Faites’ and ‘Ftes’ la Musique

If you aren’t in the mood to party, then you will be soon enough!

Paris is going to be a party town for the next few weeks starting tomorrow night, the longest day of the year. Of course, Paris is ALWAYS a party town every single day, but this time of year is particularly noteworthy.

Summer Solstice hits the high notes every year on June 21st during the Fête de la Musique — this being the 26th edition. Since it’s inception, it’s become the world leader to the other 110 countries and 340 cities which have followed suit.

On the cover of this week’s publication of “A Nous Paris” (distributed free at Métro kiosks) is a “jeu de mots” (play on words) which read: “21 Juin: Faites de la Musique.” How clever! There will be those that “faites” (make music) and those that “fêtes” (enjoy the music)! Since I haven’t played a note since oboe days in the high school band, guess I’ll be one of the thousands to be breathing it in rather than blowing it out. Pick up your copy fast for a listing of what’s on all over town or visit the official site for a detailed listing at http://www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr

Naturally, Le Marais is a magical spot to take in a variety of sounds. The great acoustics under the brick vaulted arcades of the Place des Vosges will host renaissance and classical concerts and choirs in the afternoon and evening. Once you’ve strolled the square, exit through the small door on the southwest corner to discover a seat on the courtyard of the Hôtel de Sully for “Chut! Genres musicaux multiples” from 6 to 11:30 p.m. It’s such particularly beautiful spot that you may not want to budge.

But do!…at the Mairie du 3ème, big band jazz will have everyone swinging from 7:30 p.m. to midnight with New Orleans style jazz starting there at 10 p.m.– it’s the kick off for the annual “Soirs d’Eté” sponsored by the Mairie for the last 10 years. You can bet I’ll be there to support my home town and sing along! (Think they’ll play “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In?”)

At Place du Marché Sainte-Catherine from 7 p.m. to midnight, in honor of the 3rd Festival des Cultures Juives, the Mairie of the 4ème is sponsoring music of past European Jewry with songs in Yiddish and the use of old-world instruments. For original Mexican music, stop in at the lovely courtyard of the Institut de Mexique at number 119 rue Vieille du Temple from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Electronic sounds will come from the “Kitchen” at Au Troisième Rue on rue Quincampoix near Le Centre Georges Pompidou and there on the Place, brass bands will make lots of noise in honor of “solidarité” from 6 to 10 p.m.

These are just a few hints. There will be a sound for every music pleasure seeker in every part of Paris, so, put on your comfortable walking shoes, start out early, hope
for good weather (often it’s really chilly on this particular night!), plan your route carefully, put enough money in your pocket to eat a “merguez” sandwich from one of the hundreds of street vendors and rock till you drop from early afternoon till the sun goes down and the music is still lingering sweetly in the night air.

A la prochaine…