Sounds to Sail to the Islands

by Adrienne Wilson on

Sit listening to my music collection on party shuffle  for an hour and you’ll find I’m all for jarring sound transitions. Follow me closely here. Music is about movement. It’s about the flowing, swaying, and gyrating movement of bodies rocking harmoniously on packed dancehall floors in places with little ventilation. Sometimes it’s sudden and spur of the moment while others it’s calculated. Most of us find music takes away in the comfort of our homes allowing our limbs the freedom to burst out in the most unlikely body gestures and some will set adrift to discover music exotic places. I’m for the later idea.

Here’s a few of my own top music picks to help you skip to the islands this summer including concert and festival happenings around the area:

5. Sail to: Portugal’s Azores islands, Europe
When: July & August – several music events happening throughout the islands.
Song: Island of Wonder – Nelly Furtado (album: Folklore)

4. Sail to: Barbados, West Indies
When: July & August – for the island’s popular five-week Crop Over festival with origins tracing back to the 1780’s.
Song: A Girl Like Me – Rihanna (album: A Girl Like Me)

3. Sail to: Oahu, Hawaii
When: August 4-5, 2006 – 13th Annual Hawaiian International Jazz Festival.
Song: Moana Chimes – Jon Brion (album: Punch Drunk Love sdtk)

2. Sail to: Ibiza, Spain
When: July & August – Clubs and clubs galore! Dance in the day or dance at night. If you’re a bit on the mellow side, lay out in the sun at Playa de Ses Salines where DJ is sure to be spinning a record or more.
Song: Wake Up With Me – Be Noir (album: Undiscovered Ibiza)

1. Sail to: Jamaica, West Indies
When: August 3-6, 2006 – The world’s greatest Reggae festival, Reggae Sunsplash, returns and the roster looks as promising as ever.  What better island to be jammin’ on than Jamaica?
Song: Sun is Shining – Bob Marley & the Wailers (album: Kaya)

Jazz in Marciac

by Adrienne Wilson on

Summer and France are almost synonymous for many Americans who can’t possibly fathom braving the country through the winter when most of the French natives are running about. Additionally, summer is probably the only time most Americans have time for travel or are allowed their one week of play during the rest of the 365 days. Whatever your reasons, if you find yourself meandering from café to park to outdoor concert in search of the next big, cool thing to do during your French summer days and nights check out the Jazz in Marciac festival.

The festival, in its 29th year, runs July 31, 2006 – August 15, 2006 and includes musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Roberto Fonseca, Herbie Hancock, Omara Portuondo, Jaime Cullum, Jeff Hamilton, Ile au Jazz, and Jean-Jacques Milteau to name only a few. Having had a small sampling of what’s in store from Richard Johnson (playing piano with Wynton Marsalis) I’d make sure to mark August 11, 2006 on your concert planner at the very least. I might have to make a last minute jaunt to France myself for this one and another during cooler temps, of course.

See the full schedule of events here.