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Looking for proof that this festival has become a must-attend summer event in our department and beyond? Just look at the number of journalists and the diversity of media present at the press luncheon announcement.
Last year, we had just enough space on the small terrace of Villa Nicolas Juste for the menu prepared by the chef whose restaurant is considered one of the best in the mid-country by the Gantié Guide.
For this 2009 edition, the large terrace of the nearby Le Clos des Arts – whose 4 hotel opened in 2006 – was almost too small due to the number of press representatives who came not only to taste Chef Sébastien Paoletti’s dishes and enjoy the incomparable view, but also because it was an event organized for the first time by the EPIC Tourism Office.
The Tourism Office still exists but has changed its operating structure.
It has moved from being an association – whose president was Gilles Bertaux and who became the artistic director of this festival for the last two years – to a public institution (EPIC) now chaired by Christian Berkesse, the mayor.
Last but not least, he can count on his Deputy Mayor for Culture, Elizabeth Clément, who is much more comfortable after her first year in office.
The recent administrative and legal restructuring has also led to the appointment of a new director, Karel Boulogne, and the withdrawal of Patricia Paula – after twelve years at the helm of the organization – who remains with the new office team.
Other people to think and give momentum and a different program that we will quickly present to you with our totally subjective opinion but based on facts observed firsthand.
A festival worth attending
Even more free jazz evenings (18) on the famous and cozy Place de Gaulle (from 6:45 PM to 8:15 PM) between July 14 and August 20, with two consecutive evenings on August 19 and 20 that will leave you breathless.
The first will mark the return of the Frédéric Viale Quartet (present in the previous edition) and will make even the most resistant fall in love with the accordion. The second evening with the Boogie Men is likely to wake up even Sleeping Beauty without the intervention of her Prince Charming, such is the rhythm in their swing.
Even more dance nights (5) on Saturdays from 8:30 PM, and it promises to be “muy caliente”. Two nights dedicated to theater, including one for comedy, which will open the festival this Friday, July 10 at the public garden. Singing will not be forgotten, and we will stay in France with French opera magnificently performed by Elisabeth Vidal and André Cognet, as well as a promising talent with Pauline, discovered by 500,000 people during the concert at Champ de Mars for Bastille Day 2008!
For those who know him as a television journalist on France 3 Côte d’Azur, this will be an opportunity to discover the passionate and fascinating singer that is Bernard Persia, performing great classics of the national repertoire.
As we absolutely need our dose of humor, comic talent, and even impertinence, the good doctor Patrick Timsit will not hesitate to give us a good reminder with his latest show. Be warned, there will not be enough tickets for everyone, the public garden is not the huge room of the Imperial in Montreal!
This festival “Encounters around Notes and Words” is worth the visit for many reasons.
To top off this presentation, we had the privilege of having a sneak peek at the cooking class given by the new chef of the establishment managed by Fabrice Lavergne.
We saw how a lemon tart is made and the mayor did not hesitate to grab one of the pastry tools, just to show that he is not shy about getting his hands dirty.
