Another round of Fete de la Musique set to excite Cebu music scene

CEBU, Philippines – Globally-celebrated live music festival, Fete de la Musique, once again invades Cebu on June 21, heating up the stage at the Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu, from 5 in the afternoon and onwards, with rhythms and sounds from Cebu’s finest music artists.

This year’s musical event features the performances of Joel Oporto, Prudence Salutillo, Natasha Cang, 560th Air Base Wing Band, Sinha Bahia de Capoeira, Sugbuanon, Juress, Zarah Smith, Urbal, Island Joe, CDMC, Smooth Friction, Cuarenta, UNO, Sheila and the Insects (SATI) and The Line Divides.

Fete de la Musique, commonly known as the World Day of Music, started out in France by the French Ministry of Culture headed by Jack Lang on June 21, 1982.

A French Memorandum was issued lamenting the sad and sorry state of the millions of musical instruments stored in the closet and cupboards of French artists.

It started the idea of setting aside one day of each year to give all musicians, professionals and amateurs alike, an opportunity to play and showcase their talent in every venue conceivable.

Today, it is considered as one of the most famous music festivals in the world, with over 120 countries participating in the simultaneous celebration in over 400 cities and towns such as Berlin, Brisbane, Geneva, Johannesburg, and Brussels.

The first Fete de la Musique in the Philippines took place in Metro Manila in 1994 and has been celebrated yearly since its birth.

Last year, Fete de la Musique came to Cebu for the very first time, heard by more than six thousand spectators who were present to witness the live performances of Cebu’s finest artists despite the strong winds and rain from typhoon Frank. It was held at a jampacked Paseo Center in Mabolo.

This year, organizers anticipate a bigger and more diverse crowd as Fete de la Musique will be staged at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu.

Families are in for a treat when the music begins at the main staging area at 5 o’clock in the afternoon and continues until midnight. Spectators can expect to be treated to performances from various musical genres, showcasing the best of Cebuano musical artistry, ranging from classical, world, pop, reggae and rock.

True to Fete de la Musique tradition, the performers participate for free, and admission is free to the general public.

The event not only gives an opportunity for artists—both established and budding—to showcase their music, but also for people to hear and appreciate music, and to bridge the gap between people of different cultures and levels of society.

Fete de la Musique once again hopes to bring together people from various walks of life in what could only be described as a celebration of diversity using one platform—this universal language called music.

Fete de la Musique in Cebu 2009 is proudly presented by Les Amis de la France (French Cultural Institute and Language Center), and BITE Magazine and is co-presented by M Lhuillier and ABS-CBN, with major sponsors International Pharmaceuticals Inc., The Terraces Ayala Cebu, The Marco Polo Hotel, and Yehey.com. It is also supported by Island Souvenirs, Monster Radio BT 105.9, Soundballoon, and Cyma.