NB: For the full story and pictures, see http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=8784
My little town and sea-resort of Mesquer, Brittany, France organizes its 2nd ITM festival, named
La Session
July 4-5-6th 2003
What’s up?
• Daily sessions in any of the numerous pubs… or one of our sand beaches if you feel like it!
• More than 120 musicians registered when they came last year. Many more are expected, with the momentum gained this year through the press.
• Free daily music workshops (“conventions”)
• Instrument makers display and sales. Free to visit, and free for the makers, too! WhOA is good for you, trying before you buy even better!
• Free Ceili on Saturday 5th night, under a huge circus tent. Music and set dances. Free, but you’ll have to pay your pint at the two Guinness taps located inside the tent…
• First C&F European get-together: let’s meet un-virtually for a change!
• The bonfire with melt-down of an authentic Dixon whistle, just to teach Martin Milner-kkknnniggget!
What it’s not
• NOT a big city. In winter, we’re less than 2,500. For some reason, we still have between 6 anbd 8 open pubs, depending on the season…
• NOT a money-making big Festival. Which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit Lorient later in July :roll:
• NOT a big marketplace for instruments as is St-Chartier festival on the following week-end. But if you’re in Mesquer, you’re already closer to St-Chartier and have a week to recover.
Sight-seing
• The salt marshes of Guérande. Some of the world-renowned “Sel de Guérande” is actually produced in Mesquer.
• The mediæval walls of Guérande city, home of the last free kings and queens of Brittany.
• Typical fishing harbours of La Turballe, Le Croisic or, in Mesquer proper, the tiny port of Kercabellec.
• The beaches. If there’s a place where you’re likely to once see the “green ray”, it is Mesquer-Quimiac beach! Just gaze westwards at the sunset, and think of all who’re stuck in traffic jams and conditioned air on the East Coast 
Weather forecast
El Niño! It’s been so good for a couple months it’s turning to draught. Good thing the sea breeze makes it tolerable. Yesterday, a brush fire burnt a few dozen acres just a few miles away. It normally never happens…
Where on earth is it?
closer up:
Accomodation
Check the Tourism Bureau http://www.mesquer-quimiac.com/
For places to crash, or to pre-register as a professional musician for the Saturday concert, see:
• Bertrand Luçon
02 40 37 07 92
bert.lucon@free.fr
• Jean Lucas
02 40 14 34 72
jean.lucas@free.fr