Paris Muse

On the heels of the success of the last edition of the Le Grand Bal Masqué in 2011, the Château de Versailles opens the doors of l’Orangerie from midnight to dawn once again. Enjoy an “after” in the magnificent ballroom in the middle of the Royal Gardens until 8am. An evening not to miss Saturday, June 30, 2012.

The best costumes of Europe alongside the music of DJs Jennifer Cartini, Steev Lemercier and Jeremy Hills, plus the choreography by Blanca Li, host of the Versaillaise. For 1500 dancers costumed and masked, ensuring an unforgettable experience that will end at sunrise in the grove of the Ballroom, the most beautiful space of the Royal Garden. If you come by car, a dedicated parking will be available near the Orangerie at 21:00.

Time: Midnight to dawn
Place: Châteaux de Versailles
Prices: from €70
Reserve your tickets online here.

This Thursday, June 21, music is taking to the streets in Paris. Free and live events will happen all over the city (see map below and a link to a shortlist of events).

In 1962, four lads from Liverpool released their first EP…The Beatles
marked the dawn of a new era with Love Me Do: Pop music was born. Like
jazz music, pop caused a musical revolution which transformed our society.
In France, the “yéyé” pop music generation had its origins on the “Salut les
copains” radio show and brought with it a social upheaval that affected
each and every youth in the Western hemisphere. Pop music is more than
just a musical style; it’s a culture which has fundamentally changed
mentalities and transformed music and consumerism.

Fast forward 20 years to June 21st 1982 when the French Ministry of Culture
and Communication organised an event that saw thousands of French people
descend on the streets to celebrate music and amateur musicians. Just like
pop music, the event brings people together, reflects our culture and is a
celebration. It’s little wonder that the Minister of Culture and Communication,
Frédéric Mitterrand, has chosen to pay homage to pop music at the 31st Fête
de la Musique. June 21st 2012 will be a “musical, cultural, social, joyful and
colourful” date to remember.

On Thursday June 21st, music lovers, amateur and professional musicians,
have been invited to celebrate pop in all its forms on the streets!
SACEM, Radio France, A Nous, TV5MONDE and Crédit Mutuel are official
partners of the Fête de la Musique 2012.

via fetedelamusique.culture.fr

Map of events in Paris:

Here is a list of music festival highlights by time and quarter.

To close in music Monumenta by Daniel Buren at the Grand Palais, We Love Art, in association with The Creators Project, invites you to participate in Bal Blanc under the huge skylight of the Grand Palais and the heart of the artist’s work.

The public is invited to dress only in white to immerse themselves deep into the polychromy of the work that Daniel Buren entitled “Eccentric (s), work in situ”, for live music and movement experience in color.

When: Thursday, June 21, 2012

Where: Grand Palais

Dress code: White

A great initiative, opening cultural access to disabled people, La Nuit de l’accessibilité (Night of accessibility) takes place this June 8. In conjuction with the Marie de Paris, Jaccede, will put on a night of festivities for the second year in a row. The aim is to identify new locations for disabled people, open venues to the idea of accessibility to all, and to create a festive atmosphere.

The events of June 8 include performances by The Guest Only and a surprise guest, and take place at La Gaîté lyrique starting at 18:30

via La Gaîté lyrique

Not all of us can partake in the glamor and wheeling-dealing bustle of the Cannes Film Festival, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a taste of it right here in Paris. The Forum des images is going to present to the public, in its entirety, the 44th selection of the Quinzaine des réalisateurs, or Directors’ Fortnight.

You’ll be able to see over 30 features and short films just after the festival ends, some of which don’t even have an official release date yet. Filmmakers will be on hand to talk about their craft in this full program which starts on May 31st and ends on June 10th.

See a full list of the events here (PDF), and view trailers, interviews and extracts from the Quinzaine here.

Reprise de la Quinzaine des réalisateurs 2012

via Forum des Images

After a 2011 edition marked by memorable moments and ever wider public success, the Villette Sonique festival continues, expanding in scope and developing a taste for adventure and for the unexpected.

With experimental rock, electro and hip-hop icons and top names from the international independent scene, the festival has become, in just a few years, an eagerly awaited moment in the musical and cultural life in France, yet remains well off the beaten path of the usual large scale festivals.

In the exceptional setting of the Parc de la Villette, this festival offers a new perspective and a selection of top quality events, as well as workshops for children and adults, a label village, meeting places and much more.

The 2012 edition will be a new opportunity for Villette Sonique to assert its unique place in the landscape of national festivals.

Lineup includes:
Great Hall de la Villette – Friday, May 25
MF DOOM / SHABAZZ PALACES / TBA

Great Hall de la Villette – Saturday, May 26
SLEEP / THE MELVINS / PSYCHIC PARAMOUNT / ICEAGE

Le Cabaret Sauvage – Saturday, May 26
NIGHT REDBULL MUSIC ACADEMY: FRANCOIS K. / PEARSON SOUND / TBA

Great Hall de la Villette – Sunday, May 27
GODFLESH / THE SOFT MOON / LITURGY

Trabendo – Sunday, May 27
CHRIS AND COSEY / ITAL / JOHN TALABOT

Trabendo – Tuesday, May 29
DIRTY THREE / JULIA HOLTER / PEAKING LIGHTS

City of Music – Wednesday May 30
GIRLS / TBA

Parc de la Villette – Saturday 26 and Sunday, May 27
MUDHONEY / ARIEL PINK & R STEVIE MOORE “Ku Klux Glam” / DEATH GRIPS / THE FIELD / THE SPITS / I: CUBE (live) / NGUZUNGUZU / Egyptology / DJ RASHAD & DJ SPINN / BLACKIE

Official site
Facebook Page
Buy tickets here

Where: Parc de la Villette
Metro: Porte de Pantin (ligne 5), Porte de la Villette (ligne 7)

* Information on Villette Sonique via Europanache.com