The columérine Arpalhands association will this year celebrate its 30 years of passion for Occitan music and dance, but also for a number of popular expressions from other regions of the world, particularly Ireland.
From Wednesday March 8 to Saturday March 25, its biennial Festival Fous d’Archet “dedicated to the bow and all that comes in contact with it!”, will once again provide living, playful, popular and good-natured proof of this. Its original and eclectic program promises favorites and discoveries to all audiences. Concerts, balls, musical encounters, courses, exhibitions, will give as many opportunities to appreciate the music of Ireland, Brittany, Occitania… to dance or to listen to. “The bow will reign supreme of course, and there will be something for everyone!” promise the Arpalhands.
In Toulouse, the MJC du Pont des Demoiselles will host the first festivities with, Wednesday March 8 at 3 p.m., the show “Young audience and families” by Pierre Rouch and Michaël Bourry: a rich musical journey from the Basque Country to Catalonia.
The next day, at 9 p.m., a festive and friendly atmosphere for an evening of music and dancing: from the duet to the gathering of violins, all the musical groups will invite you to dance, especially since an initiation will be offered at the start of the evening.
On Friday March 10 at 8 p.m., the MJC du Pont des Demoiselles will once again host the festive concert by Gerry Carter & Friends, a Franco-Irish group which will enthusiastically reproduce the joyful, spontaneous and warm atmosphere of Irish pubs.
Saturday March 11 at 8 p.m., in Cugnaux, 4 very energetic groups of musicians and singers will animate a Fest-Noz and Occitano-Canadian ball.
Thursday 16 at 9:30 p.m. and Friday 17 at 7:30 p.m., Le Bijou de Toulouse will take over with the “Sand” concert (violin and vocals) and “St Patrick’s Night” by the Vegan Vampyres!
Fous d’Archet will end its journey with two final evenings at the Hall Comminges in Colomiers: March 24 and 25, with Ciac Boum, Septembre, Rémi Geffroy & Odysseus, Amzic… And many other groups.
