ÉDITION PARIS: HAPPY FETE DE LA MUSIQUE

Every June 21st several countries around the world celebrate the arrival of summer with Fete de la Musique. It is a celebration of music spanning all cultures and ages. Countries that participate in this global party organize free music concerts and exhibitions in every village, city and town. From morning to midnight, the streets of major cities are lined with musicians (anyone can participate), entertaining the locals in parks, pubs, castles and historical monuments.

France is one of Fete de la Musique's biggest supporters - the entire country is engulfed in the vibrant celebrations. If you are lucky enough to be in France, particularly in its capital, on June 21st, forget Orsay, Notre Dame and Hermes - spend the day strolling through the streets taking in the diverse little concerts you stumble upon. Try some reggae, classical, rock, salsa, African or Arabic. Then dance the night away under the stars to some jazz in a narrow cobblestone side street.
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Possibly the biggest concert put on for Fete de la musique is the big show put on by TV5. It lasts about 4 hours and has performances by most of France's most popular musicians of the time as well as the odd international superstar, such as Celine Dion, the Pussycat Dolls and Eros Ramazzotti. It always occurs at some very famous, humongous venue that can accommodate the couple hundred thousand people who attend every year. Past locations include the Trocadero, the Champs de Mars (Eiffel Tower) and Versailles.
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Having been a couple times, I can tell you that the concert is fantastic, especially if you are a fan of some of the performers. However, people can be very pushy up closer to the stage and, like any other large public gathering, there are the occasional "weirdos" out and about. Think mosh-pit. Still there is always lots of security to make sure that things are kept under control. For safety reasons, the few closest metro stations to this venue are generally closed for the night so prepare for a bit of a walk home. The nearest open ones are so crowded they make the Tokyo subway look deserted.

For a complete list of concerts going on around France, visit the official website: http://www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr/index_flash.php

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Have a wonderful time everyone and happy first day of summer!