Friday, June 21, 2013

Fête de la Musique - solstice d'été


Summer Solstice


So what does the solstice d'été have to do with music?  In Paris and many parts of France the summer solstice is accompanied by a grand celebration of music, with all genres and forms.  You can visit the churches for special concerts, listen to street musicians in the squares and gardens.  The cafés have jazz quartets and pop music and everything in between.  The music begins early and extends to the wee hours of the morning.


"The musicians are asked to perform for free, and all the concerts are free for the public. It’s the reason why they are used to play in open air areas as streets and parks or in public buildings like museums, train stations, castles… Furthermore, the Fête de la Musique is a way to encourage the major music institutions (orchestra, operas, choirs, etc.) to perform outside their usual locations." (official site here)


This photo was taken of the "piano man" on June 21, 2010, Fête de la Musique, a wonderful day spent with friends soaking up beautiful weather and a variety of music.  


Wish I was there today.


Pont Saint-Louis
75004, Paris

17 comments:

  1. Ah, I wish I were there today as well, Genie!! I can never get too much music! Hope you have a lovely weekend! Enjoy!
    Hugs
    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Solstice, Genie,
    and may music be in your heart, wherever you are,
    Merisi

    ReplyDelete
  3. Paris certainly knows how to celebrate. It would be no mean feat to have a piano transported outdoors. Not only are the difficult to move but the are expensive, finely calibrated instruments not designed to be exposed to the elements. What a treat. I remember seeing/hearing a pianist on a grand piano in Vienna once. I was amazed.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a terribly civilized thing to have; a music festival on the Solstice. Well done, mes amis francais.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting
    Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've seen the piano man all over Paris. First time was at the flea market in Vanves. Here he is on Pont St Louis, my favorite spot to watch street musicians. Genie, I wish I was there everyday!

    ReplyDelete
  6. We're gonna have a very long (.. or short !) night tonight here in France!Especially here on French Riviera , near the beach and inviting sea.. :o)
    Happy Summer to you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. My first visit to France was at this time. Nice memory! Nice photo!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice things to do on the longest hopefully sunny day. (sunny here at least)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think this is a wonderful way to celebrate ,, Not like going to Stonehenge and dancing around the stones,, I know which way I would prefer and know where I would like to be :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think this is a wonderful way to celebrate ,, Not like going to Stonehenge and dancing around the stones,, I know which way I would prefer and know where I would like to be :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lucky (or well-planned) you to have enjoyed this wonderful event. One of these years . . .
    Bon weekend, Genie!

    ReplyDelete
  12. happy solstice!
    what a brilliant idea to celebrate.

    have a lovely summer weekend~

    first time here. i really love your super awesome blog.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Looks beautiful, Genie. I love being out and about and happening upon live music. The more, the merrier.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, that hat is from the 70's.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Joe, this pianist and singer regularly moves his piano about. As you can see from Jeff's comment, he has seen him as far away as Vanves. I have seen him several times and last spring when I was in Paris with my husband, I was finally able to present him with a black and white portrait photo I had taken of him in 2010. Oh, he was on Rue Mouffetard that day! How does he move that piano around. I am certain that he is not navigating the many steps of the Metro!

    Anne, Stonehenge sounds like a happening place as well for the solstice, but you and I are in agreement about the joie de vivre... Paris filled with music.

    Alexa, I think that we planned that trip on a very short notice but I would have loved to be there this year.

    Betty, it is so nice to see you here and I hope that you will visit often.

    Shell, hope that you are staying warm with your opposite solstice!

    Bises,
    Genie

    ReplyDelete
  16. another wonderful 'street portrait'

    ReplyDelete

Merci for your comments!