First Day of Summer and Fete de Musique

Hi,

Today is a huge celebration throughout France - June 21 - First Day of Summer! It's called Fete de Musique and music will be playing on every street corner throughout Paris. I have a late evening in store for me tonight. Now it's 2:00 pm and I am heading out to do a little sightseeing before going to Vicki and Joseph's. Here's a blub from the internet:

The Fête de la Musique in Paris, Monday 21st June 2010
Art and Culture

If you’ve never experienced this music festival before, brace yourself: every 21st June, anyone and everyone will be making music of any and all kinds anywhere… and everywhere.


Fête de la musique 2010 (Music Day 2010)

In June, the streets of Paris and everywhere else in France take on a festive air for the Fête de la Musique. This huge popular event brings together music fans and musicians, amateurs and professionals, for one day of music making in the streets. Every year the event is a great success!

This year, the 29th edition of the Fête de la Musique takes the theme “Music and Women”. Sources of inspiration, artists with a wide range of repertories … women will be the stars of the day.

As well as being the occasion for amateur musicians to reveal their talents, the Fête de la Musique is also the opportunity to hear French and international artists performing for free throughout the city.

In Paris, the national orchestras will be participating in the event. Under the Louvre pyramid, the Orchestra de Paris will play « La Nuit Américaine »: a compilation of works by Bernstein, Gershwin and John Adams.

At the Musée d’Orsay, the Orchestre Philharmonique and the Maîtrise de Radio France will take up residence in the Nave which will open exceptionally in the evening for the event.

Artists will play in different places all over the city. In Place Denfert-Rochereau, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, the public will be swinging to the sounds of music groups In the Club, Curry & Coco, Jil is Lucky and Hugh Coltman, with many other surprises.

Here are a few street scenes, one at the Opera and the other taken while I was enjoying a coffee at an outdoor cafe. Motorcycle guy got his expresso and placed it on his seat while getting other things in order!

I'll continue my blog later when I return home. Until then, ciao!!!