FRENCH ELEGANCE
Be swept away in French elegance, as Arafura Music Collective presents three intimate concerts celebrating La Fête de la Musique, all featuring internationally acclaimed harpist Marshall McGuire.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGE PAZ TASSONE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR CLAIRE Kilgariff, says La Fête de la Musique serves as an annual celebration of French music, encouraging both amateur and professional musicians to perform and share their craft with the community.
“French musicians and composers have always played a vital role in shaping the music world.
This celebration embraces the NT’s cultural diversity, fostering meaningful exchange and deeper understanding through music.”
La Fête de la Musique is perfectly timed for June, when the Dry season invites us to embrace evenings filled with live music and cultural connection.
“The festival begins with An Evening with Marshall McGuire, an enchanted night of solo harp music, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the artistry of one of Australia's most internationally acclaimed musicians,” says Kilgariff.
“Then, Marshall and the musicians of Arafura Music Collective present two special performances – one in Gray Community Hall and the other in the Supreme Court Foyer in Darwin – each bringing the audience a programme of French music from the troubadours to the 20th Century.”
Kilgariff hopes the audience feels emotionally transported and to experience moments of wonder, beauty and connection.
“The joy of live music is in its ability to stir something deeply personal, while also being a shared experience, and June is the perfect time to embrace that. Darwin’s dry season evenings make for ideal music-filled gatherings.”
To heighten the festive spirit, Alliance Française de Darwin hosts a bar with French beverages at both Darwin events, adding an authentic touch to the celebration. With its focus on cultural exchange, accessibility, and joyful gatherings, La Fête de la Musique is the perfect way to embrace the Dry season and the enduring legacy of French music. Oui, oui!
An Evening with Harpist Marshall McGuire
WHEN THU 19 JUN | 6PM
AT BROWN’S MART
COST $39.50 | $39.50
La Fête de la Musique
WHEN SAT 21 JUN | 3.30-5PM
AT GRAY COMMUNITY HALL
COST FREE-$25
WHEN SUN 22 JUN | 5-6.15PM
AT NT SUPREME COURT
COST FREE-$39.50
