La Charite-sur-Loire. The Blues in shape with Chat Musiques. “After two very complicated and difficult years, Le Chat has regained activity and attendance comparable to before Covid in 2022”, rejoiced Élisabeth Levannier, president of the Le Chat Musiques association.
Five concerts at the Théâtre des Forges Royales in Guérigny, a support concert for Ukrainians at La Charité-sur-Loire and a concert at Beaumont-la-Ferrière with, as always, French and foreign groups, satisfied blues lovers. . The twentieth edition of Blues en Loire took place from Monday August 15 to Saturday August 20, 2022.
La Charité-sur-Loire, the festival’s home town, remained the main hub, but Blues en Loire was able to shine in four other towns: Guérigny, Beaumont-la-Ferrière, Mesves-sur-Loire and Varennes-lès- Narcy, for a concert at the Ehpad.
Difficult to find rooms
Unfortunately for a few months, it has become very complicated to find a room for seasonal concerts, regretted the president. In Guérigny, cultural activity is intense and the theater has very few free slots, and they rarely coincide with touring or group availability. “At La Charité, we don’t talk about it, and elsewhere, the rooms are rented quite expensive. In August, it’s different, all the structures are on leave, so we can occupy the rooms, ”she also insisted.
Big downside, the association does not have its own room: “In our home town, still nothing for the 21 e year. So the functioning of our association is still as uncomfortable and as a result, everyone has been wearing out for years, and our continuity is at the end of its course”.
Coming with Christine Hivert to represent the town hall, Jacques Bigot, deputy for culture, mentioned the project of creating a house of associations.
But to stay on positive notes, the Blues en Loire 2023 festival has been scheduled for the third week of August. Already announced are Kaz Hawkins and John Del Toro Richardson and as always, young musicians. As for the impatient, they have an appointment from Sunday March 26, at 5.30 p.m., at the village hall of La Charité-sur-Loire, with Joey J. Saye. Then Sunday May 21, at 5.30 p.m., with Guy Davis, in Pouilly-sur-Loire.
