15 pm.

Saturday 13^th February:

• Nuit de l’Oncle Cô : organised by Les P’tit Louis, this is is the official « Trois Joyeuses » opening ball since it takes place the night before the Bande de Dunkerque starts.

• Bande de la Basse Ville : meeting at Paris street corner and Verrerie street, leaving at 3 pm.

Sunday 14^th February:

• Nuit des Acharnés : organised by Les Acharnés

• The Dunkerque Fishermen Bande: meeting Place Vauban, leaving at 3 pm. Being the most impressive float of the Dunkerque carnival, this is a key moment of the « Trois Joyeuses » time.

Monday 15^th February:

• Bande de la Citadelle : meeting Quai de Risban, leaving at 4 pm.

Tuesday 16^th February:

• Bande de Rosendaël : meeting Place de l’Abbé Bonpain, leaving at 3 pm. More confidential, it is affected with the fact that it is traditionnaly organised on Shrove Tuesday and that many people work on that day ! In spite of this, every year thousands of people attend the event, especially after 6 pm.

Wednesday 17^th February:

• Bal enfantin des Chevaliers : organised by Les Chevaliers du XX^ème siècle (i.e. The 20^th century Knights), since its firts edition in 1984 it has been highly successful.

Saturday 20^th February:

• Bal des Gigolos et Gigolettes : organised by La Jeune France. Since 1921, this  ball has  been organised by the male choir society, which has about 60 members.

• Bande de Petite-Synthe : meeting Place Louis XIV, leaving at 3 pm.

Sunday 21^st February:

• Bal de la Violette : organised by the local firemen.

• Bande de Malo-les-Bains : meeting Place Ferdinand Schipman, leaving at 3 pm. Being close to the beach is the reason why people like this float.

Saturday 27^th February:

• Bal du Sporting : organised by Le Sporting, founded in 1864, this is certainly the carnival’s oldest ball.

Saturday 6^th March:

• Spring Ball : organised by Les Snustreraer, this is the closing ball of the carnival.

More information:

2010 Dunkerque Carnaval – http://www.ville-dunkerque.fr/fr/je-vis-adunkerque/carnaval-dunkerque/index.html

Until February 22, 2010, The Fine Arts Museum of Lille presents the E.Motion Graphique exhibition, which makes the link between classical drawing and international contemporary graphic art.

For this occasion, nearly 160 drawings taken from the renowned collection of the Fine Arts Museum of  Lille will be shown, some of which have never been presented before to the public.

This exhibition focuses on genres and subjects found in painting such as portraits, decors, academic nudes and draperies in order to reveal the aesthetic and technical links between classical drawings and animated films.

The originality of drawings from the sixteenth to the twentieth century (such as Raphael, Watteau, David, Delacroix, Fantin-Latour, Matisse, but also anonymous artists …) will be highlighted by contemporary graphic design (such as video-clips illustrating the music of Radiohead, Antony, David Bowie, Björk…, films of graphic designers’ associations H5 Blackheart Gang, Blip Boutique, Squint Opera…) and will show what the art of the twentieth and twenty-first century owes to the act of drawing itself.

More information:

Lille Fine Arts Museum: www.pba-lille.fr

Lille Tourist Office: www.lilletourism.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

Come and attend one of the numerous Christmas festivals.

To access some of them the entry fee can be a toy so that the most disadvantaged children can have a present for Christmas. Others will even make your toys. Others will make you dance (metal, rock, etc.).

Let’s discover our selection !

« Les rockeurs ont du cœur » Festival in Nantes…

… is a three day concert festival taking place in three different places. The entry fee is a €10 toy. The toys collected will be given out to the region’s disadvantaged children by French charity « Les Restos du Cœur ».

The programme : well known French artists and bands such as Jeanne Cherhal, Chasseloup, Monsieur Mouch, Lili Marto, Le mystère des voix de garage and a guest star…

More information:

« Les Rockeurs ont du Cœur » Festival : www.lesrockeurs.com

For toys lovers…

« Noël au Pays du Jouet » Festival in the Jura region

« Noël au Pays du Jouet » is an artistic, educational and playful event especially dedicated to children and takes place from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th December.

This event conveys the cultural identity of the region with an original programme : more than 30 shows with a focus on tales, music, puppet shows and creations from a dozen artists (Zic Zazou, Carton Louf, 7Zarts, Les Zanimos, Gérard Dalton, etc.).

Educational and playful workshops for children (from 4 years old) will stress on discovering, creating and experimenting. At the end of the workshop session, the children will be able to take their work with them as a souvenir of this memorable event.

The Christmas market remains a must-see attraction with local foods and items, brass bands, cultural exhibitions and many other surprises.

More information:

Office de tourisme Jura Sud : www.jurasud.net

Contact : office.tourisme@jurasud.net

Adresse : 2, place Robert Monnier – 39260 Moirans-en-Montagne

Phone : +33 3.84.42.31.57

And also…

Limoges 17^th Christmas Festival :

This festival, organised by the execution management association and the local cultural centre, is dedicated to discovering metal music on December 18^th and 19^th at the John Lennon cultural centre.

The programme:

December 18^th: let’s rock with local groups such as Dark Night, Exorciser, Unsafe, Land of Unicorn and Jam’s année 80

December 19^th: Top billing folk-metal band ELUVEITIE will make you tremble as well as progressive trash modern band HACRIDE, trash death metal band DESTINY and also two guest stars !

Prices:

€20 full price

€17 with a booking and for the members of the cultural centre

More information:

Cultural Centre: +33 5.55.06.24.83

The « Jeune Public » Festival in Serre Chevalier, from December 21^st to 25^th

For one week, the town of Serre Chevalier will be fully decorated for Christmas and will give way to imagination, dream in relation with the theme of Santa Claus. The « Jeune Public » festival, this year focused on « the Wonderful World of Christmas », is the opportunity to discover every year renowned artists for children.

More information :

Serre Chevalier Tourist Office: www.serre-chevalier.com

Phone: +33 4.92.25.55.00

Rock for Christmas, December 19^th in Berck sur Mer

The Rock en Stock association offers an international programme with 4 bands: PAPERBACK FREUD, a heavy rock’n'roll Swedish band ; DEE’N DEE, a French band ; JOHN CARRIE, an Irish band (mix of rock, pop, blues and roots) ; LES SPLENDIFICS, a French band.

Entry: €5, on-site booking

Phone: +33 6.48.71.38.79

More information:

Association Rock en Stock : www.rockenstock.org

]]> http://www.toorismag.com/en/christmas-festivals-let%e2%80%99s-dream-let%e2%80%99s-help/feed/ 0 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/ 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/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:21:41 +0000 Toorismag team http://www.toorismag.com/en/?p=490

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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