A French "Fête de la Musique" in DC
“Fête de la Musique” is an international event started in France in 1982. On the first day of summer, France traditionally celebrates musique, life and liberty.
The Alliance Française de Washington DC (AFDC) is a non-profit organization (501c3) that promotes intercultural understanding through French immersion education and training, a French language library and innovative cultural events for diverse audiences of all ages.
For the last two years, the AFDC has brought Fête de La Musique to Dupont Circle. With more than 7 hours of FREE non-stop music for the whole family, the 2015 first edition had over 2,000 attendees who enjoyed, celebrated, and danced!
In June 2016, the weather was not on our side. Despite the enthusiasm of all our musicians, our staff’s “sun dance”, and all of our fingers crossed, a massive storm hit Washington, DC! For security and safety reasons, thunderstorms and heavy rains forced us to cancel the concerts. It was a major blow after the many months of hard work and preparation.
Fête de la Musique’s main organizers at the Alliance Française are from Brittany, Ireland, and the North of France… As you can imagine, we are not afraid of a “little bit” of rain, so this year again, the Alliance Française will take Dupont Circle by “storm” (pun intended) and are determined to make this great celebration happen!
Here is the program of this fun day!
3:15PM - 3:45PM: Storytime for kids with Madeline
3:45PM -4:15PM: Songs in French for kids with Achille
4:15PM – 5PM: Folk, Rock and Blues with Mahdi Khene
5:15PM – 6:15PM: French and International Pop with The French Embassy Music Club
6:30PM – 7:20PM: Traditional Moroccan Music with Amazigh Ankraf Band - Morocco
7:40PM – 8:30PM - Classic rock, Funk, Soul, and Motown covers with the Marion St Banned
Music is the heart of this festive and cheerful day: with concerts for kids and adults, with an additional extra special French touch to a city designed by a French architect … with a French Fair featuring games, activities for kids, and of course, music! Oh, and did we mention this is all for free?
2017 marks the 36th anniversary of Fête de la Musique. We think it is important that Washington DC continues to be part of this now world-wide musical phenomenon. The Alliance will produce once more its production of this beloved French festival on Tuesday, June 21st.
At the same time, the safety and comfort of Fête de la Musique attendees and musician remains the Alliance Française priority. Even though last year’s concerts couldn’t go fully ahead due to the inclement weather, we still had to pay the security and sound technicians. This couldn’t have been possible without last year donor’s support .This year; we hope the weather will be on our side. We are still required by DC authorities to provide the same level of security and safety to our attendees.
As a non-governmental non-profit (501c3), the Alliance Française de Washington does not receive funds or subsidies from any government: we need your help to produce this event!
Your participation in this campaign will help us fund:
- The sound system & technicians ($2,780)
- The additional security ($676)
If you love music, if you love life, please help the Alliance Française bring la Fête de la Musique to Washington, DC: please join the Alliance Française’s crowd-funding campaign!
Merci!
To thank you for your donation, we would like thank you with the following rewards:
$1 to $10: Merci to you in our Newsletter!
$25: Merci on the mic the day of the event + newsletter!
$100: All of the above and Alliance Française’s tote bag.
$300: All of the above & an Alliance Française family membership.
$500: All of the above & an invitation to a Special event.