Perth @ la Carte

5 essentials facts about la Fete de la Musique and how to celebrate it with a French Touch in Perth

5- Music is stronger than...

 

The 2016 edition has a theme: “Music is stronger than” anything that can brings us apart.

Going to la Fete de la Musique broadens your horizon: you listen to music you wouldn’t necessarily choose to, you meet new people in a festive and joyful moment, you (re)discover your city and some places especially open to the public for the day.

Best of all, you loosen up all your inhibitions by singing and dancing in the streets just on that day (then you can choose to do it again in public or keep it to your own bathroom!).

1- It is French!

 

Created in 1982 by the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, it is celebrated every year on the 1st day of Summer, 21st June.This idea came after a study shown that 5 million people, 1 child out of 2 in France, played a musical instrument. There was a need to have more concerts. The first Fete de la Musique happened in Paris following the thought that “music was everywhere but concerts were nowhere”.

This article will tell you 5 essentials facts about la Fete de la Musique, the origins how we celebrate it in France and around the world and how to celebrate it with a French Touch in Perth.

 

2- Make Music

 

The “Fete de la Musique” sounds the same as “Faites de la musique” which means Make music.
The event has been created to encourage people to play music and emphasizes on free events from professional or amateurs across France, mainly in the streets.
All genres are represented, all sizes of venues (streets, parks, courtyards, stages purposely-built) and all musicians play free. No financial benefits for anyone.
This day is about Music, enjoying playing it and enjoying listening and dancing to it.
In 2016, 17 000 concerts are planned across France.

 

4- 120 Countries

 

Being so popular in France, and relatively easy to organise, the Word Music Day has spread and now more than700 cities in 120 countries have events on the 21st June to celebrate Music.

In Perth, the Alliance Francaise is organising concerts.

3- A great day and night out

 

On the 21st June, from big cities to small villages, you will see bands playing music in the streets, parks, outside bars and large audiences listening.

It is a great day to spend outside to entertain kids.

At night, you can roam the streets, especially in major cities (Paris, Lyon, Marseille), all night long to enjoy different styles. It is a little like a cultural pub crawl!

The weather is usually good at this time and if you ever plan a trip to France, please make sure you are out in a big town on the 21st June.