Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all make acquaintance in reality, not just online, share a few tunes and have a beer together? There will be an Irish-Trad-Music Festival in Mesquer, South Brittany, France (yes, that is Zubivka’s place) from July 4th to July 6th. This would be a good opportunity to set up a first meeting for all European
chiffers. Of course you may feel free to fly in from any other continent. So who might be interested in joining us there? All musicians are welcome. Don’t be shy! Let’s get together and have a session at the beach!
BTW, here’s Mesquer (uptown)
And here folks is the rap about Mesquer.
This is a small village, with half a dozen beaches, and even manier more pubs!
It is located in the Guérande peninsula, in between sea and salt marshes, with a rocky granite coast and many fine sand beaches.
The (agri)culture
The salt marshes have been classified by Unesco as World Historic Patrimony.
Being in the south tip of Brittany, the climate is particularly mild, usuallly sunny at the beginning of July. Due west, the islands of Dumet, Houat, Hoedic and Belle-Ile shade us from most storms.
The very early Kings of Low Brittany (Vannes) already had their summer castles in the area.
The last independant Queen of Brittany (known as Duchess Anne) had Guérande as her personal domain. The mediaeval walled city has been beautifully preserved.
Mesquer produces salt, oysters, mussels, fish and a few taters. We have to import wine and beer, but are proficient at this.
Foot-fishing (for various shellfish), sea-angling and surf-casting are free to the public (no permits), and a local attraction.
Another attraction is bird-spotting. The peninsula is a “damp area” with its bogs and marshes, and unevitable as a rest place for migrating birds (cranes, swans, wild geese, etc.) and the dwelling of many rare resident species.
About Mesquer’s ITM Festival.
It started in 2002, from the impulse of Nantes “Beltaine” music association, which holds weekly sessions in Nantes and a monthly one in Mesquer. They wanted more homely a place than their big city. Our city council approved immediately, and all our local associations partake.
First year was a total success. Musicians ganged up from all over Brittany. Each pub hosted a non-stop daily session.
The concert held on Saturday under a huge circus tent had an audience of over 2,000, with stage music, Irish singers and tap-dancers. Also Guinness on tap in two booths right in the tent 
The program, 2003
Same idea :
Free admission.
All bars open to sessioners. And no increase of the prices to the consumers…
Daily free workshops : whistle, flute, dance, bodhran.
Free entrance at the Saturday evening big concert.
What it’s not.
Not a big money-making festival like Lorient’s Festival Interceltique. And not intending to become such. It’s before all a musical ITM get-together, open to beginners as well as pros.
Accomodation.
Scarce hotels, some B&B’s. Now if you make your reservations early like this winter, it’s no problem. Many campings, more like motels, with all their mobile-homes. Same thing.
Especially for those with tight budgets,please contact me (Private messages) so I can try and arrange places to crash if you provide you meat-sack. This is a first come, first served facility, of course.
For registered chiffers
The C&F get-together will have the beach-session suggested by Claudine, of course! Also planned : mussels and barbecue party at Zoob’s mansion 
. Picnic and sightseeing. Rally-type competitions and games.
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2003-01-09 16:58 ]
Sounds (and looks) like heaven. If only I weren’t a continent away!
Session in Mesquer '02 ITM Festival
On 2003-01-09 17:07, GFox wrote:
Sounds (and looks) like heaven. If only I weren’t a continent away!
Don’t worry (or do ?) : the flight rates to Europe will be extremely low in July… :roll:
Remind us again in the early summer please, looks and sounds interesting. Can’t make plans for the summer yet though.
I’ll be there! But, what’s that guy playing, just to the left of the fiddler, that kinda looks like an octopus and sounds like a duck? Good thing we’ll be near water!
Lorenzo, serious you come ? Then leave me a private message when you’re ready to make reservations.
The guy squeezing an octopus under his right armpit is Pascal Martin, a local. Good on whistle too, as often goes…
Oooohhh…
I want to go!
Will Brendon Ring be there? I chat with him once in a while on the UP forum.
Don’t know about Brendon.
To make sure, why don’t you lure him in ?
Makes me think I should post the invitation in the “brethren-fora”*, too…
- Sounds weird. Forums?
Je me fie vous savez que Brendon habite en Bretagne? Il est le meilleur fabricant de roseau en france pour le uilleann pipes. Je devrai rafraîchir mes français.
Lorenzo, you speak real good french fer a cowboy.
Please, please, have merci, si vous plait.
A European C&F gettogether sounds great. However, I have no idea yet whether I’d be able to make it or not… 
Jens
This the reason of us (the few Euro Chiffy Bikers…) to initiate this invitation, and post it early.
So we do hope you still got time to plan arrangements.
To US, Canada residents : you’ll get cheaper boarding and generally better season early July. Stay the whole month, and you’ll attend Bagads, old rig ships rallies, and will have time to motor by the monoliths*
- Older and manier than in any other Celtic area : Stonehenge looks like a concrete+glass high-riser when compared.
Great idea, Claudine & Zub!
a gathering of the European part of this community is a great idea. Lots of music, fun and “whistle-envy”… Unfortunately, I hardly will be able to participate. I am going to Anost/Burgundy for a great festival in August and that’s it, I’m afraid. I have spent two wonderful weeks in Southern Brittany last summer. By the way, if anyone plans to explore that area this year, I heartily recommend “La cour de Kerlarec” near Quimperlé for accomodation. It is hosted by Gerhard Pohl, a fellow piper and whistler and a great friend. Check out his website at http://www.kerlarec.de (in German only, but open to English and French speakers as well, of course). Sorry for the commercial plug, but I am still in heaven from those marvellous, musical 2 weeks last summer…
Oh, and: has anyone, by accident or purposely, ever been to Anost??
Christian
Thanks for your PM, Zoobster. My planning for the summer is still in a state of chassis because of complex family holiday planning calculus, but the Euro-get-together is a great idea, and I’ll keep an eye on how it’s developing and will let you know if I can make it there.
Roger, it would be great to have you there. All whistles and no pipes - can’t do that to us. We need you.
Why can’t you guys do this in May when I’m in Brittany??? Zub, surely you can have them change the date of the festival!!!
Man, I would love to attend this party!