Until November 14, at the Gallo-Roman Museum of Saint-Romain-en-Gall (southeast France, in the Vienne area), the Desires for Eternity, Rituals for the Beyond exhibition is the opportunity to discover exclusively one part of the ethnological, archeological and contemporary collections.

The exhibition’s highlights…

How, through time and space, man kind deals with death, even trying to tame it or freeing himself from it ? The Desires for Eternity exhibition reflects the treasures of art and death, a universal concern which affects all societies. In our western society, especially in Europe, the way we deal with death has been changing for one century. Even today, new relational issues come to light. Patrick Baudry, a sociologist, and Pierre Gibert, a Jesuit and historian specialised in cultural matters, put into perspective this society issue.

A variety of objects, mainly from the collections of the Confluence Museum, is presented in the exhibition: archaeological collections from Egypt of the Pharaohs, from a Caucasian necropolis (1st Iron Age), from South-East Asia (10th century); ethnological collections of Fujian province in China, of Africa, of Australia (Aborigines), of New Caledonia (Kanaks) and France as well as contemporary collections (photographs, paintings, sculptures).

The exhibition’s themed trails

The exhibition offers 5 different themes to explore:

1. The fear of death and getting over it : everything has an end
2. Making agreements with the beyond, the quest for eternal living
3. Taming death, a new life
4. Going missing, hidden death
5. Conclusion, to each his own funeral

Useful information

Dates: from April 15 to November 14, 2010

Location: Gallo-Roman Museum   – Route départementale 502 – 69560 Saint Romain-en-Gal (Vienne)

Phone: +33 4 74 53 74 01

Opening hours: daily from 10 am to 6 pm (except on Mondays)

Prices:

• Full price (exhibition only) : €3
• Free (sur présentation d’un justificatif) : jeunes jusqu’à 18 ans, groupes pédagogiques, personnes en situation de handicap, chômeurs et bénéficiaires du R.M.I., personnel départemental.
• Tarif réduit (please present written proof) : €2 : Students, large families, groups of 10 people
• Free entry every thursday

More information: Exhibition « Desires for Eternity, Rituals for the Beyond » - http://www.museedesconfluences.fr/musee/expositions/hors_les_murs/desirs_eternite/index.php

Source : Dossier de presse « Desires for Eternity, Rituals for the Beyond » (Heymann Renoult agency)

Les Invités de Villeurbanne is a unique festival, the only event of its kind in France that cleverly combines – with a free access – a very chic programme with a focus on street arts, first-class concerts and a gigantic urban scenography, carried out in collaboration with the inhabitants of this city of 140,000 inhabitants.

A very special programme

For their 9th anniversary, Les Invités de Villeurbanne festival will be showing no less than 60 shows. This event is definitely a city festival where people can really go from one public place to another to enjoy the different shows. Actually, in 2010 there will be more than 20 squares, streets and public gardens which will be turned into temporary stages. Today’s most exciting top of the bill artists as well as street art companies, new rock or world music artists will perform on these stages. Who will be playing? Idéal Club from 26 000 couverts; Misérables ! from Annibal & ses éléphants; 1 789 seconds from the International Alligator Company; Fissura-Dos from Teatro Gestual de Chili; Cirkatomik; Drôles d’Oiseaux from Générik Vapeur and also Jabberwock ’s great come back by the Illustre Famille Burattini.

As for music shows, there are already artists such as Anthony Joseph, Piers Faccini, Slow Joe & the Ginger Accident, Sanseverino, Gablé, Iswhat, BLK JKS, Blood red shoes, Lucy Love, Bomba Estereo as well as Soul Jazz Orchestra.

Besides, there will be a special focus on some local artists, whose public success and shrewdness deserve a prominent place in this 2010 festival, both for music performers and street art shows (Lolo & Bébert, Les Transformateurs, Le Bus Rouge, Les Colporteurs).

A gigantic and participatory urban scenography

Another major aspect of the festival is the massive urban scenography, which will be held in the city centre. Acting as the festival’s thread, its main theme will be focused on the course of history. It will be presented under the form of a big clothes line – with huge clothes pegs – on which souvenirs, memories, photographs, t-shirts and underwear will be exhibited as well as “Sunday best” clothes as stated in a text by François Morel, on which this artistic work is based.

This gigantic scenography’s highlight is a massive team work carried out by Villeurbanne’s inhabitants and local associations. Indeed, during the festival, there will be more than one thousand t-shirts – all unique since they will include a portrait Villeurbanne’s inhabitants  – which will be hung on the big clothes line right at the heart of the city.

Useful information

Dates: from June 16 to 19, 2010

Location: Villeurbanne (southestern France, near Lyon)

Free access

Information: Espace Info – 3 avenue Aristide Briand – Phone: +33 4 72 65 80 90.

Tube stop: Gratte-ciel

Click  for the complete programme

More information: “Les Invités de Villeurbanne” festival – www.invites.villeurbanne.fr

Source : presse release “Les Invités de Villeurbanne 2010″

]]> http://www.toorismag.com/en/villeurbanne-les-invites-de-villeurbanne-festival/feed/ 0 http://www.toorismag.com/en/2010-music-day-in-france-special-focus-on-women-for-the-29th-anniversary/ http://www.toorismag.com/en/2010-music-day-in-france-special-focus-on-women-for-the-29th-anniversary/#comments Wed, 26 May 2010 20:18:37 +0000 Toorismag team http://www.toorismag.com/en/?p=783

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″

For its 7th anniversary, the Vice Versa Festival offers a quality cultural show opened to all and sundry, disabled people or not, with a focus on the following topic: « Unveil difference and stimulate senses ».

From next May 1 to 20, in the Drôme area, the Vice Versa Festival will be the opportunity to enjoy a true whirlwind of emotions and encounters through many types of art expression: exhibitions, dance, theatre, music, tales, circus, puppetry, ball, sensory games, entertaining activities, photos, plastic arts, cinema, sports, science, …

The Vice Versa Festival  has 4 objectives:

• To provide access to culture for those who are sometimes denied it (physical and mental disability, sensory impairment and socially challenged people)
• To receive disabled artists in the festival programme
• To give the opportunity to non-disabled people to better understand these differences, to better appreciate the world in general in a funny and human way
• To promote exchanges, respect, tolerance as well as human and sensory encounters

The big-hearted artists you will discover on this festival:

• Bon appétit ! a homemade show for the young ones with songs and French sign language.
• Mega Siesta Dodocafonica, two nightwalkers will have an unforgettable night and will make you share their music all night long …
  
• Ballades-spectacles du 1er mai, is an unusual show with 5 small poems with a focus on storytelling and pupettry at a local’s house in both towns of Bourg-lès-Valence and Valence.
  
• Kings of silence, a funny evening with ears plugged, which mixes both games and shows for all, the hearing-impaired and those who are not, eager for unusual encounters and unforgettable sensations… This is an evening in line with the well-known dinner in the dark!

More information: Vice Versa Festival – www.festival-vice-versa.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

Until July 11, 2010, the Contemporary Art Museum of Lyon presents Rétrospective Ben Strip-Tease Intégral, the most important retrospective dedicated to the artist Ben Vautier. He is one of the major artists of the XXth century , known for its performances, installations and paintings.

With more than 1.000 works of art, this exhibition shows a 50-year carrier over  3000 m2 (i.e. all the rooms of the museum). The exhibition includes pieces starting from the very beginning at Nice to the most recent ones, through his appropriations, performances, paintings and installations.

For the first time, all the topics dear to Ben and which made him famous have been exhibited, gathered by series: Bananas, Ego, Gestures, Ethnism, Sex, Truth etc. This unprecedented event also includes new videos and pieces created especially for this occasion.

By setting Ben’s work in its historical context, this exhibition, due to its scope (the largest ever done), allows the visitor a deeper understanding of a world which he had probably only seen the media-related side.

Useful Information:

Place: Contemporary Art Museum, Cité internationale – 81 quai Charles de Gaulle – 69006 LYON
Phone : +33 4 72 69 17 17 – Fax : +33 4 72 69 17 00
Contact : info@mac-lyon.com
Opening hours:

• From Wednesday to Friday: from 12 to 7 pm
• Saturday and Sunday: from 10 am to 7 pm

Exhibition prices:

• Full price: €8
• Reduced price: €6
• Family price: 1€3 (2 adults and 2 children or more)
• Free under 18
• Visits : €3 + entry

More information: Lyon Contemporary Art Museum – www.mac-lyon.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

From December 22^nd to 30^th 2009, about thirty films for all ages with a focus on the theme of « tales, myths and legends » will be presented.

Get ready to discover the festival’s diversified programme: animation films, documentary films, a selection of movies dedicated to a very young audience and without forgetting Christmas films releases of course !

You will have the opportunity to attend workshops dedicated to art expression through cinema: the making of an animated film in a film studio, taking part in the festival’s blog and news, attending a film critic workshop, introduction to filming techniques for teenagers, making of a vox pop short film, tv news stories, handling of filming equipment and much more!

Between the films, nice meeting places will be available to you. Besides, do not miss the exhibitions, the debate sessions following the films and the special nights dedicated to one particular theme.

More information:

Lans en Vercors Tourist Office: www.ot-lans-en-vercors.fr

Phone: +33 4.76.95.42.62

From 5 to 8 December 2009, on the occasion of the Lights Festival (Fête des Lumières), the city of Lyon will once again become a unique location in the world where visitors will come across 70 artistic projects imbued with enchantment, poetry and drama simply at a bend in a road, on a bridge or a hill.

An essential event for creators, lighting experts, visual artists, architects and other multimedia producers, the Lights Festival will enable visitors to discover the emblematic sights in the city of Lyon, transformed for this occasion.

While the city centre alone will welcome about 20 artistic projects, the Lights Festival will also reach into all areas of the city via projects from art, architecture and design schools as well as the remarkable work of district associations, MJCs (maisons des jeunes et de la culture, ie local youngsters associations) and locals who will use the occasion to embellish squares, buildings fronts and alleyways. In addition, public spaces will be used  as theatres for unique meetings, innovative performances – real moments of complicity between spectators and street artists. The Lights Festival will also be an opportunity for some 300 international professionals to join the “meetings of light” conference.

More information:

Lights Festival: www.lumieres.lyon.fr

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

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