What’s On 23 – 31/03

Monday 23 March:

A general announcement and reminder that roadwork continues this week near the Haribo parking area that may cause delays into and out of Uzes on the Route de Remoulins. The work is expected to continue until 30th March and then again for four days later in April. Make sure to factor in some extra time when traveling that route.

Another general reminder for walkers and hikers – you now have the opportunity to make sure the trails around our area are clear and well-marked. With an application you can download on your phone, you can now report a problem on a hiking trails thanks to the Meerkat, Tous sentinelle des sports de nature. It is at the initiative of the Pays d’Uzès community of municipalities, which uses this national platform to help identify problems related to signage, safety, or pollution on the trails. You can fill out a simple form and and even upload photos so that these issues can be addressed. To discover this new service, search for “Suricate” on your phone’s app store or go to: www.sentinelles.sportsdenature.fr.

Tuesday, March 24:

Uzès:

The Maison of Danse and Le Capitole d’Uzes Cinema present a dance film series led by choreographer Julie Vuoso, these are films with a social and/or feminist message that inspired the choreographer. Tuesday night March 24 will be the political film “Hunger”, the subject is Long Kesh Prison in Northern Ireland, 1981 when Bobby Sands – leader of IRA political prisoners -begins a Hunger Strike. It is inspired by a true story and was awarded the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. The film starts and 7:45pm and it will be followed by a 30 minute discussion.

The entrance fee is €7.

www.lamaison-cdcn.fr.

Wednesday 25 March:

Uzès

Because you may need to reserve in advance we want to give you a head’s up for a performance by the Yako Quartet this Saturday evening, 28 March as part of “Les Nuits Musicales d’Uzès”. The music is a mixture of classical and pop with a program inspired by Japanese cinema. This show will feature « Mishima by Philip Glass”, and “In Miyasaki’s Dreams ». It will include tunes from animated films such as « My Neighbor Totoro » and « The Castle in the Sky ». Tickets can be booked on the L’Ombriere website or by calling the phone number provided. The cost ranges from €20 to €38, and the show will be 1.5 hours starting at 8:30pm. lombriere.com. // 04 66 62 20 00.

Thursday 26 March:

Montaren:

Do you sometimes get overwhelmed by French Administration? Yes? Well, you are not alone. Now you can find some help at the Presbytery of Montaren on Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. There you will find admin experts who can help guide you through various French administrative procedures related to taxes, health insurance (CPAM), employment assistance, etc. – whether it is paperwork or using online platforms. Please do note that these assistants may not be able to speak English, however if you come with your phone they can help show you how to use the various French administration applications. Appointments are not necessary and you can find more info by phone. // 04 66 22 42 07.

As you may need to reserve, we are providing a “Head’s Up” for events on Saturday 28 March:

Sanilhac:

This Saturday at « La Clé » bar and restaurant, music lovers can enjoy an evening of the the blues with the group « Henry and the Jones« . The band will play rhythm and blues, funk and Soul music. You are advised to book in advance by phone. Tel:// 04 66 58 56 94.

Uzès:

And if you would like to take advantage of this glorious weather we’ve been having, there’s a Saturday afternoon hike in the Garrigue on offer, entitled « the Capitelles d’Uzès trail » on Saturday March 28th. The Capitelles are the dry-stone huts you see dotted around our landscapes that you may have been curious about. These long misunderstood vernacular constructions of the 18^th and 19^th centuries have many stories to tell about the lives and labor of ordinary people so often forgotten by history. You will learn about their construction techniques, still very much alive today and recognized by UNESCO in 2018 as part of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”

The hike will start at 2 p.m. from car park near the source of the Vallee de Eure. This 6 km nature trail is expected to take about 3 hours and has an elevation gain of 100m – don’t forget to wear appropriate walking shoes. Reservations can be made via the Uzès tourist office website: // www.uzes-pontdugard.com.

Collias:

Collias will be hosting a baroque concert this Saturday evening the 28^th of March in the Eglise St. Vincent in the village center. Soloist Anne Derym, the Sommières vocal ensemble, the Calliopé ensemble and the instrumental ensemble Intermezzo will perform Vivaldi, Jommeli and Handel under the direction of Laurent Richard. This will be a musical journey into the baroque world from London to Venice, via Naples. It is free and starts at 6:30pm. More info is available by phone. // 06 75 27 15 21.

Friday, March 27:

Uzès:

You are invited to join the Nîmes choirs « Quinte et Sens » and “Farigoule” at the Temple d’Uzès for a concert of film music and short works from the classical repertoire. The entrance fee is 10€, and it starts at 8:30 p.m. this Friday. More info can be found on the Farigoule Chorale Nimes website:www.farigoule-choralenimes.fr.

And for next Friday April 3, in preparation for Easter and also at the Temple d’Uzes, you can step into the spiritual and musical world of Baroque with the presentation of “Passion Baroque”, a concert by the new vocal ensemble Concentus 16/18. Rooted in the historical traditions of the Passion liturgy, the program features sacred masterpieces by Schütz, Charpentier, Cavalieri, and Schein—works originally written for the solemn services of Holy Week and performed here with one voice per part, bringing an individualized and theatrical expressiveness to both the text and the musical ideas. Through intimate, dramatic music that blends early Baroque expression with older sacred traditions, the concert offers listeners an experience that is both deeply emotional and spiritually reflective. It starts at 8pm, admission is free, and a hat will be passed around for donations. More information is available by phone, email or Facebook. // 07 55 85 55 42. catibus30@orange.fr Facebook Page

And still in Uzès, don’t forget to sign up for the hike in the Garrigue planned for Saturday afternoon March 28 starting at 2pm with a meeting point at the Source d’Eure carpark. You will learn all about the history of those dry-stone huts we have dotted around our landscape and what it reveals about the lives and labor of ordinary people from the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Sign up at the tourist office or through the website: // www.uzes-pontdugard.com. It is 6km and expected to take about 3 hours, with an elevation gain of 100m.

Blauzac:

For dance lovers this Friday evening, March 27th, there will be an evening of traditional balfolk dance music offered by the village’s cultural association – Blandacum. Balfolk dances of Occitanie are characterized by community participation, live music from instruments like the hurdy-gurdy and accordion, and a lively, social atmosphere. The musical group “Cabr’ e Can” will be performing at 8:30pm with explanations of how to learn and opportunities to join in the dance. Doors open at 7:30pm; the evening of fun continues to11:30pm. The cost is €5 and it’s free for children under 12. It will take place at the Foyee Pre Valence / Salle des Fetes in Blauzac.

Saturday 28 March:

St Quentin la Poterie:

The Air de Nature tree climbing park is re-opening its doors this weekend, Saturday the 28^th of March. Going forward, it will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in April on Wednesdays, weekends and public holidays, and also every day during the Easter holidays. Various discovery trails among the treetops are available which are organized by height and can be experienced in complete safety by young and old – for the more adventurous, you can experience a 17 m high jump into the void! After your excursion you can picnic under the shade of the chestnut trees in lounges and hammocks with a snack or drink from the bar. Check out the St. Quentin Air de Nature website for more details.// www.airdenature.com.

Valliguières:

The association « Ciel Mon Ami » offers you a free evening observing the stars and planets in the night sky with the naked eye and a telescope this Saturday evening. This activity will take place from 8 p.m., in the park of the Domaine St Martin. More info by phone// 06 86 56 08 06.

Pouzilhac:

If you were inspired by a night out dancing on Friday in Blauzac, you can continue your dancing adventures in Pouzilhac at the Oustaou Hall on Saturday. The village association for the promotion of arts and culture is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day music and dance event this Saturday evening, starting with a concert by Folk Stories at 7:30 p.m. playing traditional Irish music, in a traditional pub atmosphere. Then the room will be transformed into a traditional ball with the Folk Gang, who will accompany dancers with festive Scottish, bourrée and waltz tunes. The steps will be taught on site so that everyone can dance. Refreshments and snacks will be available at the bar. More info by phone // 06 49 53 06 06.

Sunday 29 March:

Domazan:

If you fancy an old fashioned easter egg hunt with your kids, The Château de Bosc in Domazan is organizing an egg hunt in the park of its castle Sunday afternoon March the 29th. There will be a treasure hunt and a final reward for the cost of 8€. There will also be a snack stand for young and old. It will be open from 2pm to 5pm and you can find more information by phone. // 04 66 57 65 11.

St Quentin la Poterie:

Don’t forget the Air de Nature tree climbing park has re-opened this weekend and will continue to be open on weekends, Wednesdays and public holidays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m, as well as every day during the Easter holidays. Various treetop discovery trails are available which can be experienced in complete safety for young and old. Or just enjoy a picnic under the shade of chestnut trees in the lounges and hammocks on offer, while enjoying various snacks and drinks from the bar. For more detailed information check out the St. Quentin Air de Nature website.// www.airdenature.com.

Vers Pont du Gard:

On the Place du Marché, the village will be hosting its first Vide Grenier of the year on Sunday, March 29th, organized by the Vers Parents’ Association. There is a phone number to call for more information. // 06 03 68 96 51.

Montfrin:

There will be a concert of baroque music Sunday afternoon at the Église Notre-Dame de Malpas. The concert is dedicated to the « Villancicos », traditional Spanish and Latin American Christmas carols originally used as instruments of evangelization in Latin America. It will be conducted by Gabriel Garrido, an Argentinian musician and conductor, who has lived in Montfrin for more than 20 years. He specializes in the Italian baroque and the baroque musical heritage of Latin America. The concert starts at 5:30 p.m., with an entrance fee of €12.

Valliguières:

You have until 5^th of April to book for a weekend of Spring Multi-Dance Workshops to be held on April 11 and 12. These workshops are offered by the ProVieDanse association and will take place at the Fernand Benoit foyer of Valliguières. It will start with Street Jazz, reggae, Afro, Heels and Reggaeton on Saturday. It will continue on Sunday with Bachata, Argentine tango, body percussion and Brazilian dances. You have until April 5 to book by phone or email or via their Facebook Pro-Vie-Danse.// 06 32 66 38 94 and angel-break@live.fr.

Monday 30 March:

For those with children in the Uzès area – If you need to get around town with your kids in tow or you have grandchildren visiting, the Pays d’Uzès community of municipalities will be offering electrically assisted cargo bikes for hire. From April to September the cost will be €65 per month – truly a great deal. If you are interested, you can fill out the form on the cc pays d’Uzès website: mobilité.ccpaysduzes.fr/electric-bike-rental.

And coming up this week and month:

St Quentin la Poterie:

The Terra Viva gallery presents its Spring exhibition, entitled « The Earth Tangles Its Brushes! ». François Bauer, Clothilde Staës, Maud Louise Marie and « les Engobés » present their creations. You can visit this exhibit until 30^th of April. More information can be found by phone. // 04 66 22 48 78.

Vallabrix:

And if you’re in the mood for some local theatre, you are invited by the Sports and Leisure associations and La fenêtre à meneaux to an evening of theatre on Friday April 3rd, with the play « The Revenge of the Centurions« . It will be played at the Communal Foyer of Vallabrix, at 8:30 p.m. While the play is free of charge, a hat will be passed for donations. Do note it will be in French.

Tuesday 31 March:

Coming up this week:

Uzès:

In the Medieval Garden of Uzès, there will be a new exhibit from April 1 entitled « Butinerie ». In two series of drawings celebrating plant life and life cycles, you can discover the sensitive and poetic universe of Perrine Pée. As well the Photochouet Uzès club invites you to take an urban journey through the exhibit “villes du monde, regards croisés” or « Cities of the world, crossed views ». It is open from Monday to Sunday, during the hours of the medieval garden, with an entrance fee of €8. // 04 66 22 38 21.

Vallabrix:

For Horse lovers, the equestrian center « l’étrier de l’Uzège » is hosting its annual amateur and professional show jumping competition this long weekend. The event is called « le Jumping de l’Etrier » and takes place – April 3, 4 and 5. The public is welcome to come and discover a lively weekend of equestrian challenges, including refreshments and catering. You can find more information by phone. // 06 71 10 37 37.

Saint Anastasia:

And if you fancy a panoramic and challenging nature run next weekend, you can sign up for the “Trail des 3 Clochers” which will start in Saint Anstasia and pass through three communes. The route through these UNESCO classified communes will offer breathtaking views of the Gorges du Gardon. The run will start at 8:40am and will be 20km in length with an elevation gain of 650 m in total. As of Sunday morning, there are still 237 of 500 spaces left. Registration and details of this race on the kms website www.kms.fr. Or https://kms.fr/v5/public/course/5359

Sète

And last, but definitely not least, even though it is not in the Uzege area, I wanted to let you know about one of the largest Maritime festivals on the Mediterranean in the nearby seaside town of Sète. It is called “Escale a Sète” and it takes place between Tuesday March 31 to April 6th. There will be 2km of quays, boats, entertainment, stalls, music and food. This year’s theme will be dedicated to Italian maritime traditions – there will be 120 boats you can board including the magnificent legendary ships such as Belem, the Nao Victoria and Florette. You’ll find all about the history of this festival, the programming and how to book specific visits in addition to lots of photos on the EscaleASete website. // escaleasete.com. Definitely worth a visit if you’ve never been.