Fête de la Musique

(illustration via A Nous Magazine)

June 21st, the Summer Solstice. The longest day of the year, when the sun stays out longer than we thought possible back in January. Paris makes great use of this "midsummer night" by celebrating music all day and all night with their annual Fête de la Musique, with free performances all over the city. It's dizzying to think of all the great acts that will be playing, but I'm sure we can find something for everyone. For example:

- 3pm, Église Saint-Eustache: Fabrizio Moretti (of The Strokes)

- 4-9pm, Petit Palais - Musée des Beaux-Arts: Jeunes Talents (classical)

- 5pm, TEP Ménilmontant: Block Party New Yorkaise

- 5pm, Archives Nationales: Twins Dixieland swing and New Orleans jazz

- 6pm, Restaurant Salsa Rumba: Latino Salsa

- 7pm, Église Notre-Dame de Clignancourt: trumpets and organs

- 7:30pm, Café de L'Époque: Yuriko et les Jazz Challengers (jazz/blues)

- 8pm, Le Grande Palais: Four Tet, Caribou and Jamie XX

- 8:30pm Église Saint-Paul Saint-Louis: Gospel Pic'Pulse
- 8:30pm, Musée d'Orsay: Helsinki University Men's Choir
- 9:30pm, Le Baiser Salé: jazz tribute to the Beatles

For a complete and overwhelming list of every performance in Paris, pick up a copy of A Nous (the free paper in the Métro) or download a copy of the paper here. Open up your ears and celebrate summer!