Free music festival in Newtown

With less than a month to go before Fête de la Musique, the annual French music festival in Newtown, organisers are preparing the community for what they can expect this year.

The music festival attracted more than 6 000 people to Newtown Junction last year, and this year, with the involvement of Total SA and the local community, the festival aims for much more people to attend.

“What makes it unique is that it’s an international event,” said Jean Bourdin, head of the French department at Alliance Françiase Johannesburg, the organisation which brought this festival to Joburg.

“The Fête de la Musique was started in France in 1982, so it’s more than 30 years old, and in these years it has spread through the whole world and is celebrated in more than 100 countries,” Bourdin explained.

South Africa, having become one of the countries which celebrated this festival of local and French music in 2010, will hold the festival this year in Newtown with stages being set up at six locations.

The six stages will be at Capello, News Cafè and Pic Nic in Newtown Junction, in addition to the Gentleman’s Art House stage, Kippies stage and the Bassline stage.

The entire community is coming together on this project, with Total SA, the French multinational integrated oil and gas company, not only supporting the event but integrating the community to ensure that they welcome the festival – and enjoy it.

The most exciting part of Fête de la Musique is the numerous musical acts that will grace the stages during the day.

Some of the local talent includes Guy Buttery, UJU, Blk Jks, Black South Easter and many more, with French and francophone acts such as Jess and Crabbe and Vaudou Game, among others.

While some acts are lesser known than others, this platform gives recognition to those who are up-and-coming in the music industry and promotion for the industry leaders.

Don’t miss out on this festival of music and culture on 18 June at various venues in Newtown.

Details: www.fetedelamusiquejhb.co.za