Fête de la Musique 2019

[kerouac2]

As everybody knows, June 21st, rain or shine, weekend or week day, is the Fête de la Musique in France.  Yesterday was balmy with the added advantage of falling on a Friday.

I decided to check out the Quai Saint Bernard.

i.postimg.cc/3wBgRvMQ/Zik_2019_014.jpg

The authorities appear to have been fishing in the Seine, and this is part of their catch.  Electric scooters can now be added to the bicycles and motorbikes.

i.postimg.cc/cJZR0cbc/Zik_2019_015.jpg

The evening picnic time was in full swing.

i.postimg.cc/Tw3nW3GL/Zik_2019_016.jpg

If ever those towers had collapsed during the fire, I'm sure it would have put a big damper on all events along this part of the river for years.

i.postimg.cc/65vnZSs0/Zik_2019_021.jpg

i.postimg.cc/B67H5fQh/Zik_2019_024.jpg

i.postimg.cc/tJ1P2vs9/Zik_2019_025.jpg

Things were busy in the salsa zone.

i.postimg.cc/mg39XHg1/Zik_2019_029.jpg

i.postimg.cc/2SNv7wrf/Zik_2019_031.jpg

i.postimg.cc/zDMTVNQv/Zik_2019_033.jpg

All of that beer being drunk has to come out sooner or later.  Yes, I know that men have it easy, as well as having few inhibitions in France.

i.postimg.cc/N0gHWjKJ/Zik_2019_034.jpg

[kerouac2]

The swing zone was busy as well.

i.postimg.cc/CdTZJhy4/Zik_2019_036.jpg

i.postimg.cc/RC3XPg53/Zik_2019_038.jpg

i.postimg.cc/ZRny5sF6/Zik_2019_041.jpg

Tribal dances sprang up here and there.

i.postimg.cc/9MkwRPJK/Zik_2019_043.jpg

Everybody was busy in each dance floor -- classic rock, tango, etc.

i.postimg.cc/j2JwzW15/Zik_2019_044.jpg

i.postimg.cc/GphjvQxm/Zik_2019_047.jpg

i.postimg.cc/kgCsg9V8/Zik_2019_048.jpg

i.postimg.cc/yNQyjZLX/Zik_2019_050.jpg

i.postimg.cc/4dYbSxMC/Zik_2019_054.jpg

[kerouac2]

i.postimg.cc/2jPTgnr0/Zik_2019_055.jpg

i.postimg.cc/Qx1SDVMh/Zik_2019_057.jpg

One thing that seemed really good to me is that the Fête de la Musique has gone back to its original roots.  After the early years were a surprise success, commercialism took over with sponsored big shows in various parts of Paris with presenters, product promotion a couple of big stars and plenty of fading ones as well as the not-yet stars.  This year I saw people just enjoying playing their instruments anyway, in deserted streets, in front of a café, in parks without any announcement and often without any spectators.  This suits a lot of the amateurs musicians -- they desperately want to play music but do not necessarly have people watching them.  It is just nice to walk by and hear the various melodies for 20 or 30 seconds.

i.postimg.cc/nc4K55dL/Zik_2019_061.jpg

i.postimg.cc/KvSr0FDV/Zik_2019_062.jpg

I moved on to the Bassin de la Villette which was just as loud and boisterous as the Quai Saint Bernard.

i.postimg.cc/0yCf63m4/Zik_2019_067.jpg

i.postimg.cc/jSvHqfY0/Zik_2019_069.jpg

i.postimg.cc/50DqdMdX/Zik_2019_071.jpg

The evening was still very young.  It was not even 10pm yet and more people were arriving than leaving.

i.postimg.cc/rsWGqYMQ/Zik_2019_074.jpg

Five metro lines run all night, as well as all of the tram lines, on the 21st.

i.postimg.cc/kMtvNDKK/Zik_2019_076.jpg

i.postimg.cc/PqxmCqdL/Zik_2019_080.jpg

I leave all of this to younger crowds now.  I had enough all-nighters when I was their age.

i.postimg.cc/1zjDwZzv/Zik_2019_082.jpg

I crossed the Pont de Crimée and got a bike, and I was hope by 22:30.  I sure must have missed a lot!

i.postimg.cc/C1nk46BS/Zik_2019_083.jpg

Here is a bit of noise.

[bixaorellana]

This is wonderful, Kerouac! It seems that lately crowd scenes in Paris have not been about happy occasions. This look at exuberant Parisians being themselves is happiness itself. Incredible photographs, too, especially considering you had to capture so much in the dark and near dark. Just to name a few ~ the evocative shot with Notre Dame in the background; the man in the blue checked shirt and his lady partner in the plum scarf taking their first steps in a new dance &/or romance; right below them, the woman with the lilac sweater around her waist might be the epitome of casual Parisian style; the two accordionists with their sheet music; and that glorious shot of the Pont de Crimée.

Of course your video is super and really gives a taste of the evening.

[mossie]

Super, in the swing zone, has anyone swung off into the Seine?

[kerouac2]

I always wonder about that. It seems quite obvious to me that at least a couple of people must fall in every evening, especially considering the amount of alcohol that is consumed.