The Dominican Republic joins France to celebrate the annual Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day. This is the 20th anniversary of Fete de la Musique and events are happening from 19 to 28 June 2024.
Kicking off the festivities in the capital city, the Fête de la Musique Infantil y Juvenil (Children’s and Youth’s Music Festival) will take center stage on 22 June at the Plaza de la Cultura from 10am onwards. This special event is designed to ignite a passion for music among the younger generation, with musical storytelling, rap writing workshops, live concerts, film screenings, interactive instrument exploration, dance performances, and much more.
As the day progresses, the grand Fête de la Musique will commence at 5pm, marked by a captivating Flash Mob inspired by “La Danse des Jeux,” a choreography created by renowned choreographer Mourad Merzouki in honor of the Olympic Games. This electrifying performance will set the stage for an evening filled with pulsating rhythms and captivating performances.
Several concerts are scheduled to be held in bars and restaurants on 21 June, especially in the Colonial City.
The lineup of local artists gracing the stage includes renowned names like Toque Profundo, La Marimba, Josean Jacobo, Batey Cero, and Celestino. From France, the audience will be captivated by the unique sounds of Funky Noxy, a band led by hip-hop pioneer Sidney Duteil, known for its fusion of funk, classical, jazz, and rock.
Adding to the cultural tapestry, the Zion B-Boys group from Martinique will showcase their impressive breakdance routines, highlighting their dedication to promoting hip-hop culture alongside Dominican hip-hop federation dancers.
Yet, the music fest starts earlier, beyond Santo Domingo, reaching other cities in the Dominican Republic.
In Santiago the activities are:
• “Soirée Cinéma,” a film screening featuring music-themed movies, will take place on 20 June at Los Jardines Park.
• Funky Noxy will perform at the Centro León on 21 June at 7pm.
• An open-stage show for jazz musicians will be held at the Alianza Francesa de Santiago on June 24.
Samaná:
• Funky Noxy will take the stage at Parque Las Terrenas – Los Establos de Nicolas on 23 June.
The Fête de la Musique will draw to a close with performances by the “Mario Canonge Trio,” a jazz ensemble featuring the virtuosity of French pianist Mario Canonge, accompanied by Michel Alibo on double bass and Armand Dolmen on drums. The trio will grace the stage at Casa de Teatro in Santo Domingo on 27 June and at the Centro León in Santiago on 28 June.
Canonge is renowned for his collaborations with artists like Lavelle, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Nicole Croisille, as well as his jazz-rock fusion group Ultramarine. Alibo previously performed alongside Canonge in the electrifying Caribbean music group Sakiyo of the late 1980s. Dolmen, a highly sought-after drummer on the French scene, has been lauded as “Musician of the Year” by Jazz Magazine and Jazz News.
The Fête de la Musique 2024 extends a warm invitation to all music enthusiasts to join in this international celebration of music, immersing themselves in a rich and diverse program that shines a spotlight on both local and international talents.
Since its inception in France in 1982, Fête de la Musique has transcended borders to become a global phenomenon, providing a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their musical talents and connect with audiences worldwide.
Read more in Spanish:
Embassy of France
20 June 2024