Fête De La Musique: More diversified this year

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's 3rd Fete de la Musique promises to bring a more diversified show this June 19th at Ayala Center Cebu's The Terraces. Inside Ayala itself, musical instruments and Cebuano music will be played, while melodies will be emanating from all corners of the mall's interiors as early as 1 pm. Then 6 pm onwards, the party will be taken out to The Terraces as Cebu joins the rest of the world in giving to life the French tradition of setting aside a day to celebrate the universal language that is music.

About 21 performers will participate this year, with their musical genres ranging from classical to rock, amateur or professional, new or old, melodic or loud. Some of the groups that will play in this year's much-awaited fete are home-grown Cebuano talents Cattski, Powerspoonz, Zarah Smith, Missing Filemon, Sugbuwanon, Soulstring, Bethany and the UV Chorale.

They will be joined by Manila-based bands Brownman Revival, Juress, Rescue a Hero, and the Latin & flamenco-inspired band Hardwood.

M. Christian Merer, Counselor Cooperation and Cultural Action from the French Embassy, proudly announced during Fete de la Musique's presscon at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu the inclusion of a French artist, a DJ by the name of Jean Gabriel Becker a.k.a. The Springmine Disaster. The DJ moved to London in 1999 to pursue his life-long love affair with music in English. To promote the artists and releases of the record label he founded, he took on the moniker The Springmine Disaster and established residencies in and around London. He mixes his indie roots with electro, disco, and early techno influences to entertain an eclectic crowd and educated purists.

With the inclusion of the award-winning UV Chorale, the organizers must have taken serious note of the suggestion of the Cebu media during Fete de la Musique's first outing here in 2008 to include other major music institutions such as an orchestra, opera or choir in their line-up. Since choirs seldom perform in the same event or location that a band like, say, Powerspoonz does, they are seldom exposed to the Cebuano audience and hold this image of having music that only the upperclass of society can enjoy. Joining Fete de la Musique is a good avenue for them to perform outside their usual venue and change the misconception of their genre as "music for the elite."

Also known as World Music Day, Fete de la Musique originated in France in June 21, 1982 by American musician Joel Cohen who proposed an all-night music celebration at the moment of the summer solstice. It gave musicians, both amateurs and professionals alike, the opportunity to showcase their talents in venues that are accessible to the public. It has since spread to many countries, including the Philippines, with Manila holding “Fete de la Musique” yearly since 1994.

Presented by the Alliance Française de Cebu, the Foundry Publishing, and The Terraces Ayala Center Cebu, Fête de la Musique or World Music Day is co-presented by: ABS CBN, Qatar Airways, ML Kwarta Padala, M Lhuillier and ML Jewellers, Marco Polo Hotels, NU 107, Studio 23, 97.1 Lupig Sila, Maayong Buntag Kapamilya, Hola Espana!, Eurocopter, Gastripac, Omega Pain Killer Pro, The Gustavian, Soundballoon and Yehey.com.