Spring bursts forth

The French Embassy in Manila has issued a call for unity in diversity via a most diverse program for the 7th edition of the Annual French Spring in Manila that is definitely united in its celebration of creativity and artistry.

The festival runs the whole month of June, but most of the activities will take place in the first half of the month in venues in Metro Manila and Cebu.

French spring arrives via Le Voyage d’amour with the enchanting Helene Delavault as she recounts stories in songs operatic and contemporary swathed in a cabaret atmosphere in an invitation-only concert on June 1. Too bad she will not have a public performance.

But several other musical events are in store for aficionados. The 3rd Manila Jazz Festival on June 3 (7 pm, free, first come/first served) at the Expo Exchange at Greenbelt 1 in Makati features the Jamie Oehlers Quartet (which also performs at the Mandarin Oriental’s Captain’s Bar on June 2 at 7 pm) with local groups Affinity, Satya, Subconcept and the Jewelmer Jazz Band.

Students of the European International School will Rock for a Reason on June 4 (from 3 pm) at the Eurocampus in Parañaque with popular local bands like The Mongols, Kapatid, Menaya, Slapshock and others. The "reason" for the concert is that proceeds go to a family and children’s service center, relief efforts for quezon flood victims and a group working to improve the slums (tickets at [email protected]).

A dozen of the hippest classical musicians will hold a series of concerts (June 7, 8 and 9 in Manila, June 7 in Cebu, all free) in French Colors. All winners of international competitions, the musicians include a wind formation and a string orchestra–but don’t expect stodgy violinists or dour pianists; just wait till you get a look at these very now music makers!

The traditional festival ender Fete de la Musique again caps French Spring 2005. The main venue is El Pueblo (Ortigas Center, Pasig from 5 pm onwards), but musical celebrations will also be held at Greenbelt 3, Shangri-La Plaza, Eastwood and others.

The much awaited French film festival kicks off on June 2 (public screenings begin the next day) at the Greenbelt cinemas in Makati, this year being the film fest’s 10th anniversary. In the past, such outstanding works as Amelie, 8 Femmes and Taxi were shown to appreciative cineastes. Films currently showing in French theaters (called cineplexes) will be on screen, like 5 X 2 (François Ozon), 36 Quai des Orfévres (Olivier Marchal) and a number of police thrillers, which should be interesting viewing, to see how French cops catch the bad guys vis a vis the CSI and NYPD Blue we are familiar with. The Cebu edition of the filmfest will be on June 24 to 26 at Ayala Center Cebu. Tickets at only P50.

Photo, embroidery and painting exhibits will showcase the different facets of French culture. One of the country’s most famous travel photographers George Tapan trains his lenses on the world’s most photographed city, Paris, high-lighting her colors through solarization. His Paris Off Color wil be on view at Greenbelt 3 from June 3 to 30.

French artist-in-residence Maxime Acker will exhibit photographs of his installations, sculptures and videos at the Alliance Française de Manille (N. Garcia St., Makati) from June 6 to 30, while designer Elodie Brunet exhibits exquisite piña-silk weaving and embroidery which she worked on with the Rurugan sa Tubod weavers in Palawan from June 5 to 18 at the Ayala Museum (Makati Ave.).

A classic eco-fable by French writer Jean Giono, The Man Who Planted Trees is adapted by children’s book author Augie Rivera and illustrated by Romeo Forbes. These illustrations will be exhibited at Glorietta 4 Art Center from June 13 to 30, and a limited edition of the book will be on sale to support CANVAS, an organization that assists Filipino writers, artists and artisans.

Modern dance company Airdance stages Indios Bravos, a full-length dance theater piece based on the group formed by Jose Rizal and other Filipino exiles in Paris in the 1880s, on June 6 (8:30 pm, free) at Onstage in Greenbelt 1 (Makati).

Necessary to any festival is food, and French Spring 2005 is no exception. The Mandarin Oriental Manila’s Tivoli plays host to two chefs from the famed Le Cordon Bleu from June 6 to 19. Cooking classes will be held at the College of St. Benilde (June 6 to 8, for students only) and at the Mandarin Oriental (June 9 and 10, reservations needed, call 750.8888 loc 2431). A cooking demonstration will be held at the Alliance Française on June 11, noon to 2:30 pm.

The highlight of this year’s French Spring is a series of contemporary street art performances that will surely enthrall Manila audiences.

On June 11 and 12, if you’re around Greenbelt 3 in Ayala Center in the afternoon or early evening and on June 11 in Intramuros later at night, watch out for Les Apostrophés, a group of four street jugglers and an accompanying accordionist who might suddenly send a plastic bottle flying through the air or tip a stack of boxes and turn a sidewalk or a cafe or a store entrance into a most exciting stage for Passage des Emboites. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Contemporary circus is no longer just high wire acts and animal trainers, as Cirque de Soleil has proven. But Camille Boitel’s L’homme de Hus "will alternately make you laugh, open your eyes wide in suspense, awe...hold on to your seat" at Onstage in Greenbelt 1 on June 14 (8 pm, free).

Les Apostrophés, Boitel’s group, French dancer Marine Broise plus Filipino dancers and French and Filipino musicians will get together for an unforgettable cabaret evening of improvisations, ad libs and other unexpected performances on June 16 at Republic of Malate (MH del Pilar St., free).

It’s a season overflowing with possibilities, truly a spring bursting with art-life. The French Embassy led by the indefatigable Ambassador Renee Veyret (who plays a mean guitar and should be joining the festival performances), the Alliance Française de Manille and Association Française d’Action Artistique and the legion of sponsors that year after year bring spring to Manila should be commended and applauded for their untiring and wonderful efforts.

For further inquiries, call 857.6920 or check out the website www. frenchspringinmanila.com.