Festival Previews Video Blog

Situated on the left bank of the Rhône the fortified city of Avignon is well known for its summer festivals. Its architecture reflects its papal history and is well known for its Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) which dates from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Festival d’Avignon (the official festival) started by Jean Vilar in 1947 is in its 62nd year and parallels the Edinburgh Fringe in its years of devotion to the arts.

Avignon’s other festival is Avignon Festival & Cies Le OFF where The Garage International (TGI) are currently performing. From street performances to dance, theatre, music, children’s shows and comedy and traditional to off beat, regardless of language, Avignon Le OFF embraces all. As Shakti, who is TGI’s Artistic Director, says “the real difference in the festival at Avignon compared to the others is that the whole city and culture become the festival. And I think that is important for the artists too. You can learn from it as well as communicate your art”.

Images courtesy of The Garage International

Shakti
Artistic Director
The Garage International

Artistic Director
Tokyo Fringe Festival

About to start is the Hebridean Celtic Festival which takes place off the north eastern coast of Scotland on the Isles of Lewis. The festival runs from the 16th to 19th July. Stornoway or (Steòrnabhaghon in the Gaelic) is immortalised in the beautifully melodic song, “Lovely Stornoway” by the late “King of the Highlands”, Calum Kennedy.

Known as the Hebcelt, this annual music festival features artists from the rich vein of Celtic music which is deeply embedded into Scottish culture. In 2004 the Hebcelt won The Event of the Year at the Scots Traditional Music Awards. Now in its 13th year the festival features Shooglenifty, Red Hot Chillie Pippers, Julie Fowlis and many, many more.

Check out the Hebcelt website for lots more information…

Fringe by the Sea is North Berwick’s brand new 4 day Music Festival. Known as the “Golf Coast” it nestles on the outskirts of the city of Edinburgh. Fringe by the Sea will take place during this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe from the 13th to 16th August and is planned to be a regular annual event.

Its leaders, John Shaw and Eric Wales are music-daft local residents who plan to use major town centre venues to showcase jazz, world folk and contemporary acoustic music.

Already booked to perform are Dougie Maclean and his Band, Fat Sam’s Band and Tommy Smith’s Youth Jazz Orchestra to mention just a few. Check out their Events Calendar and take a break from the Edinburgh Festivals….

Avignon – ancienne ville fortifiée aussi qu’ancienne résidence officielle du Pape. Au mois de juillet chaque année elle se transforme en ville d’accueil pour toutes sortes de festival.Avignon is a lovely ancient city surrounded by a wall where the Pope used to live.

Today it is the vibrant centre of the Avignon Festivals in July. The city comes alive with artists and musicians parading around in costume, busking and handing out leaflets. The audience is here for the festival and to see shows.

Les rues débordent d’activité, d’artistes costumés et de musiciens ambulants et des prospectus offrent un choix étourdissant de spéctacles.

On y vient pour l’ambiance de la rue et pour voir des spéctacles bien sûr ; mais puisque c’est La France, on y vient aussi pour la cuisine et le bon vin !

Le marché deborde de fruits, de légumes, d’olives et de fromages de la région. Dans le quartier du marché on voit affiché partout des détails de spéctacles séduisants.

This is France where people enjoy food and wine as part of the culture and art. Freshly baked bread, olives, wines, cheeses, fruits and vegetables are abundant and the Central Market is full of food, people and, of course, posters!

‘The Garage International’- situé à l’Hôtel Mercure, Pont d’Avignon est le seule rendez-vous étranger au festival. Notre but est de présenter des artistes internationaux non-français. Le Garage International joue donc un rôle petit mais néanmoins important dans le festival.

“The Garage International“ is the only non French venue in the whole festival and we are located in the Hotel Mercure Pont d’Avignon. We are there mainly to introduce international non-French artists to take part in the festival. TGI has a small but important role in the festival.

Bienvenue en Avignon.
Bienvenue a La Garage International!

I recently came across Bill Gates’ speech to the students of Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia, California. As he leaves Microsoft for pastures new you either love him or hate him, but he sure hits the nail on the head with this one!