As a part of Le French Festival, performers from France visit Guernsey; livening the streets and local venues with a diverse array of talent.
Feeling like a more laid back week? We’ve got you covered! Fascinating artist talks, emotional and powerful stage play adaptations, and a celebration of gothic literature are all on the calendar for this week.
Le French Festival
Le French Festival has returned to the Islands of Guernsey, with a host of French themed activities, music, food, films and even an Opera; discover some of this week’s music events below!
KALAC at The Yacht
We’re bringing you a night of psychedelia, with free entry at the Yacht on the 14th October.
KALAC is a French psych band from Dinan (Brittany) influenced by Krautrock, shoegaze, 70’s psych rock and space rock. Mostly instrumental, they are singing both French and English. Their first single « Conscience » was out in March 2023 on Crème Brûlée Records.
“The power-trio is flirting with the sound of the neo psychedelic scene. Hypnotic and atmospheric riffs is their recipe to put you in a state of levitation and introspection.”
Supporting are local band Spacesoul. With a diverse sound composed of post-punk, indie, goth and psychedelia attributes; these tunes make the perfect companion to the french psych of KALAC.
Bring a friend, grab a drink and enjoy!
Tranzat at The Vault
Head down to The Vault at 9pm this Friday 13th to catch the electric Tranzat! From Breast, Tranzat is formed of four friends and a wild fusion of metal, rock and fun.
A whirlwind of energy and madness, Tranzat bring alternative metal from Brittany fusing exceptional musical craftsmanship with a fun twist. Supporting is Grunge from the Vale with Coastal Fire Dept – showcasing a throwback to 90s alt rock and grunge guitar bands with a modern twist, CFD is about big driving melodic guitars with catchy choruses. Don’t miss out on this French/Guernsey fusion of pure energy.
PS – entry is free!
Ces Gens-Là pop up performances
Keep an eye out over the weekend to spy this fantastic father and daughter. Meet Ces Gens-Là.
First, there is Dune, a young singer with a warm tone and powerful vocals, who channels Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Georges Brassens, Claude Nougaro, Barbara, and so many other artists from the great years of French Songs. Accompanying is Laurent, whose accordion brings these famous melodies to life again.
Catch them at the Cock and Bull on Friday from 8.30pm, at the OGH for afternoon tea on Saturday at 4pm and in the Market at 12pm Saturday and 11am Sunday.
‘Literally Gothic’
Literally Gothic, Alderney’s one-day festival of Gothic Literature, returns on Saturday, October 14th at the Alderney Methodist Church, 9.30am – 5.30pm. The Alderney Literary Trust launched the first Literally Gothic one-day event in 2021 during pandemic restrictions.
Now it returns by popular demand when five leading authors will speak on different aspects of the genre, with themes ranging from the influence of architecture on literature to the uncanny and the supernatural. Dale Townshend, Professor of Gothic Literature at the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University, opens the festival at 9.30am with “Revenants and Remains: Gothic Architecture and Gothic Literature in the Long 18th Century”.
Jeni Snell talk with Mark Cook
Jeni invites you to view an interesting discussion on her latest exhibition – ‘Bunkers, Beach Stripes and Ices’ – with Mark Cook MA (Art Hist)( QTLS, DTTLS, BA (Hons). Lecturer of Art and Design, Creative and Digital Arts. Jeni will be discussing the inspirations for her exhibition, the nature of her work and the wider implications of the relevance of art to the depiction of history in the modern environment.
The talk takes place at the Art at the Park Gallery at the Folk and Costume Museum at Saumarez Park at 3pm on Sunday 15th October. Entry is free and the gallery is fully accessible.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a fascinating insight into the mind and work of the artist.
GADOC Presents: The Diary of Anne Frank
GADOC is proud to present Wendy Kesselman’s powerful and poignant stage play adaptation of ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’.
Nazi-Occupied Holland, 1942. Young Jewish girl Anne Frank and her family go into hiding in the secret annex of an Amsterdam warehouse. Soon joined by another family and a local dentist, and living in devastatingly close quarters, the vivacious and observant Anne keeps a diary and through her eyes we glimpse the drama, terror, hope and even humour of the struggle to survive unimaginable circumstances. Directed by Dani Robin, Kesselman’s gripping adaptation creatively brings the well-known story to life for generations old and new.
Multiple performances will be taking place from Wednesday the 18th of October to Saturday the 21st of October at the Beau Séjour Leisure Centre – dont miss your chance to secure tickets, follow the link below! https://arts.gg/events/the-diary-of-anne-frank/
To find out more about becoming a member of GADOC, go to their website: www.gadoc.org.gg
Choral masterclass opportunity
If you’re a fan of choral music, or have ever dreamed of learning about the art from an internationally renowned composer, now is your chance! As part of the Guernsey Choral Festival, ‘contemporary hero of British choral music’, Bob Chilcott, will be joining three local choirs to bring music lovers a choral masterclass!
Tickets are £15 on the door and free if you’re a student – no prior experience is required.
