France. Cote d’Azur. August. Line dance. vivre” (or should it be “ de danser”) was of the festival was expected to top 6000.
The perfect combination for an amazing infectious. We saw people dance on gravel, Thanks to the FFCLD Sunday was also
weekend on the fi rst week of August this grass verges, soil and in the tents, in brief, included (the festival is generally only
year at the tenth Cagnes Sur Mer Country everywhere you could think of. And as soon Friday and Saturday evenings) as well as
Music festival. Gerard Simoncello, the as the sound of the music died down for a every day workshops all geared for Line
FFCLD (Federation Francophone De Danse few seconds, all you heard was laughter and dancers. With wonderful instructors like
Country Et Line Dance) president and chanting. The organisers had taken great Guylaine Bourdages from Canada who
Isabelle, his wife as well as Alain Mangenot care in assembling top talent in bands and struck a terrifi c rapport with everyone, the
from Country France and his wife, Annie general animation. DJ Denys was incredible. legend that is Robert Wanstreet, Christiane
Dance had invited Betty, Steve and me, He single handedly introduced bands, Favillier whose charm and exuberance
Laurent to represent Linedancer and meet played music for the dancers, interviewed are fast becoming her trademarks, the
French dancers and stars. dignitaries and remained fresh and jovial extremely handsome and talented David
for three days and nights, fully hatted and Linger, and the amazing Monsieur Gilles
Our friends had visited us with a French booted in the sweltering heat. And when Bataille who wears his name so well,
group during our last CBA and we were asked as to why he is so devoted to Line Betty and Steve who also had a couple of
thrilled to see them all again. dance, Denys just says: “This is great, I am workshops felt honoured and more than
just happy to be here and I want others to a little nervous! But they needn’t have
The festival site was impressive with its range feel the same. ” Denys, c’etait parfait”. been as everyone loved “ze Inglish” doing
of facilities ranging from fi ne merchandise to their thing. Steve’s French was a wonder
a grand display of motorbikes, a fabulous Superb bands followed one after the other to behold and Betty as always charmed
stage and various tents promoting tourism over three evenings. French Line dance everyone in the room. As I said before, the
associations and the FFCLD itself of course. favourites Chattahoochee and Mainstreet perfect Line dance weekend.
Adjoining the stage was a small dance fl oor were amazing and the international sounds
which proved challenging. But none of the of John Permenter, David Waddell, Ranch And as I am writing these lines a couple
hundreds of dancers were to be discouraged House Favorites, Carlton Moody & Burrito of days after coming home, the three of us
even though the temperatures soared to the Deluxe rocked till the very small hours. And still feel amazed. Amazed at our welcome,
near thirties! all of that in the warm and vibrant light of amazed at the professionalism of everyone
la Cote d’Azur made this festival a must be there, amazed at the dance standards and
I have to say here and now that being venue for dancers ad music lovers alike. amazed at the vibrancy of the scene. France
French and from that particular neck of is discovering Line dance in a big way and
the woods, I felt really proud standing The festival organiser Gérard Vanderborck with its sense of style and sheer, eager joy
there. The enthusiasm and sheer “joie de had surpassed himself and the attendance may it long continue.
Chattahoochee
Gerard Vandenbrock
DJ Denys John Permenter
39
Joie de
vivre.id 2 29/8/08, 11:52:52 am
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